Thursday, July 28
Lights out was 10:00pm last night so the singers hopefully took advantage of that and got some good sleep. We were up and at it and left our flats by 8:00am for rehearsal. The morning rehearsal focused on the pieces they would sing at the Evensong tonight. Two of the pieces, Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis were written by Timothy Noon, a former assistant to Dr. Flood. Another piece, For the Beauty of the Earth (Which we performed at our bon voyage concert) by Philip Stopford was written by another assistant of Mr. Flood’s as well. He told them about the composers which it’s always a treat to learn more about the people whose music you are singing.
When they worked on the Magnificent Mr. Leck was a little disappointed that they weren’t showing much expression and asked what the song was about. He told them they were Mary and they should be smiling and happy knowing they were carrying the Son of God. They tried again and he stopped them saying “Come on you are Mary, you’re pregnant!” That got a chuckle out of the kids, especially the boys! I walked in rehearsal later when he was making references to dogs which I didn’t hear the beginning of it so you will have to ask one of the singers.
While the singers were in rehearsal, our wonderful chaperones did some grocery shopping and showed up at lunchtime with sandwiches, chips and fruit. One way to save the kids money and a welcome change to be able to stay near the Cathedral to eat and relax. Thank you Chaperones!
Following the fun lunch it was time for another performance of three of the choirs; The Calgary Children’s Choir, Roanoke Children’s Choir and The Kentucky Youth Chorale. Wonderful choirs and a great experience for our kids to hear other groups. Mr. C. is already checking with directors to get a repertoire to list to see if we might want to do some of the pieces in the future.
And what did we have to do next? Climb the circular stairway again to the choir room for our clinic with Dr. David Flood. It was described before how small the room is and that where the singers stand about fills the room with the grand piano. The kids were asking how the piano got there …if they had to climb a narrow spiral staircase to get there. “Was it built there?” was one of the questions. David showed them a secret stairway behind some music shelves which lead to a hall way which lead to another section of the chapel and to another normal stairway. Very interesting!
The choir sang Make Me a Channel of Your Piece as the first piece Dr. Flood would evaluate. This song has become a favorite since an FWCC alumnus, Greg Neumann, requested this be one of the songs the choir sang at his wedding in June. (Thanks, Greg) Right away Dr. Flood told them they have a nice sound but they could be so much bigger if they do a few things! First he worked on their projecting of the sound. He explained a lot of how they shape their mouth, how they breathe and their posture all affect their sound. They really have already learned this but how easy it is to forget! He described to imagine they had a mouth full of petro and they were to light it and let the explosion of fire shoot out of their mouth. In regards to posture he asked that they imagine they were guarding the Queen…how straight and proud they would stand. They worked on how they use their mouth for vowels by singing scales using the words ravioli and spaghetti. There were a few giggles but it worked!
As he worked he focused in on a few singers; Kyle had good posture and facials, Clark was singing well and expressive, Morgan was singing great low notes, Hayley had good posture. He commented that Mallory should imagine a string on the top of her head pulling up. She commented that she didn’t have good posture and he told she definitely can if she tried!! He also used the analogy of an Indian woman with a jewel on her forehead. They should project their sound from that jewel. Consonants were next, especially on words at the beginning of phrases. He used Clark several times for examples and after awhile he looked over at him and said “Yes, we’re friends!” He was very personable with them.
The next song was Bist du bei mir. He asked them if they knew what it meant. Wow, the looks on their faces. Caught them of guard! Diction really came into play here. He closed the session by telling them they sound beautiful, but the need to remember to sing more colorful. Use the colors to have more energy and always stand tall. He said they have a fabulous sound and 50 times better than an hour ago! He was pleased and impressed and so were we. We presented Dr. Flood with a CD and a FWCC coffee mug. He was definately excited about the mug !
Following the clinic we went to the crypt which was closed for a funeral during our tour. We had to be in silence and Gavin is not permitted to talk about it during that time. Only official guides of the Cathedral are supposed to be giving information during any tour! Gavin just told us info later!!
Next we decided the kids needed down time. Some went back to the flats and some stayed in town and found a place to just sit and relax. It was a short rest but much appreciated by most.
Evensong was next. The kids sat in the quire portion of the Cathedral. The Australian choir was the official choir for the surface to do responses. Adoramus Te, the Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis were sung as part of the service and Homeland was sung at the end as an anthem. Once the service was over, the organist played a postlude which Mrs. Ator told us later the same song was played as the recessional at her wedding. How sweet.
Again words can’t describe the sound in this magnificent place. Many of the chaperones had tears in their eyes. So moving. We again hope the singers understand the meaning of being part of this tradition that has taken place for 1400 years. (We talked to them about that when we got back to the flats.)
After Evensong, Mrs. Reddy and Mrs. Ceckowski arranged for pizza too be delivered. Dominos in England! A lot of choirs were passing by I think a little jealous!! It again gave our kids some down time without searching the town for a place to eat. Yes there was more rehearsal! They rehearsed in the quire section of the Cathedral to prepare for the concert tomorrow evening.
How are the chaperones and staff holding up? Not too bad. I think Mrs. Treadway must have been a little tired last night when she mentioned in the blog that Mr. Crest did something with the singers! We have a Mrs. Crist NOT a Mr. Crest!!! Today the chaperones took turns with the singers so that some could take some time off and relax and do what they wanted. During evening rehearsal, some took a break and had some time together in town while the other chaperones stayed in rehearsal and took them back to the dorms. I’ve e had a lot of chaperone groups in the many years the choir has been on tour and I must say this is one of the best groups! They are doing a great job filling in as “mum” and dad to the singers. They are well taken care of.
Tomorrow hold more rehearsal, a clinic with Mr. Leck and the concert in the evening which will surely be a highlight of the tour.
Hope these blogs are giving you a small taste of what the children are experiencing. Hope you are enjoying traveling with us on our journey.
