Rehearsal plan and more for 11/3

First, the good news: our three Messiah movements last night showed that it won't take too much to bring that music to a high level. At the same time, many people were making the same mistakes that happened last year, such as not following rests or dynamics. That stuff is in your score, and all you have to do is what's in the score. Please make an effort to be more attentive to the printed music.

Second, the bad news: last night's rehearsal of Zelenka was not good. Last night was not supposed to be a reading session, and I'm afraid that, for many of you, it was. With only five rehearsals left before the dress rehearsal, we don't have time for flat rehearsals like last night's. Along with having a complete familiarity with your music pre-rehearsal, you are also expected to have your music bound or in a black binder (not stapled or loose), double-sided to avoid too many page turns, a pencil, and, as I notified you several times about lighting issues in the rehearsal space, a light if you have difficulty with low-lighting situations. And, finally, all of the score markings were to have been in your scores before last night's rehearsal.

There also seems to be a great deal of confusion about what has been communicated. For that reason, I am going to list the following blog posts that must be reviewed before 11/3:

• Score markings: add these to your scores now
• Score correction: a small one
• Zelenka performance recording: give it a listen, but be aware that the recording is a half-step lower than our sung pitch
• Zelenka practice audio: download this for your voice type (You must download; it won't play from your browser.)

I've asked multiple times for Chorus members to add their email addresses to this blog. To do so, look for the "Follow by email" box in the right column of this blog. Add your email address there; you will receive a confirmation email to which you must respond.

After every rehearsal, this blog is updated with the agenda for the next rehearsal. I do this so that you can prepare specific items in advance and so that you don't have too much on your plate. 

THE REHEARSAL AGENDA FOR 11/3 IS THIS: 

• We will only look at Zelenka. Because of last night's unpreparedness, we need to devote an entire rehearsal to this.
• In your preparation (yes, you are expected to prepare before next Sunday), it's helpful to be aware of the most difficult sections. Here's what they are, in order of hardest to easiest:
• K & L
• J
• I
• C
• D
• F
• H
• pp.2-3

I'm aware that people have to miss a rehearsal here or there. The burden is on you, not us, to be prepared. If you must miss next week, use this rehearsal agenda to prepare on your own. If you missed last night, click here to see what you missed. 

Finally, a note for those who haven't paid for their scores yet: If you ordered a printed score, I paid for it (not the NBSO or anyone else), and I need to be reimbursed. A couple of you said that you ordered your scores "by accident." These can not be returned to the printers for a refund; I can not seek a refund from the Post Office for the shipping. That said, please have exact change or a check for me at the 11/3 rehearsal.