Reminder Rehearsals resume this Thursday evening also new links for practice

Published: Wed, 09/24/25

Updated: Wed, 09/24/25

Masterworks Singers Newsletter Fall 2025 No. 7

Dear People,

I want to thank all of you who were part of the Diocesan Choir this past week. The service for the Installation of our new Bishop Danny Garcia was a beautiful experience. We have received numerous cards, emails, and texts of gratitude. I want to sincerely thank all of you who are also Masterworks Singers for your commitment.

Tomorrow evening, Thursday, September 25, we will resume regular rehearsals preparing for our Fall Concert.

I want to alert you to go back into Edublogs. CLICK HERE TO GO TO EDUBLOGS SITE.

We now have a new link at the bottom of the page, which will take you to a master folder of individual rehearsal tracks created by Earl.

There is a second link with tracks created by Peter, who graciously continues to follow us from a distance.

Both of these fine gentlemen donate their talents to help you learn your parts away from rehearsal.

I invite you to use any of these resources along with the tracks, which include a professional singer singing your part.

THANK YOU EARL AND PETER!!

Also, I invite you to read the notice below provided by Stephanie explaining the honor of her Middle School Choir being invited to perform at the American Choral Directors Association conference. Her school was heavily affected by the recent floods. Please read her appeal. She is grateful for whatever assistance we can give.

Here is her message:

Hello Masterworks Singers!

I’m Stephanie Rayl, a member of Masterworks, and the Head Choir Director at Danielson Middle School in Leander ISD. Our DMS Varsity Treble Choir was selected to perform at the 2026 Southwestern American Choral Directors Association Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico in March! We were chosen from hundreds of submissions across our 7-state SWACDA region, and are 1 of only 3 middle schools selected to perform.

The Sandy Creek neighborhood in Leander, which was directly affected by the flooding in July, is a part of our school feeder pattern. We have students who lost family members and other students who lost their homes. We are in the middle of a fundraiser to help raise money for our travel costs. I am hoping to help sponsor several of our students’ travel costs, as money is tight post-flood damage. My goal is to raise a total of $2000, which would sponsor 4 students on the trip.

If you would like to help support my amazing students, we have a donation website set up through our school district. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO CHOIR DONATION PAGE.

Any donation of any amount is GREATLY appreciated. 100% of the money will go toward the travel costs for our students. Thank you so much for your consideration and for your support!!

Thank You,

Stephanie Rayl

I invite you to read the next important info concerning the FESTIVAL IN FRANCE THIS SUMMER.

SEE YOU ALL IN REHEARSAL TOMORROW!!

Blessings to each,

Morris

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT PARIS FESTIVAL

We have been receiving some messages that some of you are experiencing a notice that the trip is full when you are attempting to register.

That issue has been resolved. The explanation is that there was an initial total reported to Perform International based upon the answers to our Questionnaires.

The good news is that we have reached our initial projection of participants. Those notices were a temporary report, resulting in some being placed on a waiting list.

Our official Representative at Perform International has now gone into the system and has increased our inventory.

You should have no further issues with registration for the Festival and Tour.

If you do, please contact me at 512-699-7014 by text, and we will assist.

REHEARSAL GOALS FOR THURSDAY, SEPT. 25

Continue working through all the selections: Note and Rhythm accuracy
Rehearsal order: a) I'll Make The Difference b). Herself a Rose c) The Prayer of the Children d) Light Beyond Shadow e) Resilience (add a body percussion) f) Gloria g) The Quest h) Sing My Child

IMPORTANT INFO FOR FALL REGISTRATION

PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO REGISTER ONLINE:

PLEASE CLICK HERE to be taken to a Registration Form for the Fall Semester Participation Fee. Also, please fill in the information on the form for names, voice parts, and important contact info.

If you do not register online, and wish to pay by check or cash, you may still register at the first rehearsal beginning at 6:30 pm in the Narthex of the Church.

If you write a check, please make it out to Masterworks Singers.

FALL 2025 PROPOSED MUSIC PROGRAM

This semester will be focused on themes of Hope out of hardship, tragedy, and loss. In memory and honor of those who were lost in the recent floods, as well as anyone who has lost loved ones, or who has experienced any recent tragedies. The Music will hopefully provide a respite and induce the virtue of Hope.

First half =

1. Sing My Child by Sarah Quartel

2. Herself A Rose, Who Bore the Rose by Dr. Robert Young.

3. The Prayer of the Children by Kurt Bestor w/ orchestra.

4. The Quest by John Rutter w/ orchestra.

Second half =

1. Resilience by Abbie Betinis (with audience participation)

2. Gloria, mvmt 1. by Vivaldi with orchestra

3. Light Beyond Shadow by Dan Forrest with orchestra. (I apologize for the wrong composer in last Newsletter)

4. I’ll Make the Difference by Moses Hogan. Piano and instruments

IMPORTANT LINK TO SCORES AND PRACTICE TRACKS

As mentioned above, new practice tracks are now available.

We are so appreciative to Earl and Peter for expertly providing these tracks.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to be taken to a separate site called Edublogs.

When you go there, please BOOKMARK the site on your computer, tablet, and phone. You will be able to access it anywhere, anytime.

This is where you will find all the music in PDF form. If you use a tablet for music reading, this is where you can download the scores to your device.

Also, this is where you will find individual part-specific practice tracks to help learn the music on your own away from the group rehearsal.

FALL 2025 SCHEDULE:

First Rehearsal: Thursday Evening, August 28, 2025. Registration begins at 6:30 pm. Rehearsal begins at 7:00 pm. St. Theresa Sanctuary. 4311 Small Dr. Austin, Tx. 78731
Fall Concert Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, November 15, 9:00 AM to Noon. St. Theresa Sanctuary.
Fall Concert: Sunday Evening, November 16, 7:00 pm St. Theresa Catholic Church Sanctuary. Call time: 5:45 pm.

FRANCE JUNE 19 THRU JUNE 26, 2026

REGISTRATIONS ARE UNDERWAY. PLEASE READ BELOW

AND

FRANCE CONCERT TOUR SUMMER 2026 REGISTRATION INFO

I want to thank those who have already signed up for our incredible tour to France next summer.

Suppose you have not yet signed up, and responded positively to our questionnaires. In that case, I remind you that you must actually go to the link for Perform International, which is the sponsor tour organization for the Festival, and officially register. The questionnaire was your intent form, but not the official registration.

See Below to choose the links for Registration.

NOTE: The first link is for the EXTENDED TOUR.

The second link is reserved for the eight people who were interested in the SHORTER FESTIVAL ONLY.

CUSTOM EXTENDED TOUR

Here is the link to Registration Page for the Paris 2026 Elaine Hagenberg Festival Tour Extended Version, just for Masterworks

Dates of this tour are June 19 thru June 26, 2026

PLEASE CLICK HERE to register for the Extended Tour.

FESTIVAL ONLY SHORTER TOUR

Here is the link to Registration for the Paris 2026 Elaine Hagenberg Festival Tour Shorter Version, only the Paris Festival

Please note: there are limited number of spaces on the Shorter Tour.

Dates of this tour are June 19 thru June 24, 2026

PLEASE CLICK HERE to register for the Shorter Festival Only Tour (8)

I am so thrilled to know there are new members who are signing up to join our ranks.

I want to ensure that you all share our wonderful upcoming plans with friends, family, and colleagues.

We are still looking to gain some new invites to join us for the full year of wonderful singing, but also to JOIN THE UPCOMING EXPERIENCE OF LIFETIME TO PREMIERE A NEW MAJOR WORK IN AN INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCE!!

I can't wait to see you, and hear you in these first rehearsals!

Blessings,

Morris

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