Wow, everyone. Mystic Gospel 2023 took off flying on Tuesday. If we accomplish as much each rehearsal as we did in Rehearsal #1, we'll be more than ready, and super pumped by the time the concert comes around.

I hope everyone enjoyed themselves, learned as much, and felt as energized and bonded as I did, after this introduction to Mystic with the masterful Donnell! Did you all notice how he kept us all on track, covered at least 6 songs in one night, and did this without handing out music, and in some cases, without the need for written lyrics! He is on fire and I feel like I am now too.

Vocal warm-ups you can do at home:

One thing that was different this time was that Donnell did not do a formal warmup. He started us out with songs that were "easy," but it is always a good idea for each singer to warm up individually before rehearsal. This is a way to make sure you are taking care of yourself, and try to make sure you give your voice a warmup in both the upper and lower ranges.  

I did a little searching the web to find accessible, quick vocal warmups that everyone can hopefully copy into your phones and do either in the car on your way to rehearsal, or at home before you leave. The first two are a 5 minute and 10 minute version of a warmup that is just audio. The third one includes some fun video and some movement.

Each of these (from my observation) seems to focus more on the upper range than the lower range so I will keep looking for a warmup more suited to the lower voices. Meanwhile, if anyone already has one that they can share, please do.

In the meantime, please be mindful while doing these. Don't strain your voices. Remember to keep your torso upright (as if you are standing, even if you are sitting). Relax, take your time, and have fun.  I'm excited for this season! Have a great weekend everyone. See you on Tuesday. 

With Love,

Your Mystic Producers

VOCAL WARM-UPS:

5 minute vocal warmup (sound only)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YCLyAmXtpfY

10 minute vocal warmup (sound only)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck1pzgy07ZU

And, here is another fun, but much more challenging, 10 minute warmup with video... It is upbeat and high octane, but might be intimidating, so don't stress... just have fun.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1XHXezdnL0A

Reach out to Gale and Jill at:

Producers@mysticchorale.org

Our Producers are volunteers with busy lives! They will do their best to get back to you within 24 hours.

I loved being enveloped by your glorious ocean of warm choral sound on Tuesday. It was great how quickly you picked up the music and began putting your stamp on it. This serves as an early indication we are headed for a musical tsunami in February!!

Thank you Mystic!

~Donnell

Come one, come all to welcome our new singers!

There will be a New Singer Reception in the Vestry this coming Tuesday 1/10 at 6:30. Come one come all!

You don’t have to be a new singer to attend. It's always great fun meeting our new singers and hearing people’s stories of how they came to Mystic.

Throughout the season, if we learn of singers who test positive for Covid, we will alert the chorus as a precaution.

We will not share names, but will let you know the singer's section.

We have just learned that an Alto tested positive for Covid today.

The good news is that we are all vaxxed and masked, and the chances of transmission at rehearsal are low. But if you have any symptoms or concerns, we suggest you take a test.

If you attend Mystic rehearsal and then test positive for Covid:

Please notify Linda as soon as you have the test results. Additional information like when you first noticed symptoms is helpful. You can reach Linda at admin@mysticchorale.org. Thank you!

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!

• Chair set up Volunteers - help set up the chairs for rehearsal. 4 volunteers needed. Time commitment: 6:45-7:00.

• Chair re-set Leader(s) - learn how the chairs go back in place and lead our team of volunteers each week. It's easy once you know the system! 1 or 2 volunteers needed. Time commitment: 9:30-9:45

• Late check-in monitor - check in latecomers from 7:30-8:00. You can still participate in rehearsal from the back table, then re-join your section at 8:00. 1 person needed each week, 7:30-8:00.

Come celebrate our beloved founder, Nick Page, with a send-off party that will full of festive fun and a whole lotta L-O-V-E-!!

Saturday, January 28, 3-6:00pm

Beech Street Center, Belmont, MA

Early bird ticket price $25 today!

Tickets go up to $35 tomorrow

Dancing, food, song, and more - don't miss it!

Please wear your name button each week so we can continue to get to know each other

If you are a new singer...

We will have a button for you on week 3. Please check the list in the back of the room to make sure we have your name as you'd like it on your button.

If you have a returning singer who needs a button...

Please request a replacement button using the list at the back of the room. There is a $2 charge for replacement buttons.

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.

• Headphones, Earbuds or External Speakers (highly recommended). The better your speakers, the more you will hear Donnell and the singers in the room.

• 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 7:30 on Tuesday, click the video preview or link below, and you'll be with us!

If we lose the Livestream signal:

Occasionally, we lose the livestream signal due to a poor internet connection. If that happens, go to the "Just in case" backup link below. We'll try to be back up and running asap!

Each week, we'll post the link in News & Notes, and on the website, here. If you miss the Livestream on Tuesday night, it will be available on a YouTube Playlist after rehearsal.  

"JUST IN CASE" - Backup Livestream Link

In the past, we have occasionally lost the livestream signal due to a poor internet connection. If that happens, go to the "backup link" below. We'll try to be back up and running asap!

Backup link (for use ONLY if we lose the livestream):

https://youtu.be/i__EJuKEJ0s

Rehearsals:

8 Tuesdays, January 3 - February 21, 7:30-9:30

First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Arlington

New Singer Reception:

Tuesday, January 10, 6:30-7:20

in the Vestry

Last Day to Drop the Season for a Refund:

(-$20 admin fee) Wednesday, January 11, 12:00 noon

NEW! Sectionals:

Wednesday, Feb 1, 7-7:50 - Sopranos

Wednesday, Feb 1, 8-8:50 - Altos

Wednesday, Feb 8, 7-7:50 - Basses

Wednesday, Feb 8, 8-8:50 - Tenors

Dress Rehearsal: Thursday, February 23

Concert: Saturday, February 25