Tonight's mass rehearsal went well. We did a run through of the Rutter with the brass while the choirs sang from the spot they will sing in this weekend. It went okay. I have a few things to practice, but I think it will go well. The choir got behind and then the organist rushed and it fell apart in the middle. But when we restarted the section with me being in firm control of the tempo (and letting the organist know he rushed- well my teacher did that), it went fine. It was so overwhelming. I was exhausted after that one song. 250 voices and a brass choir... it took a lot of focus and I almost couldn't think because there were so many things to listen for: brass and percussion entrances, various choral entrances, shaping the line in the newly decided upon three patten, an organ, plus the choirs are in front of me and in the balcony on both sides of me. My gesture needs to be a little bigger but clear and crisp. I had to sit down for a moment after I finished tonight.
I am getting close to being done with Christmas shopping! Just a few gifts to decide on yet... I love Christmas!
Tempo... I always start with the tempo marking in the music (if there is one) or with the tempo/style description word. Assuming that the composer and/or arranger knows what they are doing (which I like to assume), then I trust the marking and go with that. Depending on the style and the song, there is probably going to be a little give-and-take. Sometimes if the tempo seems not to work for the group, I will make a change. However, even when the tempo seems to not work, I double check the articulation and the emphasis. Example: The ladies could not seem to settle into portions of their tempo in Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy. Put the emphasis on 2 and 4 instead of 1 and 3, then boom! The song has a different feel and the tempo settles. And sometimes, it just takes the choir's focus.
No comments:
Post a Comment