EARTH SYMPHONY & GALA
SPRING SEMESTER 2024
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LINK TO ACA REHEARSAL VIDEO YOUTUBE PLAYLIST
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VOICE PARTS AND SPLITS as of January 19, 2024.
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STANDING ORDER CHART coming later
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MARCH - MAY GENERAL REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
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MUSIC, NOTES, AND PERFORMANCE RECORDINGS
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Come to the Woods (Jake Runestad)
Rehearsal Recordings - link to a file with recordings by Amanda Jennings. These were broken up by section of the work, so each part will have several recordings.
NOTES: all splits as marked. MANY variations of tempo, dynamic, and articulation that we will have fun with. Learn it flexible, dramatically, and joyfully!
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Earth Symphony (Jake Runestad)
Rehearsal Recordings - link to site with rehearsal recordings by Zac Sjoberg. Mvts. 2 and 3 available at this time.
NOTES:
This 35-minute work will be conducted by the Central Iowa Symphony conductor, Eric McIntyre. The composer is particularly concerned with triplets in the pieces. He says, "Triplets should always be stretched (as in jazz) and never verge on sounding like a duple rhythm - especially if there is a rest or tie on the first note of the triplet, or if there's a rest or tie before the final note of the triplet." This is particularly tricky in Mvt. 5 mm. 499 - 526 where the conductor and orchestra will be in running duple eighth notes under the chorus.
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SPLITS are as as marked except in the following places:
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Mvt. 1 mm. 17-22. 3-part splits for S/A and T/B
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Mvt. 1 mm. 30-31. 3-part split for TB
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Mvt. 1 mm. 42-44. 3-part split for SA
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Mvt. 1 m. 56. 3-part split for TB
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Mvt. 1 mm. 68-69. 3-part split for S/A and T/B
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Mvt. 2 m. 88. Altos and basses split
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Mvt. 2 m. 186. Sopranos and basses split.
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Mvt. 5 mm. 487-491. Alto split. 3-part T/B.
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So I'll Sing With My Voice (Dominick Argento)
Rehearsal Recordings
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Tenor (taking top note in mm. 64-86)
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Bass (taking low note in mm. 64-78 then giving both bass parts for mm. 79-87)​
NOTES: Two soloists (one S/A, one T/B. Big voices). Tenor/Bass will use a three part split for m. 64 through the first chord of m. 79. Mm. 79-86 will return to a normal T1/T2/B1/B2 split. All other splits as marked.
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Earth Song (Frank Ticheli)
Rehearsal Recordings
NOTES: We will sing this with the Gilbert High School choirs on February 12, then again at the Gala. Lots of rubato and big dynamic contrast - especially to the quieter dynamics.
Wondrous Love (Trad. Southern Folk Hymn, arr. Paul Christiansen)
Rehearsal Recordings:
NOTES: The opening verse will be a section, not solo. Likely sopranos. No splits except for mm. 46-47. We'll work that chord out in rehearsal.
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Londonderry Air (Traditional Irish, arr. Arthur Frankenpohl)
NOTES: No splits. Some portions may be altered to pair this song with Michael Londra at the Gala.
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How Can I Keep From Singing (Robert Lowry, arr. Gwyneth Walker)
Sheet Music for Walker arrangement
Performance Recording for Walker arrangement
Rehearsal Recordings (quite obnoxious MIDI files - sorry!)
NOTES: Use the basic hymn sheet music for words and melody only. We will sing this in a many-part round. For the Walker arrangement, all splits as marked.
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Unclouded Day (J.K. Alwood, arr. Shawn Kirchner)
Rehearsal Recordings
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Phil the Fluter's Ball (Percy French)
NOTES: The choruses of this piece will be sung by the full choir. Small groups will step in for the verses.
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SMALL GROUP PIECES
The Gala is built around the theme of "why we sing" and each song has a role to play in that regard. I have chosen a set of songs based on the suggestions of the ensemble in the fall and that can represent many emotions and styles.
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LINK TO SMALL GROUP DESIGNATIONS
DANCE - LIBERTANGO (Astor Piazzolla). Sung while Val and Larry Williams dance a tango.
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RELAX - BLUE SKIES (Irving Berlin, arr. Steve Degree)
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WORSHIP - MY SPIRIT SANG ALL DAY (Finzi)
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LOVE - AND SO IT GOES (Billy Joel, arr. Bob Chilcott)
NOTES: This will be sung by four small groups spaced around the room. Here is the map for who sings when:
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mm. 1-8 Group A
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mm. 8-16 Group B
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mm. 16-20 Group C (designate soloist)
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mm. 20-24 Group D (designate soloist)
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mm. 24-32 All
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mm. 32-36 Group A (designate soloist)
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mm. 36-40 Group B (designate soloists)
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mm. 40-end All
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STUDY - BOUREE (Bach, arr. Ward Swingle)
Performance Recording - Bouree (faster version)
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ADVOCATE - BREAD AND ROSES (James Opperheim, arr. Jean Baptiste)
Performance Recording - Bread and Roses (Movie version), Bread and Roses SSAA Quartet
NOTES: This will be an additive song with a few voices starting and harmony added as more join. See the movie scene below for a reference. Soprano and alto voices will start and a small group is designated, but anyone who wishes will be able to join in the end. We will make decisions about how/when harmony is added and who sings what part. This sheet music is just a guide.
IMPORTANT: There will be at least two word changes. In measure 8 for the 2nd verse, change to "we stand with them again." In measure 9, 4th verse, change to "the rising of us all."
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GROW - PARTITA FOR 8 VOICES, PASSACAGLIA (Roomful of Teeth/Caroline Shaw)