News & Notes #7
May 13, 2022

  • New Audio: "Try the Real Thing" (from Mystic rehearsal)

  • Tickets on Sale Now!

  • Do you have a friend or family member who could usher?
Producers' Notes
If those blossoms outside the UU church AND the music inside is not enough to inspire I don’t know what is!

Our concert is in exactly one month. Best of luck learning and memorizing the music. Thanks to those who ask questions to clarify confusion during rehearsals. The more work we do at home with the mechanics, the more deeply we can work on the music with Nick and Donnell. We can do it, not with might not with power but with love! (Well maybe a little power)

Concert Dates/Times at Cary Hall, Lexington

Dress Rehearsal:
Thursday June 9, 7pm
No need for concert clothes, but wear the shoes you will wear at the concert

Concert: Friday June 10
5:30 Arrival
5:45 Warmup
6:00 Onstage

Concert Dress- solid blue or green on top, black on bottom, black mask (black singer's mask or black N95 or KN95)

We still need volunteers for concert jobs like usher and front of house. Ask your family and friends who will get free admission for their help! Email: volunteer@mysticchorale.org

Thanks as always to all the volunteers who make the rehearsals happen!
Cheers,
Ann
Will you need a chair for the concert?

If you will need to sit during the concert, please email the Producers with your name and section. Producers@mysticchorale.org

Please note: Because of space limitations and sightlines on the stage, we ask seated singers to stay in their chairs for the full concert. There will not be room to get up and stand for some songs.

Thanks!
Questions about the Season?
Reach out to Ann and Gale at:
Our Producers are volunteers with busy lives! They will do their best to get back to you ASAP.
Nick's Notes
As Donnell conducted the other day I was beaming with joy. We create a marvelous sound, full of compassion. I loved how you all followed on Steal Away – you got it and I loved his interpretation of the word “ain’t,” emphasizing its importance.

But I was not happy that so many of us were still clinging to the music. clutching it like security blankets.
It's time to let go of the sheet music so the music can truly soar. For Tuesday, I will not allow sheet music on Steal Away, Moon Is Walking, Glory Glory, Die Gedanken, I Open My Mouth, or Fill My Cup. Be memorizing the other songs as each week we must free ourselves of the safety nets.

We will work a lot this week on Arise Arise and Lo V’Chayil (Not By Might). I’m trying to run songs without stopping so we have a sense of the wholeness of each song. Songs are lifetimes. Like the great stories they are beginnings, middles and ends and like the great stories, there are no real beginnings, middle nor ends.

A rough recording of Donnell running through TRY THE REAL THING is now on our website. Here is a LINK.
Nick Page
Concert Tickets on sale now!
Get your concert tickets today!

Friday, June 10, 8:00 pm
Cary Hall, 1605 Mass Ave
Lexington, MA

Tickets: $20
Concert Volunteers get one free ticket!
We need: Ushers, Tickets Sales, Vax check & more
to volunteer or for more info
Covid Protocols for the Concert:
All audience members and volunteers must be fully vaccinated (including booster) and wear a mask. Those without a booster may attend by showing evidence of a negative Covid test on the day of the concert.
Concert Evite
to share with friends & family

Want to send a nice invite to family & friends?

Wondering about livestream?
We *HOPE* to livestream the concert, but are still working to secure the crew and equipment. We will keep you posted!

Call for Volunteers
Please pitch in where you can - we are an all-volunteer organization and we need you! It's a great way to meet new people and feel part of the action!

  • Rehearsal chair set-up Help set up the room for rehearsal: move chairs, mark seats with colored paper. 2 volunteers needed. Time commitment: next Tuesday, 7:00-7:15 (only 15 minutes, we'll show you the ropes!)

  • Late Check-in Staff the check-in table from 7:30-8:00 for singers who may arrive late. You may still participate in warm-ups and the rehearsal. Time commitment: next Tuesday, 7:30-8:00 (one time only, 30 minutes)
TO VOLUNTEER or learn more or about any of these roles, please contact:

Linda Shoemaker
Mystic Admin Director
& Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, and have fun making the "Mystic Magic" come to life!

I look forward to working with you!
Volunteer Thanks
We couldn't do it without you!
Thanks to everyone who helped last week!


Chair set-up: Ann Wynne

Check-in table: Bev Roche, Margie Hilton

Late check-in: Dori Reuss

Sound: Susin James, Brian McGovern

Livestream: Jack Matson

Chair re-set: We didn't get your names, but thank you so much!

And our Producers, overseeing it all: Gale Batchelder & Ann Wynne

Did we forget anyone?
Please email Linda so we can include you next week!

Thank you one and all!!
Health & Safety Updates
Thanks, everyone, for following our health and safety guidelines.

The Mystic Chorale Board of Directors has been closely following recommendations for group singing, to keep our rehearsals and concerts as safe as possible for our community.

If a singer tests positive for Covid

  • We ask any singer who tests positive to let us know asap, so we can inform other singers. We will not share anyone's name, only the section they sing in.
Online Auction coming June 14!
in conjunction with our Annual Meeting
Time to start thinking about our annual online Auction! It's great FUN and our biggest fundraiser of the year!

When?
Auction kicks off Tuesday, June 14, in conjunction with our Annual meeting. Bidding will stay open for ten days.

How can you help?
Donate to the auction!!
Popular items in the past include:

  • Gift certificates to your favorite restaurants and local shops
  • Homemade dinners or desserts, or beautiful kitchen items
  • Concert, museum and theater tickets
  • Art & fine crafts by Mystic members
  • Lessons in something you teach or do well: Could be singing, ukulele, yoga, cooking or...?
  • Getaways and adventures: Everything from a vacation house stay to a guided walk (led by you!) at your favorite conservation land

How to donate?
Use this form and THANK YOU!

Deadline to submit items:
June 1st (please!)

Need some inspiration?
here's last year's auction for ideas...
Resources for Singers
Everything you need to learn your music!


This link will take you to the "My Seasons" Page. Make sure you're logged in, then select Spring Season 2022. Scroll down to "Practice Audio" and click on your section to see all the practice recordings.

This link takes you to a YouTube playlist with video recordings of our past rehearsals, and livestream links for upcoming rehearsals. If you want to see something again, or need to stay home one night, this is the place to go!
For Virtual Singers
Livestream Instructions & Tips
Welcome Virtual Singers!!
We are so glad you are joining us, and look forward to having you there "with us" in the rehearsal hall!

What you will need:

  • A computer/laptop (recommended) We recommend your computer or laptop - the bigger the screen, and the better your speakers, the more you will feel "with" us. But a tablet, ipad or phone will work, too.

  • 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.

  • External Speakers (optional). The better your speakers, the more you will hear.


How to tune into the Livestream:
At 7:30 on Tuesday, click the video preview or link below, and you'll be with us!

Each week, we'll post the link in News & Notes, and on the website, hereIf you miss the Livestream on Tuesday night, it will be available on a YouTube Playlist after rehearsal.
Livestream Rehearsal
Click here to join the rehearsal from home
Season Calendar
Rehearsals:
10 Tuesdays, April 5 - June 7, 7:30-9:30
First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Arlington

Dress Rehearsal:
Thursday, June 9, 7:00-9:30 (please note new start time)
Cary Hall, Lexington

Concert:
Friday, June 10, Cary Hall
Arrive: 5:30
Warm-ups: 5:45
On stage: 6:00

Mystic Chorale Annual Meeting
& Online Auction
Tuesday, June 14, 7:30 pm

Auction will run through Thursday, June 23, 9pm
See you Tuesday!
The Mystic Chorale | Website