What is behind all these extra rehearsals?

Ah, things couldn't be busier with last minute details and logistics for our big May 1 30th Anniversary Spring Concert. As with any sport tournament, dance recital or opening play performance - it takes extra time and rehearsals to prepare for our big concert finale.

The four Angelica choirs have been rehearsing individually - but on May 1 they will sing 5 selections together: WATER UNDER ICE, NON NOBIS, FROGGIE, FOR THE FUTURE AND UBI CARITUS. Each of these pieces require time to sing together with instructions and direction from the Conductor and time to walk through how the groups with get into their places, where they will stand and move together either on the risers, the steps or down the walkways. Moving around 4 groups for a concert requires much thought in terms of where they will wait, where they will sing, how they will get into place and how they will leave. We are sensitive to our younger singers and we need to allow more time and practice so they feel comfortable. It is a complicated process.

Here is a "tentative schedule" of rehearsals:
Tuesday, April 19 (no risers)
4:00 Warm ups
4:10 Work on Water Under Ice together (This is the 1st time we've sung this together)
4:45 Work on Non Nobis Processional
5:00 Work on Froggie and movements
5:30 Work on For the Future
5:40 Review Water Under Ice and Froggie
If time - work on Ubi Caritus

Monday, April 25 (w/risers)
4:00 Each choir rehearses individually
5:00 All choirs work on Water Under Ice and Froggie until CANTUS arrives
5:15 work with Cantus

Friday, April 29 (w/risers)
3:45 Warm up
4:00 Everyone work with Malcolm, Water Under Ice, For the Future, Froggie
5:00 Con Brio work with Malcolm - Little Potato

Saturday, April 30 (w/risers)
9:00 Con Brio with Malcolm
9:40 Cantabile with Malcolm
10:00 Everyone with Malcolm
11:00 Cantanti with Malcolm
11:30 Concert Choir with Malcolm

Sunday, May 1
12:30 Everyone with Malcolm and Cantus

NOTE: Because we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary with special guests CANTUS and Malcolm Dalglish, the recognition of the Angelica High School Seniors and Rita Docter's retirement - this concert has required more rehearsals than usual and it will run long, close to 2 hours.

A little about CANTUS
These guys are very busy these days! They are everywhere! We are thrilled that they have time in their busy calendar to come and sing with us and help us celebrate our Anniversary. Check out their website to see the crazy schedule they keep and all of the exciting things going on with this group!

30TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CONCERT PROGRAM
To Sing - Concert Choir
Non Nobis - All Choirs, Cantus
Charlotte-Town - Cantabile
Hush! Sombody's Calling My Name - Cantabile
One by One - Cantanti Singers
In Pace in Idipsum - Cantanti Singers
Son de Camaguey - Cantanti Singers
Einini - Con Brio
Swimnging on a Star - Con Brio
May You Always Have a Song - Cantabile & Con Brio
For the Future - All Choirs, Malcolm Dalglish
Water Under Ice - Commission piece written just for Angelica's 30th Anniversary and performed for the first time - All Choirs, Cantus, Malcolm Dalglish
My Little Potato, Cantus Malcolm Dalglish, Con Brio
Sheep in the Meadow by Malcolm Dalglish, Cantabile
Pleasure by Malcolm Dalglish, Cantanti Singers
Field of Wings, Concert Choir, Malcolm Dalglish
Now and Here, Concert Choir, Malcolm Dalglish
Froggie, All Choirs, Malcolm Dalglish
Ubi Caritas, All Choirs, Cantus
Won't You Sing Along?, Con Brio

Final note from a couple of the Angelica Directors:

-I always look at these special rehearsals as OPPORTUNITIES - This year we have the opportunity to work with the some of the very BEST MUSICIANS in the world......It's like getting to work with some of the best Twin's or Vikings players - only in the music field.....

-Part of what makes the Angelica experience SO powerful, is that we desire to go beyond simply learning notes. We strive for beauty, and for 200 young singers to achieve this beauty TOGETHER it takes an investment of time practicing TOGETHER. Great collaborative works of artistic experiences take time rehearsing TOGETHER. You can't put the Bach B Minor Mass together with every singer simply listening to and learning their part on their own. Time together, building relationships, working together toward a common goal, these are experiences that plant a joy for artistic expression and joy deep in our souls.