Tuesday, October 23, 2007

SCOOP and Music/Rehearsal Notes from Elena, Vocalise/Ensemble, October 22th (for rehearsal on Wed. 10/24)

  1. Retreat on Saturday – many thanks! THANKS EVERYONE FOR A WONDERFUL POTLUCK! A special thanks to all the parents who brought food, helped to set up, and helped to clean up, too!
  2. Chaperones needed for November performances
  3. New sound files on Cantabile web site
  4. Rehearsal on Halloween – time adjusted!
  5. Memorization reminder for this Wednesday
  6. Recording at rehearsals – please, help your singer learn!
  7. Rehearsal with Carmina Burana choreographer, Nov. 7th, 6:15-7:15 PM. (Last chance to get measured.)
  8. More about Carmina Burana comp tickets

1. Retreat on Saturday – many thanks! THANKS EVERYONE FOR A WONDERFUL POTLUCK! A special thanks to all the parents who brought food, helped to set up, and helped to clean up, too!

2. We need chaperones for several upcoming performances. Please email Karen (Karen@cantabile.org) if you can help.

FIRST EVENT IN NEED OF CHAPERONES: CARMINA BURANA WITH THE SSV AND SAN JOSE BALLET

DATES:
  • TUESDAY NOV. 13TH, 7:30-9:00 PM – REHEARSAL W/SSV, Center for Performing Arts, San Jose, down town.
  • WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14TH, 7:30-10:00 PM – DRESS REHEARSAL W/SSV, CPA
  • PERFORMANCES:
  • THURSDAY, NOV. 15TH
  • FRIDAY NOV. 16TH
  • SATURDAY NOV. 17TH\
  • SUNDAY, NOV. 18TH
  • CONCERT TIME: 8:05 PM

CALL TIME FOR CHAPERONES: same as singers, most probably 8 PM., SUNDAY 2 PM
(please note: on Thursday the 15th everyone will be coming directly over from the Orff convention performance that occurs at 7 pm before Carmina Burana.)

SECOND EVENT IN NEED OF CHAPERONES: ORFF CONVENTION COMBINED PERFORMANCE WITH INTERMEDIATE CHOIR
  • DATES: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH
  • TIME: 5:00 PM CALL, 7:00 PM PERFORMANCE, DONE AT 7:45
3. Practice Cds: By now, all Ensemble and Vocalise singers should have Cantabile Fall 07 practice Cds. These have been available at the last three rehearsals. Two more sound files are available for download at link http://cantabile.org/youth/chorister/youth.shtml

Please, make sure that your singer has them on his/her player. Thanks much!

4. Halloween rehearsal: at the moment, there are two many singers who are planning to skip the rehearsal on Oct. 31 to go trick or treating. With two very important performance events – National Convention and Carmina with Ballet San Jose, we can’t afford to cancel this rehearsal or to have it with only half of the singers present.

To avoid such scenario, I suggested earlier that we all come to the rehearsal in costumes and go trick-or-treating through the neighborhood in several groups once we are done with the rehearsal.

At the Saturday retreat, I discussed it with the children once again and it seems that about half of them would rather have Halloween with the family or school friends. This is certainly fair so to make everyone happy, here is plan B:

We begin rehearsal with everyone at 4:45 and rehearse without a break until 6:45 (all together). At this point, everyone is released (we skip Vocalise rehearsal and musicianship class.)

5. Memorization: just a gentle reminder that these pieces should be memorized by

Tomorrow, Wed., Oct. 24th:
  • Ma Navu, Lauliki Lapsepoli (by Oct. 24)
  • Bonse Aba, I dream a world, Ombra Mai Fu – Ensemble (by Oct. 17)
  • Libertango – vocalise (Oct. 17th)
To aid memorization, please listen to the practice CD.

6. Recording at the rehearsals:

(If your child has been recording rehearsals and practicing with it, please read no further.)

Kind parents, we really need your help here – there are still 10-12 kids are not bring a recorder to class. Some forgot to bring it to class, some said they still don’t have them. This is really important – your child’s ability to practice efficiently at home is much better if she/he has a recording to review. Thank you for your help.


7. Upcoming Session with the choreographer -- reminder:

Dennis Nahat, the artistic director of Ballet San Jose, will be coming to our regular scheduled rehearsal on Nov. 7th, to choreograph our movement on stage in Carmina Burana performances. He will take 6:15 to 7:15 to work with the children.

It is crucial that all singers scheduled to perform in the ballet are in attendance.

8. Ticket orders for Carmina Burana:

Dear all,

Take a breath before your read this. We are very grateful to the Ballet for

Extending this generous offer to us but it comes with a few tricks. Before ordering, please read the information our manager at the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale found out after speaking with the box office more than once. Good luck!

PS. Please note that Cantabile office will not be handling ticket orders. Thank you.

According to the BSJ box office:

1) The orders must be submitted in person at one of the three location specified on the form.

First, 1717 Technology Drive hard to find, and then the box office at 1717 is even harder. The building is on the 87 side of Technology Drive (not the First St side) and to the south of Skyport (not the Courtyard Hotel side). And the box office is waaaaay to the left as you enter the driveway. You'll see a big sign for AMTSJ box office but no signage for the ballet. Follow signs for AMTSJ

2) You should mark the section(s) you want for each request unless you want "best available" for all tickets, regardless of full or half price.

3. They will not fulfill these ticket orders on the spot. They collect them in a first-come, first-served order and then fill them in batches, but they couldn't say when exactly they would start filling them. Since you have to trust the box office to read and understand what you mean, be as clear as possible on the form.

4. They're only collecting the forms right now. Once they fill them they *call* you to tell you what seats you got.

5.Both comp tickets must be for the same performance.

6. The up-to-four discount tickets and extra full-price price tickets requested on the form must be for the same performance. These do NOT have to be for the comp performance. If you want additional full-price tickets for a different performance, make your own individual purchase via the web or BSJ box office.

7. BSJ will begin processing the tickets about two weeks prior to the first performance. All tickets will be at will-call prior to the specified performance.

8. Families could help each other out with those additional full-price tix if someone were willing to organize a group order for each performance to handle Cantabile overflow.

The ballet's group ticket order policy on their website is:
  • Groups of 10 or more qualify for group benefits. Groups NEVER pay handling charges. That's an immediate savings of $5 per ticket!
  • Groups of 10 to 19 receive an additional $3 off. Groups of 20 to 39 receive an additional $5 off. And Groups of 40 or more receive a healthy $7 off per ticket!
Whew!! That’s a lot of information.
Thank you! Please don’t hesitate to write or call with any questions.

Elena Sharkova
(408) 230-2232
Elena@cantabile.org

Monday, October 15, 2007

Weekly SCOOP 10/17/07, Voc/Ens

  1. Retreat reminder and potluck sign ups
  2. Ticket discount info for Carmina Burana
  3. 2008 performance clarification

1. FALL DAY RETREAT

  • WHEN: Sat., October 20th
  • TIME:
  • 11:00 am – 3:30 pm.
    11:00 – 12 pm Joint Rehearsal with Intermediate choir
    12:00 – 1 pm performance for parents and potluck for parents/singers
    1:00 -- 3:30 Rehearsal, Ensemble and Vocalise
  • WHERE: Foothills Congregational Parish Hall
  • ATTIRE: Top -- Cantabile T-shirts (casual) if you have them, bottom -- whatever pants/shorts/etc that is comfy for you!
  • What to Bring: ALL music, pencils, your recording devise (tape recorder, iPod with microphone, mp3 digital recorder.)

POTLUCK SIGN UPS - Please bring a dish to share!
Please bring your item directly into the church kitchen (next to the Parish Hall), and help set up on the counter. We need 2-3 parents on hand to help with the arrival of food at 12 noon. We also need 5-6 parents to help clean up. (please email Karen@cantabile.org if you can help)

Please also remember to pick up your dish and serving utensil afterwards!
Last names
  • A-F: Entrees,
  • G-K: Dessert,
  • L-P: Drinks,
  • Q-U: Salads,
  • V-Z: Appetizers

2. Comp/discount policy for Carmina Burana singers
Each member of the Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale and the Cantabile Youth Singers is entitled to...
  • Comps: 2 Orchestra seats for either Thursday or Friday’s performances.
  • Discounts: Corporate Discount of $7 off plus waiving of handling fees (saves another $6) on up to six tickets in sections 2 or 3 FOR ANY PERFORMANCE. No discounts in Dress Circle or rear of house.
  • Must call the box office at 408.288.2800 or visit during regular business hours at 1717 Technology Drive off Highway 87 and Skyport in San Jose

3. Grace Cathedral Clarification
We have applied for a performance in 2008 and when we know the results of that application we will let you know!

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Sunday, October 07, 2007

Weekly SCOOP 10/10/07, Voc/Ens

  1. Retreat (Oct. 20th) info – please note dismissal time is 3:30 PM
  2. Orff photo release forms
  3. Practice Cds
  4. Music Folders
  5. Lost Cd (musicianship book)
  6. Note from Elena (also please note - there is a link to repertoire list with this SCOOP)

1. FALL DAY RETREAT
  • WHEN: Sat., October 20th
  • TIME:
  • 11:00 am – 3:30 pm. (Please note slight change in times)
    11:00 – 12 pm Joint Rehearsal with Intermediate choir
    12:00 – 1 pm performance for parents and potluck for parents/singers
    1:00 -- 3:30 Rehearsal, Ensemble and Vocalise
  • WHERE: Foothills Congregational Parish Hall
  • ATTIRE: Top -- Cantabile T-shirts (casual) if you have them, bottom -- whatever pants/shorts/etc that is comfy for you!
  • What to Bring: ALL music, pencils, your recording devise (tape recorder, iPod with microphone, mp3 digital recorder.)
  • Potluck assignments will be sent out the week before the event.

2. ORFF PHOTO RELEASE FORMS NEEDED
As you know, Cantabile Youth Singers will be performing at the North American Orff-Schulwerk Conference (Nov. 15, San Jose Convention Center.) The organizers are requesting a photo release form from all our singers. Such release enables them to use any photos of Cantabile taken at the conference for further publicity. (And what a great publicity for us!) Please visit our website and print up the form, fill out, and return to Shane or Elena at rehearsal this week. Thank you very much!

The direct link to the web page is: http://www.cantabile.org/youth/admin/forms.shtml, Look under “photo release form”

3. Practice Cds
If your singer didn’t get the practice CD last week, please remind him/her to
Get one this Wed. The Cds are made as a practicing tool and have to be returned at the end of the season. Many thanks to Diane Alexander for helping with CD duplication!

4. Music Folders:
By now, all children should have a black 3 ring binder with music. Please make sure that all pieces are hole-punched and arranged in the binder. Every piece must have your singer’s name on the front page (upper right corner.)

5. Someone left an Cd from the yellow Musicianship book last week. Please pick it up at the front table

6. Note from Elena:

Dear Parents,

One more time – thank you for coming to the Parent meeting on Sept. 26th. It was truly great to see you. Several of you asked me to send some of the details I talked about at the meeting in writing and I am happy to oblige!

a) Recording at rehearsals:
This season, all Ensemble/Vocalise singers are asked to bring a recording device to rehearsals. This can be a tape recorder (I got mine at Walgreens for $26 a few months ago), a digital recorder, an iPod with a microphone or anything else that can record and play back.

How does this work: At certain times during a rehearsal, I ask singers to turn their recorders on to record a difficult melodic passage, rhythm or text pronunciation. The singers then will review and practice those bits at home.

b) Two performances on the same date:
It is true – we have two performances on Thursday, November 15th. One is at the Association of Orff-Schulwerk Convention, the other is the opening night of Carmina Burana with Ballet San Jose. What makes it possible to do both is the short (walking) distance between San Jose Convention Center (Orff) and Center for Performing Arts (Ballet.)

We are done singing at the Convention Center at 7:40 pm and have to get to CPA by 8:05 to get dressed for Carmina. There is another short ballet on the program prior to Carmina Burana; also, the children do not walk on stage until movement15 of Carmina (no earlier than 8:45.) It will be tight but very exciting.

c) Repertoire Progress form:
Last week, all children were given a list of all music we currently are working on. The remarks next to each piece state where we are in rehearsing it, i.e. “notes and rhythms learned, text to be introduced,” “everyone to learn his/her part from mr. 1 to 15.” Also, please note advanced warnings like “to be memorized by …” and suggesting on how to practice efficiently.

This updated sheet is available for download as a PDF [83k]. It is also available from the website under Youth Singers Resources. Anytime your singer misses a rehearsal or forgets what to practice for next week, the answers are there.

d) Musicianship Class (5:00-5:45):
A gentle reminder – musicianship class is very important and not to be missed or be late to. It is essential for every singer’s growth as an independent singer.

We increased the time given to the musicianship class from 30 min to 45 to recognize the importance of this training and to increase the curriculum.

Thank you again for supporting Cantabile! It is a privilege to work with your children!

Elena

Monday, October 01, 2007

Weekly SCOOP 10/3/07, Voc/Ens

  1. Uniforms
  2. Annual Fall Retreat reminder, Saturday, Oct. 20th, 11:00 am to 3 pm – please note slight time change
  3. Fall 07 Commitment form
  4. Carmina Burana Costume Fitting this Wed. Oct. 3d
  5. Yellow theory book – payment due (selected students, see below)
  6. Update on 2007-2008 season

Thanks for attending our Back to Cantabile night, and an extra thanks to our parents who brought food!! It was wonderful seeing all of you, and thank you again for all the time and energy you share with our organization.

1. UNIFORMS
October is upon us – please make sure you have turned in all forms, including your uniform form.

2. RETREAT REMINDER
  • WHEN: Sat., October 20th
  • TIME:
    11:00 am – 3:30 pm. (Please note slight change in times)
    11:00 – 12 pm Joint Rehearsal with Intermediate choir
    12:00 – 1 pm performance for parents and potluck for parents/singers
    1:00 -- 3:30 Rehearsal, Ensemble and Vocalise
  • WHERE: Foothills Congregational Parish Hall
  • ATTIRE: Top -- Cantabile T-shirts (casual) if you have them, bottom -- whatever pants/shorts/etc that is comfy for you!
  • What to Bring: ALL music, pencils, your recording devise (tape recorder, iPod with microphone, mp3 digital recorder.)
  • Potluck assignments will be sent out the week before the event.

3. Please find attached a Word document containing Fall 2007 Ensemble/Vocalise commitment Form. The form can also be downloaded on Cantabile website at http://cantabile.org/youth/admin/forms.shtml

Please fill the form out and return electronically to Elena Sharkova (Elena@cantabile.org) immediately. If for some reason, you are not able to download, a hard copy of the commitment form will be available at the rehearsal on Wed., Oct. 3d. Again, please return it to Elena at the end of the rehearsal.

4. Costumes Ballet San Jose Costume Director, Maggie Heaman, will be at our rehearsal this week from 5:30 to 6:30 to measure the singers for the Carmina Burana costumes. This is the only fitting appointment so please don’t be late.

5. Copies of a new musicianship/theory book (yellow) have been distributed to most of the Ensemble singers. The cost is $13 – please give a check, cash or credit card information to Elena or Shane this Wed. at the rehearsal. Thanks a lot!

6. 2007-2008 Season, calendar update:

  1. Bol’shoi Ballet Nutcracker – please note change of date: Dec. 23, Sunday, performances 3 and 7 pm. Time of the morning rehearsal on stage TBD.
  2. Grace Cathedral Concert “Voices for Peace” – rescheduled for Oct. 2008
  3. Hosting German Children’s Choir from Schaumburg: there was a miscommunication of the dates of their trip. German singers are coming on Oct. 28th in 2008 NOT 2007. Sorry for this confusion!