Hello wonderful singers!

We have certainly been off to a great start, haven’t we?

I can really feel the dedication at each rehearsal. Remember to record what you can during rehearsals to make your practice at home that much easier! You can also take a look around you and ask others if they are willing to share their recordings.

I have been doing a lot of reflecting this past week about the meaning of our season for me. Being able to connect with the music is something imperative for me, especially at the beginning. This way, as I learn the music, I can grow my emotions with it. Think about what the seasons and their change mean to you. How do you approach each season during a year? What do you do differently for yourself each season? What are the traditions you look forward to? What are the different ways you seek connection throughout the year? Think about these answers and how they connect with our music this season.

I also want to add a small note and thank you to Linda. Her enthusiasm, passion and encouragement will be greatly missed here. Let’s wish her the best as she starts a new chapter of her life. Linda, you will always be part of the foundation that Mystic has built on.

~ Cassandra

Questions about the season?

Reach out to Cassandra & Michal at:

Producers@mysticchorale.org

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

Here's the plan for next Tuesday, in packet order:

• Turn, Turn, Turn: mm. 73-end (last chorus and verse)
• Turn Around: mm. 93-end
• Julian of Norwich: Whole Song
• You've Got a Friend: Reviewing the chorus, and learning letter "B"
• Seasons of Love: Whole Song, with focus on "oo" sections
• Try to Remember: mm. 45-end (if we can make it that far!)

About Solo Auditions:

I've made a list of solo sections, so you can start practicing for auditions! We'll hold auditions on April 2 (before rehearsal), and April 3 (after sectionals). Sign ups will be at the check in table before next Tuesday's rehearsal. If you're a soprano or alto who is planning to come to sectionals, please choose a time on the 3rd! If not, go ahead and choose a time on the 2nd. If we need overflow slots, I'll find a time to hear you...I'll be sure to hear all interested people!

About Practice Audio Tracks: Lastly, your team has been hard at work creating and preparing practice audios for your parts. These have been delayed from when they normally come to you because of our condensed prep time for this season, and I'm sorry they haven't been to you sooner! There are a number of resources available on the website.

If you log into your account and select the Spring 2024 season, you'll see links for resources for each part, which includes tracks for each of our songs where your part is predominantly sung. These are a great way to learn, and I urge you to check them out! They will also be added to practice CDs, which are in the process of being made. They will likely be at rehearsal on April 2. As we get these materials up on the site and onto CDs, please be patient with us... there is a lot to balance here, and it takes time to make sure we do this correctly! Also know that in future seasons, with more prep time, the plan will be to have all of these resources available to you before the first rehearsal.

Phew...that's a lot of information! This is usually how it goes at the beginning of the season. Thanks for reading this whole email carefully, and for your commitment and dedication to our group, and to making the best music we possibly can together. I can't wait to continue that journey with you on Tuesday!

Join your fellow singers to chat and eat delicious food at Arlington Center eateries!

Every rehearsal Tuesday, beginning at 5:15 p.m., open to all! A great way to meet other singers in a fun, delicious & smaller setting.

Tuesday, March 26, 5:15 pm

Donut Villa Diner Upscale American Diner Fare (and donuts!) 

319 Broadway

781-777-1341 website

If you'd like to attend, please let Karen know, so she can give the restaurant an idea of how many to expect. Email Karen: karen@klgwoman.com.  If you're running late, you can review the online menu and call in your order so your food will be ready when you arrive.

Hope to see you around the table!

See the complete dinner schedule for the season...

At Mystic Chorale, we know everyone learns differently, so we strive to have multiple ways to learn, practice and memorize our songs. Keep an eye on this PRACTICE RESOURCES section to find new content added throughout the season.

VIDEO PLAYLISTS

A great way to internalize our songs! Watch popular versions AND performances of the exact arrangements we'll be singing.

Popular versions playlist (click here)

Most popular versions of our pieces…the ones you might recognize!

Our arrangements playlist (click here)

Performances of our songs that exactly match the versions we’re singing.

LYRICS-ONLY PACKET

For when you just want to focus on the words. Get it here:

https://mysticchorale.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Spring-2024-LYRICS-ONLY-packet-1.docx

SECTION RESOURCE PAGES

Over the course of the season, volunteer section leaders will be offering extra help to their section. This may be extra review sessions and/or other kinds of "helps." Some of these pages are still under construction - we'll keep you updated as new content is added.

Soprano Resources Page

Alto Resources Page *NEW: Alto Section leader Katie Dunton has scheduled some review sessions - click through to find out when!

Tenor Resources Page

Bass Resources Page

AUDIO PRACTICE TRACKS

Practice along with Mike! Grab your music packet and use these audio tracks to practice at home

Click here: https://mysticchorale.org/my-seasons/#audio

Then click the dropdown menu for your voice part to find all the songs

More tracks are coming - keep an eye on the website. Go to "Season Info for Singers" (blue box on the homepage), and scroll down to "Practice Audio." Use the drop-down menu to see the audio tracks for your section.

In this video: Note: The red minute markers are live links to each song in the video

08:30 - Warm ups

22:55 - Ashokan Farewell

42:40 - The Circle Game

55:12 - Julian of Norwich

1:09:30 - Announcements

1:19:40 - Try to Remember

1:39:10 - Wintersong

1:51:40 - You've Got a Friend

1:58:50 - Every Day

To find each week's rehearsal video on our website, go to: https://mysticchorale.org/livestream-rehearsal-videos-spring-2024

It takes a village!! We sincerely thank every single one of you who helps make our rehearsals and concerts happen!

Our Spring 2024 Volunteer Team (so far!) Keep an eye and ear out for more ways to pitch in!

Production Chair: Bev Roche

Season Producers: Cassandra Macias, Michal Regunberg

Rehearsal Set-up: Ann Wynne, Laurie Sherwood, Richard Schmeidler, Julie Puncochar

Rehearsal Sound: Joyce Nichols, Susin James, Brian McGovern

Rehearsal Livestream: Jack Matson, Jai San Antonio, Paula Tusler

Attendance & Check-in: Roz Hoffman, Margie Hilton

Music Distribution: Evelyn Gladu, Susie Moore

First Night Check-in: Bev Roche, Arlyn Roffman, Roz Hoffman, Margie Hilton, Gail Sullivan

First Night Ushers: Katie Dunton, Joan Toussaint, Bill Wood, Louise DeBenedictis

Late Check-in: Sandy Sachs, Laurie Sherwood, Pat Brewer, Kate Kaplan, Angela Vierling-Claassen, Sue Clark, Phyllis Sandell, Jeri Levine, Carry Sexton, Kathy Williams

Chair Re-set Captains: Amy Fitzgerald, Julie Puncochar

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

Eat, Meet & Greet Coordinator: Karen Grossman

Concert Production Manager: Richard L'heureux

Stage Manager: Mary Steuart Band Hospitality: Marta Kabalin

PLUS - all the folks who help put away chairs each week - thank you!!

Did we miss you?

If we forgot your name, please email Volunteers@MysticChorale.org so we can add you next week!!

Board of Directors:

Patricia Stimpson, Co-President & Treasurer

Olivia Tappan, Co-President

Leslie Zheutlin, Secretary

Arlyn Roffman, Publicity Chair

Michal Regunberg, Fundraising Chair

Mabel Liang, Membership Chair

Richard L'heureux

Joan Toussaint

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'll find it here: https://mysticchorale.org/lyrics-spring-2024/

• 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 the director and 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! Each week, we'll post the livestream link here in News & Notes, and on the website, here. 

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!

How to watch the video after the rehearsal:

If you miss the Livestream on Tuesday night, it will be available on our website and 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=rNl7L22zyK8

Rehearsals:  10 Tuesdays, March 12 – May 14, 7:30-9:30 pm. First Parish Unitarian, 630 Mass Ave., Arlington, MA.

Attendance Policy:

Please note that you may miss no more than 2 rehearsals to sing in the concert. Note: You may count ONE Livestream rehearsal towards your attendance requirement. Sectional counts as make-up for a missed rehearsal.

Solo Auditions:

Tuesday, April 2 - before rehearsal

Wednesday, April 3 - after sectionals Sign-up sheet will be on the back table at rehearsal

Sectionals:

Sopranos – Wednesday, April 3, 7:00-7:55

Altos – Wednesday, April 3, 8:00-8:55

Tenors – Wednesday, April 10, 7:00-7:55

Basses – Wednesday, April 10, 8:00-8:55

Dress/Tech Rehearsal: Monday, May 20, 7:00-9:30

Cary Hall, Lexington, MA

Concert: Tuesday, May 21, Call time 5:00 pm

Cary Hall, Lexington

Concert Attire: TBD

Where to watch the livestream or rehearsal videos:

https://mysticchorale.org/livestream-rehearsal-videos-spring-2024/