Tenors and Basses please plan on arriving 10 minutes early on Thursday

Published: Tue, 10/14/25

Masterworks Singers Newsletter Fall 2025 No. 10

Dear People,

Tenors AND Basses, please try to report to the Sanctuary a little early on Thursday of this week.,.. hopefully no later than 6:50 pm. You will be the final section to go through a voice arrangement process.

I hope those of you who have been watching this process can tell that the sound of the unified group is indeed improving with each "move" that we make.

Two great mentors have a hand in what this is all about... Dr. Weston Noble is who began to "seat" the choirs by acoustics and rhythmic emphasis. The great Elaine Brown established the "Singing City" of Philadelphia back in the 1940's. Her concept was to alter the seating arrangement each rehearsal so that the personal relationships between the singers would increase. We won't actually move EVERY rehearsal, but the "upside down" concept we have been using is my own variation.

Elaine Brown's legacy lives on through Singing City’s continued mission of unity through music. She was quite a remarkable figure.

I urge all of you to continue in Edublogs. Listen, Listen, Listen!!!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO EDUBLOGS SITE.

I can really tell you are putting in the work, listening and using your aural imagination as you learn these pieces. Let's continue focusing on "just a little bit better" each phrase, each piece.

Check the rehearsal goals for this week in the next section.

SEE YOU ALL IN REHEARSAL THURSDAY NIGHT!!

Blessings to each,

Morris

REHEARSAL GOALS FOR THURSDAY, Oct. 16

Once the men are seated in their sections, we will try one more "upside down" arrangement... so don't get to comfy as you come into rehearsal with your "camp".
Rehearsal order: a) Sing My Child b)The Prayer of the Children choral parts only followed by accompaniment only. c) Resilience add 3rd theme (add a body percussion) d) A run of Light Beyond Shadow e) Herself a Rose f)The Prayer of the Children choral parts only followed by accompaniment only. g) I'll Make The Difference ... complete run at medium slow tempo. Then at tempo. h). The Quest work backwards
Possibly introduce You Are Not Alone by Elaine Hagenberg . Projectin it as one of the Festival pieces and using as a "surprise" encore.

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT PARIS FESTIVAL

I will be in contact with Perform International to ask about the possibility of a group flight.

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.

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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