Practice

We began with 

• Noel Noel

  • Ian asked us to be aware of the rests in the first line. The Noel should stop after the 'el'. Don’t make the 'el' short (as in staccato) - there should be a full crotchet followed by a rest. Could you also think of the four Noels as a phrase in one breath. The same applies to each of the next two staves.

  • In the final bar, the 1st sopranos sing CCCCCDEF

  • The 2nd sopranos sing CCCCCCBA

  • The altos sing as written.

  • This is a happy song. Don’t forget to smile.

• Holly And The Ivy

  • This is an audience participation song. We sing the verses and the audience joins in with the chorus.

  • The whole choir sings the first verse; altos sing the second; 2nd sopranos sing the third; 1st sopranos sing the fourth; altos sing the fifth; and all sing the sixth.

  • Please don't sing choi-yer as in a Welsh Rugby crowd! 

• O Holy Night

  • Ian sent round a score of this so if you haven’t already done so, please make sure that you’ve printed a copy for next week.

  • 2nd sopranos join the altos for the tune at the beginning and then go to top line at bar 7 and also sing tune at bar 28, then go to top line at bar 33.

  • 2nd sopranos go to middle line at bar 42.

  • There’s a dissonance in bar 45. Stick to your guns and don’t get put off by it. It resolves after the dotted minim.

  • Don’t get caught out by the duplet at the end of bar 51. 

  • There’s another dissonance in bar 51. 

  • In the final two bars, the front two rows of 2nd sopranos sing the upper note and the back row sing the lower.

• Star Candles

  • This needs to flow. There are some complicated rhythms but the focus is on the melody. There are several versions on You Tube.

  • At the end, the altos are on the bottom line marked 'Optional'.

  • The second sopranos will be on the middle line, all singing the large notes.

• El Noi De La Mare

  • We’re hoping to sing this in Catalan. A pronunciation guide will shortly be sent round. In the meantime, look through the piece to get the rhythms sorted.

• Let It Snow

• After 'and since we’ve no place to go' 2nd sopranos sing with the altos for 'Let it snow, Let it snow', and then revert to their own line. The same applies in the third system at the bottom of page 4

• A Maiden Most Gentle

• All sopranos sing the third verse.

• 4th verse - 2nd sopranos sing the top line of the alto divisi and altos sing the lower notes. 

• 5th verse – as in the 4th.

• Remember to keep to pure Italian vowels for the 'Ave' – long a (ah) and short e (as in egg).

• Jingle Bells  (from A Christmas Special)

  • If you have any small bells, bring them along. You’ll be told when to play and when to keep them quiet.

• Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (from A Christmas Special)

  • Sing what is written on the page. The rhythms may not be quite as you remember them. 

  • 2nd sopranos go to alto line at bar 22 and return to their own line at bar 30.

  • On the last stave Ian has given us permission to slide from the crotchet to the semibreve. 

• The Angel Gabriel Came

  • The first sopranos sing the solo at the beginning and everyone joins in where it says all.

  • 2nd sopranos sing the solo on page 16 and go to the lower notes when the sopranos divide.

  • All sopranos sing the top line on page 3.

  • There was a point at which Ian asked just the back row of sopranos to sing but I'm afraid I didn't make a note of it and I can't remember where it was. Perhaps someone could remind me??

Have a lovely week with lots of practice. Remember we have to get this programme ready in 6 weeks so lots of practice now will help us to be secure on the day.

Ann