Some helpful hints for practising at home
Here are a few resources you can use to help you practise.
Youtube
Youtube is the best place to find the choruses and songs we are learning.
This is the version of the Easter Hymn performed by King's College Cambridge Choir
https://youtu.be/NJO4hSpfCZU
This is the link to the Tequila Samba version that Sally mentioned. It is sung by upper voices but is quite slow so helpful for learning.
https://youtu.be/GZCPtncd7vA
This is the version by the King's Voices - a group of teenagers. Great fun and gives a feel for the exuberance of the piece.
https://youtu.be/UPUn5SrcE08
There is also a good version on Spotify sung by the University of Johannesburg Choir.
A useful tip when using Youtube:
If you would like to listen to the piece at a slower pace (helpful when you are trying to get your teeth around the Italian!) it is possible to slow down a youtube video without changing the pitch.
Go to settings at the bottom right (hover over the bottom right of the picture if you can't see it, settings is the cog in the middle). Click on settings and you will see an option called playback speed. It does sound a bit odd on the longer notes but is helpful although I wouldn't recommend going below 0.75 speed.
Other resources
Most of the opera choruses can be found here with separate files for each voice part. Select the composer and any opera choruses should be at the top of the list for that composer.
http://www.learnchoralmusic.co.uk/complist.html
If you know of any useful resources, please email us and I will add them to the list.
Concert and rehearsal details
The concert wil be at St Peter's Church.
- We will rehearse at St Peter's on Monday 28th March at 7.30pm.
- We will rehearse at Christchurch on Thursday 31st March at 7.30pm (the extra rehearsal for the last week).
- We will have to rehearse in Christchurch on the Saturday afternoon as St Peter’s won’t be available- the café will be running This rehearsal will run from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Please note this is earlier than usual to allow time to set up at St Peter's.
- The retiring collection wil be for the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal.
- Dress code: Men: Dinner suit, bow tie, white shirt, black shoees. Ladies: long black skirt or trousers, black shirt/blouse (no jumpers) and MCS scarf. You can buy (£6) or borrow a scarf from Jane Scott
Running order for concert on 2nd April
Sprig of Thyme 35 mins (Soloists: Emma B, Anna, Rob, Robert,Fiona)
NB Sprig of Thyme, Sally Gardens and Willow Song will be performed by soloists
The bold grenadier
The keel row
The willow tree
The sprig of thyme
Down by the sally gardens
The cuckoo
I know where I’m going
Willow song
O can ye sew cushions?
The miller of Dee
Afton Water
Encores for Choirs 10 mins
Londonderry Air
Tequila Samba
Interval
Opera Choruses
P107 Donizetti – Chorus of wedding guests – Lucia de Lammermoor Rob & Chorus
P42 Bizet – Habanera - Carmen Fiona & Chorus
Bizet - Pearl Fishers – Au fond du temple saint - Duet Rob & Robert
P 189 Purcell – Dido’s lament and final chorus – Dido & Aeneas Emma B & Chorus
Handel – Solomon - May no rash intruder (Nightingale Chorus) Chorus
Mozart – Le Nozze de Figaro – Sull’aria (Letters Duet) Emma B & Emma P
P 253 Chorus of Hebrew slaves – Nabucco Chorus
Mozart – Cosi fan Tutti - Soave el vento ( Trio : Emma, Fiona, Robert)
P 245 Verdi – Brindisi – La Traviata Rob, Emma P, Chorus
P 145 Mascagni – Easter Hymn Cavalleria rusticana Emma P, Chorus
Subscriptions
Please pay your subs by cheque, cash or bank transfer as soon as possible. It is £30 for the term.
Bank details:
Account name: Marlborough Choral Society
Bank: HSBC
Account number: 91396595
Sort code: 40-32-07
Covid requirements:
Inevitably we have had to change some of our practises to ensure we are keeping all our members as safe as possible. These are unusual times and we are uncertain how the Autumn Covid infections will impact our singing.
From September:
- You must NOT attend rehearsals if you feel unwell
- You MUST sign in each week. We will require you to provide contact details the first time you sign in so we have an effective process for contacting people if anyone tests positive for Covid. Please ensure that if these change at any time they are updated.
- We would prefer you to wear a mask as you enter and exit the building (as soon as you reach your seat you may remove your mask if you would like to)
- We will not be wearing masks for singing
- Although we will want to be sociable, please be aware of keeping a safe distance between yourself and others at all times
- Please enter, using the Church door (to the right of our usual side door entrance)
- We will ask you to sanitise your hands on arrival
- Doors (both ends of the room) and windows will be open to allow plenty of ventilation; please make sure you have extra layers in case the temperature drops
- We will space out in the Church to allow a sensible distance between singers and will keep every other chair free
- We will have a one-way system in place to toilets etc.
Kathy Leach: kathy@leaches.co.uk 01793 812175 / 07813 615318
Sally Banham: sally.banham4@gmail.com 07778 038963
We will then inform all choir members who attended the rehearsal that one of our group has tested positive for Covid, and we may decide to cancel the next choir rehearsal to minimise the risk of spreading infection. All decisions will be posted on our website.
As of 16th August, Government guidance does not require fully vaccinated adults to self-isolate if they have been a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case, unless they develop Covid symptoms. Getting a PCR test is recommended but not legally required. Of course, choir members should get a PCR test if they develop Covid symptoms, limit close contact with others for 10 days, and let Kathy or Sally know if the test result is positive.
Whilst I recognise all these recommendations may seem overwhelming the Committee have assessed all available best practise in developing our plans. We know that many people are apprehensive about mixing in groups and hope that these plans will minimise the risks of infection for all.
We look forward to seeing you all soon – with my very best wishes
Gill Mortimer
Musical Director
Sept 2021
Concert details
The Saturday rehearsal usually runs from 2pm till 4pm. PLEASE BE IN YOUR SEATS and ready to sing by 2pm.
The concert starts at 7.30 but all choristers should arrive by 7.10p.m. It is a good idea to warm up on your way.
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There will be boxes at the back of the church in which to place all your borrowed music after the concert. Please do not take any home with you. If for any reason you do not return your music on or before the night of the concert, it is important that you get in touch with Beverley at beverley.lyle@gmail.com to arrange its return. Late return of hired music incurs large fines for MCS.
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Dress code: Men: Dinner suits, bow tie, white shirt, black shoes. Ladies: Long black skirt or trousers, black shirt/blouse (no jumpers) and MCS scarf. You can buy or borrow a scarf from Jane Scott.
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HELP. We usually meet around 1.00pm in the church to set up.
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There will be refreshments (red and white wine, soft drinks )in the interval.
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There will be a retiring collection for a local charity.
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You will be told where to sit for the concert and your name will be on the allotted seat.