Wednesday, September 6, 2006

FIRST REHEARSAL OF THE NEW SEASON

Not too shabby!

Two extremes in music:
1) As the deer longs for flowing streams (sung to an alteration of the tune O WALY WALY) is our Communion for this Sunday. First time they've sung this in about a year. No problems there. (Side note: the choir agrees with me in the respect that the composer/arranger should have kept the tune in 3/4 instead of trying to make a 4/4 tune out of it - reminds me that Kevin Keil had killed "Come, Holy Ghost" in the same way. The only difference is that Keil added that tacky little self-praising refrain to his killing. The choir still likes the O Waly Waly.)

2) Cast thy burden upon the Lord (Mendelssohn). Though a new anthem to this choir, I went with something short and sweet to start the season with. They're picking it up quite nicely and they're definitely on pace with being ready to sing it on September 24 as the Communion anthem. Mind you that anthems aren't a regular part of the choir's repertoire, but that set of anthems will slowly build in due time. This is a choir that started from scratch when I got there, as my predecessor's entire choir left with her. So, I have to say, the first week of rehearsing the Mendelssohn went over quite nicely.

Peace,
BMP

1 comment:

Brian Michael Page said...

For me, the Offertory or the meditation (if you use that option) would work.
BMP