Wednesday, June 30, 2010

First Three Rehearsals

Its summer and many are traveling, enjoying the summer. We’ve had three rehearsals of the Chorale and each time, some singers were missing. Most of our regulars attended at least one rehearsal, and got their music.

Our major work for the Christmas concert is Haydn’s Missa Cellensis. We will perform is as an “English Mass,” that is, the Kyrie and Gloria only. That leaves us more time for several Christmas anthems. The mass is beautiful, and difficult.

We’re working on several Christmas anthems.

A Spotless Rose by Herbert Howells sets a 14th Century text. It has a beautiful baritone solo.

An Ave Maria by Franz Biebl was originally written for a Firemen’s chorus in England. It is for 8 parts and very beautiful. Those firemen were very talented indeed!

Past Three O’Clock is a song of a 17th Century London town crier. It is arranged for chorus and harp by Cary Radcliff.

Remember, O Thou Man is another 17th Century text, arranged by Robert Jordahl.

Popular choral composer, John Rutter, wrote the festive Rejoice and be Merry for chorus and hand bells.

Brazilian Christmas Carol, for chorus and percussion, is composed by Benjamin Harlan. We’ll sing it in English.

So far, the singers really like all the music. Come join us and keep cool by singing Christmas music all summer!

No comments: