Aren’t sectionals great?  Time set aside to really dig into our separate parts and strengthen our musical understanding of what we are doing, from cadence to dynamics to just finding the right notes!  And what a difference it made from our previous rehearsal!  When we got back together after the break, I was amazed at the improvement in our confidence and ability with “The Waves” from just the week before.  The more comfortable we get with our parts, the more we will grow to love what we are singing.  It is starting to happen.

At rehearsal last evening, I asked those who were present to write down their answers to the following question on the cards provided:  “You only get to listen to one song for the rest of your life.  You don’t have to listen continuously, but if you want to listen to something, this is what you will hear.  What is your song?”  This question is one of about a dozen questions taken from the “Steven Colbert Questionnaire,” which he gives to his guests from time to time, everyone from Michelle Obama to Emma Thompson to Bruce Springsteen.  You can hear many of these on YouTube.

I will be sharing your answers to this question in random order over the coming weeks in this newsletter.  We have limited time to get to know one another at rehearsals, but we do know that we all love music!  Now you can find out the songs that other chorus members treasure and perhaps discover some beautiful music to add to your own favorites!  I had 52 responses in all (thank you!), so I will pick about 7 each week and that will carry us through the semester.

Here is the first batch: (I am doing my best to read some of these cards)

     Jonathan S:   "Tetris Theme A" (Koro Biniki)

     Adelaida:  "Dog Days Are Over" (Florence and the Machine)

     Mary Paul Kirkpatrick:  "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" (Vaughan Williams)

     Sara Robinson:  "Lord of All Hopefulness"

     Hilary Wong:  "The Road Goes Ever On and On" (words by J.R.R.Tolkien, performed by the Tolkien Ensemble)

     Mel Richards:  "Whiffenpoof Song"

     Mel G:  Missa Solemnis "Credo" (Beethoven)

Have a good week, everyone!