News for ICC&CS Thursday, September 17, 2026
|
|
From the Director
HOMEWORK FOR 9/23: Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Libera me
SANCTUS: If you sing Soprano 1, Alto 1, Tenor 1, or Bass 1, you’re in CHOIR I. If you sing Soprano 2, Alto 2, Tenor 2, or Bass 2, you’re in CHOIR II. (Mark your scores!)
|
|
Door passcode
Please don't speak the passcode out loud on the doorstep, where anyone passing by on the sidewalk can hear it. (That defeats the purpose of having a passcode -- and that's also why it can't be published in this newsletter, which is posted on the chorus's publicly accessible website.)
Some background: St. Paul's has had problems in the past with people trespassing in the church, so they're attempting to prevent that. There is a surveillance system at the door that is monitored by church personnel, and if they continue to see/hear this particular security risk, they may no longer allow us this relatively easy form of access, so please safeguard the code.
|
|
Need a Nametag?
Please email Ed Olmstead at EdOlmstead@icloud.com by the end of the day on Sunday, September 20 with the name or nickname that you want on your nametag, including the correct spelling, to ensure that you receive your nametag at our next rehearsal.
|
|
Welcome Reception
WHEN: Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30-6:55pm (right before our 3rd rehearsal)
WHERE: Usual rehearsal space (basement "dining room" of St. Paul's)
WHAT: A chance to welcome new members and welcome back returning members -- with snacks!
If you can attend, please consider bringing a sweet or savory finger food to share. (Labels listing ingredients are always appreciated!) The food will stay out so that anyone who can't arrive early still has a chance to get a taste at break or after rehearsal.
|
|
Vocal Training Tool
At our first rehearsal this week, Gerald mentioned that a couple of our usual warm-ups are semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises.
This small tool is also "built on the principles of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract exercises . . . widely used in vocal pedagogy, speech-language pathology, and professional voice training. Examples include lip trills [and] humming."
Gerald says "I believe that SOVT exercises are beneficial, and it sounds like this little device would be helpful."
There's a 50% discount on orders of 10 or more, which would come out to about $13.50-$14.58 each, depending on sales tax. If enough people are interested, Allison can place the order. Please let her know (alli_kitty2002@yahoo.com) by next rehearsal (9/23) if you're interested.
|
|
Kate's Corner
Music is powerful medicine. I have never sung the Verdi Requiem before, but I already feel myself being carried away by the sheer force and magnificence of the music.
I was curious, so I performed a Google search of choruses around the world who have performed the Verdi Requiem within the past year. As you might expect, the list is long, including renowned choruses in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Milan, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Three performances that I read about really hit home. The first two were performances in Lviv and London by the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorus. If you are interested, follow the link below to read about the “furious ache of grief” experienced during the Lviv performance. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/sep/04/ukraine-artists-rage-requiem-resistance-literature-homer
The other performance that touched my heart was given by the Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 right at ground zero, which was rebroadcast by PBS just last week on the 25th anniversary. Here is a link to a bit of that performance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVpJUjZrULM&list=RDmVpJUjZrULM&start_radio=1
What strikes me is that even as we forge our ICC community and bring this music to life for the greater Ithaca community, we are connected with singers around the world who have expressed themselves through the Verdi Requiem.
I hope to see many of you at the Welcome Reception next week. Enjoy these waning days of summer in the meantime.
|
|
Newsletter Items?
If you would like to include a brief item in the ICC&CS e-newsletter, send text ready to copy and paste by Thursdays at 6pm to ICCNews@ACIthaca.org. Notices should be related to the chorus or the local music community.
|
Affiliated Choruses of Ithaca
P.O. Box 622
Ithaca, NY 14851
|
|
|
|
|
