Voices Newsletter
Thursday March 19, 2026
 
Spring Semester 2026 
Folk Songs...
Rehearsal and Performance Schedule...
 
 
Rehearsal Dates:
Rehearsals Mondays run from 7:00 to 8:45PM

 
March 23, 30
April 6, 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11
 
 
Performance Dates:
April 19: First Baptist Church of Ithaca.
Call time ~9:00am
May 10: Unitarian Church of Ithaca.
Call time ~9:00am

Concert:
Saturday, May 16, 2026 3:00pm
       First Baptist Church of Ithaca. Call time 1:00pm
Dress Rehearsal:
Friday, May 15: First Baptist Church. 7:00 to 9:00pm
 
 
     Ross' Refrain
 
     Instead of the generic "Folk Songs" theme for our semester's concert, we're going to go with, drumroll please...
 
....."It Takes a Village!"
 
    So many of these songs share that central idea, that it just seems like a fitting theme. Thanks for your patience in letting me figure out what was right in front of my face!
 
    At the moment, my plan for our first "Church Gig," coming up after 3 more rehearsals, will be to perform "Ukranian River Song," and "Everybody Rejoice." Give them a little extra love between rehearsals to help our getting them performance-ready.
 
See you Monday!"

 
         Mike's Measure
 
Reminder:
      There are two websites it will be helpful to have in your bookmarks. The first links the example videos for our semester repertoire. Ross often points us to them to get a complete sense of a piece. Each is selected to match the arrangement we are doing. https://acithaca.org/groups/voices/music/      The second links practice tracks by voice part. Notes are added as Ross makes vocal assignments and performance instructions. https://acithaca.org/groups/voices/music-files-for-practice/

  
         Sherrie's Scherzo

     You may know that VOICES exists through the combined efforts of the ACI Board (the umbrella organization that oversees our four choruses), our director Ross, and a steering committee of VOICES members.
     Our steering committee consists of 7 members, and it’s a wonderful, capable group that I appreciate more than I can say.  Some have volunteered in their roles for a very long time and would like the opportunity to “retire” and help new people get into these positions.           Fresh ideas and perspectives are important for the healthy growth of VOICES. We are seeking volunteers willing to step into these steering committee roles as Treasurer, Secretary and President.
    Please don’t stop reading yet! We are excited to add new members, and we don’t use the “sink or swim” approach for new members; those now holding these positions are glad to serve concurrently with new volunteers to partner through a semester together.  All your questions will be answered, and notes, files, templates, and timetables will be provided for your use. The time commitment is quite manageable.
     Please consider volunteering your time to join us. Reach out to Sherrie or Mike at rehearsal with questions you have. We'd love to chat with you.  You may also use voicespres@gmail.com if you prefer email.

Thank you for your consideration and for keeping up the great work at rehearsal!  There are such great changes happening already.
Sherrie

Singing Resistance

      Inspired and empowered by the beauty and bravery of the Singing Resistance https://www.instagram.com/singingresistance/ happening in Minnesota, you are personally invited to gather with singers and resisters across the Ithaca community as we sing in peaceful protest and solidarity with others around the world.

      Minneapolis community members are inviting one-another to gather and sing, believing that, “In the context of escalating violence towards our communities and federal invasions of our cities and towns, we sing because song is an antidote to fear, song helps us connect to each other, and through song we can name and protect what we hold sacred. We sing publicly in the streets for the sake of solace, strength, solidarity, to voice our dissent, and to refuse cooperation with oppressive and autocratic forces.”
 
For more information, or to volunteer to help make this organization successful, contact: SingingResistanceIthacaNY@proton.me 

Thank you!
Kelly D., Alto
 
 
 
 
REMINDERS:  
Practice files: https://acithaca.org/groups/voices/music-files-for-practice/
Videos: https://acithaca.org/groups/voices/music/
     
 
  Vocal Exercises and WarmUps:

https://cyberbass.org/Content/Vocal_Warmups/Vocal_Warmups.htm
 
About this Newsletter...
 
The Voices Newsletter is sent out every Thursday during the semester.  Sometimes, it may be a day late depending on glitches and brain cramps.  In normal times, it will appear in your email in-basket sometime during the day on Thursday.  It will also be posted on the website - click HERE to go to that page.  
 
If you have a question about Voices, a comment or suggestion about the newsletter, or if you have an item for the newsletter (items should be related to the chorus or the local musical community), send it to voicesnews@acithaca.org.   PLEASE - if you have an item that you want to appear in the newsletter, send in in plain text completed form so we can copy and paste - we do not write material for you.
 
Affiliated Choruses of Ithaca, Inc., acithaca.org
Powered by YMLP.com