Final Concert Reminders

Dear Intermediate Singers and Families,

TOMORROW is our big Holidays With Cantabile concert! Please check your email for final concert reminders, and see below. Your conductors are looking forward to making incredible music tomorrow with all of you!

Holidays With Cantabile 

When: Saturday, December 6

Where: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose

Call time: 11:00am 

Concert: 1:00pm

Uniform: arrive wearing FULL Cantabile concert uniform including black socks (boys)/stockings (girls), black dress shoes (no boots please!), and hair neat/off the face
Sign in: with Choir Parent at the curb - Cantabile volunteers will walk your child to Parish Hall.
Sign out: in Parish Hall with Choir Parent - at the end of the concert, please follow the choirs to Parish Hall. Prep 3 singers should be picked up from downstairs.

Practice Recordings

Please practice one last time tonight with all of your recordings! Click HERE to access the files. Make sure all your words are completely memorized - especially for Star Carol, Kalanta, and Walking in the Air!

O Sifuni Mungu Choreography Practice Video

Click HERE to watch me sing and perform the choreography for O Sifuni Mungu. 

Important Notes

Silent Night CANDLES: Hold your candle in your left hand at your side until the lights go down for Silent Night. Then turn your candle on (switch at the bottom) and hold it with both hands. Please do NOT play with it, use up the battery by turning it on before everyone is about to sing, or drop it (it will break!) - we do not have extras for everyone.

Kalanta of the New Year

The recording will really help you learn the Greek text – please use it!!

O Sifuni

Check out my choreography video! Then use the practice recording to make sure you know your notes and words – really listen to and practice the lines “thou fire so masterful and bright that giveth man both warmth and light” and “praise the father, praise the son, and praise the spirit three in one”. Those lines are the most unique – use the practice recording to help you learn them.

Sh’ma Yisrael

On the last page, those in Intermediate A singing the bottom two lines will come in together first, then those in Intermediate Honor who sing the second line from the top, and finally those in Intermediate Honor who sing the top line. Once we add the top line, we will repeat one last time with everyone singing, and diminuendo (get softer) all the way to the end. WATCH THE CONDUCTOR at the end because the tempo will slow down!

Solstice

Memorize where all the fermatas (pauses) are and make sure you are watching the conductor

Walking in the Air

When memorizing, pay careful attention to the text - make sure you know when you’re “walking” vs “surfing” vs “swimming”, etc. Watch the conductor for the big crescendo into the final, strong verse.

Cool Yule

All phrase endings are short, short, short! Keep it cool and jazzy. :) Watch the conductor for a reminder on which phrases go “down” and which go “up”. Page 6 (scat section) will be an Ensemble solo. We will crouch and snap as we practiced at the workshop. After this section is over you come back in with the next verse – we need a strong entry here! Be confident! Eyes glued to the conductor for the final phrase, “you’ll have a Yule that is cool” – make sure you follow the conductor’s tempo and watch for each note to be cued. Don’t forget the hand motions we added at the end!

Star Carol

All verses memorized! The “see he lies” verse is especially important because it is a Prep 3 and Intermediate solo. Unlike the other verses, this one is smooth and gentle because you are singing about the sleeping baby Jesus.

Silent Night

Please make sure you have all three verses memorized!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH CANTABILE!

Rehearsal Blog Update 11/28/2014

Dear Intermediate Singers and Families,

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have all enjoyed a delicious meal and time with your families and loved ones.

Next week is Concert Week! Wow, time has flown by! To ensure that you perform your very best, please continue to practice your music as much as possible between now and next Wednesday, so that you have all music fully memorized! The best way to do that is by watching the choreography video (below), and downloading ALL practice recordings (below or via email) and listening to them over and over! 

In this week’s blog are practice instructions and important updates about upcoming events. Please read carefully all information below:

Holidays With Cantabile 

Dress Rehearsal and Concert Information

Wednesday, December 3 Dress Rehearsal – mandatory for all singers!
Where: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose

Call time: 4:30pm sharp in the church pews - please allow additional time for traffic/drop-off

Release time: 7:30pm

Wear: warm clothing and soft-soled shoes (eg. Sneakers)
Bring: water bottle, nut-free snack, coat

Sign in: with Choir Parent at the curb - Cantabile volunteers will walk your child into the church

Sign out: with Choir Parent in the Vestibule - Cantabile volunteers will walk your child down to the curb to meet you

Saturday, December 6 Concert

Where: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose

Call time: 11:00am sharp

Concert: 1:00pm

Uniform: arrive wearing FULL Cantabile concert uniform including black socks (boys)/stockings (girls), black dress shoes (no boots please!), and hair neat/off the face
Sign in: with Choir Parent at the curb - Cantabile volunteers will walk your child to Parish Hall.
Sign out: in Parish Hall with Choir Parent - at the end of the concert, please follow the choirs to Parish Hall. Prep 3 singers should be picked up from downstairs.

Uniform

Please ensure that you have already ordered your Cantabile uniform, Children without the proper uniform won't be able to participate in the concert. Thank you for understanding Cantabile’s concert policies.

Practice Recordings

NEW: "Solstice" now available for download!

You have now received practice recordings for ALL of your pieces by email. I have also placed all recordings in a google drive file available for download at any time. Click HERE to access the files.

Listen to all recordings as many times as possible between now and the dress rehearsal!

O Sifuni Mungu Choreography Practice Video

Click HERE to watch me sing and perform the choreography for O Sifuni Mungu. Practice with this video as many times as possible!

Important Rehearsal Notes – Please Read Carefully!

Kalanta of the New Year

The recording will really help you learn the Greek text – please use it!!

O Sifuni

Check out my choreography video! Then use the practice recording to make sure you know your notes and words – really listen to and practice the lines “thou fire so masterful and bright that giveth man both warmth and light” and “praise the father, praise the son, and praise the spirit three in one”. Those lines are the most unique – use the practice recording to help you learn them.

Sh’ma Yisrael

On the last page, those in Intermediate A singing the bottom two lines will come in together first, then those in Intermediate Honor who sing the second line from the top, and finally those in Intermediate Honor who sing the top line. Once we add the top line, we will repeat one last time with everyone singing, and diminuendo (get softer) all the way to the end. WATCH THE CONDUCTOR at the end because the tempo will slow down!

Solstice

Memorize where all the fermatas (pauses) are and make sure you are watching the conductor

Walking in the Air

When memorizing, pay careful attention to the text - make sure you know when you’re “walking” vs “surfing” vs “swimming”, etc. Watch the conductor for the big crescendo into the final, strong verse.

Cool Yule

All phrase endings are short, short, short! Keep it cool and jazzy. :) Watch the conductor for a reminder on which phrases go “down” and which go “up”. Page 6 (scat section) will be an Ensemble solo. We will crouch and snap as we practiced at the workshop. After this section is over you come back in with the next verse – we need a strong entry here! Be confident! Eyes glued to the conductor for the final phrase, “you’ll have a Yule that is cool” – make sure you follow the conductor’s tempo and watch for each note to be cued. Don’t forget the hand motions we added at the end!

Star Carol

All verses memorized! The “see he lies” verse is especially important because it is a Prep 3 and Intermediate solo. Unlike the other verses, this one is smooth and gentle because you are singing about the sleeping baby Jesus.

Silent Night

Please make sure you have all three verses memorized by the December 3^rd dress rehearsal.

Happy Practicing and Happy Thanksgiving! See you at the dress rehearsal!

Rehearsal Blog Update 11/21/2014

Dear Intermediate Singers and Families,

Congratulations, singers, on a fabulous rehearsal yesterday! You sound wonderful and I can't wait for concert week! Because we do not have a rehearsal on Thanksgiving, the next time I see you will be at the Dec. 3 dress rehearsal. This means it's extremely important that you continue to practice your music as much as possible over the break, so that you have all music fully memorized! The best way to do that is by watching my choreography video (below), and downloading my practice recordings (attached) and listening to them over and over! 

In this week’s blog are practice instructions and important updates about upcoming events. Please read carefully all information below:

Holidays With Cantabile 

Dress Rehearsal and Concert Information

Wednesday, December 3 Dress Rehearsal – mandatory for all singers!
Where: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose

Call time: 4:30pm sharp in the church pews - please allow additional time for traffic/drop-off

Release time: 7:30pm

Wear: warm clothing and soft-soled shoes (eg. Sneakers)
Bring: water bottle, nut-free snack, coat

Sign in: with Choir Parent at the curb - Cantabile volunteers will walk your child into the church

Sign out: with Choir Parent in the Vestibule - Cantabile volunteers will walk your child down to the curb to meet you

Saturday, December 6 Concert

Where: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, San Jose

Call time: 11:00am sharp

Concert: 1:00pm

Uniform: arrive wearing FULL Cantabile concert uniform including black socks (boys)/stockings (girls), black dress shoes (no boots please!), and hair neat/off the face
Sign in: with Choir Parent at the curb - Cantabile volunteers will walk your child to Parish Hall.
Sign out: in Parish Hall with Choir Parent - at the end of the concert, please follow the choirs to Parish Hall. Prep 3 singers should be picked up from downstairs.

Uniform

Please ensure that you have already ordered your Cantabile uniform, Children without the proper uniform won't be able to participate in the concert. Thank you for understanding Cantabile’s concert policies.

Practice Recordings

You have now received practice recordings for all of your pieces by email. I have also placed all recordings in a google drive file available for download at any time. Click HERE to access the files.

Listen to all recordings as many times as possible between now and the dress rehearsal!

NEW O Sifuni Mungu Choreography Practice Video

Click HERE to watch me sing and perform the choreography for O Sifuni Mungu. Practice with this video as many times as possible!

Important Rehearsal Notes – Please Read Carefully!

Kalanta of the New Year

The recording will really help you learn the Greek text – please use it!!

O Sifuni

Check out my choreography video! Then use the practice recording to make sure you know your notes and words – really listen to and practice the lines “thou fire so masterful and bright that giveth man both warmth and light” and “praise the father, praise the son, and praise the spirit three in one”. Those lines are the most unique – use the practice recording to help you learn them.

Sh’ma Yisrael

On the last page, those in Intermediate A singing the bottom two lines will come in together first, then those in Intermediate Honor who sing the second line from the top, and finally those in Intermediate Honor who sing the top line. Once we add the top line, we will repeat one last time with everyone singing, and diminuendo (get softer) all the way to the end. WATCH THE CONDUCTOR at the end because the tempo will slow down!

Solstice

Memorize where all the fermatas (pauses) are and make sure you are watching the conductor

Walking in the Air

When memorizing, pay careful attention to the text - make sure you know when you’re “walking” vs “surfing” vs “swimming”, etc. Watch the conductor for the big crescendo into the final, strong verse.

Cool Yule

All phrase endings are short, short, short! Keep it cool and jazzy. :) Watch the conductor for a reminder on which phrases go “down” and which go “up”. Page 6 (scat section) will be an Ensemble solo. We will crouch and snap as we practiced at the workshop. After this section is over you come back in with the next verse – we need a strong entry here! Be confident! Eyes glued to the conductor for the final phrase, “you’ll have a Yule that is cool” – make sure you follow the conductor’s tempo and watch for each note to be cued. Don’t forget the hand motions we added at the end!

Star Carol

All verses memorized! The “see he lies” verse is especially important because it is a Prep 3 and Intermediate solo. Unlike the other verses, this one is smooth and gentle because you are singing about the sleeping baby Jesus.

Silent Night

Please make sure you have all three verses memorized by the December 3^rd dress rehearsal.

Happy Practicing and Happy Thanksgiving! See you at the dress rehearsal!

Rehearsal Update 11/14/2014

Dear Intermediate Singers and Families,

Congratulations on an excellent presence and performance at the Fall Workshop last weekend! You sang very well and your conductors are proud of you!

We only have ONE MORE REHEARSAL IN FCC before we move into concert week. ALL PIECES MUST BE MEMORIZED FOR NEXT WEEK! This week you received several practice recordings. Please, please, please listen to them over and over again and make sure you have all notes, words, rhythms, and choreography learned SOLIDLY!

Practice Recordings

This week you received practice recordings of O Sifuni, Sh’ma, Walking in the Air, Kalanta, and Star Carol. It is EXTREMELY important that you listen to these over and over this week and all the way up until the concert. These recordings are what will help you memorize your pieces successfully.

Important Rehearsal Notes – Please Read Carefully!

Kalanta of the New Year

-        Listen a lot to the practice recording – over and over! You have A LOT of Greek works to memorize this week – this piece will require a lot of your attention for you to prepare it on time. The recording will really help you learn this text – please use it!!

O Sifuni

-        Listen a lot to the practice recording!

-        Make sure you know your notes and words – really listen to and practice the lines “thou fire so masterful and bright that giveth man both warmth and light” and “praise the father, praise the son, and praise the spirit three in one”. Those lines are the most unique – use the practice recording to help you learn them.

Sh’ma Yisrael

-        Listen a lot to the practice recording!

-        On the last page, those singing the bottom two lines will come in together first, then those who sing the second line from the top, and finally those who sing the top line. Once we add the top line, we will repeat one last time with everyone singing, and diminuendo (get softer) all the way to the end. WATCH THE CONDUCTOR at the end because the tempo will slow down!

Solstice

-        Memorize where all the fermatas (pauses) are and make sure you are watching the conductor

Walking in the Air

-        Listen a lot to the practice recording!

-        When memorizing, pay careful attention to the text - make sure you know when you’re “walking” vs “surfing” vs “swimming”, etc.

Cool Yule

-        All phrase endings are short, short, short! Keep it cool and jazzy. :)

-        Watch the conductor for a reminder on which phrases go “down” and which go “up”

-        Page 6 (scat section) will be an Ensemble solo. We will crouch and snap as we practiced at the workshop. After this section is over you come back in with the next verse – we need a strong entry here! Be confident!

-        Eyes glued to the conductor for the final phrase, “you’ll have a Yule that is cool” – make sure you follow the conductor’s tempo and watch for each note to be cued

Star Carol

-        Listen a lot to the practice recording!

-        All verses memorized! The “see he lies” verse is especially important because it is a Prep 3 and Intermediate solo. Unlike the other verses, this one is smooth and gentle because you are singing about the sleeping baby Jesus

Silent Night

-        You started this on Thursday. Please make sure you have all three verses memorized by the December 3^rd dress rehearsal

It’s the Most Wonderful Time

-        This is an audience sing along so go ahead and review your words so that you can enjoy participating. (Don’t spend too much time on this, though – focus on the other pieces)

Happy Practicing - work hard this week!

Rehearsal Blog Update 11/07/2014

Dear Intermediate Singers and Families,

TOMORROW is our Fall Workshop and Family Potluck, where Intermediate, Ensemble, Vocalise, and Bravi spend a morning rehearsing their holiday repertoire together and follow the rehearsal with a short concert and lunch for all. Check out the SCOOP for full details. A summary is below:

Fall Workshop

When: November 8^th

Where: First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto

Call time: 9:30am for both Ensemble and Vocalise

Attire: Cantabile red polo shirt and jeans. (No shorts or flip flops.)

Families arrive for concert: 12:00pm

Potluck lunch: 1:00pm

Families, please see the SCOOP for information on what to bring to the potluck and how to drop it off.

Memorization Schedule

ALL pieces MUST BE MEMORIZED for the concert! Please have the pieces listed below memorized by their deadlines:

Due Nov 13th: 

- Cool Yule

- Walking in the Air

- O Sifuni

- Sh'ma

Due Nov 20th: 

- Kalanta

- Star Carol

- Solstice

Due Dec 3rd (dress rehearsal): 

- Silent Night

Practice Videos

O Sifuni Mungu. O Sifuni Version 1, O Sifuni Version 2

Kalanta of the New Year: Click HERE to listen. 

Cool Yule: Click HERE to listen.

Star Carol: Click HERE to listen.

Sh’ma Yisrael: Click HERE to listen. The music starts at 0:26.

Walking in the Air: Click HERE to listen.

Solstice: Click HERE to listen.

  

Musicianship

Intermediate A: Please complete pages 31-33 in your “A Young Singer’s Journey” Book I or II. Parents/guardians, please sign on the marking pages at the front of the book to indicate that you have seen your child’s completed homework.

Intermediate Honor: Please complete pages 31-33 in your “A Young Singer’s Journey” Book II. Parents/guardians, please sign on the marking pages at the front of the book to indicate that you have seen your child’s completed homework.

Happy Practicing!

Rehearsal Blog Update 10/31/2014

Dear Intermediate Singers and Families,

I hope you're all getting ready for a fun, spooky, candy-filled Halloween night!

On Nov. 8^th, Intermediate, Ensemble, Vocalise, and Bravi choirs will spend the morning rehearsing their holiday repertoire together. After the rehearsal, parents and siblings are invited to attend a short concert and stay for a potluck lunch. Please check the SCOOP for full details on the event. A summary is below:

What: Fall Workshop

When: November 8^th

Where: First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto

Call time: 10:45am

Attire: Cantabile red polo shirt and jeans. (No shorts or flip flops.)

Families arrive for concert: 12:00pm

Potluck lunch: 1:00pm

Please see the SCOOP for information on what to bring to the potluck and how to drop it off.

What To Practice This Week

REPERTOIRE

This week we started O Sifuni Mungu. Check it out by listening to these two versions of the piece:
O Sifuni Version 1
O Sifuni Version 2

Kalanta of the New Year: Click HERE to listen. Practice speaking all the Greek words in rhythm.

Cool Yule: Click HERE to listen.

Star Carol: Click HERE to listen.

Sh’ma Yisrael: Click HERE to listen. The music starts at 0:26.

Walking in the Air: Click HERE to listen.

Solstice: Click HERE to listen.

  

MUSICIANSHIP

Intermediate A: Please complete pages 28-30 in your “A Young Singer’s Journey” Book I or II. Parents/guardians, please sign on the marking pages at the front of the book to indicate that you have seen your child’s completed homework.

Intermediate Honor: Please complete pages 28-30 in your “A Young Singer’s Journey” Book II. Parents/guardians, please sign on the marking pages at the front of the book to indicate that you have seen your child’s completed homework.

The secret word for this week is "halloween".

Happy Practicing and Happy Halloween!