Since the Mozart and Jenkins concert back in March, there have only been a couple of Other Choir rehearsals, and I had to miss one of those as I was working late. In the one I did go to, we learned Paul Patterson‘s Magnificat. I’d never heard of Mr Patterson before, but I quite liked his Magnificat – it’s very joyful. The choir participated in a workshop with the man himself a few days later, but I was unable to go. We have a new conductor, which is quite strange, and there were not many people at the rehearsal I went to, which was also quite strange, as usually you have to get to the rehearsal ridiculously early if you want a seat. It’s coursework hand-in/exam time for students now, though, which probably explains most of the absences.
(Photo credit: Ryan Franklin via Wikipedia)
At Choir, we’re continuing to massacre rehearse the Les Miserables medley, among other things. I really enjoy singing it, although I wish we had the tune more often, as there are lots of good tunes in there but we (altos) mainly get to ‘ooo’ and ‘ahhh’ some rather less exciting harmonies underneath! The most difficult bit for us is Do You Hear The People Sing, because we all know the tune. We actually have quite a good harmony in this bit (with words, and everything!) but we can’t quite find our notes when the other two-thirds of the choir are singing the tune! Hopefully we will get it right one day.
I hadn’t really thought about it before but I should imagine it would be difficult to try to ignore everyone else and sing your own part only.
The only experience I have of that is singing children’s songs like Frere Jacques and London’s Burning where you have to concentrate. It is kind of annoying when you want to listen to the total effect but can’t