October 23 Update
Yay!
Good job, everyone, at rehearsal yesterday! You all worked hard and were committed to engaging with each other as we got to know each other, sang together, and worked with our guest clinician. I hope yesterday helped set a vision for you of what this year can be in JHC.
Next Rehearsal
Our next major rehearsal is Sunday, November 5, from 1:00-4:00pm. Please make sure you come prepared knowing all of your pitches and rhythm in the excerpts listed below.
Bring a snack, a water bottle, your music, and a pencil.
Also, if you were one of the people who registered after normal auditions had been held, your official audition will be right after rehearsal on November 5 from 4:05-4:30. This gives you two weeks to finish getting caught up on learning the music that has been assigned so far.
WHAT TO PRACTICE THIS WEEK
(This is everything that should have been learned through October 22 plus new excerpts assigned to be learned for November 5.)
“All the Pretty Little Horses” (timestamps 0:00-1:29 & 1:59-2:43 on the recording)
NEW: measures 82-119
Review: measures 1-57
“Defying Gravity” (timestamps 1:48-3:22 on the recording)
Review: measures 62-118
“Hine Ma Tov” (timestamps 0:00-1:01 & 1:27-end on the recording)
NEW: measures 45-end
Review: measures 1-25 & 37-44
“Hold Fast to Dreams” (whole song)
NEW: start working on memorization (We will perform this song from memory on 11/19/23.)
Review: whole song
“Inveniam” (timestamps 0:00-2:20 on the recording)
NEW: measures 23-55
Review: measures 1-22 & 56-77
“Together” - SSAB divisi! (timestamps 0:33-1:05 & 2:33-2:45 on the recording)
NEW: measures 13-24
Review: measures 46-55
Important note: If you missed rehearsal on 10/22/23, do NOT work on this song yet. We divided the choir into 4-part harmony. On 11/5/23, you will be assigned a part.
“Why We Sing” - SATB divisi! If you were in JHC last year, you should already have sheet music for this song, so BRING IT TO REHEARSAL. New singers, I will give you sheet music. On 11/5/23, we will assign voice parts for this song.
Practice Tips
Listen to rehearsal tracks frequently while riding the bus, doing chores, running, etc.
Several times a week, sit down with the sheet music and really focus on making sure you are accurately able to sing the assigned measures for each song.
DO NOT WAIT until the last minute to cram everything in. It is very obvious at rehearsals who is well-prepared and who is not. Be the good musician you are and take personal responsibility to learn the assigned excerpts well.
Tuition Giveaway
If you recruited a friend to audition for JHC and that friend was selected to sing with us, your name will be entered into a drawing for free tuition. Please send me an email ASAP at JHCconductor@theYCHC.org and list the name of each friend you recruited this year who has been accepted into JHC. You earn one drawing entry for each friend you recruited.
Logistics Coordinators
We are looking for 1 or 2 parents to serve as Logistics Coordinators this year to help with choir logistics for JHC rehearsals and concerts. Interested parents should email Executive Director Bill Lytle at ExecutiveDirector@theYCHC.org to apply. There is a $500 stipend for this position.
Upcoming Dates
November 5 — Rehearsal (and Late Registrants will audition afterwards)
November 19 — Rehearsal, Pizza Party, & PERFORMANCE as guests on SHC’s concert
Rachel Morgan Im
Junior Honors Choir Conductor
York County Honors Choirs
The only thing better than singing is MORE singing. (Ella Fitzgerald)
