Bel Canto NOTES
Bel Canto Notes
REHEARSAL DATE: 11/2/2016
Vol. 7 Issue 6
For Rehearsal 11/9/16
Nutcracker:—
A good way and a bad way to sing ah.
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Take finger from nose down to chin, sing “ah” with eyes bright—that’s how you sing “ah”.
Our first pattern is repeated a total of four times.
Mr. Carr calls this section part 1 and will put up the index finger for “1”.
Make sure you’re hitting the exact pitch and not sliding.
We learned part 1 and 2 of the Nutcracker. Remember, pt. 2 is Pizza Pie. Right?
We must have the open mouth for the “a’s” and please do not “pinch” the last “a” in the phrase.
Warm ups: It is so important that we use our warm ups with care.
 Unison on any note nU, nO, nA is what we need, followed by the Frisbee exercise. It’s fun!
 Listen to each other and blend.
 You have beautiful voices and it’s a pleasure to hear them singing together, in tune. 
90% of ensemble (group) singing is listening.
Pizza: Please, friend, no breath after the first measure, take a breath after “bloom” which is what? The end of the
phrase. What is a phrase? A musical sentence.  We are going to use this as our processional, on the syllable loo.
No breathing after first measure.
To Music:
OPEN W I D E. I want to see your stomach from your mouth. Not really, but I want you to open your mouth!
What makes this song so difficult? Many long notes, and vowels. Need to be the same sound. For example, it will
sound not-so-nice when someone is singing an EE vowel and everyone else is singing an OO Vowel. Right? The class
worked on not sliding their notes on "mu_sic". No sliding, please.
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Check the ACC website for the season schedule and other timely information: www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org
And “hilltops” is sung softly. Lastly, an effort on “from” -- “o” not short “u” sound.
Here is a ‘version’ of the piece. We will be much MUCH better!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwdLol-a3Wo
Carol of the Bells:
 Need to tighten it up
 Will practice in sections next week
This Little Babe:
 Be confident
 Sounded fantastic (but a little thin given there were fewer Bel Cantos present)
 Pronounce 'surprise' like 'surprice'
 Emphasize the c in 'camp'
 Beautiful, challenging piece which is like a wheel rolling from unison to 2-part to 3-part
Wolcum Yole:
 Know the melody through to "square B", bottom of page 7
 Not expecting lyrics to be memorized yet
 Listen to your part on the CD
Be confident and put out some sound!!!
You MUST put some time into this, please
Personent Hodie
 Have part C, the 3 part harmony part COMPLETELY nailed for the coming rehearsal.
 Sophia has the 3rd verse solo.
EMAIL IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. DO NOT WAIT A Week!! [email protected]
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Check the ACC website for the season schedule and other timely information: www.arlingtonchildrenschorus.org