Note from Miss Debbie:
Overall, I felt like rehearsal went fairly well. It was very encouraging to see how well everyone did tonight. That being said, I recognize that there is still much work to be done. Along those lines, I have quite a few notes to pass along to the cast members. Song by song, here they go.
Preludium: "Donec ponam . . . " - Shallow sound, pitch not matching. Ladies, you MUST ALL USE TALL VOWELS!!
"De torrente . . . " - Couldn't be understood at all, mostly due to not being together. Watch each other carefully...and listen.
Morning Hymn - Move, move, move the beginnings of phrases! Mother Abbess, that will have to come from you. But, you must also stay together; otherwise, it turns into a train wreck. Also, you must listen and balance your sound. Sister Sophia, sing a little louder on that final, high note.
Alleluia - Nice job in general. Tempo could be just a little faster. Remember to accent the first beat of each measure slightly more than the other two beats.
Maria: Ahhhhhh!! Excellent! The CD rushed you guys at the end. Don't worry about it. Take your time (within reason) with those luscious chords, and we'll stop the CD, then restart when you're holding your last chord.
My Favorite Things: Mother Abbess, try to keep this light and fun with a lilting, dancing feeling. Watch your first few pitches. You've been missing them only recently. Just settle in and have fun with your "childhood song". It's fun to watch the two of you!
I Have Confidence: Maria, your breathing is getting better. Keep doing those strengthening exercises. As you move into the key change, you have a couple of measure to take a big, cleansing, relaxing breath to help you attack the final part of the song. Good job!
Do-Re-Mi: Maria, when you sing "oh, oh, oh" that first time, try to accent and separate each of those a little.
Do-Re-Mi Encore: Brigittas, when you sing alone back to Maria "anything", use the same Do-Re-Mi pitch we hear throughout the rest of the song.
All Children: When you get to the section where each of you holds out "Do", "Re", "Mi", and so on, please listen carefully to be sure you get and keep the correct pitch. Also, review your harmony notes at the end. Overall, very good job!
Sixteen Going on Seventeen: Rolf, watch the sliding up/down to pitches in the beginning. Listen carefully to stay on tempo in that first section of the song. Also, when you sing "wait a year or two", keep it light, not heavy on your voice. That will help you nail those higher pitches. Very good work considering how little we've actually worked together on this piece....impressive.
Liesl: Project more on lower pitches. Those low notes were getting lost in the orchestration. Well done, kiddo.
The Lonely Goatherd: Maria/Liesl, excellent duet!! Children, you're wonderful!
How Can Love Survive?: Marilyn, whenever you speak-sing, pitch your voice up rather than down. Nice coverage when you realized Max wasn't going to sing his "capital gains" line. Good job, you two.
Reprise: Sound of Music: Much better staying on tempo, although the longer you sang, the slower you were trying to sing it. Keep listening to the orchestration and stay on tempo. Keep working those notes and harmonies....we're getting there!
Soloists, enter without hesitation or slowing the tempo down. It MUST keep moving so you can stay with the orchestration.
Captain, watch your pitch as you come in. Once you've sung the first couple of phrases, you're good. Listen to the orchestration there. If I'm not terribly mistaken, it actually plays your notes. On the end, the tempo doesn't slow quite as much as you think.....just listen carefully. Really good keeping it moving, otherwise.
So Long, Farewell: All Children, sing on "to you" in the beginning.
Marta, correct entrance on your solo. Just be confident.....you've got this!
Gretl, slow your solo down just a little bit. You rock!
Morning Hymn: Nice work overall, ladies! Sop I, a little louder throughout; Sop II, a little softer throughout. Listen carefully for balance. I'll say again, ladies, TALL VOWELS!!! They're way too pop-sounding at times. You know I love you!
Climb Ev'ry Mountain: Mother Abbess, "mountain" is always pronounced "mawn-tehn". When you sing it in your lower register, the pronunciation sometimes gets warped somewhat. Don't breathe before the first "dream"; breathe before "your" that time. Second time is fine. I know you're trying to get as much air as possible for that final high note. You're awesome!
As I said, all in all, tonight was very pleasing. We'll keep working together as we have been already. We're SO close, gang! I'm very, very proud of how far we've come.....don't let up on the excellent work now! YOU'RE ALL WONDERFUL!!!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Please read
Wednesday afternoon, Nov 16: Set painting and construction from 2pm until done. We are also available to run lines or answer questions regarding blocking.
Thursday, Nov 17: Run Act I on stage - All Cast
Off book, please! No lines will be given on Thursday.
Saturday, Nov 19 Rehearsal 9am - 4pm
9-12 Run show with Green Cast.
12-1 Lunch
1-4 Run show with Blue Cast. (If you have a Saturday afternoon rehearsal for a children's show, please let me know, and I will have you come Saturday morning.)
NOTE: It was pointed out to me that we really need an extra rehearsal on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend for the Green Cast, or they won't be adequately prepared for their show Saturday evening. This is the day after opening night. We will not run the entire show, but we will run every scene that has anything to do with the children. I am calling Captain and Maria, Green Cast of Von Trapp children, Max, Sister Margaretta, Franz, and Frau Schmidt. Dancers are optional, but it's an opportunity for some extra practice. I will not call the rest of the nuns/postulants/novices that morning. Right now I'm looking at a 10:00 am rehearsal, but I will talk with everyone on Thursday evening.
Thursday, Nov 17: Run Act I on stage - All Cast
Off book, please! No lines will be given on Thursday.
Saturday, Nov 19 Rehearsal 9am - 4pm
9-12 Run show with Green Cast.
12-1 Lunch
1-4 Run show with Blue Cast. (If you have a Saturday afternoon rehearsal for a children's show, please let me know, and I will have you come Saturday morning.)
NOTE: It was pointed out to me that we really need an extra rehearsal on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend for the Green Cast, or they won't be adequately prepared for their show Saturday evening. This is the day after opening night. We will not run the entire show, but we will run every scene that has anything to do with the children. I am calling Captain and Maria, Green Cast of Von Trapp children, Max, Sister Margaretta, Franz, and Frau Schmidt. Dancers are optional, but it's an opportunity for some extra practice. I will not call the rest of the nuns/postulants/novices that morning. Right now I'm looking at a 10:00 am rehearsal, but I will talk with everyone on Thursday evening.
Music Notes from Thursday
Debbie was able to give several music notes out personally, so we won't repeat those.
Max and Elsa please review lyrics in How Can Love Survive
Blue Cast von Trapp Children:
Sound of Music Reprise: Work on your pitches for the middle and low voices. Also, the tempo is faster than you think. Don't let it drag.
So Long, Farewell: Listen carefully to stay on tempo
Make "...to you.." louder, but pretty.
Words are getting jumbled up - please review before Saturday, when does line end with goodbye, when adieu, etc.
Marta solo - sing faster, with music.
Kurt solo - enter sooner, sing faster, with music
Gretl solo - slow down, stay with the music. It's slower for your part
Green Cast von Trapp Children:
Lonely Goatherd: Friedrich, careful of pitches on yodel.
Maria/Liesl duet, careful of pitches Sing them slower to nail them down, then gradually speed up.
Sound of Music Reprise: Pitches - low voices please work on pitches. Also, for everyone, tempo is faster than you think.
So Long, Farewell: Listen carefully to stay on tempo
Make "...to you." louder, but still pretty.
Everyone, please review the words.
Friedrich - stay on tempo with music
Liesl - enter sooner, stay on tempo. Wait a little longer on your spoken "yes?"
All children - slow down last sung line.
Max and Elsa please review lyrics in How Can Love Survive
Blue Cast von Trapp Children:
Sound of Music Reprise: Work on your pitches for the middle and low voices. Also, the tempo is faster than you think. Don't let it drag.
So Long, Farewell: Listen carefully to stay on tempo
Make "...to you.." louder, but pretty.
Words are getting jumbled up - please review before Saturday, when does line end with goodbye, when adieu, etc.
Marta solo - sing faster, with music.
Kurt solo - enter sooner, sing faster, with music
Gretl solo - slow down, stay with the music. It's slower for your part
Green Cast von Trapp Children:
Lonely Goatherd: Friedrich, careful of pitches on yodel.
Maria/Liesl duet, careful of pitches Sing them slower to nail them down, then gradually speed up.
Sound of Music Reprise: Pitches - low voices please work on pitches. Also, for everyone, tempo is faster than you think.
So Long, Farewell: Listen carefully to stay on tempo
Make "...to you." louder, but still pretty.
Everyone, please review the words.
Friedrich - stay on tempo with music
Liesl - enter sooner, stay on tempo. Wait a little longer on your spoken "yes?"
All children - slow down last sung line.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Thursday, 11/10
More costumes for the children are in, and we need the kids to please come in as close to 6:15 as possible Thursday evening.
Parents and male cast members: WE NEED HELP with set construction. Please consider this a family affair. We have a BEAUTIFUL show, and now we need the frame to put it in. We need to be able to get the set finished this week. We are generally building all day and all evening, every spare moment. We need to be able to paint next week.
Thursday, 11/10 7:00 - 9:30
SCENE WORK - Act I, Sc 7 - 11 Maria, Captain, von Trapp Children, Max, Elsa, Franz, Ursula, Frau Schmidt, Herr Zeller, Baron Elberfeld, Baronness Elberfeld, dancing couples, Rolf
SET CONSTRUCTION - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 7pm - 10pm (or call 832-630-2180 to see if we're building at other times. Friday, we'll be working all day during the day. Saturday, we'll need to be running scenes on the stage, but there will still be some platforms that we'll need to construct that can be done in the adjacent workspace.
Parents and male cast members: WE NEED HELP with set construction. Please consider this a family affair. We have a BEAUTIFUL show, and now we need the frame to put it in. We need to be able to get the set finished this week. We are generally building all day and all evening, every spare moment. We need to be able to paint next week.
Thursday, 11/10 7:00 - 9:30
SCENE WORK - Act I, Sc 7 - 11 Maria, Captain, von Trapp Children, Max, Elsa, Franz, Ursula, Frau Schmidt, Herr Zeller, Baron Elberfeld, Baronness Elberfeld, dancing couples, Rolf
SET CONSTRUCTION - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 7pm - 10pm (or call 832-630-2180 to see if we're building at other times. Friday, we'll be working all day during the day. Saturday, we'll need to be running scenes on the stage, but there will still be some platforms that we'll need to construct that can be done in the adjacent workspace.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
A few notes:
SURPRISE!! A few of you were surprised today to find that you aren't as confident with your lines/blocking/choreography as you thought you were! Some of you have actually digressed in scenes that you previously had secure. This is not uncommon at all, but it is a warning. You must run EVERY LINE, EVERY DAY. Have someone check your lines with you... EVERY DAY. Generally, I have been very please by the work ethic and professionalism of this cast. Every rehearsal, I am convinced the show is beautifully cast and that, once again, God brought us exactly who we needed. You are talented, nice to each other, and hard working. Please don't let up now.
Kids, please WRITE DOWN your blocking and choreography. It is extremely discouraging to have to tell a few of you the same things every time we get to a particular scene. Parents, please check your children's scripts and make sure they have blocking and choreography notes. If not, chances are your child is one who is having difficulty retaining this information.
LOOKING AHEAD: We WILL have rehearsal from 9:00 am - noon and from 1pm - 4pm on Saturday, November 19. I had asked you to hold that date open. We will run the show in the morning, then change children and run the show in the afternoon. Please let me know immediately if it is IMPOSSIBLE for your child to be there that afternoon
ALSO: We WILL be having rehearsal on Wednesday, November 23 before we open.
We WILL NOT be having rehearsal on Thursday, November 24, Thanksgiving.
I encourage the children to take daytime classes Thanksgiving week that don't require extensive memorization of lines. Some of you are already trying to do two concurrent shows, and I would discourage you from taking on an additional line load at this time just before your show opens.
Kids, please WRITE DOWN your blocking and choreography. It is extremely discouraging to have to tell a few of you the same things every time we get to a particular scene. Parents, please check your children's scripts and make sure they have blocking and choreography notes. If not, chances are your child is one who is having difficulty retaining this information.
LOOKING AHEAD: We WILL have rehearsal from 9:00 am - noon and from 1pm - 4pm on Saturday, November 19. I had asked you to hold that date open. We will run the show in the morning, then change children and run the show in the afternoon. Please let me know immediately if it is IMPOSSIBLE for your child to be there that afternoon
ALSO: We WILL be having rehearsal on Wednesday, November 23 before we open.
We WILL NOT be having rehearsal on Thursday, November 24, Thanksgiving.
I encourage the children to take daytime classes Thanksgiving week that don't require extensive memorization of lines. Some of you are already trying to do two concurrent shows, and I would discourage you from taking on an additional line load at this time just before your show opens.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Bios are past due
I have not heard from the following cast members. Please email ASAP.
J
David B.
Bob
Matt
Hannes
Jessica
True
Hannah
Meredith
Debbie
J
David B.
Bob
Matt
Hannes
Jessica
True
Hannah
Meredith
Debbie
Music Rehearsals
I REALLY appreciate how hard all of you are working on your music! We had a good rehearsal tonight.
KIDS: We will be running "Sound of Music reprise" at the beginning of every rehearsal from now on, so that it's easy for you. Since Brigitta has a lot of lines, Miss Debbie and I decided that the Marta's will do the first part of the solo, and the Louisa's will have the second part of the solo.
Some of you had some "oh, yeah!" moments during choreography today, especially during the Goatherd song. Please go back over your choreography notes. If you can't remember, ask someone BEFORE the next rehearsal.
Please continue to listen to all the songs on your CD - and do your choreography at home!
NUNS: The following solos have been decided in the opening number:
Solo #1 - Amy Buchanan (Meredith will do the solo the one show you miss)
Solo #2 - Lauren Slater
Solo #3 - Carolyn Venable
It is CRITICAL that you continue to review your Latin pronunciations! Please - this is important, and the von Trapps were not living in Texas!
During the wedding processional, I will see if we have time to get Mother Abbess and the other lead nuns up to the platform before the Gaudeamus begins. If not, you will still be singing as you climb the stairs.
CAPTAIN AND MARIA: You make me smile!
EVERYONE: I cannot WAIT until our audiences hear this music and see all of you on stage! We are at a good place right now, but this is not time to let up, so keep listening to your CDs.
As always, two things I expect:
1) Do your job
2) Be a pleasure to be around
KIDS: We will be running "Sound of Music reprise" at the beginning of every rehearsal from now on, so that it's easy for you. Since Brigitta has a lot of lines, Miss Debbie and I decided that the Marta's will do the first part of the solo, and the Louisa's will have the second part of the solo.
Some of you had some "oh, yeah!" moments during choreography today, especially during the Goatherd song. Please go back over your choreography notes. If you can't remember, ask someone BEFORE the next rehearsal.
Please continue to listen to all the songs on your CD - and do your choreography at home!
NUNS: The following solos have been decided in the opening number:
Solo #1 - Amy Buchanan (Meredith will do the solo the one show you miss)
Solo #2 - Lauren Slater
Solo #3 - Carolyn Venable
It is CRITICAL that you continue to review your Latin pronunciations! Please - this is important, and the von Trapps were not living in Texas!
During the wedding processional, I will see if we have time to get Mother Abbess and the other lead nuns up to the platform before the Gaudeamus begins. If not, you will still be singing as you climb the stairs.
CAPTAIN AND MARIA: You make me smile!
EVERYONE: I cannot WAIT until our audiences hear this music and see all of you on stage! We are at a good place right now, but this is not time to let up, so keep listening to your CDs.
As always, two things I expect:
1) Do your job
2) Be a pleasure to be around
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