MYSTIC NEWS & NOTES
Welcome!
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Producer's Corner
Gale Batchelder & Donna Ferullo, Producers
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Welcome Donna to the production team! Thank you, Nick, for your enormous talent, your generosity, and for always finding new ways to engage and inspire us. Thank you to our team of fabulous volunteers who keep the Mystic zooming.
Singers, please be sure to read News & Notes each week to stay up-to-date on all the vital information.
I can't wait to SING OUT! How about you?
Gale
Mystic Soprano
Gale Batchelder
Season Co-Producer
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Welcome spring.
Welcome singers.
Welcome Nick and the inspiring artists you have organized to push cabin fever to spring fever with musical friends!
I am usually holding down the back corner riser, but this spring I am so looking forward to holding down a corner of producing with Gale and Linda!
Donna
Mystic Soprano
Donna Ferullo
Season Co-Producer
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Nick's Notes
From Nick Page, Mystic Chorale Founder & Music Director
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This season will be historic. We will speak of it for many years to come.
Please read all ten of my announcements. A lot of what we’re doing is new.
1) We will be singing a lot.
All but three weeks will begin with our guests leading us in song for about 45 minutes. In the other half of each session I will be teaching songs for the two videos we will be creating as well as teaching songs by future guests so we can confidently sing along.
2) Use our website.
For example, our guest for the first week is the amazing Jane Sapp. The website has the lyrics to three of the songs she will be singing as well as videos of the songs. This will be the case every week. Each video has the lyrics in the video. In fact you can hear most of the songs I will be teaching at the website already. The more you learn the songs ahead of time, the more you will enjoy singing along. PDF files are available for some songs.
3) I am asking everyone to contribute to one or both of our two videos. For Ysaye Barnwell’s arrangement of “Soon Ah Will Be Done” I will be accepting video and audio only, but for Reggie Harris’s “In The Shelter of Each Other” I’m asking those who cannot submit video or audio recordings to submit photos of themselves, photos that represent the words to “In The Shelter Of Each Other.” More later.
4) In addition to these two videos, we will be recording our guests. They have given us permission to create videos where members of the chorus overdub harmonies or, in some cases, sing solos. So, for example, I will be looking for singers to sing the round “A Million Nightingales” with Linda Hirschhorn. If you are up for this additional challenge please contact me at nick@mysticchorale.org. I will pair you up with songs I feel are good for you (unless you have a particular song you want to sing). The list of songs are on the website along with the lyrics, videos and in some cases, the PDF files.
5) We will be introducing Jamulus software to our sessions. This is a free software that allows a small group of singers to sing without the lag. With four or five singers on Jamulus we will able to hear all four parts at once. I will be looking for a core of about 15 singers, singers who are confident and tech savvy. We can feature no more than seven singers at a time so I will be assigning a handful of Jamulus volunteers each week to prepare songs ahead of time. We will have info on the website about both the technical and hardware requirements. I wish I could say it’s easy to set up, but it’s not. Let me know if you’re up for the challenge. If I am unfamiliar with your voice, I may ask you to audition privately.
6) April 20 will be Homegrown Night. We will be the featured guests leading original songs and parodies. Louise Grasmere will premiere a new song. If you are interested is leading an original song or parody, let me know at nick@mysticchorale.org.
7) In the final sessions of the season, we will do some fun stuff. One week we will have a Name That Tune Challenge. Another week we will use my Narrow the River technique to write verses to This Land Is Your Land in break out groups.
8) Our final Celebration on Saturday, May 22 will feature videos from the season as well as live singing including our special guest Jonathan Singleton.
9) In my NICK’S NOTES each week, I will introduce the guest for the coming week. Please read your News & Notes. There will be links in the News & Notes to the videos and lyrics of the songs the guest will lead. Learn the songs ahead of time so you can sing along with confidence. I’m only teaching two songs ahead of time. Guests will sing multiple songs.
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THIS TUESDAY:
Jane Sapp is a legendary singer, songwriter, teacher and activist currently living in Atlanta, GA. Check out her website: www.janesapp.org. When she lived in Springfield, MA she was our guest for a Gospel season. I first heard her music on a record she did with Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie and Holly Near in the early 80’s. In 1985 I saw her perform with Pete Seeger in Chicago. She electrified the audience. In the early 90’s she and I led workshops at a music convention in Wisconsin. It was then that I invited her to join us in concert. Before the concert I drove out to visit her in Springfield and she came up with the Gospel style arrangement of This Land Is Your Land that we have been singing ever since. She has a new songbook available at her website that I strongly recommend.
Sadly, Jane’s husband Hubert passed away on Valentine’s Day. I told Jane that if she needed to cancel I would understand, but she wants to do this. I told her we would surround her with love, something we do very well, even over the zoom-a-sphere.
10) Tell friends about this amazing season, but do not share the link. We depend on paid membership in order to pay our guests and operating costs. As I said in the beginning, this season will be historic.
Are you excited yet?
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It's not too late to sign up!
Invite your family & friends for an unforgettable bonding experience
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Last season we had several groups of family and friends who joined the choir "together" even though they lived on opposite ends of the country!! They told us it was the highlight of their week to sing together and connect through the music.
Singers will be joining from at least TEN STATES this spring!! Is there someone you'd love to invite to join you for this special season?
It's not too late! Please let them know that there’s a place for them in the choir!
Send them here for all the details:
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First Session: Tuesday, March 16, 7pm
HERE'S THE ZOOM LINK TO SIGN IN
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Click here to join:
The Zoom session will open at 6:45 to test your connection and have a little time to say hello before we begin.
In case you need it:
Meeting ID: 871 7204 8559
Passcode: 780443
For those who plan to dial-in by phone (for audio connection only), instructions are below in the full Zoom invitation.
The Zoom link will remain the same for the whole 10-week season. If you wish to import the dates & link into your calendar, see the full Zoom invitation below.
TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES?
If you have trouble logging in on Tuesday, call Paula for help:
Paula Tusler 617-416-2617
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This week's "Tech Tip"
Improving our online experience, one step at a time!
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This week:
How to Rename Yourself in Zoom
During rehearsals, we'll often be asked to rename ourselves in Zoom. Why? To indicate our voice part, to say we're new to the chorale, or for when we have guest choruses.
How to rename yourself:
- Once you're in the Zoom meeting, click the "Participants" icon. This will open a list of all the participants in the meeting.
- Find yourself on the list - usually, you will be at the top of the list.
- Hover over your name and click "More"
- A box will open with your current name. Add or edit here, then click "save" You're done!
- Alternatively, on some devices, you can find your video, go to the upper right corner, and click the icon with three dots [...]. From here, click "Rename" - that's it!
NOTE: Zoom is slightly different on PC, mac, iPads, and phones. If these methods don't work on your device, we can help during rehearsal.
TRY THIS: This week, we'd like all new singers to add "New" before their names so we can welcome you!
Volunteer Opportunity - are you a Zoom Pro?
Want to help create our weekly tech tips?
We need one or more folks to help. Please send an email to Linda Shoemaker, Admin Director & Volunteer Coordinator - thank you!
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THANK YOU!
Thanks to everyone contributing to the success of our season!
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The Mystic Chorale is powered by the energy and contributions of our volunteers
We thank all those who are contributing to the Chorale's success, especially in this challenging time! If we've left anyone off this list, please accept our apologies, and let us know, so we can add you in.
Please join us in thanking our volunteers!
Season Producers: Gale Batchelder & Donna Ferullo
Info Line Help: Gail Sullivan
Tech Help & Intro to Zoom Team: Paula Tusler & Patricia Stimpson
Buddy Team: Mabel Liang, Peter Howell, Leslie Zheutlin
Publicity Team: Arlyn Roffman, Chair; Elizabeth Brown, Instagram,
Web Team: Tom Westervelt, Mabel Liang
CD Fulfillment: Bronwyn Lamont, Olivia Tappan
Board of Directors:
Patricia Stimpson, Co-President & Treasurer
Olivia Tappan, Co-President
Leslie Zheutlin, Secretary
Paula Tusler, Fundraising Chair
Mabel Liang, Membership Chair
Arlyn Roffman, Publicity Chair
Richard L'heureux, Member at Large
Joan Toussaint, Member at Large
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FULL ZOOM INVITATION
for those who prefer, here's the full recurring invitation for the season:
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Complete Recurring Zoom Invitation for the Season:
Mystic Chorale is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Mystic Chorale "In the Shelter of Each Other" Spring Season 2021
Time: Mar 16, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Tue, until May 18, 2021, 10 occurrence(s)
Mar 16, 2021 07:00 PM
Mar 23, 2021 07:00 PM
Mar 30, 2021 07:00 PM
Apr 6, 2021 07:00 PM
Apr 13, 2021 07:00 PM
Apr 20, 2021 07:00 PM
Apr 27, 2021 07:00 PM
May 4, 2021 07:00 PM
May 11, 2021 07:00 PM
May 18, 2021 07:00 PM
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Weekly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZMscOuoqjMvH92PA38hBoa2dxPrzfHHrkWx/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGvrzwoGtCdtRyORpwEBY_Ca_TwiFxYgvoPrD62WyhxbQKkMvpyIKh5OPDC
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87172048559?pwd=UnFGWnY5bnpOYmpDTysra2hmaTFZQT09
Meeting ID: 871 7204 8559
Passcode: 780443
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,87172048559#,,,,*780443# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,,87172048559#,,,,*780443# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 871 7204 8559
Passcode: 780443
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcDzqRsXfX
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