-Hi...
   If you sent me a copy of what the automated response from the
website sent you...
I answered back with

Got it
Thanks!

erlan



If I got the registration directly from the website I wrote to you and
said
Got it
Thanks!

erlan


end result is the same.
If you didn't get that response from me that means
Didn't get it

thanks
erlan


PS, remember that no one will be denied the opportunity to sing. I am
of the belief that this is a class and a learning experience and the
fact that we get to perform an amazing concert is all the better.
However it actually IS making me change out 3 pieces of music though
from my original plan... due to the number of alto's registering.

OH and by the way...
Tenors... LOL, seem to have missed your registration... I only have
3.. so the other 37 of you better get your registrations in SOON!

:)
get it!
thanks

erlan

We sang this last year at the Sacred Music Colloquium. Victoria is one
of my favorites. Those of us trying to bring Gregorian and polyphonic
chant back into use into the church appreciate any appearances of
these magnificent choral works, especially in live performance.

The CD Chant: Music for the Soul by Stift Heiligenkreuz has been
released in the U.S. It was a chart topper in the UK. Listeners will
be impressed at the sheer quality of the singing and the style.

The Cistercian Abbey of Stift Heiligenkreuz was founded in 1133. My
chant professor said he never had any luck in changing monastery
musical styles so it is possible that this represents chant as done in
the 11th century.

Thank you
John Phipps

Are you saying that there aren't enough sopranos?
Elizabeth

Terri Garvey wrote:
>
> You may tell those good gentles that:
>
>
>
> Once upon a time, at least one Alto you know was placed in that
> section early in her career by a director who needed singers who
> would hold their own part and not default to the melody. In High
> School, she sang Tenor, as there was a dirth of male Tenors in her
> school, all the while longing to sing Soprano, sure she could hit
> those high notes. Finally given the chance to choose her own voice
> part, she found that she could indeed hit those high notes, she also
> found the Soprano lines to be less interesting and challenging than
> the Alto. So, here she is, preparing to sing Alto in the Known World
> Choir, and generally unfamiliar with the music. Thus, with the level
> of challenge not an issue, she is willing to sing Soprano if need be.
> Perhaps it is her time to soar once again. The End
>
>
>

I have heard that altos are sopranos who can read music 8^)

Ysolt, a sop who reads music

--
Maîtresse Ysolt la Bretonne, OP
Barony of Windmasters' Hill

Well, a few points:
1. This year, because of the e-mail mix-ups, there may be a number of
people who expect to participate and haven't signed up yet; I think that
the altos and men usually sign up first because often it is difficult to
find them.  Some of the altos may be able to sing tenor, which is only a
couple of notes lower than alto usually.  (And it's funny; in the past
there have been some bottom-heavy pieces.)

2. There are a number of women who, for whatever health reasons,
literally can no longer reach the high notes.  I had a friend who was
prescribed a medication which permanently lowered her voice to tenor,
and she had been soprano.  Such persons are not "lazy" sopranos.  If a
person cannot reach the high notes, or doesn't know how, it could damage
the voice to try; it helps to relax and sing mentally "above" the notes.

3.  I usually sing soprano 1 unless no altos show up; I couldn't come
last year.  You may remember me; I tend to get an ice cream cone before
rehearsals.  (I've studied Indian music, and they prep the voice with
butter rather than lemon.)  Seriously, there are ways to stretch a voice
that is lazy.  Sing a scale slowly down the scale first, as low as you
can go, yawning open the mouth and becoming much quieter as you
descend.  Then go up the scale from the bottom, back to the starting
note.  Then, sing some arpegios or quick scales going up a little at a
time; keeping the chin down and letting the jaw relax into a comfortable
position.  For a number of months, I had a few women who normally sing
alto coming to my house once a week (learning some Period music), and
after a couple of weeks, their low notes were the C the octave below
middle C or lower, and their high notes were the E _two_ octaves above
middle C.  They are shy of the choir, or I'd get two of those queens of
the night (who are coming to Pennsic) to sing soprano with us.  But, if
a person is able to expand their voice, and not all can, the way to go
up is to go down first.
Elizabeth

Kathleen Smith wrote:
>
> Yes, that is a previous message that there were far more alto voices
> registering.  to I had replied that a previoius choir master of mine
> and my son who is now working on his doctorate in vocal performance
> and will be singing with the Phoenix opera comapany,believe that many
> women who call themselves altos are in fact lazy sopranos.
>
>
>
> So again, ladies, fess up and step up to the plate, and join me in the
> soprano section.
>
>
>
> (yes, I know, alto can be more fun sometimes............)
>
> --- On *Sun, 7/6/08, Elizabeth Dowling /<ejdowling@...>/* wrote:
>
>     From: Elizabeth Dowling <ejdowling@...>
>     Subject: Re: [KWChoir] The Alto Challenge
>     To: KWChoir@yahoogroups.com
>     Date: Sunday, July 6, 2008, 10:51 AM
>
>     Are you saying that there aren't enough sopranos?
>     Elizabeth
>
>     Terri Garvey wrote:
>     >
>     > You may tell those good gentles that:
>     >
>     >
>     >
>     > Once upon a time, at least one Alto you know was placed in that
>     > section early in her career by a director who needed singers who
>     > would hold their own part and not default to the melody. In High
>     > School, she sang Tenor, as there was a dirth of male Tenors in her
>     > school, all the while longing to sing Soprano, sure she could hit
>     > those high notes. Finally given the chance to choose her own voice
>     > part, she found that she could indeed hit those high notes, she
>     also
>     > found the Soprano lines to be less interesting and challenging than
>     > the Alto. So, here she is, preparing to sing Alto in the Known
>     World
>     > Choir, and generally unfamiliar with the music. Thus, with the
>     level
>     > of challenge not an issue, she is willing to sing Soprano if
>     need be.
>     > Perhaps it is her time to soar once again. The End
>     >
>     >
>     >
>
>
>

I am sure it will all get sorted out when we arrive at Pennsic and we
will have a lovely time. Until then I shall continue to find the banter
amusing.

I sang soprano all my life until a few years ago the last tenor in our
choir died. I switched to tenor as did another soprano friend. It was
very difficult for me as the logic of the part is VERY different. I am
finally getting the hang of it and can sometimes "hear" the part in the
music. Soprano is easier since they most often get the melody. Changing
to tenor made me much more humble. Now I alternate between 2 churches
and sing tenor at one and soprano at the other which helps to keep my
voice flexible. I can tell you what a note is on paper but I can't look
at that note and sing it. Nor can I figure out what a piece of music is
supposed to sound like by the score. But - I love to sing and usually
hold my own.


-

Good questions -
> What is going on in terms of choir stuff?  Excuse my ignorance as
it's my
> first year signing up and the like, but what happens in terms of
assigning
> vocal parts?
>
The director chooses a program.  She/he hopes that she has the voices
to fill it.  Upon registration, the director assigns vocal parts.
Often scrambling around to substitute a piece or 2 because of the lack
of voices.

to date FYI, there are 2 basses and 3 tenors of the male persuasion.
Because of the timbre of the female voice, I personally would not like
to force the female into the tenor range.  It's possible to "sing" the
notes however since the notes are in the lower most portion of a
female range, it comes across as "low" and not the timbre of a male
tenor.  So, I wait to see what I've got... sometimes, I can't use a
piece or 2 because of this fact.  Now, mind you, I sing tenor and alto
parts when I sing but a female just doesn't have the power and volume
and control in that lower register.  *sigh*
So that all means........ERLAN NEEDS MORE MEN

I will have vocal assignments and the music list later on today.

Funny, I just found that video in the minstrel archives this morning.

Very amusing.

-Jadia

P.S. The alto vs. soprano thing was basically me in high-school. The
sops that complained about the high notes used to really tick me off
because I wanted to sing them. Then when I finally did get to sing
soprano I got bored and wanted to sing alto again. :-P

--
http://www.blowthyhorn.com ~ Choir Directing & Early Music

On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:39 AM, Karen Kasper <arianna_wyn@...> wrote:
> You want banter? I got banter for you.
>
>
>
> This video has been making the rounds among my music geek friends. If you're
> a music theory kind of person, it's hilarious enough to make you spit your
> Pepsi. :-)  If you're not, it might be a little mystifying, but still funny.
>
>
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHAojVyeG0&feature=related
>
>
>
> Downside - it's in French, but there are subtitles.
>
>
>
> Enjoy.
>
>
>
> Arianna of Wynthrope
>
>

Nobody ever let me sing soprano until I just told a college choir that I
am soprano (except for my voice teacher, who insisted that I was a
soprano).  I guess in my early years, it could have been due to the very
early morning rehearsal times. Therefore, I love harmony, and I know a
lot of pieces in the alto part only, but I've sung Soprano I for many
years now, and it's most comfortable.  Baroque, classical, and earlier
Renaissance polyphony (part songs) tends to have complex soprano parts,
but some music is easier in that part.  Many alto parts are close to
drones, up and down between just a few notes.  I like the part anyway,
but it's too low for me now.
Elizabeth

Monique Rio wrote:
>
> Funny, I just found that video in the minstrel archives this morning.
>
> Very amusing.
>
> -Jadia
>
> P.S. The alto vs. soprano thing was basically me in high-school. The
> sops that complained about the high notes used to really tick me off
> because I wanted to sing them. Then when I finally did get to sing
> soprano I got bored and wanted to sing alto again. :-P
>
> --
> http://www.blowthyhorn.com <http://www.blowthyhorn.com> ~ Choir
> Directing & Early Music
>
> On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 11:39 AM, Karen Kasper <arianna_wyn@...
> <mailto:arianna_wyn%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
> > You want banter? I got banter for you.
> >
> >
> >
> > This video has been making the rounds among my music geek friends.
> If you're
> > a music theory kind of person, it's hilarious enough to make you
> spit your
> > Pepsi. :-) If you're not, it might be a little mystifying, but still
> funny.
> >
> >
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHAojVyeG0&feature=related
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhHAojVyeG0&feature=related>
> >
> >
> >
> > Downside - it's in French, but there are subtitles.
> >
> >
> >
> > Enjoy.
> >
> >
> >
> > Arianna of Wynthrope
> >
> >
>
>

Hello Everyone,

I have been singing in the Estrella Choir for a couple of years and
thought I would give Pennsic's Choir a try.  I have some questions:  Is
there a preferred color to wear during the performance?  If I need to
provide my own folder,  what color should it be?

Greetings,

I'm curious about rehearsal times...the choir page on the Pennsic
website states two hour rehearsals, and the class schedule states
three hour rehearsals. I'm mainly curious about this because, though
I realize taking part in the choir is a big commitment, I would feel
silly to cross the continent for an event and miss the Known World
Squires Tournament, which would overlap (and thus be a no-go) if the
rehearsals were three hours. It would only conflict a small amount
(the time to cross camp and get armour) if the rehearsals were two
hours.

Is this a fair and legitimate (though overly worded) question?

thanks,

Hraði inn Rakki
one of the Three Tenors

Yes, please tell us the actual schedule.  Sometimes there are also
conflicts with the Performing Arts Pavilion, so please let us know when
and where the rehearsals are before Pennsic if possible.

(Sometimes it is necessary to miss a rehearsal because of a conflict,
but that shouldn't stop you from participating and performing.  As long
as you hear the music and sing it a few times, it should be fine.  Of
course, the more the better, and some people do extra rehearsals, but
it's not necessary.  I've had to miss rehearsals sometimes in the past.)
Elizabeth

Dean MacPherson wrote:
>
> Greetings,
>
> I'm curious about rehearsal times...the choir page on the Pennsic
> website states two hour rehearsals, and the class schedule states
> three hour rehearsals. I'm mainly curious about this because, though
> I realize taking part in the choir is a big commitment, I would feel
> silly to cross the continent for an event and miss the Known World
> Squires Tournament, which would overlap (and thus be a no-go) if the
> rehearsals were three hours. It would only conflict a small amount
> (the time to cross camp and get armour) if the rehearsals were two
> hours.
>
> Is this a fair and legitimate (though overly worded) question?
>
> thanks,
>
> Hraði inn Rakki
> one of the Three Tenors
>
>

Though not planned at all, last year many of us wore blue (in its
various hues) and I think the director joked about it, saying "I see
some of you got the blue memo."<G>

But we were asked to get black binders for the music.  Different
director last year; don't know what Erlan would like.

See you all soon,
Celaena


--- In KWChoir@yahoogroups.com, "harpladyursula" <harpladyursula@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I have been singing in the Estrella Choir for a couple of years and
> thought I would give Pennsic's Choir a try.  I have some questions:  Is
> there a preferred color to wear during the performance?  If I need to
> provide my own folder,  what color should it be?
>

A friend and I sang together (in school and on our own) all four years
of high school, she, a soprano, and me, an alto.  But in our last year
of glee club, the director needed sop II's, so both she and I were
drafted!  But I still prefer to sing alto over sop II.

Diane


--- In KWChoir@yahoogroups.com, Elizabeth Dowling <ejdowling@...> wrote:
>
> Nobody ever let me sing soprano until I just told a college choir
that I
> am soprano (except for my voice teacher, who insisted that I was a
> soprano).  I guess in my early years, it could have been due to the
very
> early morning rehearsal times. Therefore, I love harmony, and I know a
> lot of pieces in the alto part only, but I've sung Soprano I for many
> years now, and it's most comfortable.  Baroque, classical, and earlier
> Renaissance polyphony (part songs) tends to have complex soprano parts,
> but some music is easier in that part.  Many alto parts are close to
> drones, up and down between just a few notes.  I like the part anyway,
> but it's too low for me now.
> Elizabeth

I sang alto in middle school, then started singing soprano in high
school. Sang 1st Soprano in 10th grade, and acquired a private voice
teacher at the end of that year who set about training me in that
particular range. The director of my school's a capella choir moved me
to 2nd Soprano at the beginning of 11th grade but my private teacher
prevailed upon him to place me back with the firsts because she was
trying to help me develop my upper range and wanted me to be using it
daily in choir. So I sang 1st in a capella and 2nd in our after school
madrigals group (same director). Funny thing is, I could still sing
Alto 1 and Alto 2 if I tried, but I had this oddly-sized break area in
the middle of my range where I just couldn't keep my voice completely
even in timbre. Just a few notes that were difficult. I finally got it
mostly straightened out (thanks, Mamma P!) but now my whole range has
shifted. I can still do most of Sop I and Sop II is pretty easy, but
as long as an Alto part is not a complete boring drone, I'm fine with
Alto in most things. (Though I can get jealous if it looks like the
Sopranos are having more fun with the score!) I love to play with
harmonies and often make up my own to songs I sing along with on the
radio or whatever. Sometimes I do high ones, other times low. Guess
that means I'm flexible. ;-)

--- In KWChoir@yahoogroups.com, "Diane" <diane19128@...> wrote:
>
> A friend and I sang together (in school and on our own) all four years
> of high school, she, a soprano, and me, an alto.  But in our last year
> of glee club, the director needed sop II's, so both she and I were
> drafted!  But I still prefer to sing alto over sop II.
>
> Diane
>
>
> --- In KWChoir@yahoogroups.com, Elizabeth Dowling <ejdowling@> wrote:
> >
> > Nobody ever let me sing soprano until I just told a college choir
> that I
> > am soprano (except for my voice teacher, who insisted that I was a
> > soprano).  I guess in my early years, it could have been due to the
> very
> > early morning rehearsal times. Therefore, I love harmony, and I
know a
> > lot of pieces in the alto part only, but I've sung Soprano I for many
> > years now, and it's most comfortable.  Baroque, classical, and
earlier
> > Renaissance polyphony (part songs) tends to have complex soprano
parts,
> > but some music is easier in that part.  Many alto parts are close to
> > drones, up and down between just a few notes.  I like the part
anyway,
> > but it's too low for me now.
> > Elizabeth
>

I have sung all female parts and occasionally the tenor part.  When
there are 3 or 4 female parts (Sop I, Sop II, Alto or Sop I, Sop II,
Alto I, Alto II) I prefer to take either Sop II or Alto I because I
think they present more of a challenge than the top or bottom.
Finding that middle note or one of two middle notes is difficult, and
I love it.  But I usually sing whatever part is needed, or which is
hardest for others to manage, since I hold my own part well and often
led a section in high school and college.

Emelye

And then there are people like me, who have lost some of our highest
notes simply due to getting older and/or not having used them all that
much in recent years... *sigh* Oh, well, I did get some notes into the
other part of my range that weren't there before, so I suppose it's a
trade-off!

--- In KWChoir@yahoogroups.com, Elizabeth Dowling <ejdowling@...> wrote:
>
> Well, a few points:
<snippage for length - no need for me to repeat everything - SS>
> 2. There are a number of women who, for whatever health reasons,
> literally can no longer reach the high notes.  I had a friend who was
> prescribed a medication which permanently lowered her voice to tenor,
> and she had been soprano.  Such persons are not "lazy" sopranos.  If a
> person cannot reach the high notes, or doesn't know how, it could
damage
> the voice to try; it helps to relax and sing mentally "above" the notes.
>

<more snippage for length>

Please look in the FILES section for a new folder called Pennsic 2008
which contains the sheet music for 6 out of 8 songs.  I dont' have
digital files for the other 2... yet.
   There is another file for the MIDI files for the music.  Please note
that only one tune is done so far and the others will be up... when
they're done...

SOrry it's taken me so long for this program.

You'll find that for me.........this is an unusual programme... I'm
more of a traditional.... find the obscure.....use as close to
original notation as possible.......kind of director.  This time, I
chose music that there is a good chance you might know.... or at elast
know of.

I will have more "original" copies with me at war should anyone want
them.  For now... use the copies in the Files section.

The Theme for this concert is "Christmas in August"
I'd like you to get your own folders, red or black is fine with me.
Make sure you have a pencil with you at the rehearsals.  All text is
either English, Latin or Spanish... nothing awful to learn this year.
  All edits are done in easy to read rhythm........(ack) and the text
is already underlayed.

Clothing is your choice.  Remember, it will be very warm on stage so
you may want to keep it light.  If you'd like to do a more Holiday
themed clothing, I won't stop you!! Of course, that type of clothing
would be for colder weather.....and for Pennsic.....that might be..
uh.. not comfortable.

OH, there's also a file in there called rehearsal and that contains
the rehearsal details and translations.

At this point I am entertaining volunteers for sectional directors...
PLEASSE e mail me off list and volunteer.

Erlan

Please look in the FILES section for a new folder called Pennsic 2008
which contains the sheet music for 6 out of 8 songs. I dont' have
digital files for the other 2... yet.
There is another file for the MIDI files for the music. Please note
that only one tune is done so far and the others will be up... when
they're done...

SOrry it's taken me so long for this program.

You'll find that for me.........this is an unusual programme... I'm
more of a traditional.... find the obscure.....use as close to
original notation as possible.......kind of director. This time, I
chose music that there is a good chance you might know.... or at elast
know of.

I will have more "original" copies with me at war should anyone want
them. For now... use the copies in the Files section.

The Theme for this concert is "Christmas in August"
I'd like you to get your own folders, red or black is fine with me.
Make sure you have a pencil with you at the rehearsals. All text is
either English, Latin or Spanish... nothing awful to learn this year.
All edits are done in easy to read rhythm........(ack) and the text
is already underlayed.

Clothing is your choice. Remember, it will be very warm on stage so
you may want to keep it light. If you'd like to do a more Holiday
themed clothing, I won't stop you!! Of course, that type of clothing
would be for colder weather.....and for Pennsic.....that might be..
uh.. not comfortable.

OH, there's also a file in there called rehearsal and that contains
the rehearsal details and translations.

At this point I am entertaining volunteers for sectional directors...
PLEASSE e mail me off list and volunteer.

Erlan

Was unable to save or print from Sibelius Scorch as well....

Celaena


--- In KWChoir@yahoogroups.com, marcia plavcan <misbrisby@...> wrote:
>
> Hello,
> I went to the website to print the music and unfortunately I was
unable to print "Lullaby Byrd". If you could please send me a pdf that
would be terrific.
>
> Thank you,
> Marcia
>

Thank you, Eilionóra!

Celaena

>
> If you're itching to get your hands on a non-Sibelius version, you
can go to the cpdl.org website--a website for free choral sheet
music--and type "Lullaby Byrd" into their search box on the main page.
  Click on the first search result, "Lullaby my sweet little baby
(William Byrd)", and that will take you to a page where you can
download a PDF file of the song (third option, CPDL #4339).  As long
as we're using the original key (d minor), that should work for now.
Maybe Erlan can post a copy to the KWC Files later...?
>
> Cheers,
> Eilionóra
>