Masterworks Singers Newsletter Fall 2024 No. 13

Dear Singers,

This is your reminder Newsletter about our rehearsal schedule change this week.

Regular rehearsal is tonight at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Due to Halloween, there is no rehearsal this week on Thursday evening.

Tonights rehearsal goals and process:

1. Movement 2 of the Magnificat
2. Movement 4 of the Magnificat
3. Checking the memorization of the final section of Movement 5.
4. Singing the Karen Marrolli in an all a cappella rehearsal.  Be prepared to move into some different positions during this portion of rehearsal.  The focus is going to be "turn my ears upside down"... "listen for the unfamiliar"... "understand that my tone" can be unified with different tones by awareness and concentration".  "Discover new vocal sensations by 'feel' and become aware of physical changes in embouchure necessary to create a unified tone." 
5. The clarity of consonants in text of And the Night shall be filled with Music.

Every bit of our work from here to the November 17 concert is focused on the concept of individual improvement with a group of two others.  The "threes" as I like to call it.  WE SING WITH...

Please try and listen to the sections we are working on this evening prior to rehearsal.  Let's set the goal as starting with our best yet.... and from there we get "just a little better".

Here again is an important announcement about next week. Don't forget!!

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE EDUBLOGS PAGE OF SCORES AND LEARNING TRACKS.

I look forward to tremendous sharing this evening.

Blessings to all,

Morris
 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

MASTERWORKS SINGERS WEB PAGE

Thanks to our web master Mark Stern, we now have the Newsletters archived on our Masterworks website for you use so you don't have to scroll through your emails to find what you want.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO THE MASTERWORKS WEBSITE 

From the Home Page, look at the top banner.  Find the button for Current Season. Click on that button and find the button for Past Masterworks Newsletter. The Newsletters for the Season will be listed with the most recent Newsletter being on top.

Please also feel free to forward the website address to you friends and family so they can learn about our wonderful community of fine musicians.  The website address is https://masterworkssingers.org.

FALL 2024 SCHEDULE:
 

• First Rehearsal: Thursday Evening, August 29, 2024. Registration begins at 6:30 pm. Rehearsal begins at 7:00 pm. St. Theresa Sanctuary. 4311 Small Dr. Austin, Tx. 78731
• Important Schedule Change for the Week of Halloween. Instead of rehearsing on Halloween night, Thursday, October 31,  we will move that rehearsal to Tuesday, October 29.  We will rehearse that evening in the Great Room of Elmer Hall
• First Performance: Sunday, October 20, 2024. St. Mary's Historic Painted Church, Fredericksburg, Texas. We travel to Fredericksburg to sing a late-morning Mass. After Mass, we enjoy lunch and return at 2:45 for a 3:30 pm Concert. This is a special invitation to participate in St. Mary's annual concert series.
• Second Performance: Sunday, November 17, 2024. 7:00 pm. St. Theresa Catholic Church. Austin, Texas. This concert is our major concert for the Fall semester 2024.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE FALL SEMESTER 2024

LITERATURE FOR FALL 2024 UPDATED September 11

An exciting and inspirational new setting of Magnificat by award-winning composer Taylor Scott Davis. This amazing text from the Gospel of Luke is set in five movements.

Reviews have described Davis' music as ... “sonically luxurious”, memorable, and inspiring of hope. He believes in supporting collaboration and creating musical opportunities at all levels.

Other pieces in our Fall program Include a thrilling opening by Paul Halley, an a cappella gem by Karen Marolli, a lovely new setting of Let There Be Peace on Earth with chamber orchestra by Craig Courtney, and an exciting new arrangement of the spiritual Soon We Will Be Done by Kyle Pederson that will close our concert.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE EDUBLOGS PAGE OF SCORES AND LEARNING TRACKS.
 

SCORES IN PDF FOR TABLET USERS Updated September 11
PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE EDUBLOGS PAGE OF SCORES AND LEARNING TRACKS.

REHEARSAL AIDES AND LEARNING TRACKS UPDATED August 24

We all need to thank the members who work so hard to give us learning tracks to practice outside of rehearsal times. Without these aides, we would spend way too much time chasing notes in rehearsal.

Here is the link to our Edublogs page for the Fall 2024 Season. Please read carefully as you click on the links. The first set of learning tracks for Magnificat are now up, created by the great and marvelous Peter!!

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE EDUBLOGS PAGE OF SCORES AND LEARNING TRACKS.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE FOR FIRST REHEARSAL UPDATED August 24

Our Fees for registration cover the cost of the music, plus a contribution to help offset the small orchestra we use for accompaniment. To help offset the expenses for music and orchestra, please be prepared to pay $30 for registration for the Fall semester. As has been our norm, we discount those who are from St. Edward's. SEU faculty, students, and grads are asked to pay $15.

Registration will be by cash, check, or credit/debit card.

If writing a check please make it out to Masterworks Singers.

Here again is the link to register online if you choose.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE FALL SEMESTER 2024

If you wish to register at the first rehearsal you may still do so.
If you prefer to pay by cash or by check, you will register at the first rehearsal in person.

For the mini-tour to Fredericksburg in October we will be offering a bus should you wish to not drive on your own. There will be an extra charge for riding the bus. That charge will be collected later, and will not be part of the first registration fee.

I look forward to welcoming new members into our community.  For those of you joining us for the first time, please invite a friend or two to come and join along with you. The fun is always better with friends on board! 

We will allow new members to continue to join us through the third rehearsal of this Fall Season.

The first image is The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner

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