Second session

The choir in preparation

Overview
Our second session had two focus areas:
1. Basic breathing technique for singers
2. Here I Am, Lord

Breathing Technique
First is how long we can make a breath last - knowing how long a phrase of music is and making sure we don't use up too much breath too early. We can practice this just by reading a long sentence slower and slower but with the same number of times we take a breath.

The second thing is not singing from the throat or from the upper chest area (like Superman!)but all the down in the belly/diaphragm.


Singing from the diaphragm

A website that has been recommended to me is Vocalist, and you can find the specific link HERE.

Here I Am, Lord by Daniel Schutte

This hymn was selected because the acclamation before the gospel for the Children's Mass will be from Samuel, and the lyrics for this hymn seem to match up pretty well. The audio clip for today is a little large at 2.8MB, and as there is a limit to the amount of downloads per day - if you can't download today, please try again tomorrow.

Download here

Lyrics:

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Who shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord. If You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne My people's pain.
I have wept for love of them,
They run away.
I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak My word to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard You Calling in the night.
I will go, Lord. If You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide, 'Till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give My life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord. If You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.


See you all next week!