Women’s Chorus Interest/Availability List

PLEASE NOTE that I don’t just need your “favorite” time slot, but your full availability for the weekends. I have to compare everybody’s availability schedule to determine when we can meet, so if you haven’t told me your second and third choices, it’s very difficult to put the puzzle together.

Here are the pieces in this organizational puzzle so far.

Jack Pelham (Director): Saturdays between 9am and 7pm. Sundays between 1pm and 7 pm.

  1. Kay Pelham: Saturdays between 9am and 7pm. Sundays between 1pm and 7 pm.
  2. Melissa Kinney: Saturdays after 2. Sundays after 1.
  3. Natalie Chaney: Saturdays after 3
  4. Julia Chaney: Saturdays after 3
  5. Hannah Hibbard: ?
  6. Kylie Chen: ?

Vowel-Matching Observation Exercise

Practically every chorus understands the value of getting the words and the notes right. The finer chorus, however, has more skills than just these two in mind. Among them are vowel matching.

Take a few minutes and observe whether and how well these singers match their vowel sounds. (You can listen for this, and also watch their mouth shapes.)

Oh Happy Day!

I suppose that the natural enemy of beautiful choral singing is timidity. Actually, I know it is! I have never heard a great singer who has not overcome it. So many many are plagued by timidity and insecurity and never learn to sing freely and naturally and robustly. But can they?

Yes, of course they can! Anyone of normal brain health is capable of outgrowing timidity, and anybody of normal physical health is capable of singing plenty well enough to be a great member of a great chorus. (I’m not saying that everybody has the makings of a great soloist, mind you, so please don’t misunderstand me.)

Continue reading Oh Happy Day!