News & Notes #5
October 8, 2021
CONTENTS:


  • Producer's Corner

  • Nick's Notes

  • Volunteers needed!

  • Things to Know this week

  • Livestream Info

"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife."  

- Kahlil Gibran


We certainly felt that power this past week with both Nthabi and Donnell joining us and bringing the music alive. It was exhilarating to be dancing and singing together with them.  The energy was palpable! 

Again, we can't thank all the volunteers who helped us set up the chairs and stack them back up. We need each of you to do what you can to help make the rehearsals happen. So, if you haven’t, please consider volunteering, and if you have, please know we couldn’t do this without you.

Your season producers,
Gale & Michal
Nick's Notes
It was a joy to have Donnell Patterson and Nthabi Thakadu at rehearsal this past week.  If you missed it, please view the video link in this e-mail.  This coming week we will work on And Peace On Earth, Power Lord, Kol HaNeshama, Glory To God and I will review the song Nthabi introduced, It Is Well (see video link below).
 
Solfege:
I made a short video to explain the Solfege syllables of Do Re Mi.  If you haven’t viewed them already, please review the new videos for learning to read musical intervals as well as a breakdown of each part for Glory To God. 
 

Music Reading Workshop:
This coming Tuesday, I will lead a music reading workshop from 6:30 to 7:20 in the sanctuary.  Please come early if possible to help set up the chairs.
 
New Song:
Nthabi sang a new song, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL by Kristine DiMarco.  It is a praise song.  Praise songs began in white Christian churches, drawing on pop traditions.  Praise songs have now been embraced in many black churches just as Gospel has become embraced in white churches.  We sing along with Nthabi at the end of the song.

The words are simple:
It is well with my soul (3x with the 3rd x ending higher)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
 
Steal Away:
Thanks go to Sandy Sachs for sending the following link.  It features the current Jubilee Singers, a chorus that began after the Civil War.  They are rehearsing their arrangement of Steal Away.  I love when the conductor asks for vibrato.  It’s an amazing sound.  You can feel the history.

In case you missed it...
Nick created new videos to help in learning "GLORY TO GOD" - check it out!





Things to Know this Week
1.      THIS WEEK - Music Reading Workshop with Nick:
October 12 from 6:30 to 7:20 in the Sanctuary. 
Music Reading Session with Nick Page. For new music readers and those eager to improve their skills Nick will break down the basics of reading both rhythms and melodies.

2.      Turn off your Phone:
Please turn off your phone, or put it into Airplane mode during rehearsal. Last week, we lost our Livestream in the middle of rehearsal, possibly from too much drain on the WiFi. Thanks!

3.      Please Remember to observe distancing when using the bathrooms. We will not be having a break so use the restrooms as needed. Bathrooms are on the main floor, through the Vestry and on the right.

4.      No eating is permitted anywhere in the building. This is in keeping with best practices for safety.

And, as always: Practice, listen, keep singing, have fun, and BE MAGNIFICENT!

If you have any questions, please reach out to the producers:

Weekly Health Questions

Each week at sign-in, we will ask you to affirm that you do not answer yes to any of the following four questions.

  • Have you tested positive for COVID in the last 10 days?

  • Have you been in close contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with a person infectious with COVID in the last 10 days?

  • Do you have COVID symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal symptoms, new loss of taste or smell, muscle aches or any other signs of illness?

  • Have you recently traveled to a very high risk area, CDC-rated level 5? We ask that you have a negative COVID test five days after your last exposure before returning to rehearsal. Thank you.

If you answer "Yes" to any of these, please do not attend rehearsal in person.

Instead, you can tune into the Livestream. See the yellow box below for the Livestream link and instructions.
Livestream Instructions & Link
Live streamed rehearsals are getting better each week.
Paula is running the camera and working the chat. (THANK YOU PAULA!) Questions, comments and suggestions can be posted in the chat during rehearsal or during the week sent to Paula at Fundraising@mysticchorale.org

Streaming starts at 7:15 pm and ends at 9:40 pm.
At 7:15 the camera watches singers arrive and interviews a few until Nick starts the rehearsal at 7:30. Questions for Nick will usually be answered by him on camera. Paula may type Nick’s answer in the chat. She will answer or find an answer to all remaining questions. The 10 minutes between the end of the rehearsal and sign off is for any final questions & to say good night!
What you will need:

  • A computer, laptop, tablet or phone. We recommend whatever device you have that has best speakers. (Laptop is usually better than tablet or phone. Or, plug into external speakers, if you have them).


  • A place to sit and sing comfortably. We suggest an upright chair, similar to what you would find at rehearsal. A soft chair or couch is not as conducive to good singing.

How to tune into the Livestream:

  • At 7:15 on Tuesday, click the video preview below, and you'll be with us!

  • The Livestream link will also be posted on the website, HERE.

When you arrive in the Livestream:

Please sign in using the YouTube chat!
We'd love to know who's out there on the livestream each week. Please enter your full name in the chat so we know you're there. The chat box is in the lower right on most computer screens. Tablets and phones work differently, and you may or may not be able to access the chat with those devices.

Note: If you do not have a YouTube account, you may be prompted to set up a YouTube "channel" before you can chat. If you already have a gmail account, it's one very quick step. If you do not have a Google account, there may be more steps involved. This is optional. If you can't type in the chat, please email Paula to let us know you're there.

LIVESTREAM VIDEOS: Miss a Livestream? No problem!
Video Recordings of each rehearsal will be posted on the website, HERE.
Join the Livestream:
Click the Video Preview below...
Next Rehearsal: Tuesday, October 12
Tune in at 7:15 for special content
just for Livestreamers!
Rehearsal begins at 7:30
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!
We can't wait to see you and sing together again!!
The Mystic Chorale | Website