Hi, folks
Schedule time – these dates were out before our last concert, but NOW is the time to make sure everything’s in your calendar.
First of all, please put Tuesday 12 September into your calendar – that’ll be our first rehearsal. We’re back at FRASERVIEW in the Sanctuary. Plan to be there early to meet-and-greet, get music sorted out, deal with any financials – though I hope most of you will have registered for this season online before we start (reminder – go to our website: roca@roca.ca – use the menu in the top righthand corner or scroll down to the black section at the bottom and click on Member Login – login is ROCAisgr8).
We had talked about doing something for Culture Days, but I think instead that we are going to make the September rehearsals open sessions, both for would-be singers, and for potential audience. If you know anybody who might be a possible member, encourage them to come without commitment September 12/19/26. I already know that we’ll be welcoming Pat Hodgins back, and new members Teresa, Cindy, Lea and David.
First formal concert will be the last weekend of October – CLEAN & CLASSIC, on Saturday 28 October. Program will be:
Orchestra – Mozart: Overture to “Don Giovanni”
Orchestra – Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante
intermission
Chorus/chamber orchestra – Mozart: Laudate Dominum
Chorus/chamber orchestra – Vivaldi: Gloria
Tabitha Brasso-Ernst will be our soloist
Our Christmas concert will be on the afternoon of Sunday 10 December – CHRISTMAS AT THE MOVIES – and I think it’ll be mostly Orchestra-led, with Chorus arrangements derived from the orchestral scores.
The spring concert marks my 30th season with ROCA. CONDUCTOR’S CHOICE on April 6. We’ll do some stuff from earlier years, but also some new rep that’s been on my must-do-sometime list, but has never fitted with any of our themed programs. I think you’ll love this rep!
Then on June 8 we’ll offer a program called MAGICAL WORLD OF MUSIC with a focus on your favourite Disney songs – though there’ll be a little Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter to enhance the magic.
I think this is going to be a great season – all we need now is the singers!
Please let me know If there are any of the concert dates that you can’t do, or if you are going to be away for any period of time that might require a re-audition before a concert.
If you know any other singers who might like to join us – encourage them to try-out this month.
And the big reminder, since 2020 – COVID’s not gone away, so we’re going to have to live around it (and around RSV and influenza and colds and all that stuff). If you might be infectious, please call me to let me that you will join us on Zoom. A Zoom rehearsal is not the greatest, but it’s better than missing altogether. However, I will not bring my laptop for Zoom unless I know people will be attending online.
Please email or call me as early as possible to let me know if you’re not coming – don’t tell me at rehearsal; I need it in time so that I can do my seating plan. If I think you’re not ready for a concert or you’ve missed too many rehearsals, I may ask to hear you separately.
For those in rehearsal together, wearing a mask is nobody’s favourite thing, but I am quite happy to see masked faces – whether you mask because you’re protecting others or yourself.
Fall rep recordings:
Mozart Laudate Dominum
Statskappelle Dresden - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL2H162wRCo
– chorus starts at 2.38
Vivaldi Gloria
U of Texas, conducted by my friend Richard - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvZYhxT5Mf8&t=123s
This was the performance at La Pieta we watched together during COVID! -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgaOVV4JQHA&t=6s
There are lots of other recordings, but these are my favourites.
Christmas rep – depends on James’s selections.... What are YOUR favourite Christmas movies?
Looking forward to seeing you all on September 12!
-Brigid
604-790-2367
