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Cambridge
The AUB
Choir and Choral Society
FAAH 242/243
Choir
Participation Guidelines, Schedule and Syllabus:
Spring
Semester, 2009
Paul Meers,
director; Nicely 403;
pm05@aub.edu.lb, ext. 4041/4351
Rehearsal periods:
Every
Monday, 6.30 – 8.45, Wednesday 11-11.50, and Friday 11 – 11.50. Section
rehearsals may be held on Mondays at 11. Required extra rehearsals as
shown in the schedule.
Registration:
Every
member of the AUB Choir is expected to be registered for credit, because
choir participation teaches a body of musical art and literature, as
well as musical performance skills. Exceptions to this guideline may be
made for non-AUB students, or any student registered for less than 12
credit hours. Non-registered students are expected to participate
fully; absences from rehearsals will result in denial of performance
participation, subject to the discretion of the director.
Music Scores:
Buy
Mendelssohn Lobgesang Symphonie Kantate Choral Score at the AUB
Bookstore, for course no. FAAH 242/243. Other scores are property of
AUB, and are checked out and loaned to you. They must be returned in
good condition on the day appointed for you to receive credit for the
course. In case of dropping the course, music must be returned to
received a “W.” Do NOT use ink to mark your score. Always bring
and use a pencil at every rehearsal.
***Exams and quizzes
in other classes
should not conflict with a scheduled, credit-bearing class, including
AUB Choir; this is AUB policy. Please inform your professors
immediately of our scheduled rehearsal times, and let
them know that missing rehearsal will adversely affect your grade for
this class.
Concert and Extra
Rehearsal Schedule Spring 2009
NOTE: AUB Choir and
Choral Society follow the university schedule exactly. If classes are
in session, we will meet. THUS, we need to make up for THREE Monday
holidays. It seems the least problematic day for makeups will be
Wednesday. Those are shown in italics below. For complete schedule, see
http://staff.aub.edu.lb/~webregist/pdfdoc/calendar.pdf
Monday February 16:
First rehearsal
[Monday, March 9:
Happy Prophet’s Birthday, no rehearsal]
Wednesday, March 11:
Rehearsal 6.30
[Monday April 13:
No rehearsal, Happy Latin Easter]
[Monday, April 20:
No rehearsal, Happy Orthodox Easter]
Wednesday, April 22:
Rehearsal 6.30
Monday, April 27 in
Assembly Hall
Thursday, April 30,
6.30: Rehearse with orchestra.
Saturday afternoon,
May 2: Dress Rehearsal in A. Hall
Sunday May 3:
Concert featured in Presidential Inauguration Festivities.
In place onstage at
5.30, downbeat 7.00 pm.
Monday May 4:
President’s Inauguration Ceremony: A. Hall at 11 in concert dress.
TBA end of June:
Commencement rehearsal
27 June:
Commencement ceremony
Grading:
Your grade in choir
is determined by participation in rehearsals and performances until the
final concert. All scheduled extra rehearsals, including two days
before Commencement are included in this participation. Credit and
grades are determined by the successful completion of A and B
following, over:
A. Determines
performance privileges and course credit:
participate fully in
all scheduled dress rehearsals and performances, and return all scores
which are AUB property.
When A is completed,
final grade will be determined by B
B:
Determines grade: participate fully in all regularly-scheduled
rehearsals. Grade assigned according to the following:
1 absence =
95% 0 absences with extra service (crew, extra
2 absences =
90% rehearsals, etc) = 100%
3
absences = 80% note: 3 times late to
rehearsal counts as
4
absences = 70% one absence.
Concert Dress
and related information
Rule Number 1:
Women, ankle length skirt or dress; shorter dresses will
result in you NOT performing in the concert, and failing the course.
A simple, black skirt can be made to order for 25000 LL.
Also Number 1: No
perfume at performances. It gives many people breathing problems. A
shower is recommended.
CONCERT DRESS: Daytime
University Ceremonies for tutti:
Wear all black which
looks neat, no jeans or tee shirts.
Concert Dress for Men:
-Black Trousers and Jacket
-White Shirt
-Bow Tie, your choice of color
-Black shoes
Concert Dress for
Women:
-Black,
ankle-length skirt and top with half-sleeves OR Black ankle-length
dress. Get one with an open neck. No tight pants or exposed
midriffs.
-Black shoes, low heel or no heel, for safety reasons. The risers are
treacherous!
-Holiday Concert: A big red fake flower
-Spring Concert: A string of faux pearls
NB: NO PANTS for Holiday and Spring Concerts.
NO SHINY STUFF anywhere, including really big earrings. Long hair put
UP is really nice, but not required
The
dullest pencil is better than the sharpest mind – mark it!
Sing like your life depends on it
(maybe it will some day…)
POLYPHONICA
AUDITIONS 2008
1. ALL current Polyphonica singers are invited to serve on the audition
jury. 21 Sept at 11. In fact, we need you to assess auditionee's
ensemble singing. Exceptionally, on that day, our JumpStart rehearsal
will follow the auditions, with a break between. Regular rehearsals
begin on Sunday, September 28, at 4.30.
2. Any interested singer is welcome to audition by contacting me. I will
assign them an audition time, starting at 11 on Sunday 21st, and supply
them with the score to Bach motet, Lobet den Herrn. You can also give
them the score, pdf attached. Also, feel free to share the audio
practice files.
3. Procedure
First, make an appointment by
e.mail: pm05@aub.edu.lb
Round 1, beginning at 11.
a. Individual song of choice. A cappella, or bring accompanist.
b. Sight-read your choral part in an unknown piece, after a minute of
practice.
Round 2. Perform alone the following sections from Bach's motet Lobet
den Herrn:Contact Paul Meers <pm05@aub.edu.lb> or a current member
for the score.
mm 1 - 18, and
mm 116 - 126.
Criteria for assessment:
a. pitch and rhythm
b. blending into ensemble with vowel, rhythmic unity, consonant clarity
d. expressive diction
d. phrasing consistent with the diction and ensemble "will"
