[Choir] Rehearsal this week, and mask news

[Donia Prince]

Hello!

It feels like way too long since we met two weeks ago!!!  But we start
again this Thursday, and then weekly without break for the rest of the
summer (barring storms and other unforeseen circumstances.)

I know there is a chance of rain forecast, but so far it looks light, so
we'll assume it's a go!
6:30 at the North Branch Nature Center.  Feel free to come anytime after 6
to socialize or help set up--we'll start rehearsal promptly at 6:30.  As
before, we will sing with masks for the first part of rehearsal, and sing
maskless for the last half hour.

And speaking of masks, I've been talking with Sam and the ExecutiveTeam.
and they have found money in a little used special music fund to provide
singing masks for the entire choir!  Yay Sam and the ET!  They are being
made now, and should be shipped within a week or so, so there is a chance
we will have them for next week's rehearsal.   This should make the current
necessity of rehearsing with masks much more enjoyable.  And with them,
especially after the Air Quality Project is completed, we should always be
able to sing in person to some extent even if the pandemic hangs on for a
while.   Of course people are welcome to keep using their own masks if they
prefer.
As you might recall, the masks look a little like a duck bill, so I am
taking suggestions for any duck-themed music for us��.

Here's a little taste of one of the pieces handed out at the last rehearsal
(non duck related):  Sing Gently by Eric Whitacre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InULYfJHKI0
Some of you may know that Eric Whitacre is the composer who first developed
and brought virtual choirs into public awareness in 2009.  I'm sure he had
no idea how mainstream they would become!  At the beginning of the pandemic
he wrote this piece and invited singers from around the world to contribute
recordings.  In the end more than 17,000 people did.  It is a gorgeous,
moving piece and quite a bit easier to sing than much of Whitacre's music.
We will probably sing this a bit faster than the recording.

I'm so looking forward to Thursday!
Donia
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