Director's Notes (scroll down for latest entry)

Aug 30, 20225 min read

Updated: Jan 4

This will be updated each week following the most recent Monday night rehearsal.

For the first rehearsal on Monday, January 27 the routine will be different from all subsequent rehearsals. For this rehearsal only, the recorded samples will be played through as the choir sings along as best they can. This is primarily intended to introduce each selection and give choir members a chance to hear what it will sound like once we have prepared it during the coming weeks of rehearsals. As time permits for this rehearsal, we may attempt to sing along without the recording using our accompaniment combo for some of the selections. This is not intended to be an exercise in frustration. It is not expected that it will be perfect in any way, so do not be discouraged as we will have 14 weeks of rehearsals to learn and perfect each selection. I just ask for your patience as we complete this process of learning each selection over the coming weeks.

Rehearsal format for the next series of rehearsals will follow a similar pattern each week as follows: brief opening comments, warm-up, review and focus. There will usually be a 7-minute break roughly halfway into the rehearsal preceded by any announcements by members of the Executive Board. Here in the Director's Notes selections that were focused on will be listed and some notes may be included regarding notable outcome of the rehearsal. Additionally, the upcoming rehearsal plan for the following week will list selections by number that will be reviewed and those that will be focused on. The selections to be reviewed will simply be read through near the beginning of the next rehearsal. No attempt will be made to work on or make corrections to selections being reviewed. The selections to be focused on will undergo analyses to include interpretation, teaching correct pitches, rhythm, diction, and any other needed corrections for musicality.

Samples of all selections included in the Spring 2025 "Journeys in Music" season are currently available on the Music page accessible from the menu on the website main page.

Your comments are welcome and can be added at the bottom of this page.

01/27/2025 rehearsal (Registration is from 7:00 pm to 7:30 pm):

Comments to be added here after the first rehearsal.

For this first rehearsal we will read through the entire program singing along to the sample recording of each selection and sometimes additionally with our own instrumental accompaniment.

We will get to work the following week by beginning the rehearsal with a warmup exercise then review of three songs, during which there is no attempt to fix anything. We will then focus on three songs where we may divide up (if we have the resources to do so) and concentrate on individual voice parts working on blending and correcting rhythms, diction and pitches as needed. Then come back together to put it all together with the full choir. Speaking of resources, there is currently an opening for Assistant Director. Contact the Resident Director if you have an interest in serving as the Assistant Director.

Be aware that later in the season, as the weather conditions and access to the parking lot become an issue, be sure to check the webpage and watch for an email notification in the event the rehearsal must be cancelled. If the Prince William County government offices (not public schools) are closed our rehearsal will be cancelled.