Hi Everyone:

Despite the fact that it is currently 13 degrees outside, I am still warmed by our singing together, and by Donnell's laughter and encouragement. Thank you to all that came out for solo auditions!  It's always so much fun to hear everyone and be one of your back-up singers.  

Sopranos and Altos, I hope you were able to make it to the sectionals.  Donnell out-did himself, breezing through our concert list in an hour and hopefully leaving us all feeling more confident.  Tenors and basses, please make it to your sectionals on Wednesday if you can. It was so helpful, and who doesn't want an extra dose of Donnell mid-week?

If anyone wants or needs a chair for our upcoming concert, please let us know.  

Please also keep practicing.  I try to listen to the recordings while I walk the dog and I'm sure my neighbors get a kick out of watching the crazy lady bundled up singing to herself! Let's all get our neighborhoods singing to themselves to get us through this deep freeze. (Speaking of the weather, this weekend is the best example ever of the saying, "If you don't like the weather in New England, wait a minute!"  With a low of -10 and -12 today and tomorrow, and then a high of 45 on Sunday!

Bundle up, keep singing and see you all on Tuesday!

~Jill

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.

Our concert is just a few weeks away!

A few things to know this week:

• Concert attire will be solid RED or ORANGE tops with black pants or skirts and black shoes.

• If you know you will not be singing in the concert, please let us know, so we can plan our stage layout. Send an email to stagemanager@mysticchorale.org

• If you will need a chair for the concert, please sign the sheet on the back table at check in, or send a note to Bev at stagemanager@mysticchorale.org

Let's all give a big shout-out to Bev Roche for being our Stage Manager extraordinaire!!

If you missed Sectionals, or didn't bring a recording device, head on over to the website to hear audio recordings of each of the songs we practiced.

Should be super helpful!!

Audio tracks at:

https://mysticchorale.org/my-seasons/

Scroll WAAAAY down to find the "Practice Audio" section.

And remember, you need to be logged in to see member content.

Enjoy!

A whole rehearsal for just your section!

Bring a recording device if you have one. Sectionals will not be livestreamed, sorry.

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

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

Location:

St. John's Episcopal

74 Pleasant Street, Arlington map

Please note two things:

• We are guests at St. Johns and they are very adament that we not move anything or wander around the church. Thank you for helping us preserve this important relationship for Mystic.

• Layer up! Last time we rehearsed at St. John's it was quite cold. They have promised to turn the heat on this time (!!), but it's a large space in a stone building. Hats & layers are recommended!

Lyrics & Scores

YouTube Playlist of songs

Livestream Recordings of our Reheasals

Note: The sound on our livestream is getting better - if you haven't watched in a while, check out the video for January 24 - you might be surprised at the improved quality. Many thanks to our livestream team for their continuing efforts to make the livestream experience a good one!!

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.

If you have any symptoms (even if you think "it's just a cold," please don't come to rehearsal. Please tune into the livestream instead, or watch it later.

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!

Mask Reminders:

• Please wear a singer's mask, or an N95 or KN95 mask

• We have placed an order for more singers' masks & should have them in the next couple of weeks

• Free KN95 masks are available at the check in table if you need one

Producers: Gale Batchelder, Jill Updegraph

Sound setup: Kristina Howell, Brian McGovern

Livestream: Jack Matson, Annamaria Jai Kaur San Antonio

Air filter & fan setup: Ann Wynne

Chair setup: So many people are helping - thank you so much, it makes a huge difference!! Our team includes: Nancy Pressler, Julie Punochar, Shannon Sweeney, Jane Arsham, Carlee Blamphin, Mary Steuart, and many others!! Please send your name to mysticlindy@gmail.com to add your name to this list!!

Attendance & check in: Bev Roche, Sue Clarke, Misha Peterson

Late check-in: Misha Peterson, Marian Grogan, Alexandra Lee

Chair re-set captain: Carlee Blamphin

Fans & filter breakdown & lock-up: Ann Wynne

Info line: Bev Roche, Gail Sullivan

Ticket help line: Mary Steuart

Publicity:  Arlyn Roffman, Joan Toussaint

Season logo & graphics: Gwen Frankfeldt

New Singer Welcome Team: Mabel Liang, Richard L'heureux, Leslie Zheutlin

Nickfest Committee: Arlyn Roffman, Bev Roche, Gale Sullivan, Pam Varrin

Board of Directors:

Olivia Tappan, Co-President

Patricia Stimpson, Co-President & Treasurer

Leslie Zheutlin, Secretary

Richard L'heureux, Mabel Liang, Michal Regunberg, Arlyn Roffman, Joan Toussaint

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!

• Late check-in monitor: We need one person to staff the check in table from 7:30-8:00.

• Concert Camera Operators (3 needed): Do you have a friend or family member who would enjoy being on the camera crew for our concert? No experience required!! Camera operators will wear headphones and get instructions from the Livestream Producer to zoom in or out. It's a fun way to experience the concert!

Thanks!

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

Auditions:

Tuesday, Jan 31, before/after rehearsal

Sectionals: At St. John's Episcopal

74 Pleasant Street, Arlington map

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