Some thoughts on Saturday

The Concert:

Overall I was pleased with the concert. Charles Henry had good things to say about the overall impact but I'll let him make his observations to you. Linc had good things to say on his blog.

Individual pieces:

Nunc: Very good over all. Had a funny start in the 1st soprano part--the first note sort of slid up . . . "Domine . . . " Nick and Lauren said the fast section was too fast. That would be my fault but that's the way I felt it at the time, I guess.

Ave Maria: A good job.

Deep River: Beginning chord was a little unsure. We absolutely must fix this issue. I have a suspicion that our shaky first chords in concert are a result of our rehearsal process. How to solve:

1. Practice starting with pitch pipe MUCH MORE frequently. Sadie, bring the p.p.
2. People in sections must ABSOLUTELY KNOW their first notes and how they relate to the pitch given.
3. You have to know what piece we are about to sing before you know how your first pitch relates to the pitch given by pitch pipe. (i don't think that was a problem Saturday but it was before)
4. Confidence. Professionalism. Attitude. In the end, it comes down to you being focused enough to execute. I know you can. Now you must.

There were some events that surrounded our performance that, quite frankly, must never happen again:

1. A mistaken date
2. Schedule conflict with performance date
3. Extreme tardiness.
4. Unprofessional behavior in the concert warmup.
   

I spoke the mantra once on Saturday:

To be early is to be on time.
To be on time is to be late.
To be late is unacceptable.
(you must incorporate this mantra into your behavior)

Everyone makes mistakes, I know that. If we don't watch out, however, our "mistakes" are so much a part of how we function every day that that is who we are.

I'll use the section leaders to help with the problem at our next performance, so be ready, section leaders.