QUICK UPDATES:

• Practice Audio Tracks & more learning resources now available. Scroll down to the "Practice Resources" section

• You asked for it: Starting next Tuesday, those who would like to sit closer together in order to better hear each other, should sit in the front half of the hall. Those who want to sit more spaced out should sit in the back half.

• New Singer Welcome Reception is next Tuesday, March 14 at 6:30. All welcome! New singers, come meet fellow singers, ask questions and tell us how you found the Mystic Chorale. Returning singers, come meet our new singers and help them feel welcome!

Hello Singers -



We have just begun our journey! We are getting to know each other- director, new singers and returning singers.

Mary gave us our first glimpse at a number of songs- beautiful, lilting and lively. And overwhelming! Fear not! The first rehearsal of any season is a little daunting. How can I learn all these songs? Gaelic? Welsh? How do I learn my part? This is a special season, with a new director and still figuring out how we can minimize pandemic restrictions and still be safe.

Soon you will have multiple resources to use to learn the music. What is amazing about this community is that we are all different learners with really diverse backgrounds in music. This makes us strong. Many of you gave great feedback about your needs after Tuesday and the board, Bev, Linda and Mary are working on helping you get what you need.

I like to think of what Nick said over and over again that singing is about listening. We can all learn to listen more deeply. No matter what props we have to help us learn the music - written music, audio tracks or CD’s - it still comes down to listening!

The weekly News and Notes will tell you everything about the resources Mary is sharing.

Hold on to your hats! The joy of knowing a song is worth the effort!

Reach out to Ann and Bev at:

Producers@mysticchorale.org

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

“Unite and unite, now let us unite for Summer is a comin’ today; And whither we are going, we all will unite in the merry morning of May!”

Our first rehearsal was spectacular! I loved hearing your voices ringing from the rafters as we sang those lyrics in unison on Tuesday evening!

Thank you for so warmly welcoming me as we begin our work together creating Celtic Roots. And welcome to all the new singers and those returning. We have formed our ensemble: high voices and low, new voices and old, and we are ready! I also want to thank the whole team that made registering a friendly and smooth process - very impressive. 

This coming Tuesday, new members will gather for a meet and greet at 6:30pm and I look forward to getting to know some of you better. I’m pretty new to the Chorale, myself!

I admit to being VERY excited to be rehearsing in-person this program that I’ve been hatching for a few months. I am passionate about giving singers the background story to what we sing which gives both a boost in learning and also a greater understanding of the human experience that we are connecting with as we sing. 

I LOVE to get everyone up and singing as soon, as often and much as we can. I believe that the magic of choral singing is in the blend of all our separate voices to create true harmony. It’s the fun and the ‘payoff’ for all the learning we do to get our parts ‘just right’. 

That said, I want to reassure everyone that we will spend lots of time in our rehearsals going over individual voice parts so you can build the confidence you need to learn the notes. We will also be putting those voices parts together, regularly, across the ensemble so that you can begin to be familiar with the harmonies that weave together each part and support the whole. 

Help is right here at your fingertips! Your individual voice part recordings to help you learn all the music are available right here on our website! Please click on your voice part and begin listening to and downloading them to play on your phone. Practice CD's will be available soon - we'll let you know just as soon as they come in.

I have also created a lyric sheet that has all our song lyrics right in one place along with pronunciation help and translations. 

My goal in this work is to nourish the Connection, Community and Magnificence that is the Mystic Chorale. 

Come, let us unite, in song!

Mary

Practice Audio tracks

A great way to learn your individual parts!

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

Select Spring 2023 season

Scroll down to "Practice Audios"

Click on your section to find all the practice tracks!

Note the "download" feature does not work with all devices.

Practice CD's - coming soon!

These are the same tracks as the ones on the website, but on a CD to listen to on your CD player or in car (if you still have a CD player!). We'll let you know as soon as they are available.

Lyrics only packet

Not a music reader? Want to focus on the words? Mary created this lyrics only packet just for you!

• Lyrics only packet

Updated Music packet for virtual singers

Some of you noted that the lyrics packet share last week didn't have the song "Padstow May." Here are both the song and the updated packet:

• Padstow May Song (single song)
• Updated Music Packet (complete packet)

New Song for all singers

Next week we'll pass out "We Rise Again." If you want a preview, or if you're participating from home, you can download and print it here:

• We Rise Again

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: 7:00-7:15.

• Chair Re-set Captain - oversee a small team to put the chairs back into postion before we leave. We'll show you everything you need to know. 1 or 2 volunteers needed. Time commitment: 10-15 minutes after rehearsal.

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:

• Your MUSIC PACKET - You can view online or download and print from here: Get the Celtic Roots Music Packet

• 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

Occasionally, we lose 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWlbIEUZOPw

Rehearsals:

10 Tuesdays, March 7 - May 9

First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Arlington

New Singer Reception:

Tuesday, March 14, 6:30-7:20

in the Vestry

Last Day to Drop the Season for a Refund:

(-$20 admin fee) Wednesday, Mark 15, 12:00 noon

Sectionals:

• Thursday, March 30, 7:00-7:55 - Tenor
• Thursday, March 30, 8:00-8:55 - Bass
• Thurday, April 6, 7:00-7:55 - Soprano
• Thursday, April 6, 8:00-8:55 - Alto

Dress/Tech Rehearsal: Wed, May 17

Cary Hall, Lexington

Concert: Friday, May 19

Cary Hall, Lexington