Hello Everyone:
As you could hear, last night’s ‘dress’ rehearsal went well and also indicated to all of us, how we need to up our game on Saturday.
First off: Kudos to CREW, Andrea, Sam, and who bunches of folks who stepped up and helped to make our logistical journey into a new space go very smoothly. A note: When we get into a new space, the acoustical properties are just as important as the logistical ones. Also Kudos to Ali, who got you all together on the same page as to how we are processing to altar with piano, etc. in the way. Fr. Fiore gave BCAS high praise for a terrific job in putting everything back together after the rehearsal – He was ‘impressed’. Thanks CREW and all who ‘cleaned up the church’. Our mantra of leaving our DNA no where certainly warranted that praise.
John: Playing wonderfully as usual, we need to understand the musicality that he provides us all. As I mentioned last night, your ears are very important, but with such live acoustics, you really MUST watch the beat – react to that, and guard against being behind AND being ahead. Your eyes tell the musical story. Thanks John for keeping us together.
Vocal importance: You MUST listen for TONE, and DICTION. If the audience cannot understand the text AS ITS HAPPENING, we lose the dramatic effect of the meaning of each piece. All the words in the world, typed in the program, mean nothing if we cannot express the meaning of the text, and literal drama of said text.
Your faces: Many of you have such absolutely bland, non-descript faces. If you looked up occasionally, you’d see on my face the essence of what we are trying to communicate from the composer/lyricist. Please let your faces SHOW THE MUSIC.
ADMINISTRIVIA:
- Concert Dress: MEN: Black tux, white standard collar tux shirt, black cummerbund, black bow tie, black shoes, black socks. WOMEN: Black formal concert outfits (no slacks this time for sitters); black flat shoes; white single pearl necklace; white pearl stud earrings; black pantyhose (no Knee-his); no hair sparkles, no glittery stuff, no high, poofy hair dos. ALL: No perfumed or scented sprays, deodorant, lotions, etc. Remember your close relationship with your riser partner. NO gum, but please avoid foul smelling food odors (onions, garlic), or even alcohol if you can.
- Bathrooms:……….Are an issue………….Come in concert dress since there really is NO place to change. There is ONE bathroom behind altar near the room in which we’ll gather. Its a two-holer, but still most assuredly not adequate for all of us AND THE AUDIENCE. Rick Darisse inquired for us as to access of other facilities. Here is what he reports: “I received a return call from Fr. Fiore, Pastor. He said that there was 1 more restroom we could use. If you are facing the altar and go to the LEFT, there is a door that leads to the ‘Rectory’ where there is another restroom”. Rick said he will check on how to get there when he gets to the church on Saturday. SPECIAL NOTE: I really feel strongly that we should not be wandering in and out of the church prior to our concert. I believe that setting a mood, and bringing an aura of excitement as we enter (this concert has a processional from the back), makes for musical excitement that is very energizing, to audience and singer alike. So PLEASE, do not show yourselves – in concert dress especially- until we process. Thus, the bathroom issue becomes a matter of timing. By 7:15 let’s get that all addressed.
- Parking: There is a Key Bank Arena show on Saturday night, NO Shea’s, a play, and Kleinhans show along with our concert at St. Michael’s. The M &T lot next to the church will charge. PLEASE park in the far corners of that lot.
- Music to be handed in: As of now you will hand in ALL April music, even though we will be singing a few of these tunes in June. If that changes, I’ll let you know.
Over and out from Planet ‘Spirit’,
M