DAVID-LAST REHEARSAL NOTES, CALL SHEETS
- lindsey3839
- Dec 2
- 6 min read
Hi all,
Please read this entire email, carefully. Lots of information below!
From the Desk of David:
Hi folks,
Please see below for a summary of tonight's rehearsal, and especially note what you need to look at, study, and practice if you were missing.
By the end of tonight's rehearsal, we had the smallest attendance we've had all year - or maybe in several years. This was our very important final rehearsal before the dress, and things were on a very good tack until now. I am very grateful to the singers who were here tonight for their hard work, some of whom also had a band concert to get to, or were feeling under the weather. I realise everyone had a reason for missing, some of which are good reasons, or unpredictable such as illness. However, for a high-level ensemble such as the VCC, the level of commitment needs to be at a better level - for the achievement of the standard for which this choir is known, and also simply out of respect for our fellow singers.
absences for other events, concerts, rehearsals, etc must be notified at the beginning of term, and certainly in any case well in advance, so we can assess whether participation in an upcoming concert is feasible, and so we can plan for the personnel we will have not what we were imagining.
we make compromises around singers' other commitments (for instance allowing partial rehearsals to be missed, etc) where feasible and especially for other performances or similar important events, but it is reasonable to expect similar accommodations from the directors of other ensembles, too, to allow for singers' VCC commitment - such as asking for a later call time, or occasional missed rehearsals. In most cases directors of school ensembles should appreciate the benefits of singing with an organisation such as the VCC, and be willing to be flexible. We are happy to support such requests as needed.
for illness, unless a singer is very unwell, coming to rehearsal masked and sitting separately if need be to follow along is the expectation, as important information is imparted in every rehearsal which cannot be compensated for by studying 'on your own'. Absences should be avoided as much as possible. If a singer is able to attend school or other events, then they can be at a VCC rehearsal.
I appreciate everyone's passion for singing and genuine commitment to the ensemble; it is a great sounding group full of awesome musicians! We do need to tighten up expectations, though, if the VCC is to continue to be Victoria's professional-level children's choir, working at a high, and improving, standard. I'm looking forward to our Winter concerts, and really don't seek to put a damper on things, but I do feel this all needs saying - tonight's poor attendance was unprecedented and can't be allowed to set a course for us!
REHEARSAL SUMMARY
Messe Basse: Performing WITH music. “Sanctus”: Check Pg. 6-middle. Relaxed pure vowels, check for dynamics. Circle dynamics where it says forte/piano so you don’t skip them. “Benedictus”: practiced soloist: Eleonora, then Marielle. Shape the first vowel as you draw in air to form the right sound. “Qui” is turning into “we.” Think of it as “kwee.” Place consonant first. Soloist: watch top of pg 11, relax on “benedeectus”, don’t think about going sharp, or else you will! Breathe into the right vowel shape. Choir: More legato on “in nomine Do…” “Agnus Dei”: Alto 1s, review harmony on middle pg 15, “nobis” under the forte, Altos 2 review same place, all parts at middle of pg 15. All singers: pick up your music, eyes up, hold it up and look over it. You will have black folders for Messe Basse. “Kyrie” soloists: review at home; kyrie was not rehearsed without the soloists.
Eatnemen Vuelie: MEMORISED. If you missed rehearsal, listen to the recording and make sure you've got the timing right on all entrances and cut-offs - especially 2nd sops who weren't present
The Frost: MEMORISED. Alto 2: review “the summer” at pg 72. Tall vowel on “melted (should be mehlted). Soprano 1s: Check the descant timing-count it out and see how long you hold your notes at the strange long extension of 'soul' in bars 201-203.
V’la L’bon: runthrough with partial quartet. Language and notes check with quartet-watch your cutoffs. Make sure you aren’t lingering on the notes too long. Other Quartet-practice at home. Quartet: More attitude-this is not soft! Sharper sound/More attitude needed (think sneer!).
Joy on Christmas Morning and Auld Lang Syne: Performing with music. Check your notes and makes ure you undersand the 'roadmap' (where you go back from the ende of page 7 to page 4, and then the second time you sing page 6, jumping from bar 28 'on Christ-mas' to the coda - bar 41 on page 8 'morn---ing'.... Mark this clearly - maybe even with a coloured pencil!
------
Set List:
Start of Concert:
Youth Ensemble Set 1
then
Concert Choir Set 1:
With music
Sophia Phan and Zavanah: Kyrie Solo
Marielle and Eleonora: Benedictus Solo
Recital Choir Set
Recital and Prelude Choir
Prelude Choir Set
Youth Ensemble Set 2
Concert Choir Set 2:
All pieces memorized
She's Like the Swallow
The Frost:
Joint pieces:
Joy
On Friday,
***DO NOT DRIVE TO ST. GEORGE's, we will not be there, and it will be embarrassing :) ****
Our dress rehearsal is at Alix Goolden Hall. Please see the call sheet below:
CONCERT CHOIR
Joy in Every Note In Uniform Dress Rehearsal Call Sheet
Friday, Dec 5, 2025
CALL TIME: 5:20PM
Meet at: Alix Goolden Concert Hall
Venue: Alix Goolden Hall, back entrance on 900 Johnson St.
GREEN ROOM: NONE-store bags in concert hall.
Please arrive wearing your concert attire, including:
Ironed teal dress shirt
Black trousers-dress pants, not jeans, sweats, or leggings!
Black socks
Black dress shoes (no high heels)
Black Belts only (no studs, no colors please!)
Small earrings okay, no other jewelry or big sparkles (these can blind our audience!)
*YE/CC members: Please dress in concert blacks and bring your black folders. Check YE call sheet for times.
Please bring:
Your music and pencil
Water bottle and snacks (especially for those in CC and YE)
Please note: There is Photography at this Dress Rehearsal
Times | Plan | Called/Notes |
5:30PM-6:00PM | Dress Rehearsal Begins. |
|
6:00-7:00PM | Concert Choir Dress Rehearsal |
|
SATURDAY, DEC 6-SHOW 1
CONCERT CHOIR
Joy in Every Note In Uniform SHOW 1 Call Sheet
Saturday, Dec 6, 2025
CALL TIME: 1:10PM
Meet at: Green Room 303 *Upstairs, third floor
Venue: Alix Goolden Hall, back entrance on 900 Johnson St.
GREEN ROOM: Room 303
Please arrive wearing your concert attire, including:
Ironed teal dress shirt
Black trousers-dress pants, not jeans, sweats, or leggings!
Black socks
Black dress shoes (no high heels)
Black Belts only (no studs, no colors please!)
Small earrings okay, no other jewelry or big sparkles (these can blind our audience!)
Optional: Wear in your black VCC jackets, for a slick, professional vibe.
*YE/CC members: Please dress in concert blacks and bring your black folders.
Please bring:
Your music and pencil
Water bottle and snacks
Times | Plan | Called/Notes |
1:10PM | Check in, Warm-ups |
|
2:00PM-3:40PM | Joy in Every Note Show 1 |
|
3:45PM | Pickup at 900 Johnson St. |
|
Upcoming:
Dec. 5 (5:30-7pm for CC) VCC Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal – Alix Goolden Hall
Dec. 6 VCC Winter Concert (2pm start)
Dec. 7 VCC Winter Concert (2pm start)
Dec. 9 NO CC rehearsal (Tosca rehearsal, see Kim's email)
Dec. 10 (7pm) Messiah Rehearsal w/ Victoria Symphony - Christ Church Cathedral
Dec. 11, 12 (7:30pm) & 14 (2:30pm) Performances with the Victoria Symphony – The Messiah
Thanks all!
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