Masterworks Singers Newsletter Spring 2026 No. 23 

Dear People,

I still am going to write a much longer and sincere thank you.  This week has been a return to multiple services for the end of the year.

I do need to let you all know that, somehow, Elaine has been receiving notes and letters directly about our two performances from patrons who attended.

She is quite excited to hear all the details from me.  Hopefully, next week will allow me a chance for a phone call with her. She is still looking for suggestions on improvements to the scores.  I have let her know the new string parts were a very successful edition.  We will see if she comes up with anything added over the next few weeks.

Commissioning and performing new music could not be more exciting!!

THIS IS A NEWSLETTER REMINDER...    NO REHEARSAL THIS EVENING, MAY 14.  TOUR REHEARSALS RESUME NEXT THURSDAY MAY 21. ALL ARE INVITED... SEVERAL WHO ARE NOT TOURING HAVE ASKED TO COME AND I HAVE AGREED, BECAUSE THEY WILL BE HELPFUL TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SUNG SOME OF OUR "TOUR" REPERTOIRE.

The remainder of this Newsletter is information from previous Newsletters with one exception.  Please scroll down to read the next installment of Paris "Tips" from Martha Z.!

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 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS PLEASE READ:

• I originally announced that rehearsals for the France tour additional music would begin next Thursday, May 14.   THAT IS NOW CHANGED!! YOU WILL ALL HAVE NEXT WEEK OFF.   St. Theresa's has the Graduation Mass for the 8th Grade of St. Theresa's School scheduled for the SANCTUARY that evening.
• The rehearsals for the France tour additional music will begin on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 pm.  
• The full final rehearsal schedule will be: Thursday, May 21...Thursday May 28, Thursday, June 4, Tuesday, June 9, and Thursday, June 11.
• The music for the Mass parts and acclamations, plus several pieces which have been tour "staples" will be posted on Edublogs for you to download, and rehearse with recordings and tracks.  
• Today is "moving equipment back" day.  The postings on Edublogs will be up soon but not just yet today.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT RECORDING

Due to Aeterna Via not being fully published, we are only allowed to keep our recording up live until tomorrow.  After that it will still be available but will need to be made private.

The recording is up for listening at https://masterworkssingers.org/

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CHECK OUT THIS NEW SPOKEN VERSION IN FRENCH OF JE VOUS SALUE FOR CONTINUED STUDY

I know that many of who have studied French have been helping each other with pronunciation.

Two of our own, Marni and Jenny, have collaborated on some points.  We now made a spoken recording for your assistance.  

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO A SPOKEN MP3 OF 

JE VOUS SALUE

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CLICK HERE TO BE TAKEN TO THE CONCERT POSTER IN PDF 

Note: when you access the poster in Dropbox, there is no need to sign up for Dropbox, you may simply use the Download feature and Download the poster to your computer. 

Please share this poster in both hard copy, and in digital copy through emails.

This is an example of the post card. The full size poster is at the bottom of this Newsletter, and can be printed on 8.5x11 or 11x17.

  CLICK HERE TO GO TO EDUBLOGS SITE. 

The focus for THURSDAY AT ST CATHERINE'S : 

"Let your face shine with confidence and energy". 

All my love to my friends who make music together!!

A REMINDER...  For archives of earlier Newsletters...    

CLICK HERE FOR THE WEBSITE.

REQUESTED PRACTICE AND REHEARSAL  GOALS  

• Open minds and ears to the mixed formation.
• Confidence in all parts
• The attitude of "Singing WITH Someone"... 
• The awareness mode is truly a wonderful heightened sense of concentration, that musicians and athletes strive to stay in.  Allow yourself the luxury of being in the moment and making music WITH someone else... not in isolation.
• Positivity... Yes... Joy... Wonder... Beauty
• Use your imagination to place yourself in the "Story"... 

REGISTRATION INFO FOR SPRING 2026

We are requesting that you register for the Spring Semester and pay your dues by clicking on the Link below.  You will be taken to a Google Document that allows you to pay your semester dues by credit card.

If you cannot register in this manner, please plan on arriving early on Thursday evening to pay by cash, check or credit card.

You will be picking up hard copy scores on Thursday evening.  There are digital scores available for all music on Edublogs... EXCEPT FOR Aeterna Via the new major work. Everyone will be receiving a professionally printed hard copy score of Aeterna Via.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to be taken to a Google Doc to complete your registration and payment online.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 2026

PERFORMANCE NUMBER ONE:  SUNDAY EVENING, MAY 3, 2026 

TIME: 7:30 PM    CALL TIME: 6:00 PM

PLACE:  ST. THERESA CATHOLIC CHURCH SANCTUARY

4311 SMALL DRIVE, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78731

PERFORMANCE NUMBER TWO:  THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 7, 2026

TIME:  7:30 PM.   CALL TIME: 6:00 PM

PLACE:  ST. CATHERINE OF SIENNA CATHOLIC CHURCH SANCTUARY 

4800 CONVICT HILL RD., AUSTIN, TEXAS 78749

REHEARSALS FOR PERFORMANCES IN JUNE (SEE SCHEDULE ABOVE). MASSES AND CONCERTS IN PARIS, NORMANDY AND LISIEUX.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 2026.

NOTE IMPORTANT NEW CALL TIME FOR SINGERS ON SATURDAY MAY 2.... 9:00 AM  FOR JE VOUS SALUE

REGULAR REHEARSALS: THURSDAY EVENINGS, 7:00 PM, ST. THERESA SANCTUARY. (Some rehearsals may occur in other buildings on campus but will be announced)

DRESS REHEARSALS FOR PERFORMANCE ONE:

THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 30, 7:00 PM, ST. THERESA SANCTUARY

SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 2, 9:00 AM, ST. THERESA  SANCTUARY

REHEARSAL FOR PERFORMANCE TWO:

DURING THE CALL TIME OF THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 7.

WE WILL RESUME REHEARSALS AFTER PERFORMANCE NUMBER TWO FOR THE TOUR.

REGULAR REHEARSAL TIME ON THURSDAY EVENINGS AT 7 PM. 

ST. THERESA SANCTUARY.   MAY 21, MAY 28, JUNE 4, JUNE 9,

AND JUNE 11.

LINK TO EDUBLOGS SITE FOR SCORES 

AND REHEARSAL AIDES

PLEASE CLICK HERE to be taken to the Edublogs site.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FILLED THE QUESTIONNAIRE REQUESTING THE GROUP CHARTER OFFERED BY PERFORM INTERNATIONAL PLEASE READ

THANK YOU to those of you who have shown interest in the Group Flight offered by Perform International.  We are still waiting to confirm as we are still needing to get a critical number of interests.

HOWEVER, we have one of our members, Colwyn Dunlap, who is a licensed travel agent.  Colwyn is investigating rates that are less expensive than the Perform International quote.  I will be forwarding the names and contact info of the members who have signed our initial questionnaire.  Colwyn will then be in contact to ask some specific questions and hopefully save you some significant money.

Colwyn will be glad to talk to you about your individual situation and is willing to assist you. 

TRAVEL TIPS FOR FRANCE 2026

Every week, the Masterworks Newsletter will contain a brief “Tip” about Paris, the French language, words to practice, getting around, money, paying for food, tipping, etc.  Many of these ideas are distilled from a series of YouTube videos by Les Frenchies, a French/American couple.  For more detailed information, these videos cover many topics of interest to American travelers in France, especially Paris. They are fun to watch and very informative.

Paris tip No. 13 – Emergency numbers
This Paris tip is short, but important. Emergency numbers in France and Europe are different
than those in the USA. You may want to program them in your phone under “Emergency Numbers” so you can access them quickly if they are needed during your travels. The main ones are:
Police 17
Fire 18
Medical 15
European Emergency No. 112
American Embassy in Paris Address: 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris, France

Phone Number: +33 1 43 12 22 22.

A NOTABLE TRAVEL TIP FROM MICHAEL S.

I have a suggested Paris tip (in case this is not projected to be one of them).  It may be one that is too soon to put in the newsletter, but it's also something that would be useful to know a bit ahead of time.

In case you don't know, June 21st, summer solstice, is always the day for "Fête de la Musique" all over France (and many parts of the world).  It's a big thing in France, having experienced it myself a few times in different French cities. There will be A LOT of FREE (many open air and somewhat informal) concerts all over the place--probably at major plazas,  squares, or parks.

This year, June 21st falls on a Sunday, two days before the Tuesday Hagenberg Gala Concert. According to the basic choir trip schedule, it looks like there are rehearsals Sunday morning and evening for the concert, but in between there is "sightseeing" time, though I am not sure if that's on our own or as a group.

I guess my tip would be to be prepared for (more) crowds in the city on that day and not overplan if there is '"on our own time." Especially if one wants to experience the vibe of the music festival all around. Also, there is not usually a single (universal) website that lists every possible event connected to the Fête (there may be several or may appear much later--and currently not all is set), so for me personally, I'd be as flexible as possible when planning for things to do that day (outside of rehearsals).

I hope this helps.

Michael

 
Blessings and Gratefulness,

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