Untitled #38

Well Fall Break definitely wasn't a break for me.  I didn't even get to see my family or any of my friends...what a joke. But! I did get to practice Animal Crackers on numerous occasions.  Its funny because I even found myself singing it at work and substituting in words more appropriate to what I wanted to eat at the moment.  Needless to say Ive bee having fun with this song, but honestly...uhg! Ive been having the hardest time getting into Waldesgespracht.  I dont even know why because I love that song and I love the melody but I have absolutely been dragging my feet about looking at the words.  Its probably because I am lazy. I hate this.

Untitled #37

Recently Ive been working on Waldesgespracht and Animal Crackers (my newest addition).  Ive sang Animal Crackers before but this is more a matter of remembering everything correctly.  My main concern was all the runs and accidentals that happen in that song.  I am not so concerned about the words.  It is likely that I might mix a couple around here n there or that I might forget what comes next, but these problems are all easily fixed with some review.

NATS grocery list

This week has been spent working on Non so piu.  The main items of concern right now are the Dental T's, wide (but not pushy) mouth space and delivery, and bright tones.  Ive noticed that as I ascend into my range I get brighter and that's not necessarily a fall back for all songs.  I want my tone to become richer but not pushy or throaty.  There must be a happy medium.  I also must be conscious of what I am singing and be technical.  There is not reason why I should completely forget my diction while performing.  Thats just silly.  I must never ever sing on auto pilot.  I must also relax and let it happen and try not to control everything.  Also, I must not forget!! Review! Review! Review! and...push the tempo on Reward...don't let it drag. AND! Sell the story.  Be an actress.  Become the character in the song.

Untitled #36

This week has been very crazy! For most of the beginning of the week, I have been working on Non so Piu and reviewing Reward for NATS coming up very soon.  Everything is sounding and feeling pretty good for me so far.  The only concerns I have are that I will either be too heavy or too bright with Non so Piu.  Its easier for me in the upper part of my range if I have it brighter but it detracts from the song.  Also, the pronunciation or the dental T's.  I feel that I am missing them and I dont want to have to think very hard about it.  When I sing this, I want to be very much into the character and not so much concentrating on little technicalities.  There are also a few places where my notes arent as they should be and some of the words get mixed up.  Despite these, however, I am not worried.  I feel that this is a very strong piece and that it has alot of potetial.  I will continue work on this song and perfect it.  Last year at NATS I went without any expectations and I did better than I ever expected.  This year, I have high expectations for myself.  I view this as a learning experience and I also realize that sometimes no matter how much work you put into something there will be someone better than you.  If I dont meet my expectations.  I wont be crushed or upset, I will only take it in stride.

Untitled #35

This week I've been focusing on Aus Meinen and Non so Piu.  At the center of that has been basically just reviewing the lyrics and what notes I took on each piece last year.  I've been having trouble getting that momentum in my upper range lately for Non so Piu.  I don't want to push but I feel like I am when I get up there and when I don't push, I cant make it and it sounds just gawd awful.  I feel like some of this might me lack of sleep and such.  Also just because I getting back into the swing of things and once Ive been singing for a while and I'm rolling with the punches I'll get my groove back.  As for Aus Meinen, I feel like things have been going pretty well.  I remember the lyrics quite clearly and as far as singing it...I have no complaints (others might while I'm in the shower at 2am...ha!).  Singing it is so easy.  Its just not as difficult for me too keep it bright in the lower range and not let it get too heavy.  I feel like I connect with the lyrics and so far so good.  I'm not worried about this song at all.  Non so Piu... I am a little worried about however because I just don't feel a whole lot of confidence in my upper range yet.  It scares me.  Sometimes I open the door just a crack (metaphorically speaking) and I can see that creature in there so I slam it shut.  One of these days, I will tame it.

Elder Joseph Brackett

Elder Joseph Brackett

Joseph Brackett wrote the lyrics of the Shaker dancing song "Simple Gifts" in 1848, which has become an internationally loved tune, both through his original version, and many of its adaptations. The song was largely unknown outside of Shaker communities until Aaron Copland used the melody in his 1944 composition Appalachian Spring. Brackett was born in 1797 and died 1882 as a member of the Shakers at Gorham, Maine. His father's farm was the nucleus of the Shaker settlement at the time.

Mark Hayes- arranger

Mark Hayes

Hayes was born in Ladysmith, Wisconsin on March 28, 1953 . After receiving a bachelor's degree in piano performance from Baylor University, he entered a career in composing and arranging music. He has written numerous choral arrangements of sacred music, and published several books of arrangements for solo singers and solo piano.