Masterworks Singers Newsletter Spring 2026 No. 27
Dear People,
Here is the information you have been patiently waiting!
PLEASE CLICK HERE to be taken to a 22 page tour packet from
Perform International.
This packet contains a full itinerary and other important information!!
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I had a lovely conversation with
Sarah Chapman earlier today when I received this tour packet. Here are some points from our conversation.
- Everyone will be receiving this document in a personal email from Sarah Chapman.
- In this upcoming email, you will have instructions and links to download the document in
various ways.
- There will also be an App that you can download that will have all the tour info and itinerary for our particular trip. This app will be live throughout our travels and will be updated with any important info that might be changed.
- We also talked about the News story of the planned
Strike of workers at Charles de Gaulle Airport on June 18. She advised that sometimes these are resolved before they actually occur. She did advise everyone to stay in touch with your individual airlines to keep up with any changes.
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This coming Thursday's rehearsal will cover the Skevington O Be Joyful, plus the tour music, and we will run the hymns and responses for the two Masses.
We will also run Movements 1, 2 and 3 of Aeterna Via to keep it fresh... so therefore, the folks who are "Paris only" please plan on making these last three rehearsals!
So please ... everyone get in some good practice time on the O Be Joyful! Earl has worked his magic and has updated the practice tracks with the changes we made last rehearsal. Please get so comfortable with all the notes and rhythms, so that we can polish to a good performance.
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The remainder of this Newsletter is the same as last.
Blessings to
all,
Morris
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PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SPECIAL TOUR PAGE on Edublogs for Scores, Lists and NOW, additional Learning Tracks!!!.
Here you will find the music we will
begin rehearsing tomorrow. All of these special pieces have been performed as tour music before. A good number of singers will know these well. Learning will be quick for the new folks.
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To
clarify:
These first rehearsals are mainly for those who are doing the full tour. Those who are only doing the Festival portion in Paris need only know the Aeterna Via, O Love, and You Do Not Walk Alone.
All members, including those who are not touring, are welcome to
come to all the rehearsals. In fact, it is recommended because it helps the learning process for new members.
Important Note: All Touring members will rehearse during the final two rehearsals where we will review the Festival Music before touring!! June 9 and June 11, both at 7:00 pm at St. Theresa Sanctuary.
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TO ALL PARIS TRAVELERS... YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SARAH CHAPMAN ASKING FOR YOUR FLIGHT INFORMATION. PLEASE GO LOOKING FOR THAT EMAIL AND RESPOND SOON.
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ALERT TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE MADE YOUR RESERVATIONS THROUGH COLWYN DUNLAP...
HE HAS ALREADY GIVEN YOUR INFO TO PERFORM INTERNATIONAL.
HE WILL BE ASKING FOR THE TRAVELERS HE HAS SCHEDULED IF THEY WISH TO HAVE A SHUTTLE FROM CHARLES DE GAULLE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL. MORE INFO ON THAT AT REHEARSAL ON THURSDAY.
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Blessings to all,
Morris
Please scroll below this next line to find the latest edition of the Tips from Martha. In the
next Newsletter, we will provide a link to the combined document Martha has produced for all the Tips in one instrument!! Thank you Martha!!
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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. 14 – Eglise Saint-Sulpice (Our concert church)
If you are a fan of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, you have heard of Eglise Saint-Sulpice which plays a prominent role with his reference to the “Rose line” in the protagonist’s search for the Holy Grail. When you are in the church for our concert, look for the plaque with information outlining actual facts vs
fiction from the book.
Our concert will be held in this the second largest cathedral in Paris. This church is located in the 6th Arrondissement. It is dedicated to Sulpitius the Pious, a 7th century bishop of Bourges, a small town in the Loire Valley. Sulpitius the Pious was the chaplain of King Clotaire II and spent his life in poverty converting local Gauls.
Construction of the building began in 1646, influenced by the Baroque architectural
style. It was the third building on the site as it was erected over a Romanesque church originally constructed during the 13th century. Before that, there was a 9th century structure on the site. During construction over the next nearly 100 years, different architects and designers made changes to the original designs and facades to reflect the design concepts of the time. The church is renowned for its massive organ, considered one of the finest in Europe with over
7300 pipes, 102 speaking stops, 5 keyboards of 56 notes, and a pedalboard of 30 notes. It is also known for its famous frescos, murals, and statues. Murals in the Chapel of the Angels by Eugène Delacroix depict biblical scenes with vivid colors and detailed storytelling. These were painted between 1854 and 1861, There are beautiful stained-glass windows and 11 smaller chapels within the church in addition to the expanse of the main aisles and altar.
An interesting feature can be
seen when one looks at the church from the front. The two towers do not match. Construction was occurring during a time of much upheaval in Paris. Architecture plans changed several times depending on who was in charge. The North tower stands at 240 feet while the South Tower reaches 223 feet. Ther original design was Baroque but eventually became a more neoclassical style after the 1789 French Revolution.
During the French revolution when Christianity was
suppressed, the church became a place of worship for the Robespierrean Cult of the Supreme Being. Printed words can still be seen above the center door of the main entrance indicating that the Frence people recognize the Supreme Being and the immortality of the soul. Despite this “repurposing”, the church was damaged by looting, vandalism of royal tombs, and deliberate erasure of monarchical and religious inscriptions.
For more information and pictures, go to the church website
at https://www.paroissesaintsulpice.paris
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
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THE INFO BELOW THIS LINE IS THE SAME AS PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS.
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS PLEASE
READ:
- 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.
