1. Schedule at a Glance, May 7- June 2

2. “Itty Bitty Book Lights”

Chorus members will need to make use of small clip-on lights on their music folders for the Haydn concert.
Here is a link to one type of book light on sale at Amazon (for $9.19 plus shipping; 24 in stock, as of 1pm today):
http://tinyurl.com/75wl3g8

3. FYI: May 20 concert, “War and Peace” in Scituate

Choral Art Society of the South Shore
Spring Concert 2012
“War and Peace” — including “Mass in Time of War,” Haydn and “Dona Nobis Pacem,” Vaughan Williams
with Professional Soloists and the Choral Art Society Orchestra

Sunday May 20th, 2012, 3:00 pm
Scituate High School Auditorium, 606 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Scituate, MA

Ticket prices: $20 General admission, $15 for seniors and students.

For more info: http://www.choralartsociety.org/index.html

1. Concert Week Rehearsal Update: Weds May 30 Location

We will be at the First Church of Boston for the May 30 rehearsal:
6:30-7:00- warmup
7:00-10:00- rehearsal with orchestra

Address: 66 Marlborough Street, Back Bay (btwn Berkeley and Clarendon Streets)

* Reminder that the Weds date is a rehearsal change; notification sent last week, and the Chorus does not have a Thursday May 31 evening rehearsal because of this change.

2. Tickets for our Haydn Concert and joint Haydn promotion

I hope you all got the webmail over the weekend.

I will be selling tickets before rehearsal and during the break. Tonight, I will also take orders for the joint Haydn offer with the Back Bay Chorale- 20% off tickets for BBC concert of The Seasons and CpM’s Creation concert. Details about the offer can be found at
http://choruspromusica.tix.com/Event.asp?Event=469824 (Online offer ends Saturday at noon.)

3. CpM Press Release link

CpM publicist Sue Auclair lists the Creation concert on her website:
http://www.sueauclairpromotions.com/Sue_Auclair_Promotions/Chorus_pro_Musica_Presents_The_Creation.html

And here is a link to the April 25 press release including a photo of video projected onto the Jordan Hall organ pipes:
http://tinyurl.com/bur92rs

4. NEP “French Connection” concert featuring CpM women, May 5 at 8pm (discounted tickets)

New England Philarmonic, “The French Connection”
Saturday, May 5, 2012, 8:00 p.m.
Tsai Performance Center, 685 Commonwealth Ave, Boston
Program:
Donald Harris | A Lyric Fanfare (first Boston performance)
Jacques Offenbach | Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann
Hector Berlioz | The Death of Ophelia | Simmons College Concert Choir
Danica A. Buckley, Director; Chorus Pro Musica, Betsy Burleigh, Music Director
Andy Vores | An Other I | Danielle Maddon, violin soloist
David Rakowski | Winged Contraption
Maurice Ravel | Daphnis and Chloe Suite no. 2

NEP regular price tickets are $25 but for the May 5 concert CpM members can purchase $15 tickets. Singers can order discounted tickets at NEP website’s, nephilharmonic.org, as follows: “Donate” $15 but you will need to specify in the Comments or Notes section that it is a ticket purchase for the May 5 concert.

5. Britten War Requiem CDs (Boston performance)

I will take orders for the War Requiem—Boston recording. Cost will be $15, cash or check payable to the New England Philharmonic.

6. FYI: Free concert: Saturday, May 12, 4pm: de Varonistas in Cambridge

Program: Music of Bach – BWV 150, Des Prez, deVaron, Janequin, Johnson, Le Jeune, Ravel, Weill and Gershwin
Location: LDS Meetinghouse, 2 Longfellow Park, corner of Brattle St., Cambridge

1. Rehearsal Reminders

- No rehearsal next week!
- April 23: We are back in Mary Norton Hall, with warm-up at 7:30, and I will have copies of The Creation/ Part Three to distribute. Betsy will dismiss all-but-the NEP women’s chorus towards the end of the rehearsal period.

2. CpM Audience Engagement Committee meeting, Sunday April 15, 3pm in Davis Sq

Looking for something to do tomorrow afternoon? Interested to hear and contribute ideas for, and help with promotion of, the Haydn concert? Then please come to the Audience Engagement Committee meeting! We’ll be at the Blue Shirt Cafe, 224 Highland Ave, Somerville (Davis Sq) tomorrow, Sunday April 15, at 3pm.

3. Introducing CpM spring intern Chiara Calzolaro

Chiara is studying business English at the EF School in Boston and will work with me for the next six weeks, including Mondays from 4:30-8:30pm. She is from Italy and has an undergraduate degree in Communications.

1. Rehearsal Updates

> Monday, April 9 Rehearsal will be in Gordon Chapel, 7:30-10:00.
* Betsy will rehearse the NEP Berlioz-Offenbach chorus at the end of rehearsal (and at the end of the April 23 rehearsal).

> Monday April 16- No Rehearsal
> Tuesday April 17- No Rehearsal* Note Change*

> Looking ahead to Monday May 21: We have a 6 PM photo shoot in concert attire scheduled for that evening. Location is Frog Pond, Boston Common. If it rains, we will reschedule for June 1, after the dress rehearsal.

2. Rehearsal Recordings

There has been interest in recording rehearsals. It is very likely that (some or many) members carry smaller recording devices which could suit their own study purposes. The following statement was prepared to inform the membership that such recordings would not violate MA law: “Audio recordings of CpM rehearsals are permitted for the analytical and archival use of staff and members only. Recordings may not be disseminated beyond the organization. It should also be noted by all that non-rehearsal related comments made within the range of open microphones could be inadvertently picked up.”

3. Links to work by Joss Sessions, video artist for CpM’s Haydn concert

You may recall that videographer Joss Sessions gave a brief presentation back in February of this work in progress. At his suggestion, I am including links to other work he has done, with his comments:
————————————————————————————————————-
The first is what I did for the Liverpool Playhouse Panto (UK). [video art installation]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt8tVUauM1Y

Second, is video highlights of the Jazz tour that I was involved with, the cut always to the visuals are what I designed and made myself and then projected them onto a screen. Thanks to this video that I made we got booked to play the Geneva Jazz Festival in March and possibly at Ronnie Scotts’ in London.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z93KvvOeL2E

*** Next the Creation designs. The first two are what I sent over primarily last year that landed me the job. All are with music. Skip to 0:20 on the third one as nothing happens in those first 20s. The majority of these designs have changed since experiencing the hall and meeting with Betsy, however the whales are staying the same.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNzXBl3wDM4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gQZyLvVZww

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qhU60cWREs

Moving on. I was ask to make a video going through the history of the Liverpool Everyman Theatre (UK) before it was closed to be knocked down and rebuilt. What I made was projected onto the front of the Ev, however they didn’t get a bright enough projector, so it didn’t really show up, however they now use it for various promo stuff. All the research I did, the scanning and as with everything else the design and production. There are some very famous faces in and amongst the pictures.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJMA-aSdjA0

Finally my show-reel, quite out of date now, when I get round to it I will make a new one. It summarises what I did through training and my first professional shows. Macbeth has just been nominated for Best UK regional theatre show of 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrYJ9nfrE-I

4. New World Chorale concert, April 28, featuring some CpM members

The New World Chorale & the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra will be performing William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast & the Vivaldi Gloria on Saturday April 28th at 7:30 PM in the Milford Town Hall. CpM members Red Didham, Alan Greenfield, Christine Kodis, Paul Kowal, Sharon Magnuson, Ron Severson and Janice Hegeman are singing in this concert. (If 10 or more CpM members purchase tickets as a group, the Gold Ticket level of $39, becomes $24, plus a service fee. One person from the CpM would need to act as purchasing agent.) Info here.

1. ArtsFuse review of the War Requiem/ March 4 concert
http://artsfuse.org/52918/fuse-classical-music-review-an-inspirational-war-requiem/

2. Reminders about Monday, and update on Haydn scores

[a] Britten Scores: Most of the chorus borrowed scores from NEP. Please erase your marks and return your score tomorrow.

[b] Haydn score info: Performance will be in English. Betsy has adapted a public domain arrangement, adding her markings and revising some of the English translations. We got a deal on the photocopying– Cost will be $5!

[c] There will be a board meeting in Mary Norton Hall, 5:30-7:15.
[d] Score returns and pick ups will take place in the church narthex (the lobby) from 7:00-7:30. May I have 2 volunteers to help? Please write back.

3. Annual Fund Update, from AFD Chair Mary Wolf

Dear Singers,

We are making good progress towards 100% singer participation in this year’s Annual Fund campaign. To date the Fund has received contributions from nearly 60% of our singing members. Thank you! Between now and June, we hope to attain our goal of 100%. There are several ways that you can contribute to the Annual Fund and be counted.

1. We always welcome checks, payable to CpM.

2. The drop box. I am happy to report that the drop box has attracted cash contributions every week since late January. Please make sure that you report to your section head (Robin McIlroy, Margaret Braccio, Ron Severson, Don Nelsen) — or to me directly — if you have stuffed a bill or two into the drop box. That will help us keep our tally of participation accurate.

3. Beginning on March 12 when we pick up our Haydn scores, the round off option will be activated. Singers who wish to add an amount to “round off” the cost of their Haydn score purchase (e.g. from $5.00 to $6) may do so. Jean will note the names of round off contributors. Our statistical participation rate will only improve.

With high hopes,
Mary Wolf (Annual Fund Chair)

PS — On a section by section basis, the bass/baritones are leading us all. They have a participation rate of 81%.

4. FYE: a YouTube clip all musicians would appreciate
This comes from CpM alum Alison Palmer:
“A friend sent me this and I loved it – even if the intonation isn’t perfect. …. My good wishes to everyone.”

http://www.youtube.com/v/DzXtTdsJLtQ

1. Links to Globe, Providence Journal, and BMInt reviews

Globe review: http://tinyurl.com/824qju9
Providence Journal review: http://tinyurl.com/867cydj
Boston Musical Intelligencer review: http://classical-scene.com/2012/03/06/ne-phil-war-requiem/

2. Message from concertgoers and an alumna

“Congratulations on a marvelous concert last Saturday! It was 30 years ago this spring that I completed specific masters work on Britten’s War Requiem. The message and the music were, again, meaningful beyond description. … Best in all of your endeavors! ” — Tim Shetler, Associate Professor of Music, Eastern Nazarene College

“I just want to thank you for the extraordinary Britten War Requiem performance by Chorus pro Musica (and NE Phil, Providence Singers and Boston Children’s Chorus). It was an extra treat to hear CpM in this music given your history in the American premiere. It really was a wonderful evening and I am so glad I was in the audience. Thank you for all of the beautiful music you give our community.” — Catherine Peterson, Executive Director, ArtsBoston

“Great event and very enjoyable. Congratulations!” — Roderick Phipps-Kettlewell (our occasional accompanist)

Dear members of CPM:
This will probably arrive after the fact, but I want to offer you and Betsy my sincere good wishes for your performance of the Britten War Requiem tonight (March 3rd). My late husband (Brainerd Stranahan) and I were privileged to sing in the U.S. premiere of this great work many years ago. Its impact has remained with me ever since, and in fact I have taught the War Requiem several times in courses in the Requiem the last few years.
“I am the enemy you killed, my friend” – who could ever forget that line?
I know, with Betsy at the helm (whom I have sung under with both the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Blossom Festival Chorus) your performance will be (was?) extraordinary, perhaps life-changing for you and for the audience. BRAVO.
Marilyn Stranahan Burtner, University Heights, Ohio, member of CPM 1961 – 1965

3. Monday March 12 rehearsal

[a] Britten Scores: Most of the chorus borrowed scores from NEP. Please erase your marks and return your score on Monday.

[b] Haydn score info: Betsy has adapted a public domain arrangement. I am picking up the master today to take to Staples for photocopying. I’ll write later to tell you what the cost will be.

[c] There will be a board meeting in Mary Norton Hall, 5:30-7:15.

—We need two refreshment volunteers for rehearsals, March 19 and beyond. Sign up here: http://www.doodle.com/zpmuuhsvxbe5wcc8 (hit ‘save’ when done)

1. Clarifications of Stand and Sit Cues

"Fill the void veins of life again with youth,
And wash, with an immortal water, Age."

Thank you, Peter Cooper!

2. A suggestion to keep coughs at bay

Sorry to get all “mother hen” on you: If you experienced some coughing last night—or even if you didn’t—it may be a good idea to have some cough suppressant drops tucked in your folder (or pocket if you have one), and try to be as discreet as possible when partaking. Good luck up on stage!

3. Reminder about Sunday arrival in Providence

CALL TIME on SUNDAY is 1:45 PM for all Singers.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN PROVIDENCE: Please use the SIDE entrance and please go to the LOWER level of the church. Please do NOT go to the sanctuary as there will be MASS taking place.

GOOGLE MAP TO The Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul at 30 Fenner St, Providence, RI: http://tinyurl.com/7rc8qsm
There is some parking in lots surrounding the Cathedral as well as on street parking. (See March 1 email announcements for more details.)

1. FRIDAY: CALL TIME IS 6:30; designated Union Park St entrance for arrivals; parking advisory

[a] CALL TIME IS 6:30 in the basement, where CPM and PS will have a warm up session before heading up to the sanctuary for 7pm downbeat. I plan to be at the Church at 6pm to help direct personnel upon arrival.
[b] Enter the Cathedral via the *handicap entrance* to the basement on Union Park Street.
[c] Parking Advisory: Tomorrow March 2 is “First Friday” in the South End, when the galleries stay open late. I’m told that it’s quite a happening, draws lots of people to the area and can make parking a hassle, so– allow time for finding parking. Speaking of parking….

2. The private church parking lot next to St Helena’s House, for Friday and Saturday

As I’m not familiar with the neighborhood, I did walk around the block last Sunday night and saw what Casey told me is “the parking lot directly behind the church”, although it is really not “directly behind” but more like “directly across the street from” the church, on Harrison Ave and next to St Helena’s House, and while it says “private parking” it doesn’t say that it belongs to the Church, but Casey assured me it does belong to the Church and personnel can park there Friday and Saturday.

3. Additional parking for SATURDAY at Jacobson Floral (NOT Friday!)
Parking lot at Jacobson Floral
500 Albany Street, Boston MA 02118; approximately 2 blocks south of the Cathedral.
For walking directions from Jacobson Floral lot to the Cathedral, go to http://maps.google.com/
and click [Get Directions]
• Point A= 500 Albany Street, Boston MA
• Point B= 1400 Washington Street, Boston MA
• Click [Get Directions] and click the walking icon.

(There will be security personnel at the above two lots on Saturday.)

4. Sunday in Providence: Change of call time= 1:45pm, not 2:00

Due to a 1PM Mass at the Cathedral, there is a tight window of time to warm up! Betsy has decided that the call time for singers will be 1:45pm on Sunday (concert begins at 3:30pm). The Mass will just be letting out, so all singers should go to the lower level of the church upon arrival, prepared for warm up and further instructions. PLEASE be as quiet as possible until Providence Singers’ production management confirms that the Mass has ended. Parking around the church is available, but limited so … once again… please plan your arrival accordingly.

5. Directions to the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul in Providence (with commentary)

——– Original Message from Allison McMillan, Providence Singers——–

I just want to make sure you all have directions to the Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul in Providence. They are posted on our website, and I paste them in here with a bit of commentary:

From the North
Follow I-95 South to Atwells Avenue (Exit 21). Continue straight onto Service Road 7. Follow service road south through four lights to Broad Street. Turn left onto Broad Street, crossing over I-95 overpass. Cathedral is at the second left (Fenner Street).

It’s pretty easy. Please note that the Cathedral is set back from the street, with parking lots in front. Some of these lots are labeled Gilbane Building parking but they are available for Cathedral weekend use. We do like to keep as much of these lots open from audience though, so we advise trying to find some garage or street parking.

There is a parking garage ($) on the right just a couple blocks past the Cathedral turn (Fenner St), across from PPAC which is the Prov Performing Arts Center and has a big marquee. There is also street parking and some downtown lots that if there is no attendant there, is free, and if there is, it costs a little.

The Cathedral actually faces north, so the Fenner St comes in from the south. There is a side door (facing west which is the I-95 facing side) that performers should enter.

6. Sunday carpool: All set?

I hope that everyone who needs a ride for Sunday is all set. If anyone still needs a ride or has recently decided they would like to share a ride, please refer to the February 10 email, “Chorus pro Musica: Providence Info and Carpool.” This is not on the announcement archive blog; if you don’t have it anymore, write to me and I will send a copy.

7. Buying tickets for Saturday’s concert from Jean

I will turn in my consignment to Casey/NEP on Friday before rehearsal. If anyone still wants to buy tickets from me before warm-up or during the break, I can take your order and have the tickets at Will Call for your guests to pick up. (Cash or check payable to NE Philharmonic)

Or, you can go to the NEP website and order tickets via PayPal: http://www.nephilharmonic.org/tickets

1. Sunday: We are at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross

Sunday’s call time is 7:15 and rehearsal downbeat is 7:30.

PLEASE NOTE: the schedule is tight and most of us are traveling to an unfamiliar neighborhood so please plan accordingly.

Upon arrival, we are advised to enter from the Union Park St. “side entrance” at the bottom of the ramp. This will lead to the lower level where there are rooms we can use until the main sanctuary is ready for concert personnel at 7:15.

[b] Venue Info for the Cathedral
Address: 1400 Washington Street, Boston (South End)
Parking lot directly behind the Cathedral

by MBTA

From Downtown Boston : Silver Line/ Dudley Sq-bound from Downtown Crossing ( Temple Place ) or from Tufts Medical Center : Get off at the Union Park Street stop, which is just past the Cathedral;
or from Back Bay/Orange Line: Walk south down Dartmouth St. ; continue south on West Dedham St. (half- mile walk, about 15-20 minutes)
MBTA Trip Planner: http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/trip_planner/
RED LINE WEEKEND ADVISORY: Shuttle buses will operate between Alewife and Harvard stations. Look for shuttle bus signs at station entrances.

2. Rest of the Concert Week

SEE CPM MEMBER AREA/WEBSITE FOR PROVIDENCE TRAVEL INFO

1. Venue Info for tonight’s rehearsal

TUESDAY, FEB 21
Rehearsal, 7:00-10:00PM (Correct time!)
Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School
667 Waterman Avenue
East Providence RI 02914

Directions & Parking: http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts06/Venues/Carter.php

Commuter rail info is in the Providence travel doc that is available via the members’ website index:
http://choruspromusica.org/members/

2. Tickets for War Requiem

I will be selling tickets at the remainder rehearsals (but not tonight; I won’t be there).
If you would like tickets, you can let me know via email and I can have the tickets ready at the Sunday Feb 26 rehearsal.
Cash or check to NE Philharmonic (Sorry, no credit cards.)

3. War Requiem Webmail

I will roll out the webmail, starting today!

4. Your Status for Haydn Creation roster

If you are NOT singing the Haydn and haven’t yet notified Jim, please write to him ASAP: JJCadorette@hotmail.com.
Jim will send an updated roster to Betsy so she can make decisions about adding to the roster or holding some auditions in early March.

5. FYI: Mass Eye & Ear Seminar for Singers (discount deadline Feb 24)

Sorry for the short notice; I only received this info yesterday:

Mass Eye & Ear Seminar for Singers
“The Why’s & What’s of Warm-Ups: A Day of Exploration and Singing Voice Exercises”
Saturday, March 24, 8:00 am -5:00 pm

Advanced Registration (must be received before Fri Feb 24): $65, or $30 for students with valid ID
After Feb 24: $75/ $45 student with ID

If you’re interested, write to me and I will forward the PDF.