Rehearsal Agenda for 10/28 (Friends Academy, 6-8:30pm)

The main goal of tonight's rehearsal--our first rehearsal--will be to read through the most unfamiliar work on the program (Magnificat) and then to begin work on the most difficult sections of Messiah.

A few housekeeping notes:

• Please bring a pencil.
• You'll need a black binder for the performance, so you might as well get one to hold your music. Please, no loose sheets at rehearsal!
• Friends Academy is being a very gracious and generous host. The NBSO Chorus is responsible for setup and cleanup. That said, please be prepared to set up your own chair and to take it down at each rehearsal. Because you'll be setting up your own chairs, I don't expect neat, tidy rows. We'll have to figure out a system...
• On the 28th, I'll be coming from the NBSO concert at Tabor Academy. That said, please don't arrive earlier than 5:45, but do be ready to sing at 6pm.
• Finally, regarding setup, please set yourself according to section in this order (facing conductor): B -- A -- T -- S. In other words, basses to the left (facing conductor), sopranos to the right.

Here's the agenda:

6-6:15 warmup

6:15-25 Magnificat III (reminder: don't practice "solo" sections)

• mm.7-22; mm.51-62, mm.103-end

6:22-35 Magnificat III

• mm.27-46. mm.67-86

6:35-45 Magnificat I

• mm.4-16; mm.38-end

6:45-55 Magnificat I

• mm.19-37

(you can see that I've broken up the Magnificat by thematic section)

6:55-7:20 And He Shall Purify

• we'll work this backwards by rehearsal letter
• pay close attention to the articulation markings!

7:20-7:30 BREAK

7:30-7:55 For Unto Us

• we'll work this backwards by rehearsal letter
• pay close attention to the articulation markings!

7:55-8:30 We'll use the remaining time to read the other Messiah movements:

• And the glory
• O thou that tellest
• Glory to God
• but we'll skip Hallelujah

A final note: all work for this rehearsal will be quite under tempo for the purpose of pitch clarity. Let's have fun!