Director's Notes
- Lee Irwin Culbreth
- Aug 30, 2022
- 9 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
*This will be updated each week following the most recent Monday night rehearsal. NOTE: the most recent post can be found just below here at the top of this blog.
8/31/2026 First rehearsal at LCOC (Open Registration):
We are off to a great start for the season. Welcome to all the new members joining us this season and the many returning members. There was a slight snag as board members were scrambling to come up with some writing implements so everyone could fill out the registration forms. Just to clarify everyone should be seated in the first four full length pews: sopranos are on the right, basses and tenors in the middle with basses on the front row, and altos fill in on the left side. Our WCC Executive Board Chair, Billy gave an overview about the rehearsals and what to expect. Next, we introduced the new pianist Patrice and electric bassist Ed. Then according to plan, we did a complete readthrough of the full concert program in order by singing along with the sample recordings. We also attempted to sing excerpts from most of the selections using our live instrumental combo. As was the intent it gives the choir and idea of what the finished product should sound like and some of the challenges ahead. Fear not, if you were not able to follow along as we will be spending the next several weeks learning the individual voice parts to include pitches, rhythms and other nuances associated with the voice lines.
Next rehearsal we will be reviewing selections: 4, 7, & 8. Note that during the review we make no attempt to fix anything just read it the best you can. Then we will focus on selections: 15, 11, 14, & 12. Please plan to arrive early so you can spend some time visiting with your friends and then be prepared to start at 7:30 PM.
What about the Christmas 2026 concert Season?
First rehearsal as is the custom will be the last Monday in August specifically the 31st of August at 7:30 PM. Registration begins at 7:00 PM.
The countdown: 0 day until first rehearsal.
Things to be aware of:
Sample recordings of the concert music are available on the WCC website
First day to register is August 31 between 7:00 & 7:30 PM.
You may participate in one rehearsal without registering but you must return the music at the end of the rehearsal
If you complete the registration process (fill out registration form and pay registration fee of $45 you may keep your music packet).
On your registration form be sure to include the email that you intend to use to access the Voice Tracks (many people have more than one email but only one will be granted access to the Voice Tracks)
Completing the registration process is the first of many steps to complete that will eventually allow you to access the Voice Tracks (see below for an explanation of Voice Tracks).
Complete registration process
You will next receive an invitation to join the "Current Season" group
Accept that invitation
As time permits your login ID (email address) that you identified on the registration form will be added to the "Current Season" group. You will receive a notice when this is done.
After you receive the notice log on the WCC website using the ID that you included on your registration form (if you have never logged on to the WCC website before, you will be prompted to request permission to be added to the website).
Once successfully logged on to the WCC website you can select More/Voice Tracks from the main menu bar and if everything is in order the Voice Track page will open for you.
At 7:30 PM the rehearsal will begin and then end at 9:30 PM. Rehearsals will continue every Monday (including holidays) up until the first concert date.
The first rehearsal may invoke a variety of emotions as we read through each selection in concert order. If you are a veteran WCC member you will be reminded that there is much work ahead of you to learn all of these songs but if you are brand new to WCC you might be horrified at what may seem to be an insurmountable task ahead. In seasons past many faint of heart have left the first rehearsal never to return. Let me add a bit of comfort to those in the last group. We go to great lengths to learn each voice line in the coming weeks to follow and also the Voice Tracks are an invaluable tool for learning your voice part. So be brave and stick it out we will all learn together and not leave anyone behind.
At the bottom of this blog you may add a comment or question
For the 60th Anniversary concert season entitled “WCC 60th Anniversary Traditional Christmas Music” we will have a selection of 8 sacred and 8 secular choral arrangements from the top 100 most popular of all time traditional Christmas songs. The Criteria: Chosen for ongoing popularity, impact, importance, and strong association with the holiday. "Traditional" is defined as encompassing all pre-rock styles of popular music; Christmas songs include both religious and secular songs as well as songs about winter which are associated with the festive season. There will be a brief medly of popular Traditional Christmas songs not currently one of the selections on the program for which all former WCC members in the audiance may come on stage to join in the singing.
Voice Tracks
There will be Voice Tracks available for all selections except "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Home for the Holiday". Access to the VT will be limited to those included in the Current Season group. Becoming a member of the Current Season group is a three-step process. First you will have to complete the registration process including filling out the registration form and paying the registration fee. On the registration form you must provide a valid email address that will serve as your login ID to be added to the Current Season group. Second you will have to become a member, if not already, of the WCC website using the same email address. (Note: many people have multiple email addresses, but you may only use one to access the Voice Tracks and that should be the address you include in your registration form.) Third you will receive an invitation to join the Current Season group. Once you accept the invitation your ID (email address) will be added to the Current Season group, which can then be used to access the Voice Tracks page on the WCC website. If you have satisfied all the preconditions, then you can access the Voice Tracks by selecting it from the Main Menu bar. Current WCC Executive board members and instrumentalist will automatically have immediate access to the Christmas VT page. All selections that have Voice Tracks available on our Christmas 2026 season have already been added to the Voice Track page of the WCC website. Members of the Current Season group may access the VT from the Main menu or click this Voice Track link.
Sample recordings media
Unlike in the past the sample recordings will not be provided to you on CD. However, if you bring in a blank USB drive or other media the sample recordings can be copied onto it for you. Be sure to include your name on the media device. For those of you that have an operable CD/DVD device or perhaps an older automobiles that have built in CD players you can request a CD with sample recordings of the songs be made at no cost to you but there is no guarantee that it will be successful as the technology is rapidly transitioning away from that media.
Line Solo Tryouts
A Line Solo is a designated solo part in this season’s program, with over half the selections featuring them. If you’re interested, refer to the Important Dates handout for the single tryout date—no alternate dates are provided unless that rehearsal is cancelled. Prepare independently, but you may practice any Line Solos during rehearsals with others who are interested.
Feature Tryouts.
Those wishing to try out for a feature presentation will participate in a tryout to be judged by current members of the choir serving as peer judges and are encouraged to select from the list of the top 100 most popular traditional Christmas songs that are unique from those selected for the choir. (Note: for your first visit to this shared location, you must request permission to access the shared folder. Once permission is granted you may visit at will.) As a reward for selecting a song from the top 100 list the applicant will receive a one-point bonus on their peer judge rating score. Otherwise, the applicant may select any song of their own choosing in line with the season. A Feature to be added to the program is intended to showcase an exceptional individual or a small ensemble talent. Due to the special nature of this concert season there will be at most one Feature accepted to perform on the program and it must be above and beyond average talent.
Keyboard Accompanist.
We have a new keyboard accompanist. Her name is Patrice Householder. Meredyth took a fall and has broken one or more bones associated with her left shoulder. She has since had an operation but reports it is not mending as quickly as she had hoped. She will join us when she is healed well enough to play.
Final music selections: (from the Main menu click More/Music to listen to samples)
Choir sacred selections
Do You Hear What I Hear? [VT added] - includes two choirs
Silent Night [VT added]
Adeste Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful) [VT added] - includes Line Solo
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing [VT added]
Joy to the World [VT added] - includes Line Solo
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen [VT added] - includes Line Solo
Go Tell It on the Mountain [VT added]
O Holy Night [VT added] - includes Line Solo
Choir secular selections
White Christmas [VT added] - includes Line Solo maybe
The Christmas Song [VT added] - includes Line Solo maybe
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer [VT added] - includes Line Solo
Sleigh Ride [VT added] - includes Line Solo
A Holly Jolly Christmas [VT added] - includes kazoo
The Little Drummer Boy [VT not available]
Frosty the Snowman [VT added] - includes Line Solo
There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays [VT not available] - includes Line Solo
I hope to see you all back for the WCC Christmas "WCC 60th Anniversary Traditional Christmas Music" concert season. Check back later for any additional updates or important announcements prior to the first rehearsal August 31. Enjoy your summer season break.
5/19 Auxiliary Concert:
Westminster Senior Center in Lake Ridge -
With the compleation of this performance that wraps up the WCC Spring 2026 "What About Baby?" season . . . almost! We will or have submitted a request to perform at the annual Arts Alive! festival. If approved we will be performing some selections TBD from this season at the festival on September 12, 2026. So keep your music handy for that. More details to follow. Hope to see you all back again on August 31 to begin preparation for the WCC Christmas 2026 season. Have a safe and pleasant summer break.
9/7/2026 Second rehearsal at LCOC (Open Registration):
9/14/2026 Third rehearsal at LCOC (Open Registration):
9/21/2026 Fourth rehearsal at LCOC (Verbal interview required to Register):
9/28/2026 Fifth rehearsal at LCOC (Verbal interview required to Register):
10/5/2026 Sixth rehearsal at LCOC (Verbal interview required to Register):
10/12/2026 Seventh rehearsal at LCOC:
10/19/2026 Eighth rehearsal at LCOC:
10/26/2026 Nineth rehearsal at LCOC:
Next week will be the last of the Feature tryouts. The focus will be on selections 8, 9, 13, 4, and 1.
11/2/2026 Tenth rehearsal at LCOC:
Next Monday, 3/23 we will be Touching Up selections #7, #10, #3, & #6. Immediately after the break there will be two Feature Tryouts: Andrea and Winnie.
11/9/2026 Eleventh rehearsal at LCOC:
Next Monday, the results of the Line Solo tryouts that were based on the votes of the peer judges will be announced.
We will begin to revisit each of the songs starting with 2, 12, 5, and 11.
Oh, one other thing: if you tend to ignore emails coming from Andrea or myself, you are very likely missing valuable and timely information.
11/16/2026 Twelveth rehearsal at LCOC:
Next Monday the plan is to go through the full program and conduct Line Solo tryouts during the process. Please do not ask to tryout for a Line Solo if you did not sign up in advance before the announced deadline. This will also be the deadline for signing up for a Feature, the tryouts for which will be distributed evenly over the following three weeks.
11/23/2026 Thirteenth rehearsal at LCOC:
Next week the Review will be selections 2 and 5. The Focus will be selections 12 and 7. The deadline for signing up for a Line Solo is the at the close of this rehearsal. The actual Line Solo tryouts will be during the rehearsal on March 9. If you are having problems accessing the Voice Tracks let us know so that we may help you resolve them.
11/30/2026 Fourteenth rehearsal at LCOC:
Next week we will review selections #1, #3, & #10 and focus on #2 and #5. If you are interested in trying out for a line solo be sure to add your name to the Line Solo Signup sheet. Also Feature tryouts will follow in the three weeks after the Line Solo Tryouts which will be 3/9/2026 for Line Solo tryouts.
12/4/2026 Fifteenth rehearsal at Ferlazzo:
Below is a listing of the Line Solos:
Song | Measures | Voice |
Sweet Baby James | Page 2 | Male |
. . . Baby One More Time | Page 2, 8, & 10 | Female and small mixed group |
Start a Fire | Page 2 | Any |
Meant to Be | Page 2, 5, 8, & 9 | Male, Female, and Descant |
One For My Baby | Male & Female | |
Photograph | Page 10-13 | 2 part Descant |
Next Monday we will Review selections #4, #6, & #11 and the Focus will be on selections #10, #3, & #1. The Voice Tracks are available to everyone that have met the condition for accessing them on the WCC website. If you need additional help let me know.
12/14 or 12/21 Auxiliary Concert:
Marine Corps Museum
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