Hornell Cantata Announcements and Notes

Dear Cantata Singers and Friends,

Mark Smith and I had the pleasure of presenting a check to Faith in Action on Valentine’s Day on your behalf.  The proceeds of the offering taken up during last December’s Cantata was $1,800.  Dick Russell, Executive Director of Faith in Action was most appreciative.  Here are some quotes from his thank-you letter:

“Thank you for designating Faith in Action as the recipient of the offering taken at the Christmas concert last year.  We really couldn’t continue to provide the scope of services we currently offer to the elderly if it weren’t for faithful friends like you holding us up, both financially and prayerfully.  Thanks again for the excellent donation!  Being a small, stand-alone organization, we highly covet these unexpected gifts.  I think of them as people making investments for a healthy community!”

Dick’s words remind us of how much the Christmas Cantata means to this community.  We provide a high-quality musical/scriptural experience that emphasizes the meaning of Christmas, and we enable significant financial support for a local charity that touches so many people.  And the great thing is that we have a lot of fun doing it.

My wife took a picture of the check hand-over.  I’ll write a brief story and submit it to the Hornell Evening Tribune.  I hope they publish it.  It informs the community and generates publicity for us and for our designated charity, Faith in Action, in this case.

I’m sorry that we weren’t able to do this sooner, but we can all use some good news now, especially as winter continues its grip on us.

Thank you all!  Remember, October will be here sooner than you think, and that means rehearsals for this year’s Christmas Cantata.  I hope to see you then!

Jim Varner

Dear Singers

I always regret that I am unable to personally check in with all of you immediately following the Cantata.  This email is a poor substitute for a meaningful handshake or hug.

I am at once, exhilarated, exhausted, and exceedingly proud.  Our performance was wonderful.  We were in such control and so very prepared. It was thoroughly enjoyable experience. We were able to ride that beautiful wave of creativity and energy that breathes life into those little black dots.

Each year I seek to better understand what we do, but i find it unknowable.  It is impossible calculus.  There are ninety personal stories that feed our work.  It’s magic.  Each of us is so very unique.   Each of us bring our own set of cares, talents, concerns, joys, journeys, prayers, and understanding of the divine.  From this pool of possibilities, magic is created.  We are surely greater than the sum of its parts.

I apologize for leading you astray during the Rutter.  That was on me.  I appreciate and admire the extremely quick recovery and with tremendous poise.  You are all pros.

I am proud and honored to have had the opportunity to work with you. You feed me in more ways than you can know. You allow me to be me.

Thank you for the RPO gifts.   They are just perfect!

Dear Friends, I wish deep peace.

Bless You All,

Mark

Please Read and Note Time Changes for Saturday .. also .. please communicate among yourselves so that everyone gets the word 

Hello …  Jim Varner sent the following for your information.   It contains important details and logistics.  Please Read.  Thanks….

—————-

Here are Words to Carols.  Some singers may wish to print these out.

Friday:  We need some volunteers to be at the Alfred-Almond Central School at noon to help City of Hornell employees load risers onto their truck(s) and to help unload the risers at St. Ann’s Church.  Coordinator of this activity is Chuck Flansburg.

Saturday:  We need volunteers to set up the risers and rearrange things in St. Ann’s Church at 11:00 AM.  We’ll also need folks to help take things down after rehearsal.

Saturday:  The singers need to be at St. Ann’s at 11:30 AM.  Please be on time!  We will find our places on the risers and practice getting into the round and getting on the risers.  If you cannot be at the Saturday rehearsal, you need to let another singer in you section know that, or let Mark know, so that we can hold a place for you.  This rehearsal will take a couple of hours, and might even go until 2 PM.  Bring water, dress warmly, and have something to eat beforehand.

Sunday:  We need volunteers to set up the risers immediately after mass.  Chuck will firm up the time, but plan on being at St. Ann’s at 6 PM.  We need folks to take down the risers and restore the church to its normal condition after the performance.

Sunday:  Singers need to be at St. Ann’s at 6:30 PM.  Come to the sanctuary.  We will do a final positioning on the risers, then go the St. Ann’s school (basement) for final warm-up.  The school will be locked during the performance, so you an leave coats, purses, etc. there.

Monday:  We need some volunteers to be at St. Ann’s to help City of Hornell employees load risers onto their truck(s) and to go with them to the Alfred-Almond Central School to help them unload the risers.  Chuck Flansburg will tell us what time.

Other Items:  The dress code is a white top (blouse, sweater, shirt) and black bottom (skirt, pants).  Wear black shoes (NO SNEAKERS!) and black or dark socks or stockings.  You may add some color appropriate to the season (scarf, tie, etc.).  Please, NO PERFUME OR OTHER STRONG SCENTS for both the dress rehearsal on Saturday, and the performance on Sunday.  We will be very close, and some folks are allergic to agents in perfume, cologne, hair spray, after shave, etc.  NO GUM CHEWiNG!  Please get a black folder for your music.  It can be a simple paper folder.  Just make sure that your music is secure in the folder.  We don’t want to have scores dropping out of folders in the middle of a piece.  Please leave the parking close to St. Ann’s for the audience.  If you need to park close for physical reasons, do so.  During the performance, stand quietly and look towards the narrator when narration is being given.  Please don’t turn your music pages during narration.  When you’re on the risers, RELAX!  Flex your knees a bit (without doing a deep knee bend!); move your feet a little.  We can provide seating for anyone who is concerned about standing for the performance.

The secret to you as an individual giving your best performance so that we as a group give our best performance is (1) preparation, (2) concentration during the performance (look at Mark!), and (3) truly enjoying what you are doing.  You know the music.  Think about the words as you sing them, and let your voice and your face express the joy that these words inspire.

Jim

Carol lyrics

Hey Gang,

Terrific work last night.  We are right on target for a wonderful program.

Lets:

• Lose the fear.. come in strong on entrances.

• Reduce our 2nd try successes and create success on first try

• The only way to do this is for you to have my notes written in your scores and studied…. make notes everywhere!

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Found these: please use them if you are uncertain.  (Men … “Old Friends Smiling” .. make me smile)

• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_all.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_alto_1.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_alto_2.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_baritone.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_bass.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_sop_1.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_sop_2.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_tenor_1.mp3
• IWishYouChristmas_Rutter_tenor_2.mp3

• Hallelujah_Handel_all.mp3
• Hallelujah_Handel_alto.mp3
• Hallelujah_Handel_bass.mp3
• Hallelujah_Handel_sop.mp3
• Hallelujah_Handel_tenor.mp3

–

Some folks had a hard time opening the poster.  I reduced the size of the file and resending the poster here:   Cantata2012Poster

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Black Folders if Possible! -  I was reminded that we used black folders last year.  Black choral folders, black notebooks, black cardboard folders .. anything… if you have one or can get one please bring it to rehearsal Saturday. Thanks

Bless you all… Spend some time with your music each day .. it’ll give you great confidence.

Best,

Mark

Hi Folks

1) You’re all off the hook on Riu Riu Chiu verses.. Had a brainstorm …  Im bringing in a ringer to sing the verses from the balcony .. to us below (in the round.)  You do not need to sing the versions just the first 3 pages… and answer with the refrain.

2) Poster attached

3) Program check.. review your name spelling for program. (below)

4) Great rehearsals with the instrumentalists this week.  Most will be there tonight ..

5) Please make sure your scores are marked and be repaired with the musical changes (and page turns)

See you later.. please be prepared

Mark

Cantataposter2

Check if your name is here and its spelled correctly… thanks

Susan Annis

Darlene Auckland

Nancy Baker

Elaine Barnes

Mary Liz Bartell

Cecilia Beach

Thomas Boyle

Sylvia Bryant

Kelly Cardman

Elianna Chroniger

Peggy Chroniger

Brenda Clancy

Joan Coleman

Dan Connors

Steve Crandall

Bonnie Dungan

Elaine Egmond

Charles R. Flansburg

Rebecca Flansburg

Alexandria Holbrook

Eileen Marino

Michele Gaffney

Tammy Hopkins

Natalie Marino

Pat Gaffney

Wayne Jefferds

Ann McDaniels

Alice Gardiner

Robert Jones

Mary McGee

Amy Gardiner

Loreen Karr

Gretchen McManus

Jeffrey Goodrich

Lisa Karr

Trixie McMindes

Deborah Goodrich

Marla Kelly

Lindsie Meese

Megan Haley

Robin Kerr-Wilson

Salli Mehlenbacher

John Halpenny

Kathy LaBarron-Roberts

Sarah Miller

Sandy Hillman

Melissa Logan

Susan Morehouse

Jeremy Holbrook

Lee Marcus

Anne Norton

Earl Packard

Beverly Packard

Suzanne Palmesano

Marsha Patrick

Bruce Payne

Elaine Pierce

Linna Roemer

Lisa Sanford

Colleen Sarnicola

Shirley Sherman

Martha Sitzman

Bill Sitzman

Lucy Smith

Dale Smith

Amanda Snyder

Linda Staiger

Eugene Staiger

Carlin Stephens

Barbara Stephens

Tonya Stevens

Ashleigh Striker

Angela VanAllen

LindaVarner

JimVarner

CindyVeazey

Will Veazey

JimWaight

PaulWalker

ElenaWallace

Laura Weinman

Elizabeth Williams

Alysha Williams

Jean Wood

Hello Again my Friends..

OK Now everyone … Please .. No one get nervous now …. but Pat and I worked out the order of the Cantata and it involves some funky changes in Order and Skipping Around in our scores.  (and slight narration changes)

She and I see that these changes will facilitate the logic and flow of the story narrative, the cutting of the carol sing within “Realms of Glory” and the inclusion of African Noel.  Trust us.

(Please feel free to Cut Up, Mark, Clip, Rubberband, Dismantle … etc) your scores to make these changes easiest and comfortable for you.

1) Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light

2) Riu Riu Chiu

— Onto Risers —

3-7) – Cantata (as written) through “Now My Spirit Sings”

• Prelude
• Carols of Rejoicing
• Underscore
• Advent Proclamation
• Now My Spirit Sings

14) I Wish You Christmas

15) Hallelujah Chorus

— Off Risers/Get Candles —

16) Carol Sing w/ Congregation

• Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• The First Noel
• Silent Night
• Let There Be Peace on Earth

I am going to follow up this message later with Performance NOTES .. So be aware there is another message a’comin.

In case I havent said it enough.  You folks have been a sheer delight to work with this year.  I love your sound, your approach to learning!!

Hang on to your hats … here we go,

Mark

Hi Again

I am attaching the Bach.  Please print out a copy (if you can) and bring it with you this evening.  I will save me a bunch on ink.  Thanks

We are only singing first verse. (if you wish to highlight)

Ill bring extra copies for those who unable print it out.

See you later

Mark

Music Link -> bach chorale – break forth

PS.  please go through the music before rehearsal today… mark scores for quick musical changes in cantata..  :)

Hi Folks ..

Here are some VERY IMPORTANT reminders and an NEW INSTRUCTION re: Riu Riu Chiu!!

1) Please review your music before rehearsal. Thanks

2) Please MARK your score for the Quick Musical Changes …. Mark a WARNING!!! several measures ahead of each change

3)  Please bring Hallelujah Chorus if you have one!!!

4) Everyone learn All english verses of RIU RIU CHIU!!!! .. You May Asked to Be Any One of These Verses!!!

Verse 1:

Riu riu chiu, la guarda ribera;
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera,
Dios guardo el lobo de neustra cordera.

REFRAIN (4 parts) – (we know this)

Riu riu chiu, la guarda ribera;
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera,
Dios guardo el lobo de neustra cordera. 

Here is where it gets different !!

The Differences:

• Each verse has 4 lines (not 3)
• The Highlighted words in each of the first 2 lines, the melody has a small jump Up!
• The First 2 Lines end with Melody going DOWN, The 3rd Line Melody ends going UP .. and the 4th Line ends going DOWN   = (Down, Down, Up, Down) 

Click Here to listen to the Melody from the beginning   ->>>>>>  Riu_Riu_chiu

Verse 2

He who’s now begotten is our mighty Monarch,
Christ, our Holy Father, in human flesh embodied.
He has brought atonement by being born so humble,
Though He is immortal, as mortal was created.

REFRAIN (4 parts) – ALL

Verse 3

Herons by the thousands I see lying, singing
High above me sounding a thousand songs of praise.
In sweet voices saying, May glory be on High.
Peace on earth they cry, born is Jesus long awaited.

REFRAIN (4 parts) – ALL

Verse 4

We have now the very One we always prayed for.
Let’s all go as neighbors and presents we will bear.
Let’s no longer tarry our love and faith to give,
Since He came to live here among us as our savior.

 REFRAIN (4 parts) – ALL

—————————————————————————————————-

 Extra verse ??? (learn.. we may use if needed)

Many ancient prophets told that he would come.
Now within our own time we know it has come true.
God in shape of human we see on earth’s domain,
Man in heaven lives so he wished it done to aid us.

Thanks everyone .. please be prepared.. dont forget Hallelujah … please know whats coming up on the page turn!!!

See you Sunday .. Prepared and Ready to work hard!!

Mark

PS: all of our cantata announcements can be found online at http://chorallog.com/cantatablog/

Hi All

Wonderful rehearsal again last night.

About the flags for St. Anns Veterans Day Event.. Joan’s contact is jcoleman12@stny.rr.com

This is from the St. Ann’s Academy website.  Might be helpful, if anyone wants to order online:

M.