The Sanctuary Choir has had an exciting year! First of all, look how we've grown from 12 members last summer to 21 members at Christmas time! We have a great group of enthusiastic singers who are very faithful to the music program and are eager to learn! What more could a director ask of a choir? Take a seat on one of the red velvet pews in the back of the Sanctuary and observe one of our Thursday night choir rehearsals...

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

7:00-7:10 p.m. - Warm-Ups

Stretches, sighs, sirens, humming, chewing, facial massage
Breathe in for four counts, hold for four counts, breathe out for four counts
Me-ahh (starting with a D Major triad going up: 15-4321)
Vi-va (starting with a D Major triad going up: 1234-5656-54321)
Vocal Siren
Reminders: singing through the consonant to the vowel, sitting on top of the note instead of reaching up to it

Opening Prayer

7:10-7:15 p.m. - Sunday’s Anthem

Prayer for Peace (Lightfoot)
Reminders: tall mouth-shape, tempo changes, dynamics, cut-offs, more breath preparation before entrances

7:15-7:20 p.m. - Service Music (all a cappella)

Introit: O Worship the King (Traditional Hymn)
Prayer Response: Breathe on Me, Breath of God (Traditional Hymn)
Benediction Response: Amen (Danyew)
Reminders: breathing together, imagining first note before singing it, singing into the sound around you, enunciate!

7:20-7:50 p.m. - Anthems

Come to the Water (Hasseler) - new
Reminders: direction of phrases (most important word of phrase), breath preparation, phrase-shaping
An Hour of Hallowed Peace (Danyew)
Reminders: "hushed" text painting (singing the word in a way that depicts its meaning), breath support for soft singing, preparing to sing 5ths, direction of phrases (most important word of phrase), phrase-shaping
Jesus, Savior, Friend (Glass)
Reminders: consistent tempo, syncopated rhythm review, tall mouth shape/vowels, confidence, relationship of vocal parts to accompaniment

7:50-7:55 p.m. - Announcements

Choir picture is up on the website!
Joke Time

7:55-8:00 p.m. - Talk Break

8:00-8:30 p.m. - Anthems

You Are the Song (Courtney)
Reminders: syncopated rhythm review, parts review, relationship of vocal parts to accompaniment
The Gift of Love (Traditional Hymn) - a cappella, rehearse in circle
Reminders: look up!, blend with people around you, direction of phrases, phrase-shaping, dynamic contour