Best wishes

Once again, it was a pleasure to work with everyone in the Young Voices. Please note that following the CEC Mass there are no longer weekly rehearsals. Very best wishes.

One last week!

Next week is our last week - singing at the CEC Mass, 6pm Saturday.

Rehearsal will be from 3pm starting in our regular room.

The verses will be split between soloists ("To the...") and the Young Voices ("I say 'Yes', my Lord") while everyone joins in the chorus. Some parts have been highlighted in green for soloists to pay particular attention as they are somewhat different.

Verse 1

To the God who cannot die,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
To the One who hears me cry,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
To the God of the oppressed,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
To the God of all that’s just,
I say "Yes", my Lord.

Chorus

I say "Yes", my Lord,
in all the good times,
through all the bad times.
I say "Yes", my Lord,
to every word You speak.

Verse 2

I'm a servant of the Lord,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
I'm a worker in the fields,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
I'm a pris’ner of their wars,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
Like a champion for Your cause
I say "Yes", my Lord. (CHORUS)

Verse 3

For the dream I have today,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
To be a healer of all pain,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
To come to love my enemies,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
For Your peace in all the world,
I say "Yes", my Lord. (CHORUS)

Verse 4

Like Job, unceasingly,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
Like Mary, wholeheartedly,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
Like David in a song,
I say "Yes", my Lord.
Like Israel for You I long,
I say "Yes", my Lord. (CHORUS)

Three Weeks To Go

This past weekend, the Young Voices focused our energies on the most recent addition to our hymn list: Sing a New Song.

Some of the things we worked on:

• Reaching a high note by imagining already being on top of the mountain - not climbing it
• Remembering that posture and breathing are important, as well as blending with the other singers next to you
• In order to have dynamics (loud and soft), we need to have contrast - in order to get louder, you have to remember to start softer

Next week we will be adding in the final numbers to our hymn list. In Bread We Bring You Lord will be fairly familiar, and one new hymn will be added that will add some bounce to our next rehearsal. We have three weeks left to the CEC Mass - see you at rehearsal!

We Sing New Songs

Last Saturday's session was led by Andre Ong, and both Andre and Andrew plan to be there for the session. Please note that this Saturday's rehearsal is from 4:00-5:30PM, as we do not have Catechism class. There will also be a break over the school holidays, which we will announce in detail next week.

We introduced Sing A New Song (composed by Dan Schutte), the lyrics are below:

Refrain: Sing a new song unto the Lord;
let your song be sung from mountains high.
Sing a new song unto the Lord, singing alleluia.

1. Yahweh's people dance for joy.
O come before the Lord,
and play for him on glad tambourines,
and let your trumpet sound.

2. Rise, O children, from your sleep;
your Savior now has come.
He has turned your sorrow to joy
and filled your soul with song.

3. Glad my soul for I have seen
the glory of the Lord.
The trumpet sounds; the dead shall be raised.
I know my Savior lives.

It's more or less the theme of the choir this year - that we try new songs like In Christ Alone and Now We Remain, which the choir has not tried in the past.

There aren't great videos online, but here is the best link there so far. Andre worked specifically on enunciation, especially that we hear the "d" at the end of words like "Lord".

The Musical Grand Design

Last Sunday we had our first run-through of both of the hymns we are working on at this moment - In Christ Alone, and Now We Remain. Please look at our previous blog postings (or the side bar under "Video Links") for the YouTube videos that will help in preparation of these selections.

This week, we focused on three things:

1. The big picture, or grand design. We prepare not only one line or one verse, but look at the whole song to see where we will eventually be loud, so we don't get loud too early and have no where to go.

2. We also talked about the character of the voice, about how some of the verses needed a more serious, darker tone, and how we should think about matching the colour of our voices to the content of the lyrics.

3. The last thing we did was to see how sensitive we are to the conducting, that is whether we can observe small movements. We tried this by having the conductor direct using only his facial expressions.

In addition, we refreshed our skills in quickly memorizing, and looking forward when we sing, so that we don't sing into our printed music. As always, we also took time to understand the context of the lyrics.

Remember, all those interested in singing a solo line or verse in Now We Remain are very much encouraged to try out and volunteer!



(Not the best video out there because of its rather abrupt ending, but it's good that it has lyrics attached.)

The Music Bucket

Today we had an unusual session as attendance was low (probably due to Wesak Day). We worked on these skills:

• Concentrating on listening and hearing actively and equally
• Adjusting to the sound of the person next to you
• Aiming your voice to a place in the centre, which is like a bucket collecting all the sound
• Planning and shaping a musical phrase
  

We used the video clip of In Christ Alone (see link in previous post, below), slowly turning down the volume at the same time as singing louder. This way, bit by bit we replace the recording.

Please let your friends in the choir know that sessions are on as usual - but we will take some time off during the school holidays in June. We are preparing for the CEC Mass in mid-July.

Please also note that next week our venue may be changed to the RCIA Room. We will place a notice and hopefully have someone on hand to make sure everyone is informed.

Congratulations, and Looking Forward

Congratulations to the Young Voices Choir for their contribution to today's mass. We are looking ahead to the CEC Mass in July, as well as a possible visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Here are another helpful video for a song we aim to sing:

Young Voices for April and Beyond

Please note that we are aiming to sing on Sunday April 26 for the final hymn, Jesus Christ is Risen Today.

This week we had a preview of a selection we hope to sing for the CEC Mass in July. Volunteers are encouraged for the verses.





Here are the lyrics:

NOW WE REMAIN
by David Haas

Refrain

We hold the death of the Lord deep in our hearts.
Living, now we remain with Jesus, the Christ.
1. Once we were people afraid,
lost in the night.
Then by your cross we were saved;
dead became living,
life from your giving.

2. Something which we have known,
something we’ve touched,
what we have seen with our eyes:
this we have heard;
life giving Word.

3. He chose to give of himself,
became our bread.
Broken, that we might live.
Love beyond love,
pain for our pain.

4. We are the presence of God;
this is our call.
Now to become bread and wine:
food for the hungry,
life for the weary,
for to live with the Lord,
we must die with the Lord.

Today's session also focused on sustaining long notes and phrases. The skills involved are:

1. Knowing where to breathe
2. Pacing one's breath (controlling the speed of air)
3. Breathing in quickly
4. Practicing longer sustained notes

We also mentioned that while singing extended notes we have to watch that the quality of sound is still good.

Lastly, here is an excellent video for students to sing with when they are at home, though some of the lyrics are different.

SCHEDULE

Young Voices is gearing up for its first project: the second Sunday of Easter, which is closer than one might think.

Next week, March 7: rehearsal is on as scheduled.
Week after, March 14: no rehearsal due to CEC camp project.
March 21: special day as there are no cathechism classes. Rehearsal aimed at 3:30-5:30.
March 28: rehearsal TBC.
First week of April: no rehearsal due to Martin Jalleh event.
Second week of April: Holy Saturday.
Third week of April: Young Voices sing at mass.

Please have a look at the video from last week's posting, it will be the main focus of the next rehearsal.

Welcome to our first session!

We use slightly different lyrics:

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
now above the sky he's King, Alleluia!
where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

We also started on solfege, or the syllables connected to the notes of a scale:
DO RE MI FA SO LA TI DO

There's a good introduction at this link, though we don't use the hand signals. What we add to that, however, is a reference back to DO:

DO RE MI DO MI DO MI

DO RE MI FA DO FA DO FA

DO RE MI FA SO DO SO DO SO

Try it out! And see you next week.

Welcome to the 2009 Programme!

Beginning February 21, 2009, the choir returns with a new name: Young Voices. With an expansion of the programme led by Andre Ong and Andrew Filmer, further singing skills will be open to all young people of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Penang.

A week before (Feb. 14), all students of the CEC will be provided information sheets and registration forms.

Check back here as the programme commences for further information. Updates and links will be provided to allow students to connect to their weekly sessions.

CONGRATULATIONS

Kudos to everyone in the choir! An excellent job done!

Thank you to all the parents as well.

UPDATE: Next weekend

The schedule for next weekend is as follows:

Saturday: 430-530pm. Rehearsal in the main Church building.

Sunday: 10am Mass. Please arrive early to receive your sashes - details as per a meeting place will be provided during the rehearsal the day before.

PDF Download

I'm doing this particular one for the first time, so fingers crossed and hope this works:

The downloadable PDF of the booklet for the CEC Youth Choir Mass should be available at this link.

AF

Collection Hymn Chosen

Through nominations and a vote, the CEC Youth Choir has chosen "Christ Be Our Light" as the Collection Hymn. Coming in a close second was "Power of Your Love". The following is a video on YouTube with the hymn (after an introduction of Mother Theresa), check back later in the week for links to other hymns in the left hand column.



Refreshers for today:

1. Always look up when singing - not at the screens, but at the conductor
2. Glance downwards to remember the next line, then look up to sing
3. When looking at the words, just move your eyes, not your whole head
4. Try to follow the conductor: soft, loud, more or less strong in sections

Welcome to the Youth Choir of 2008

Welcome to the choir of the CEC. Today you will have received the booklet for the mass which will include the lyrics as well as some brief reminders. Also important are the following announcements:

1. The mass will be on July 5th at 10am. Please arrive early, wearing something that you feel is best for the special occasion.

2. During the mass, we often are used to reading from the projector screens. However, as a choir, we should keep to our booklet, looking down but not singing forwards as we have discussed in our rehearsals.

3. Above all the musical instructions about how to sing, and how to stand, try your best to have fun, and if you don't the person next to you, make a new friend today.

If you have any questions feel free to email the choir director: andrewfilmer79@yahoo.co.uk.

Congratulations.... Final Post - for now

The Children's Choir of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, supported by Andre's cantor's group.

Congratulations to all the members of the Children's Choir - you all did an excellent job last Saturday. Apart from Father Henry's very positive comments, and the applause from the congregation, there were many individual people who came up to us to let us know how well you did and how impressed they were at such a special addition to the Church.

My personal thanks also to Andre's group of cantors for helping out in the Mass, including putting aside a practice session for it the Monday before. I hope that there will be future sessions for other masses with this wonderful musicial and spiritual combination. And when that happens, hopefully this blog will become active again to help connect the members online.

All the best!

Welcome Back

Practice, inside the main church building.

So, we're back from the school holidays. Yesterday was our second-last rehearsal, and we used the main building for the first half of the session, to get a feel for things.

Important announcements:

1. Next week's rehearsal (right before Children's Mass) will be 4-5pm in the main church building. Please arrive a few minutes before 4pm.

2. Attire will be anything bright-coloured, with a uniform pattern (eg. without Mickey Mouse logos) - for boys black pants with a brightish shirt would be good. If bright-coloured materials are not available, white will be fine.

Things we worked on this week:

1. We must aim to PROJECT, or push the sound to someone far away, sitting at the back of the church.

2. Remember that singing comes from SPEAKING, but in a way that makes every "t", "s", "d" and all the other last letters as clear as possible.

3. When singing, always remember to look up, especially at the end of a line, so we can all finish the last sound/word together. Glance at the whole line, read ahead, and then sing looking up.

4. Singing in tune - listen to the people around you, and check your pitch (up or down) with them.

5. When there is a verse that is sung by the cantors and not the choir, remember to keep standing straight and pay attention.

6. If you forget a part of a line, don't guess, but sing quietly and look at your booklet.

Next Saturday should be a lot of fun, and we will probably be adding in some microphones for the choir. Remember to study from the HS Hymnals and the printed lyrics, and to bring back the yellow books to return to the church. Have a great week, and see you soon!

School Holidays

The Children's Choir is currently on break for the school holidays, and will resume practices on the 17th of June, 2006.

Important notice to members and parents: we have only two practices left before singing during the Children's Mass on the 24th of June. The venue will likely be moved to the Church (and not the Children's Liturgy/RCIA Room) for these practices, and in such a case a notice will be placed at the original venue.

The proposed dress code for the 24th of June is all white for the girls and white shirt/black pants for the boys.

My apologies for not being able to add on any new mp3s as the cantor's group has been busy lately - myself included. Here's hoping everyone enjoys the holidays, and looking forward to seeing you all again on the 17th!

Fourth Session

This was an important session, because we will be missing many sessions due to the school holidays. We covered some additional choir skills, and quite a number of songs.

In the past two sessions, we worked on approaching the text - specifically:

How to Read and Memorize Lyrics

Reading lyrics in a choir is quite different from the regular reading we do in school and at home every day. This is mainly because we have to keep the position of our head the same so that our singing will go in a steady direction. We also cannot block the singing with the song-book. So, we do the following:

1. When looking at the song-book, move only your eyes, not your head.
2. When reading lyrics, read a whole sentence or phrase in your head, and then sing it from memory.
3. To memorize a short passage, try to remember just the first two words of every line. When we sing it through many times, these two words will help us to sing the rest of each line.

Also important is to use the song-books and not the screens in the Church, so that the choir can watch the directions of the conductor.


Learning to memorize lyrics

Also today, we covered the remaining hymns, though some were done only briefly due to time contraints. The focus was on pronunciation again. The first selection was the chorus from City of God, for which the lyrics and download can be found in the archives of this blog - on the sidebar to the left. The lyrics to the other two are listed below - I hope to have downloads in later weeks.

CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT (Chorus only)

(Strong voice) Christ be our light,
Shine in our hearts, shine through the darkness (get softer at the end of the line)
(Strong voice) Christ be our light
Shine in your Church gathered today. (get softer at the end of the line)

THE CANTICLE OF THE SUN

CHORUS:
The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and all creation is shouting for joy
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
and sing, sing to the glory of the Lord

1. Praise for the sun, the bringer of day,
He carries the light of the Lord in his rays;
The moon and the stars who light up the way
Unto your throne

2. Praise for the wind that blows through the trees,the sea's mighty storms,
the gentlest breeze;
They blow where they will, they blow where they please
To please the Lord

3. Praise for the rain that waters our fields,
And blesses our crops so all the earth yields;
From death unto life her myst'ry revealed
Springs forth in joy

Enjoy your holidays, and see you when classes resume next month!


Special thanks to the early arrivals who helped by setting up the chairs and the books, on their own intiative!