I'm quite new to posting "what we did during rehearsals" so through the course of the year, do guide me along... (●⌃ٹ⌃)
Sectionals
So, basically what we did from 3-4pm was split up to have sectionals. I'll start off by writing what my section, the first 'soppies' did during our sectionals .Soprano 1s
Hey sop 1s,today what we covered Ecce Crucem Domini section B to E, SYF set piece, Singapore Our Home and Ave Maria (Angelus Domini). Huai-Jin lead us today | (• ◡•)| (❍ᴥ❍ʋ)
Musical Details (what we did)
ECCE CRUCEM DOMINI
1. As you know it, the sop 1s have never really had a very good sense of pulse... so, today when we ran through Ecce, we decided to stomp-clap the 6/8→2/4 →9/8→ 4/4 rhythm
translated into sticks and "+" : 1++ 2++, 1+ 2+, 1++ 2++ 3++ , 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+
Firstly, half of us stomp-clapped the rhythm while the other half of us whispered the Mysterioso section (page 4, 1st system ---aka stanza, 5-8 bar)
Next, we exchanged roles and those who beat the rhythm previously whispered the text.
The whole point of this exercise was to try to instill a common pulse in all soppies. We didnt use a metronome though...
2. Next, we worked on the start of section B the rhythmic "fugite partes adversae" whisper leading into Mysterioso. One problem we faced was not knowing when to come in for Mysterioso.
How we fixed it: Huai-Jin sang the sop 2 part for us to use as a reference point.
A point to note: how to enter correctly;
(1) we enter at the same time when the alto 2s sing "gi", so start to prepare for our entry after you hear them sing "Fu" at Mysterioso
(2) count the upbeat to our entry (a.k.a 6/8 rhythm: 1++ 2++, beats in red refers to the entry of "fu")
3. Lastly, we worked on section C.
This section is generally well sung, JIA YOU'S to everyone!!! Continue giving your best juniors, you're doing good ᕙ(⇀‸↼‶)ᕗ
Problem spots: accidental at page 4, 2nd system, 2nd bar
The accidental does not interrupt the rhythm of "te", that means "te" should still be on the (1++ 2++ 3++ 4++)
Next up will be the sop 2s followed by alto 1s and alto 2s sectionals. I owe this section to the efficient, enthusiastic section leaders of all sections. Thank you everyone!!!
Danke (german) Ren Ai and Chrystie for leading sectionals !
This section is done by Ren Ai;
Okay, during sectionals we covered Ecce Crucem Domini and ran through the syf piece, Singapore our home.
Musical details (what we did)
ECCE CRUCEM DOMINI
1. We stamped + clapped the rhythm of part B to the end of part D
(page 4 to page 5, first system)
We didn't have time to stamp the best for part E, though we did sing through it and made sure people knew the rhythm and notes
Problem faced:
We get confused when we have to coordinate the stamping of the rhythm while singing. (Mr Tay wants us to stamp)
Solution: I guess we have to practice on our own at home.
You could try to use Mr Tay's method of downloading a metronome app on your phone, or on your computer (whichever is more convenient), set it to 90bpm in quavers and count! (clap on strong beats and tap on the weak beats;
e.g 1++ 2++ , 1+ 2+ , 1++ 2++ 3++ , 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+
red beats represent strong beats- clap, black represents weak beats-tap)
Remember excellence is not an act but a habit, so you have to consciously keep working on these weaker spots for mastery!
Next up will be the sop 2s followed by alto 1s and alto 2s sectionals. I owe this section to the efficient, enthusiastic section leaders of all sections. Thank you everyone!!!
Soprano 2s
Heyy sop 2s!Danke (german) Ren Ai and Chrystie for leading sectionals !
This section is done by Ren Ai;
Okay, during sectionals we covered Ecce Crucem Domini and ran through the syf piece, Singapore our home.
Musical details (what we did)
ECCE CRUCEM DOMINI
1. We stamped + clapped the rhythm of part B to the end of part D
(page 4 to page 5, first system)
We didn't have time to stamp the best for part E, though we did sing through it and made sure people knew the rhythm and notes
Problem faced:
We get confused when we have to coordinate the stamping of the rhythm while singing. (Mr Tay wants us to stamp)
Solution: I guess we have to practice on our own at home.
You could try to use Mr Tay's method of downloading a metronome app on your phone, or on your computer (whichever is more convenient), set it to 90bpm in quavers and count! (clap on strong beats and tap on the weak beats;
e.g 1++ 2++ , 1+ 2+ , 1++ 2++ 3++ , 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+
red beats represent strong beats- clap, black represents weak beats-tap)
Remember excellence is not an act but a habit, so you have to consciously keep working on these weaker spots for mastery!
- If you are using an i phone, I recommend that you use this app called 'Metronome' by Steinway & Sons
After Ecce, we sang through the syf piece to make sure that everyone knew their notes and rhythm. We fixed some note problems as well.
Hiyaa alto 1s, this is what we did during sectionals,
we managed to go through Ecce Crucem and Ava Maria and the set piece,
For Ecce Crucem,
we worked on sections B to E for Ecce Crucem Domini with text and some dynamics put in.We also practiced coordinating singing with stamping our feet on the main beats of each bar.
Tips:
It really helps to draw ARROWS on the main beats so you know when to stamp, especially since the time signature changes rather often
For the set piece,
we worked on some tuning and rhythmic problems.
We also worked on enunciating the consonants and putting the s's and t's before the next word.
we just went through the piece and worked on dynamics.
Something to work on during the weekends/ for the next week ahead
(if you are facing problems):
Enunciation --- try to think through when you need to place the consonants.
Using "rests" as an example, after "re" you need to place the first "s" before "t (te sound)" and the second "s" after "t". That would mean that you can't combine both "s" 's and ignore the "t".
Don't be discouraged if you can't seem to get it correct now, learning is a journey and 'failure is only an opportunity to more intelligently begin again'~ Henry Ford
A high five to all Alto 2s, keep fighting to do your best!
What we did was to run through all three pieces: Ecce, Ave Maria and the set piece.
ECCE- stamp clap clap
Stamp the main beats and clap the subdivisions.
It helps to clean up the rhythm which is very messy right now.
Also remember to count during the rests, cause the "sae" in B still comes too early
Set Piece-Problem spots ( don't be disheartened, they are just opportunities to learn)
Bar 10 rhythm is still off for some people,
Newbies 人◕ ‿‿ ◕人, you're almost there! Just remember to learn your parts at home okay?
One observation is that some people who are not so sure of their parts, follow behind others, making them late and out of tune.
What we need to work on:
(1) cut at "home" (bar 15)
(2)hold the "streets" (bar 11) for the full crotchet count
AVE- We practiced the last page
On the whole, juniors jia you!
Familiarise the last page because there are still quite a number of stumbling over notes that we have worked on during previous practices.
We also ran through the solo part. It was better than the choral part (GOOD JOB!)
｡◕ ‿ ◕｡ General comments for our combined practice:
The syf set piece was well done,only some rhythm problems present. Remember to count during the rests to know your entries!
Ecce was well done too. Good job everyone!
Ave Maria, the notes and rhythm are in place (wohoo!) but on the whole, the piece sounds quite flat due to a lack of dynamic contrasts/shape.
Alto 1s:
Jane helped me out with this section ╰( ^ ㅂ ^)╯ Thank you!!!Hiyaa alto 1s, this is what we did during sectionals,
we managed to go through Ecce Crucem and Ava Maria and the set piece,
For Ecce Crucem,
we worked on sections B to E for Ecce Crucem Domini with text and some dynamics put in.We also practiced coordinating singing with stamping our feet on the main beats of each bar.
Tips:
It really helps to draw ARROWS on the main beats so you know when to stamp, especially since the time signature changes rather often
- You can use the suggestion I gave earlier for the soprano 2s, draw the arrows on the beats in red
For the set piece,
we worked on some tuning and rhythmic problems.
We also worked on enunciating the consonants and putting the s's and t's before the next word.
- For example "rests" in bar 7
we just went through the piece and worked on dynamics.
Something to work on during the weekends/ for the next week ahead
(if you are facing problems):
Enunciation --- try to think through when you need to place the consonants.
Using "rests" as an example, after "re" you need to place the first "s" before "t (te sound)" and the second "s" after "t". That would mean that you can't combine both "s" 's and ignore the "t".
- If you do need extra help, do approach your section leaders, we are always there to teach you guys. You don't need to feel embarrassed or scared; we don't bite.
- Alternatively, you can check out an online dictionary's audio recording of the word to be doubly sure that you're pronouncing the word correctly. I recommend the "Cambridge Learner's Dictionary".
Don't be discouraged if you can't seem to get it correct now, learning is a journey and 'failure is only an opportunity to more intelligently begin again'~ Henry Ford
Alto 2s:
Danke to Rui Jun and Kim who helped me with this portion! ( ˘ ³˘)♥ heheA high five to all Alto 2s, keep fighting to do your best!
What we did was to run through all three pieces: Ecce, Ave Maria and the set piece.
ECCE- stamp clap clap
Stamp the main beats and clap the subdivisions.
It helps to clean up the rhythm which is very messy right now.
Also remember to count during the rests, cause the "sae" in B still comes too early
Set Piece-Problem spots ( don't be disheartened, they are just opportunities to learn)
Bar 10 rhythm is still off for some people,
Newbies 人◕ ‿‿ ◕人, you're almost there! Just remember to learn your parts at home okay?
One observation is that some people who are not so sure of their parts, follow behind others, making them late and out of tune.
What we need to work on:
(1) cut at "home" (bar 15)
(2)hold the "streets" (bar 11) for the full crotchet count
AVE- We practiced the last page
On the whole, juniors jia you!
Familiarise the last page because there are still quite a number of stumbling over notes that we have worked on during previous practices.
We also ran through the solo part. It was better than the choral part (GOOD JOB!)
｡◕ ‿ ◕｡ General comments for our combined practice:
The syf set piece was well done,only some rhythm problems present. Remember to count during the rests to know your entries!
Ecce was well done too. Good job everyone!
Ave Maria, the notes and rhythm are in place (wohoo!) but on the whole, the piece sounds quite flat due to a lack of dynamic contrasts/shape.
