Hello everyone! I'm sorry I can't be there for this month's practice. I'll be enjoying the beach instead. If you do decide to try another night, I am open the other two Thursdays of February although it doesn't look like all of us will be able to make it for any night in February. It seems like we need everyone at our next practice to make decisions about songs and adding new members.
So, for now could we post some of our feelings about songs and expanding our group? I know it probably sounds silly to ask now about expanding after we talked about it at dinner but I'm having second thoughts about growing. The reason is selfish, I am the outfit lady and if we don't have to go shopping for another year, then I'll be happy. Another reason is I think we should talk about what we really need. I'm sorry to be bringing this all up now. I know Annalise and Becky have talked to a couple of people and Larna has a friend who would like to join, but before we get going, could we talk about our needs.
First: Do we need more voices? If so, what do we need. When we had JoDell and Vicki we had another alto and soprano. Is that what we need or are we okay with what we have and can give the two of them another year to come back? What did your families say after hearing us?
I know Becky would love to have another member from her area but when I talked to her she didn't have anyone in mind. The person she was thinking of was not available on Thursdays.
I guess my vote on expanding would be to continue this year with 8 then invite two new people next year. That would give our old friends another year to come back or Becky a year to find someone. I don't think it would be a good idea to just add one person at a time because that would be new outfits two years in a row and two years of someone trying to catch up to us.
Second: Do we want to get new outfits? You know my vote and we know Kerstin's husband's vote. What do you all think? Maybe you answered that with your first vote. I think we all agree (except Kerstin's husband) that if we don't add members we would like to use the jackets one more year.
Third: What do you want to sing? We will have to put a poll on the blog and have everyone vote. I don't have the songs in front of me right now so I can't put a poll up.
Fourth: Where are we singing this year? I haven't heard of anywhere other than our regular Temple Square performance (I just got a letter from them yesterday telling us we can call on March 2nd to schedule a date.) I told my ward we were available and they said they would consider it. Do any of you know of other performances?
Let me know what you think.
Shauna
8 comments:
I forgot to let you all know about Becky. I called her yesterday to find out when she could practice. Her daughter had her baby 15 days early (7lbs 3 oz 20 in.) Becky had to drive to Idaho after watching the quads. She was up all night but made it to the birth. She brought Avery home and he ended up with the stomach flu which ended up going through everyone in Becky's family. She has been a little busy and has not had a chance to reply.
She said she could practice this Thursday and on the 19th but not the 26th. She also said she had talked to Vicki but this year will not work for her.
I will go along with whatever we decided. We did sound great last year, but we were lucky that we all made it to all of the performances. Shelly often had to sing alone on her part. If one or two of us missed a performance the balance would be off. It would be nice to have more voices. I think if we added another alto and soprano we would be good.
I like all of our songs except Angel carol and 12 days. It would be fun to learn a few new songs.
I had somebody call me the other day about performing for the Relief Society birthday party. I told her that we only did Christmas and she seemed excited about that and said that she would get back with me. I will let you know.
I would like a new outfit, my jacket has never fit real well, but I will wear it again if that is what we decide.
Hello everyone! Yes I am alive. What a week for me, but we are all better now and have enjoyed having Avery with us. I think it would be nice to have another soprano and alto. I would really like to have someone from up here. If we decide to add two more people, I will search more diligently. I think we need to replace "12 days" for sure! I haven't had any calls for bookings for this year. I am OK to keep the outfits. I will wait to hear about the practice for this month. Becky
1) We sounded wonderful. I really like what we've worked on this year. I personally would like to have someone else sing with me. Too many times, I thought "am I singing the right notes?" Then I'd remember that I wouldn't be hearing those notes from anyone else because I was alone. I agree with Larna that we were lucky this year that no one got sick. So, I think double coverage on every part is a good idea. If we're adding an alto, let's get a sop now too. (PS My youngest sister lives in Layton and is a soprano. I took the liberty of asking if she would be interested (I didn't promise a spot; I said it was tentative that we'd be adding people). She is interested in singing and keeping her talent alive -- she's checking with her husband about if he could support her in this.)
I'd love to have JoDell and Vicki back, so I'm also ok with simplifying our year and not adding anyone but waiting and giving them more time. (Do I sound like a perfect politician -- happy with whatever someone else decides and not making a full commitment one way or the other?)
2)I don't think the jackets are outdated. I do agree that they don't fit each of us the same (but what will?). They still look professional and better than things I've seen other groups wear. If we add people, yes to new. If we stay the same, let's save our pesos. (Maybe it's worth doing some altering if we keep them.)
3) I'm up for a couple of new songs. Replace 12 days with something else fun or upbeat. I think it helps us grow musically and keeps us "on our toes" to have the challenge of learning something new. However, I really like what we had going on this year. I do think we need to work on polishing our last few songs (mainly "Born is the Light")
As far an new suggestions,in our The Alfred Burt Carols (which is were "Dress the House" is) there is an upbeat, easy a capella song called "All on a Christms Morning" Maybe it could replace one of our older songs. I think it has a great message of happiness and gift-giving and may be a great upbeat transition to our more sacred Bethlehem / Birth of Jesus songs. Plus we already all have the music. I would, however, add a few notes to the alto part (in the opp. accompaniment).
4) I guess we all need to start asking friends and neighbors if they'd like to have us sing. I have 2 friends that are from other churches that I think might be interested in having us come. Do we want to look for more work parties?
5) (I know you didn't have a 5, but . . .) Are we staying with the same jobs or do we need to rotate? I'm happy with mine, but some of you with bigger ones may want a change. There is, however, the issue of leaving people like Kerstin in the "make us sound good" role and not putting someone like me in there who's not so talented in that arena.
Sorry that I think so "long".
It's great to hear everyone's comments.
Practice:
First of all, I think we should plan on March 12th. For the ones that voted for the other dates, I hope you still have March 12th on your calendars and can make it that night. This will be a crucial night to come to hear new music and make some changes.
Music:
I would like to hear Larna's song suggestion to replace 12 days and Shelli's suggestion, "All on a Christmas Morning." I know Larna posted a recording but it was so jumbled, I really wanted to read the words and hear how we sounded as to whether or not we would even like to attempt it. I have had a request to bring back Shepherd's Pipe. What do you think? I agree 12 Days should go and Angel Carol is getting boring. I'm also willing to look at replacing Innkeepers. I think I personally am getting tired of the song - though I know it's kind of a trademark of our group. Sorry, don't have a suggestion to replace it with but just throwing it out there if anyone else has the same feeling that it's time to take a break from this song.
Outfits:
I agree that buying new outfits this year and then next year is not a good idea. I think we could use them one more year.
People:
I am interested in adding people only if they meet a certain criteria and it's for the good of Gloria. No offense to anyone, but I guess after watching American Idol and seeing all the people out there who "think" they can sing and really can't - kind of scares me. We are only as good as our weakest person(people) So with that being said, I think we need to establish some kind of criteria that people meet before we ask them to join. Just going into a situation blind wouldn't be good for the individual(s) or our group. I don't want anyone losing family or friends over this type of stuff because it could easily turn into an awkward situation. Now that being said, personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable getting into a singing group unless I felt competent to do a good job musically, was able to read music, sing parts, and carry a part solo if I had to not to mention being committed to practice and attend rehersals/performances. I appreciate the honesty of Annalise's friend by saying she couldn't sing parts. That's being upfront and helpful to know that she wouldn't be a good fit for our group. If we have some type of criteria set up for Gloria then I think we can avoid questions about who to have join our group - it's just known - this is Gloria and these are our expectations for our members and these are our goals. I'd like to set something up at our next meeting that defines us as a group. What are our goals... What is our purpose... How many members do we have and what are our member qualifications... What types of songs do we sing... Etc. After we set this up, then we can address inviting people to our group. I think we originally thought of asking people because Becky is traveling alone and we were still hopeful JoDell and Vicki would come back so we were trying them first. But then I think we got into "asking" mode instead of taking a look at our goals. If we decide our goals are to have more people, does that mean 10 or 12 total? Should we have 2 or 3 sop, 2 or 3 2nd, 2 or 3 alto, 2 or 3 tenor? What's a good balance? Once we decide these things, then we can address whether to ask people and who, buy outfits, and perform this year. Or we might decide to wait on asking people and buying outfits until next year.
In case you can't tell, I'm goal oriented :) It keeps me on track :)
I will see if I can find the sheet music to the song I found and bring it to practice. I am also getting tired of Inkeepers. I will see ya on March 12th.
OK. March 12 it is! Where? Do we need to meet in Rose Park due to ladies that have another rehearsal? Let me know.
I don't have a rehearsal on March 12th.
Larna
Post a Comment