Director's Notes
- Lee Irwin Culbreth
- Aug 30, 2022
- 15 min read
Updated: Apr 25
*This will be updated each week following the most recent Monday night rehearsal. NOTE: the most recent post can now be found just below here at the top of this blog.
4/20/2026 rehearsal:
On the eve of the election day Luis our Spanish guitarist was fulfilling his duty at the polls as a volunteer worker and as such was unable to attend this rehearsal. On the positive side Marie our trap drum set player was on hand for the first time and has adjusted her work schedule to be able to make all the remaining rehearsals and performances for the current season. This rehearsal marked the end of the segment of rehearsals intended for final polishing of each selection. The first selection of the evening was for the simplest and easiest song #1 on the program. However, it was noted that some of the sopranos were struggling to find the pitch for the B-flat in measure 8. In selection #4 the Sop II part jumps back and forth between the two ledger lines presenting a bit of a challenge. Selection #9 is solid. After the break we began work on #8 where the bulk of the melody is carried by the Alto section. This needs to be stronger. In selection #11 the choir is gaining more confidence with the syncopated eighth note pattern and it is beginning to be more comfortable. The choir is settling into the easy-going waltz feel of #6. The final selection of the evening was #3 where there was a relapse of the problem singing baby as two eighth notes instead of quarter notes.
Next week will be our final rehearsal of the season at LCOC. The plan is to go through the full program in concert order including the two feature selections.
4/13/2026 rehearsal:
In this first week of two for the final phase in the Master Rehearsal plan we polished in this order selections #13, #5, #10, #7, #12, and #2. There were minimal issues throughout. Most importantly everyone should be aware of the words you are singing and apply the emotion that is appropriate to the text. Remember these are love songs and so sing it as though you were singing to the love of your life. In #13 some of the men were coming in early at measure 25 instead of right on the downbeat, after several attempts we finally got it. The main problem with #5 is holding the phrases that end with an 8th note too long (see measures 13, 27, 63, 70, and 100). #10 is good until the last two measures where the sopranos are not quite together singing the “LA’s” where some are 8th notes, and some are 16th notes. For #7 the men need to smooth out the words in measures 20 through 31 as though you were speaking the words as opposed to making the words unnaturally short and choppy. The 16th notes tend to drag in the #12 selection and the phrase “wait for me to come home” is a bit awkward. The attack of the three words “me to come” should be even. The final selection for the evening was #2 it just needs a pure jazz feel to it. Loose and not stiff.
Next week we will tackle the other half of the program in this order #1, #4, #9, #8, #11, #6, and #3. After that the following week will be our last rehearsal at LCOC for this season. Friday, May 1st is our on-site rehearsal at the Ferlazzo building auditorium. Main concerts are Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd.
4/6/2026 rehearsal:
At this point we have sort of completed the first two phases of the master rehearsal plan, and the second and third of three full program read throughs. The first read through would have been during the first rehearsal but alas that rehearsal was cancelled due to hazardous weather conditions (PWC government offices were closed). Then during week 2 through week 6 rehearsals we were to complete the first phase of focusing on each individual selection. However, week 6 was the bad weather night that became attendance optional per your own discretion. Week 7 was the second planed full program read through and then week 8 was the big snowstorm (again, PWC government offices were closed) when we would have begun the first of 3 weeks of the second phase to touchup each selection. That brings us to this week’s rehearsal, which was the third full program read through, which according to plan would have been in reverse program order but due to the interruption of the master plan by several cancellations I altered the plan for this rehearsal so that more time could be spent at the beginning of the rehearsal on the selections that did not get the full attention during the focus and touchup phases.
After the opening comments including the Feature Tryout results, we began the rehearsal looking at #4 then #1 because we did not get to them last week as we ran out of time. Both are relatively easy, so there were no problems here. Moving on to #2 things began to bog down a bit because this selection was included in the plan for two of the previously cancelled rehearsals. Consequently, a lot of extra time was spent on this selection. Selection #12 was also impacted by two cancelled rehearsals so again extra time was spent on these to bring them up to par. After the break we endeavored to complete the run through of the remaining eight selections. All of these were in surprisingly good shape. Due to the extra time spent on #2 and #12 this resulted in a 15-minute delay in the normal dismissal time. I apologize for this even though some felt that it was needed.
Next week we begin the third “polish” phase of the master rehearsal plan. We will be looking at #13, #5, #10, #7, #12, and #2.
3/30/2026 rehearsal:
The battle scared WCC continues undaunted after two rehearsal cancellations due to extreme weather and one other rehearsal beset by hazardous driving conditions for which only the bravest among you were able to attend. Now a fire in the building has rendered our equipment inaccessible due to orders from the fire marshal and most likely unusable due to soot damage. Before I get into the details of this rehearsal I would like to ask if anyone in the choir or someone they might know has a good quality full size electronic keyboard like the one belonging to LCOC that we have been using in rehearsals and a guitar amp. If so, would you be willing to loan it to the choir to use for our concerts in May.
For this rehearsal after the opening comments and warmup we went right to work on selection #8, which is undoubtedly the most difficult piece on the program. For this we spent far more time then was scheduled but it was obviously needed. The rhythms are very complex and there are sections where the voice lines are totally independent. We then moved on to selection #9 which has the distinction of being the second most difficult selection on the program, this too also has some challenging rhythms but a little less complex than the previous selection. Before running out of time we were able to work some on selection #13. For this the rhythms are not quite as complex, but they do have the rapid 16th note patterns. We did not get to selections #4 and #1 as planned, which by comparison are very easy. We also had to complete the Feature tryouts before our time ran out, and I might add without the benefit of microphones.
Next week according to the Master Rehearsal Plan we are scheduled to go through the full program again, but we will be doing it in reverse order. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to spend a little extra time on the selections #2, #12, #5, and #11 that we did not get to touchup because of the rehearsal cancellation on 3/16, The same applies to #4 and #1 that we did not get to in this rehearsal. I would ask that you spend some extra time this week singing along to the sample recordings and Voice Tracks for those six songs this week. The results of the Feature tryouts will be announced.
3/23/2026 rehearsal:
We continued with our second week at touching up each selection on the program and welcomed Nancy’s return to us. Beginning with selection 7 a reminder about the stylized pronunciation of the word baby as “bay-beh” and then noticing a different rhythm pattern at various points throughout. Where most of the time it is a straight syncopated quarter note rhythm but there are also times when there are notes that are the equivalent of a dotted quarter note. The first being in measure 6 on the word “through” where it is sustained 1/8th beat longer. This occurs again in measures 10, 38, 42, 80, and 88. Selection number 10 is mostly syncopated but in a simple easy style. There is however that dotted 8th - 16th pattern that is a bit troublesome in measure 73. The tenors and basses did a great job on selection number 3 just need to be sure not to use the glissando effect on “Baby” and only on “show me” or “tell me”. Remember also that in every case the first syllable of the word “Baby” is an 8th note not a quarter note. Number 6 is near concert ready. Just a few minor tweaks. We also had the first two of four Feature tryouts this evening.
Next week will be the last of the Feature tryouts. The focus will be on selections 8, 9, 13, 4, and 1. Nancy has announced that she will not be able to attend this rehearsal.
3/16/2026 rehearsal:
I sincerely hope that everyone received the notice that this rehearsal had been cancelled due to the threat of extreme weather conditions and stayed safely home for the evening. The WCC Constitution and By-Laws dictate that if the PWC Government Offices are closed for the day then the WCC rehearsal for that day will be cancelled. Current Season members should also have received a memo directly from me suggesting that you spend some time on your own working on the 4 selections that were scheduled for Touch Up this rehearsal. Those selections scheduled for Touch Up this rehearsal were #2, #12, #5, and #11. You can sing along to the Voice Tracks for two of those selections and the sample recordings for the other two. To help compensate for this we will do a brief Touch Up of those four selections during the rehearsal on Monday, 4/7. The Line Solo results were also included in the memo and the schedule for the Feature Tryouts that will take place over the next two weeks.
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.
3/9/2026 rehearsal:
This rehearsal served two objectives, the first of which was to complete all of the line solo auditions, the results of which will be announced next week. The second objective was to read through all of the remaining selections, those without line solos. Most of these went pretty well with a few minor glitches here and there. However, when we got to selections #7 & #8, it was sort of like this. Unfortunately, we do not have Voice Tracks for those two selections. I recommend you spend some time listening and singing along to the sample recordings that are available on this website. Fortunately, there are still 8 remaining rehearsals that can be spent addressing these lingering issues.
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.
3/2/2026 rehearsal:
Mother nature has provided a test of the resolve of the current members of WCC to do what it takes to prepare for the upcoming WCC Spring “What About Baby?” concert season. Prior to the rehearsal it was announced that each one was to use their own discretion as to whether they personally felt they could make the trip to the rehearsal and return home afterwards safely. No one would be faulted for making the decision to not venture out in the threat of possible heavy snow fall. Even so I pleased to see that most people were present for the rehearsal except for 2 or 3 people.
As the rehearsal began there was a discussion to review the details of Line Solo and Feature tryouts to include the deadline for signing up for a Feature will be next Monday and the deadline for signing up for a Line Solo was to be this rehearsal but that has been extended through the coming Friday to accommodate those who were not present due to their discretion to avoid any risks attributable to the extreme weather conditions Monday. So, then the firm deadline for signing up to tryout for a Line Solo is Friday, March 6. To meet that deadline, you must notify me either through the website or a direct email. Those failing to meet this deadline will not be permitted to tryout for a Line Solo. At this point there is no change to the deadline for signing up for a Feature which is the close of rehearsal next Monday. I will be calling on representatives from each section to serve as Peer Judges for the tryouts.
Continuing with the rehearsal we proceeded with our standard warmup exercise than did a review of selection #5 that includes several quarter note triplets and even one eighth note triplet. The challenge here is to keep each of the notes in the triplet equal in duration value. The first of two selections for focus this evening was selection #12 the relatively recent popular hit song recorded by Ed Sheeran in which we were able to correct several rhythm issues. Before the break there were some announcements by members of the WCC Executive Board including details about the restaurant fund raiser this week at Red Robin, the return of Loretta adding another needed soprano, receipt for metal collection and other ongoing activities and once again the deadlines for signing up for Line Solo and Feature tryouts. I would ask that you please respect these announced deadlines. Following the break there was a review of selection #2. For this most of the choral parts are simple, it is the solo lines that will offer the biggest challenge in the form of intricate rhythms. The second selection for focus was #7 a Top Ten hit from 1975 many of us are familiar with, which went very well despite the heavy syncopation throughout.
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.
2/23/2026 rehearsal:
I had a nicely printed plan for the rehearsal tucked into my folder but then noticed it needed some minor changes. So, I removed that from my folder and edited it to make the corrections needed in the word processor and sent it to the printer. Got busy doing other stuff and walked off and left it on the printer. This I discovered as it was time to begin the rehearsal. The workaround was to use the Master Reheasal Plan sheet that I keep in my folder. This turned out to be a good thing because the plan sitting on the printer did not allow for an early dismissal time to begin the social following the rehearsal. Some of the folks unfortunately did not bother to stay for this very important team building event. There was a bountiful supply of food and an excellent opportunity to meet and get to know others that you might not otherwise have an opportunity to talk with.
As for the actual rehearsal we reviewed selection 1, 3, and 10 with no major issues. The focus then was on the newest addition number 2, which was not bad at all for a first look. The other selection for focus was number 5 which continues to improve each time we read through it and has no major issues.
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.
2/16/2026 rehearsal:
It has been reported to me that some folks have successfully played the sample recordings on the CD that I made but was not positive that they would work. Give them a try if you have not already. An additional song has been added to the Listing of line solos in the 2/9/2026 note. If you are interested in tryout for one of those line solos, be sure to add your name to the Line Solo Signup sheet that will be available on the back table during the next two rehearsals.
During this rehearsal after the opening comments and a warmup exercise, we reviewed a couple of songs using the sample records then live. Number 4 went well but we will have to concentrate some on the balance of the three voice parts. In number 6 there are some rhythm issues and balance problems otherwise it was mostly good. We followed this up with a focus session on number 10 where there were a lot of syncopation issues that will be resolved in time with repetition. After the Executive Board announcements and break we reviewed number 11 which has a very problematic rhythm pattern but will after everyone gets the "feel" of it become easier. The final focus session for the rehearsal was on the two selections #3 and #1. In #3 we need to nail down the swing pattern for the 8th notes and work on balance. The final selection #1 is relatively easy with some rich harmonic progressions which should come together nicely.
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.
2/9/2026 rehearsal:
The review was on the three selection ( #13, #9, & #8 ) that were the focus of last week's rehearsal. The focus this week was on selections #11, #6, & #4. Number eleven is going to require concentration on the individual voice lines that are often totally independent of the other voice lines. In number six there is a long male voice solo at the beginning of the song that the bases and tenors were struggling with a bit. Number four is for the ladies only and includes a soprano 2 part that jumps back and forth on the two staffs. It is still early in the season, and we will work through these issues in time.
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.
2/2/2026 rehearsal:
Welcome everyone to the WCC Spring 2026 "What About Baby?" season. I think there were about 25 in attendance. I am sure there were a few people that opted not to attend including our other keyboard accompanist, Nancy because of continued hazardous driving conditions. We began the rehearsal with a few introductory comments followed by a brief warmup exercise. We then reviewed a couple of selections. Unfortunately, this was a bit painful since the recorded samples were not available to sing along to. We then went to work focusing on three selections, with a brief interim of Executive Board member remarks and a break. We had to remain together as a single group for the focus session since we had only the one keyboard accompanist, Meredyth on hand. With two accompanists we would normally split into two groups for the focus session. This then serves as a pattern for the upcoming next four rehearsals as we have the initial focus session for each selection on the program.
Next Monday we will Review selections #13, #9, & #8 and the Focus will be on selections #11, #6, & #4 and hopefully more people will trickle in to join us. The Voice Tracks should be available on the WCC website by the end of this week.
1/26/2026 rehearsal:
Regrettably, this rehearsal was cancelled due to the severe weather conditions. This would have been dedicated to introducing members of the WCC Executive Board, the instrumental combo, and each of the songs on the program.
Next Monday we will Review: "Who Loves You" and "Photograph". We will then Focus on the selections "Baby, What a Big Surprise", ". . . Baby One More Time" and "Meant to Be". Normally, I would refer to these selections by number but since most of you have not received the program listing I have used the titles instead.
12/21/2025 final performance of the WCC "Sing We Now" concert season:
With the closing of the performance today marks the end of the WCC Christmas "Sing We Now" season. It was a great run with some of the most challenging selections ever attempted by WCC. You all have reason to be proud as you did a superlative job reflecting the attentiveness, dedication and hard work in mastering your voice parts. Now relax and enjoy a few weeks off and come back fresh and ready to begin work on the WCC Spring "What About Baby?" concert season. The next rehearsal will be January 26, 2026, at 7:30 PM at LCOC. Come early to register beginning at 7:00PM. See Upcoming Events page for more details. Music selections have been made and samples have been posted on the Music page. It is music with the word "Baby" included in the lyrics and possibly title.
4/27/2026 rehearsal:
Comments to be added here by the Director following this rehearsal
Here will appear information about the "Review" and "Focus" selections and other information pertinent for the next week.
5/1/2026 MANDATORY on-site rehearsal:
Comments to be added here by the Director following this rehearsal
5/02/2026 Concert at Ferlazzo:
Comments to be added after concerts
5/03/2026 Concert at Ferlazzo:
Comments to be added after concerts
12/14 or 12/21 Auxillary Concert:
Marine Corps Museum
What about the Christmas 2026 concert Season?:
First rehearsal as is the custom will be the last Monday in August specifically the 31st of Augus at 7:30 PM. Registration begins at 7:00 PM
A list of potential songs that may be on the program will be listed here later (Google them to listen):
I hope to see you all back for the WCC Christmas "Title TBD" concert season. Check back later for sample recordings to be added later. Enjoy your summer season break..
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