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JOIN US - T.C.S.C. Music Staff - Goals, Learning Tips and Music Notes ABOUT THE MUSIC STAFF
LEARNING NEW MUSIC - GOALS
UNIT SOUND
TAPING TIPS
ABOUT THE MUSIC STAFF: The Music Staff includes the Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director and the Music Committee. They meet monthly prior to rehearsals or as needed to discuss the musical needs of the chorus. The duties of this team includes:
  • Assist the Director with music and arrangement selection for competition, shows, and performances
  • New member auditions and evaluations including a status letter to singer after this audition
  • Oversee, provide and plan chorus music education and opportunities for individual vocal coaching
  • Selecting and booking coaches for the betterment of the chorus musical product
  • Selection and training of Section Leaders, Tape Evaluators including evaluating member tapes for competition and performance qualification
  • Long range planning/monitoring of the chorus musical progress and goals
  • Quartet promotion and performance auditions
  • Overseeing the maintenance of the Music Library and Learning Tapes
The Chair has responsibility to oversee the musical status of the chorus. She works very closely with the Director. She is always available to answer questions and to assist in any musical manner possible. She is a member of the Show Committee.
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LEARNING NEW MUSIC PLAN + GOALS - TWIN CITIES CHORUS IS ON THE MOVE! from Judy Olson, Director

To assist you in learning and perfecting your music you will need:
  • a positive attitude
  • a hand-held tape recorder
  • extra batteries
  • cassette tapes (sometimes 30 min tapes avail. for $1)
In time, your recorder will become your very best friend!

I truly believe that all of us want to become the best that we can be. To help you realize that goal, the music staff is implementing an approach to learning music that hopefully will help all of us reach a higher level of performance.

THE PLAN FOR PRESENTING AND LEARNING NEW MUSIC

A teaching quartet will receive copies of the new music several weeks in advance and work with the director and/or coach to establish basic interpretation and tempo. This may take two to three rehearsals.

The teaching quartet, with the director present, will make part dominant learning tapes for the new song.

WEEK 1: The new music will be presented to the chorus by the teaching quartet. Each chorus member will purchase a learning tape for $1.00.
WEEK 2: During the next 2 rehearsals there will be 1) a section rehearsal, and 2) a mini chorus or duet rehearsal
WEEK 3: All chorus members will be off of the music. Each chorus member will make a tape of this music to turn into her tape evaluator.

THE GOAL IS ... ALL SINGERS SINGING ALL OF THE CORRECT NOTES AND WORDS AFTER FOUR WEEKS OF REHEARSALS AND FOREVER AFTER ..... AMEN!

You can do it if you decide that you can and will. There will be plenty of support available through the teaching quartet, learning tapes, section rehearsals and duet or mini chorus rehearsals. LETS DO IT!
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UNIT SOUND from director, Judy Olson

This means that every singer is responsible for evey nuance, every vowel formation, every diphthong turn, every consonant, every emotion and projection of that emotion, every rise and fall within the phrase, every visual move complete with energy, the satiny smooth delivery of lyrics, right notes and correct pitch, and the mental and physical preparation to be and do her best.

Privilege does not come without responsibility -- or better put, responsibility is followed by privilege.

It is a privilege and an honor (envied by many) to sing and perform in our chorus. To really claim and feel that privilege we must, each one of us, be responsible singers, singing as one body -- one body that moves together, one body that feels emotion together, one body that communicates its image and its goals with unanimity -- a strong unit voice.

I am willing to claim and accept the responsibility it takes to direct this exciting group of women. It is my hope that you will truly enjoy the privilege of singing with this incredible performing group by embracing your responsibilities.
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NOW THAT I HAVE A TAPE ... WHAT DO I DO WITH IT? OR: HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT LEARNER
  • Always have your "tools" handy - tape recorder, extra (good) batteries, pencil, eraser, highlighter and a supply of tapes or a digital recorder.
  • Mark your part with a highlighter
  • Refrain from singing or humming until the director asks for your section
  • Always write down the note changes for all parts (in pencil)
  • Mentally follow along with the words being sung by other parts
  • Mark octaves you sing with other parts and be especially careful to tune with them at these spots
  • In places where you're having trouble, stop singing and just listen
  • Listen to directions
  • When you must be absent, always send along a tape and a recorder to rehearsal with a friend. You never know when a new song might be taught or you might miss important interpretation changes
Steps to "at home" learning or reinforcement
  • Play the learning tape, just listening the first time through. Follow along with your pencil on the notes. (Repeat if necessary)
  • Play the tape again, singing softly, continuing to follow along with a pencil on the notes
  • The third time, sing louder, following along with a pencil on the words.
  • Stand up, look at the music and replay the tape. Using good posture and breath support, sing along with the tape. Repeat as many times as necessary. (For additional reinforcement, play and sing along with tape while driving to rehearsal!)
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