Hi everyone,

We are in luck! Rebecca Payne (Membership Coordinator on the Board, Alto II in the choir) has compiled a YouTube playlist of everything we're singing! This is perfect timing, especially for your study of the pieces we've been working on. I hope you'll watch them repeatedly, to find and follow your own parts but also to mark your scores for critical things that aren't necessarily obvious or even marked in your score.

"Sure On This Shining Night": one nuance that jumps out is the clear, rather long, lift at the comma following the word "night" in both measures 11 and 21! We've been trying for that but haven't gotten everyone on board yet. Since that performance is conducted by the composer, I'm pretty sure we can take his lead on that pause. Be sure to watch for an even more obvious pause as part of the ritard following "night" in measure 43. Also, note the long vowels on every word throughout the piece, stretching the line so beautifully.

Here's some homework for you, preceding our introduction of "Psalm of Life". Please search the name of Mattie Stepanek, whose text it is. Just to spark your curiosity: President Jimmy Carter said that Mattie was the most amazing person he'd ever met. Oprah Winfrey said that her interview with him was the most extraordinary of her career. I think you'll see why.

You will find that the remaining two movements of Stories are a walk in the park compared to the first one. I tell you this to encourage you, but also to assure you that we'll be carefully doing lots of work on the tough passages in the first. I've put a lot of early time into it so that we can have the time to build confidence. Please relax!

So the plan for next Tuesday looks like this:

1. Stories Part II
2. After the break we'll split into two choirs for "We Beheld Once Again the Stars." All the people singing 1st in your section will follow me upstairs, while all who sing 2nd will remain under Brenda's capable hands and ears. You're going to love this luscious piece. Take a stab at the Italian (just pretend you're reading a menu), and we'll fix things as we go along.
3. Hopefully we'll also have time to read "Alway Something Sings," but, if not, it'll happen the following Tuesday.

Please take care. I'm trying to get better, but it's not working yet...surely by next Tuesday!

Solveig

ANNOUNCEMENTS

URGENT Volunteers Needed for Weekly Setup

As a self-presenting choir, we rely on members to volunteer to operate our organization. Right now, we are seeking a crew of volunteers to help set up our rehearsal space each week for the entire term (having a dedicated crew enables them to become more familiar with the process). We still need two people to help with setup (arriving at 6:30pm). Please consider your physical abilities and the commitment required, then sign up if you can lend a hand.

Advertisers Wanted

Concert programs cost more than $1,000 per concert to design and print, and ad revenue is used to cover that cost. Please contact businesses you know that might support community arts, like your dentist or financial planner and others you have a relationship with. You can download the ad form or pick one up from Carol Chancellor at rehearsals. Forms are due by March 31.

Member Handbook

The Member Handbook is now available and provides important information for this term. Learn what's expected of you at rehearsals, what you need to wear for concerts, how to get more involved with FCO, and track important dates.

Rehearsal Rules

• Regular rehearsals run 7:00–9:30pm
• Stay home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
• Notify Bryan Gonzalez (503-851-5351) as soon as possible if you test positive for COVID-19

Member Roster & Key Contacts

You can now download the roster of this term's members. If you cannot open the file, download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free. Please use this information for choir business only such as arranging ride shares.

Solveig Holmquist

Conductor

503-851-4509

holmqus@wou.edu

Bryan Gonzalez

President

503-851-5351

bcgonzalez@juno.com

Sheila Clausen

Soprano Section Leader

503-302-4722

clausensheila@hotmail.com

Doris Clark

Alto Section Leader

503-910-4777

doris.clark.fco@gmail.com

Tom Sicilia

Tenor Section Leader

425-876-4115

tom@coffeepot.org

Sam Kinney

Bass Section Leader

971-382-9948

samkinney1955@gmail.com

Stay Alert

FCO uses text message alerts to provide important reminders and to share last-minute information. If you haven't received fall term alerts, sign up now.

COVID-19 Protocols

Choral singing is thought to be a higher-risk activity for the spread of COVID-19. To protect the health and safety of everyone who interacts with our organization, FCO has adopted the following protocols:

Vaccination

All members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and receive all recommended booster doses once eligible. Proof of vaccination (including the bivalent booster) is required to participate in FCO events including rehearsals and concerts.

Masking

All members must be masked if either recommended or required according to public health guidance. The Oregon Health Authority currently recommends masking indoors, so masks are required. FCO provides Resonance-95 singer masks to members who do not already own one. Members must wear a Resonance Singer Mask while singing if masking is recommended/required by public health officials—other masks/face coverings may not be substituted for the designated mask.

Notification & Isolation

Any member who tests positive for COVID-19 must report their diagnosis to FCO as soon as possible and may not participate in any FCO event until determined safe to do so according to public health guidance or their healthcare provider. FCO will not disclose the identity of any member who tests positive but will notify all members of potential exposures.

FesitvalChorale.org