Masterworks Singers Newsletter Spring 2025 No. 9

Dear Singers,

Happy Thursday!  I hope you all have your sunshades and sunscreen on this unusually warm and sunny day!

 This is your reminder Newsletter for the regular rehearsal schedule tonight  in the Sanctuary of St. Theresa's at 7 pm.  

Rehearsal requests for this Thursday. 
These past two rehearsals have been stupendous.  Much growth in tone quality.  Using quasi-mixed formation has increased our focus on the skills of blend and balance.  It has also been successful in advancing our independent musicianship.  That is our goal... a choir of independent, trusting, and collaborative singers!

This week we will bring over a rack of chairs from our Family Center.  By the time w arrive you will find two groups of black chairs set in a formation facing the pews. This is where we will place our Tenors and Basses.  Tenors will be opposite of Sopranos, Basses opposite of Altos. This is an old-school rehearsal formation that has proven very successful for us over the years at the midway point of production.

Tonight we will have the first "Self Assessment" rehearsal.  For those of us familiar with this style... we take an opportunity to perform an entire movement straight through with no stopping.  We have our pencils and mark spots in the score as we sing to go back to on our own.  We then take a few minutes after each "run" for comments from me... and then it's your turn to remark on any large spots that each section might need to "woodshed" a little bit more.

Reminder ... No Rehearsal on Thursday of Next Week

I realize that some of you don't recognize an Academic Spring Break.  However, it is useful to take a one rehearsal break at the midway point.  Our next rehearsal will be on Thursday evening, March 27.

I am so thrilled to have new members joining this program.  Please, everyone, find an unfamiliar face during break and introduce yourself.  Community,,, Strong Community... Kind Community!!

Tonight is another great step forward to our unforgettable performances.

Blessings to all,

Morris

The remainder of this Newsletter is information from previous editions for your convenience.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

For those who have not yet registered, you may use this new link.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THE NEW REGISTRATION FORM WITH OPTION TO PAY DUES ONLINE

Dues for this Semester will be $40 for regular members and $15 for any St. Edward's alumni

THE MUSIC FOR THIS SPRING SEMESTER: 

We are going to perform one of the most beautiful new works composed in the last few years.  The uplifting performances of The Gift of Life by John Rutter, and the wonderful accomplished performance of Magnificat by Taylor Scott Davis have brought new audience members into the awareness that this wonderful community of singers we call Masterworks, is truly bringing "Peace through Music".  

I am thrilled to announce the Spring Major work will be Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg, with full chamber orchestra accompaniment.  This work is centered around the concepts of Hope and Light.  It has received rave reviews from singers and audiences, and now it is our turn to enjoy the experience of singing it together.

For those who are using tablet readers, you may go to the Edublogs site and download the PDF scores.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE IMPORTANT EDUBLOGS SITE FOR SCORES AND REHEARSAL AIDES

OUR SPRING PERFORMANCES ARE SCHEDULED FOR...

Performance Number One will be Sunday evening May 4, 2025 at 7:30 in St. Theresa's Sanctuary.

Perfomance Number Two will be Thursday evening May 8, at St. Catherine of Sienna Church.  

This is a slightly different type of schedule than we have had in other Spring semesters.  The plan is to perfom twice in close succession rather than having several weeks in between.  This will allow for a longer work process through the Spring and the energy of two close performances.

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