Masterworks Singers Newsletter Spring 2026 No. 8

Dear People,

We all need to thank EARL again this week.  He has finished yet another round of practice tracks for us.  He has used a new toy that he has been wanting to try... this toy actually creates a vocal sound WITH TEXT.  Here are his own instructions.

Here are the practice tracks with simulated voices. I created a mp3 for each part, like Soprano 1, which has that voice part and the piano playing but softly. These files are labeled like - "Farewell-Soprano-1-Vocal.mp3"". I also created one mp3 for each movement (labeled with "all-voices". These files have the movements with the piano and all of the vocal parts combined. These files are labeled like "1. Anticipation-All Voices.mp3".

Earl

Ladies and Gents, this is an amazing amount of work.  Please PLEASE dig into this new tool as you practice.  And... THANK YOU EARL!! 

  CLICK HERE TO GO TO EDUBLOGS SITE.  

Also, Elaine has sent a complete set of all seven movements with orchestral sounds based on her orchestra score.  These are now also available on Edublogs.

A new set of  PARIS TRAVEL TIPS are posted at the lower part of the Newsletter scroll.  There are two sets of tips this week. Both are very informative and helpful

I remind the Soprano section to please come a bit early to rehearsal tomorrow evening.  If we could start no later than 6:50 pm it will work out just fine.  Reminder... this is NOT a formal audition!! No need to be nervous or anxious.  It is only for placing you in a particular seating arrangement to enhance your tone and overall acoustical matching.

Next week, we will do all the Basses and Tenors.  

This week's focus: Tempo!! Physical unification of Beat, Division of Beat and Sub-Division of beat.

Let us remember our "Why" of all the hard work we put in on the fundamentals.  Musicianship!

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

CLICK HERE FOR THE WEBSITE.

REQUESTED PRACTICE AND REHEARSAL #6 GOALS  

• This week we will begin early with the Soprano section for voice location placement.  Next week all tenors and basses.
• Last week we attempted run-throughs of Movements 1 and 5. We will go back into those movements to solidify the parts that need more attention.
• We will go back into the movement of neutral syllables.
• We will attempt a full run of Movement 2, plus O Love.

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

PERFOMANCES IN JUNE DURING THE TOUR FESTIVAL IN PARIS, NORMANDY AND LISIEUX.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 2026.

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, 9:30 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 14, MAY 21, MAY 28, JUNE 4 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. 5  Different types of Places to Eat  There are many types of restaurants and places to purchase food in Paris and while they may look similar, they represent a different experience, atmosphere, and historical background.  The Cafe’ is local to every neighborhood.  This is where Parisians go for coffee and a croissant in the morning or a drink and/or a simple salad or sandwich during the day.  The Brasserie historically was connected to a local brewery but today continues that spirit of hospitality with large dining rooms and long opening hours.  The brasserie is a step up from a cafe’ in terms of food and structure.  The atmosphere is lively and energetic.  You will often see a seafood stand by the front door, and the menu often begins with seafood dishes.  The menu is often long. A Bouillon is a type of restaurant that was created in the 19^th century to feed workers. It was the original fast food.  They tend to serve simple, hardy, classic French dishes for very good prices. They do not make reservations and often have a queue. The atmosphere is lively and fast. The Bistrot is smaller, more intimate, and more personal.  It is said that the name comes from the Russian word “bystro” meaning “quickly” and the word was shouted by the soldiers giving this type of restaurant its name. The menu is shorter and often written on a blackboard and changes daily.  The atmosphere is more relaxed and homey. Bistrot’s, like most restaurants, are open only during typical French dining hours of 12 – 2 pm and 7 – 10 pm. Starred or Gastronomique restaurants are those that have been awarded special recognition. These will be much more formal and expensive.  Street food can be found in boulangeries as well as many small shops. Here you will find pastries, sandwiches, and salads for takeaway to enjoy while sitting in a park or along the Seine.  This food tends to be very affordable.

 
Blessings and Gratefulness,

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Pflugerville TX 78660
US