Sorry to be late, everyone; health interruption. Fine, now!


On Tuesday, we will continue to compare our two composers' means of expressing the text, specifically the opening movements of each.


In both versions we repeat the word "Magnificat," which in Latin strictly translates as "it praises," i.e., Mary is saying to her cousin Elizabeth "my soul praises." According to Biblical scripture, this is her response to Elizabeth's news that Mary will give birth to the long-awaited Messiah.


This will be the only Latin word that you'll sing in Rutter's setting, and you'll use the Roman Latin pronunciation of the word: mah-NYEE-fee-caht. You'll sing it a lot...a LOT. See how it glides smoothly? It's a perfect example of the difference between Roman Latin and German Latin. In the Bach, you will stop the tone on a hard G, continuing with the other three syllables: mahg-NEE-fee-caht. As we sing it, you'll notice how the German Latin provides a very clear point to the beat! Then try to find the point of the beat with the smoothly gliding Roman pronunciation; not so easy, but also not surprising when you group it with words in, say, Italian and French. Scholars began reasoning and putting into practice the difference between those versions as recently as the mid-to-late 80s, and musicians now feel the German approach is most "authentic" (perhaps a misused and impossible term) for works composed up through the Baroque and Classic eras by composers from the appropriate regions. Having performed it for years as a singer with the professional Oregon Bach Festival Chorus, I grew to love it and appreciate how its rhythmic clarity seems to happen by itself. That said, I'd never use it for Faure or Verdi!


Enough dry, scholarly information...on to a practical matter: the ease with which sopranos and altos will discover your correct parts in this movement of the Rutter! He gradually enriches the harmony by thickening it. When we performed this piece the first time many years ago, there had to be long and tortuous deliberations deciding who and how the divisions of SSA would become SSAA. No problem, now: as you transition from Bach (SSA) to Rutter (SSAA), you simply revert to your usual parts of 1st & 2nd soprano and 1st & 2nd alto. Easy peasy!


Not so much for the tenors and basses, when they each divide into two parts! So far this term we have a numerical challenge in the tenor section. Basses have pretty much settled into their bass/baritone division, but I'm not sure if the tenors have completed that plan. That said, here's the point of this all-important discussion: last time, I assigned all the 2nd altos to the 1st tenor line when the tenors divided. (We had to do that in Cohen's Alzheimer's Stories a couple of years ago, and it was difficult.) But know this now: WE WILL NOT ASSIGN ALTOS TO FIRST TENOR for this performance! I'm trying for integrity. It may be necessary to shift (request?) a couple of baritones to 2nd Tenor, freeing more tenors to take the high road, but I want to use that path.


Bottom line: if you're an alto who sang the Rutter with us before, or have a used score that has those arrows of reassignment, erase the arrows, please. Retain your alto-ness (a newly minted word).


Is all that clear? I hope so! If you will please study the opening movement of the Rutter to discover where and when your part divides, please mark those places.


We'll have our new seating arrangement next Tuesday night. What I dearly hope we won't have is snow.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Volunteers Needed for Weekly Setup/Teardown 

As a self-presenting choir, we rely on members to volunteer to operate our organization. Right now, we are seeking a crew of volunteers to help set up and tear down our rehearsal space each week (starting February 4) for the entire term (having a dedicated crew enables them to become more familiar with the process). We need six people to help with setup (arriving at 6:30pm) and six people to help with teardown. Please consider your physical abilities and the commitment required, then sign up if you can lend a hand. Contact Rebecca Payne at rebecca.payne4444@gmail.com with any questions. 

Member Handbook 

The Member Handbook is now available and provides important information for this term. Learn what's expected of you at rehearsals, what you need to wear for concerts, how to get more involved with FCO, and track important dates. 

Performance Dresses 

Singers wear either a designated dress and jacket or a black tuxedo with black vest and bow tie. If you need to purchase a dress/jacket, samples sizes will be available to try on at the next two rehearsals.Order your dress/jacket as soon as possible to ensure they arrive in time for the concert. Singers are responsible for the cost of concert attire. Contact Rebecca Payne at rebecca.payne4444@gmail.com with any questions. 

Choir for All 

Since our founding, FCO has focused on making our music and our organization accessible to all. From financial assistance for participation costs to accommodating various physical needs, we want you to feel welcomed and supported. Contact Rebecca Payne at rebecca.payne4444@gmail.com or your section leader to discuss particular needs or concerns.

Rehearsal Resources

Check out these resources to help learn this term's music:

Rehearsal Rules

  • Regular rehearsals run 7:00–9:30pm
  • Stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
  • Notify Bryan Gonzalez (503-851-5351) as soon as possible if you test positive for COVID-19

Member Roster & Key Contacts

You can now download the roster of this term's members. If you cannot open the file, download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free. Please use this information for choir business only such as arranging ride shares.

Solveig Holmquist

Conductor

503-851-4509

holmqus@wou.edu

Rebecca Payne

Membership Coordinator

503-789-4024

rebecca.payne4444@gmail.com

Jessica Coons

Soprano Section Leader

503-917-9309

livingonmiracles@gmail.com

Doris Clark

Alto Section Leader

503-910-4777

daclark46@msn.com

Bryan González

Tenor Section Leader

503-851-5351

bcgonzalez@juno.com

Phil Davis

Bass Section Leader

503-999-8200

gomapleleafs@comcast.net

Stay Alert

FCO uses text message alerts to provide important reminders and to share last-minute information. If you haven't received alerts this term, sign up now.

COVID-19

FCO no longer requires vaccination against COVID-19 or the use of masks. To protect the health and safety of everyone who interacts with our organization, please stay home if you feel unwell. Any member who tests positive for COVID-19 must report their diagnosis to FCO as soon as possible and may not participate in any FCO event until determined safe to do so according to public health recommendations or their healthcare provider. FCO will not disclose the identity of any member who tests positive but will notify all members of potential exposures.

FesitvalChorale.org

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