We rehearsed again in the church of Our Lady of the Assumption which was not so warm this week and seating continued to be a challenge in terms of hearing Mary and listening to other sections of the choir. However, there was a good turn out and we made good progress with the pieces for the concerts. Mary reminded us to lift our heads and look up as we sing so that we can project our voices to the audience and follow her lead more carefully. We practised the following:

• Jazz Gloria
• We revised the notation for each verse A, B, C, D, E.  Then we sang, as a Canon, using the table at the top of the score to check who sings what, and when
• Note that for each of the 5 verses there is a repeat

• I’m Dreaming
• We practised the notes and rhythms for section from E on p14 to the end
• Be careful with the syncopated rhythm in Bars 98/99 for ‘of a white Christmas’. Keep the ‘s’ sounds in ‘Christmas’ as short and quiet as possible. Sing through the vowel sounds.
• Bar 106, altos to keep to a strict 3Xcrotchet rhythm against the other parts
• Bar 104 onwards keep the words moving along and rit for Bars 112/3
• At Bar 111, note upper parts are ppp but men’s voices are mf. All voices are mp for very last phrase
• In Bar 72, breathe after ‘pact’. In Bar 52 breathe after last ‘doh’.
• Bar 54 note change to the note ‘a natural’  on the word ‘stop’.
• We sang the piece all the way through.

• The Gift
• We revised v1 starting on p3 noting how different parts with different words and rhythms fit together
• We revised Ch2 – particularly the men’s part accompanying the tune
• We revised Ch 3 notes and rhythms and the link into v3. Remember to breathe in Bar 60 after ‘sing’
• At all times – heads up, sing out and watch!

• Joy to the World
• Note the 4 bar introduction at the start and between verses
• Learn and sing out the words clearly particularly for vv 2 and 3
• Bar 7, observe dotted crotchet but do not be late on the quaver for the start of the next phrase
• Observe a rall at the end of v3

• Sleep away, my gentle child
• Note the order: sing v1 and v2 through to Bar 36 – note the rest in Bar 34
• Return to Bar 5 but do not sing – violin solo from Bar 5 to Bar 14. Pick up and sing v3 from Bar 19 to end including Bars 37/38 with rall and pp.
• In Bar 29, pick up speed slightly but back to Tempo 1 at Bar 33

• Angels’ Gloria
• We practised sections from 63 on p8 and 71 on p9 to the end.
• Note the page turn, p9 to 10, and be ready for Bar 83
• Pronounce the word ‘Angels’ with emphasis on the first ‘A’