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News & Notes #9
May 3, 2024
- Newsy updates from Mike and our producers
- New concert all time
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May 6 & 7 practice sessions: new locations
- Not signed in for April 30?
- Check out some new auction items!
- End of season potluck
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Think of Fenway Park...
Excuse the baseball analogy but hey, we’re in Boston aren’t we?
We’ve rounded third base and
are headed for home plate.
No overtimes, no time outs.
And the biggest challenge remains for some of us – myself included – memorizing the music and the words. But we’ve got so many
resources on the Mystic website, from watching the videos of rehearsals, the various sectional audio recordings both from Mike, and for altos from Katie Dunton; for sopranos from Cyndy
Balyozian, Jai San Anotonio, and Joyce Nichols; for tenors from George Foote and for basses from Jack Mattson, and there are more pre-rehearsal sessions for the last two weeks of rehearsals (check your section's Resources pages for times and locations).
We can do it, and with enough focus and effort, we can make sure that “Try to Remember” is more than just a song we’re singing, it’s how we make sure we have a great concert!
~ Michal
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Questions about the season?
Reach out to Bev and Michal at:
Producers@mysticchorale.org
Our Producers are volunteers with busy lives! They will do their best to get back to you within 24 hours.
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Thanks for a very productive rehearsal on Tuesday night!
We're in great shape for our concert.
The focus over the next two weeks will be memorization and integrating our band members with our songs. With this in mind, I won't be listing specific songs we're working on each week anymore...we'll try to touch as many songs as we can at next rehearsal. So please focus on songs that seem less familiar to you, and you'll be in great shape.
I'm hoping you might also take 10 minutes before Tuesday to quickly listen to one of our guest artists, Keith Murphy, who made us some recordings of songs we might sing with our audience at the concert. For each of these, you'll join in for the refrain, as will the audience. Could you listen to these when you get a minute? I promise it'll be worth your time...they're great songs!
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See you all on Tuesday. I can't wait to bring this concert to life with you!
~ Mike
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I Didn't Get a Chance To Sign in on April 30 | |
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Where did the sign-in sheets disappear to?
First Parish was ringing with voices by 6:35 p.m. last Tuesday and it was a glorious sound., the very first time all four sections were held simultaneous practice sessions before rehearsal. By the time the sessions ended, singers had just enough time to be in their seats by 7:30 p.m., so many did not have a chance to sign in.
Since I had picked up the sign-in sheets to give Roz shortly after 8 p.m., singers who came by during, or at the end of, rehearsal had no way of letting Roz know they were there.
Now you do: Please send an email to info@mysticchorale.org before Tuesday and Roz will mark you present for April 30.
And I promise to leave the sign-in sheets on the table until after rehearsal for May 7 and May 14!
~ Michèle
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And the Concert Colors Are... | |
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As Bev revealed during Tuesday's Announcements, blue has been added to the colors for Seasons of Change, in keeping with our season logo.
She also outlined the dress code for the concert: Solid black bottom and shoes, a solid green or solid blue top, scarves/ties. No t-shirts, sleeveless or tank tops, please. View this updated color chart for ideas.
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Do you have a skill to offer for auction?
Many thanks to everyone who has already contributed great items including:
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Gift certificates to favorite restaurants and stores: Scutra, Gran Gusto, Quebrada, Vintage Tea & Cake, PlayTime
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Music items: Handmade thumb piano, group drum workshop with Linda Shoemaker and Liz Penton, voice lessons, ukulele lessons, ukulele starter kit, electronic keyboard
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Home baked items: Chocolate Chip Cookies, Carrot Cake, Decadent Chocolate Torte with Raspberries
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Health & wellness items: Massage, life coaching, recumbent bike
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Beautiful Mystic-made artwork and unique items for the home: Hand-thrown ceramic pot, coiled baskets, crocheted blanket, handmade journals
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Plus: Exclusive house party/concert with Louise Grasmere – featuring new songs from her forthcoming album
Wondering what YOU can contribute?
Here's an auction idea for this week...Do you have a skill to share?
Are you (or do you know) a tech wiz? Gardener? Personal organizer? Share your skills with the Mystic community!
Past offerings in the "Services" category have included:
- 3 hours of Tech support in your home
- Résumé building session
- Foot reflexology session
- Massage therapy session
- 3 hours of gardening or landscape design
- Life coaching session
We're still looking for 10 more gift certificates to local restaurants!
What's your favorite spot? Support Mystic and your favorite restaurant by donating a gift certificate to the auction.
Mystic’s online auction is our big annual fundraiser and our chance to share a part of ourselves with our music community. What you offer is only limited by your imagination! With your help, we aim to raise $7,000 to keep Mystic vibrant in the year ahead.
Use the Mystic Chorale Auction Donation Form to add your item!
If you have questions, send an email to Auction@mysticchorale.org.
Auction Dates:
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Sunday, May 19: Item submission deadline
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Tuesday, May 28: Auction kickoff, in conjunction with the Mystic Annual Meeting, in the evening on Zoom.
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Sunday, June 9: Auction closes
Let’s make this the best Mystic auction yet and keep our beloved chorus thriving!
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Save the date!
Thursday, May 23, 7 p.m.
First Parish Vestry
Jai Kaur and Ann Wynne are once again coordinating the end-of-season potluck and are seeking volunteers to help set up (6) and to clean up (6). To volunteer, send them an email at potluck@mysticchorale.org.
More details to follow at next week's rehearsal.
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Invite family and friends to spend an evening seeing you sing in a terrific concert! As a Mystic ambassador...
You can…
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Post our concert flyers on bulletin boards at your gym, library, coffee shop, wherever you can. If the large version won’t fit, post the mini-flyer instead.
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Forward the digital invitation (evite) you received yesterday to friends and family, not only locally but far and wide since anyone, anywhere can watch via livestream!
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Engage on our Facebook and on Instagram. Like our page. Share the concert flyer when we post it online. Comment on postings and reels that we add to our page. The more likes and shares on our posts, the more the Facebook algorithm works in our favor, pushing out our posts to a wider audience.
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Talk up the concert to anyone who will listen!
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Eat, Meet & Greet Pre-Rehearsal Dinners | |
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Join your fellow singers to chat and eat delicious food at Arlington Center eateries!
Every rehearsal Tuesday, beginning at 5:15 p.m., open to all! A great way to meet other singers in a fun, delicious and smaller setting.
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Tuesday, May 7, 5:15 p.m.
Zomsa
South Asian cuisine
434 Massachusetts Ave.
781-230-8456
The new Zomsa Restaurant and Bar features cuisine from Nepal, India and a touch of Tibet. View the menu. It is located across the street from Caffe Nero in Arlington Center. Email Karen: karen@klgwoman.com. If you're running late, you can review the online menu and call in your order so your food will be ready when you arrive.
Hope to see you around the table!
See the complete dinner schedule for the season.
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At Mystic Chorale, we know everyone learns differently, so we strive to have multiple ways to learn, practice and memorize our songs. Keep an eye on this PRACTICE RESOURCES section to find new content added throughout the season. | |
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VIDEO PLAYLISTS
A great way to internalize our songs! Watch popular versions AND performances of the exact arrangements we'll be singing.
Most popular versions of our pieces…the ones you might recognize!
Performances of our songs that exactly match the versions we’re singing.
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SECTION RESOURCE PAGES
Over the course of the season, volunteer section leaders are offering extra help to their section. This may be extra review sessions and/or other kinds of "helps."
You'll find complete details about pre-rehearsal practice sessions with dates, times and locations on your section resources page.
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SECTION LEADERS
Section leaders welcome any and all questions in person at rehearsals and by email anytime!
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AUDIO PRACTICE TRACKS
Practice along with Mike! Grab your music packet and use these audio tracks to practice at home.
Click here: https://mysticchorale.org/my-seasons/#audio
Then click the dropdown menu for your voice part to find all the songs
For Mike's tracks, go to "Season Info for Singers" (blue box on the homepage), and scroll down to "Practice Audio." Use the drop-down menu to see the audio tracks for your section.
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Last week's rehearsal video
Week #8: APRIL 30, 2024
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It takes a village!! We sincerely thank every single one of you who helps make our rehearsals and concerts happen!
Our Spring 2024 Volunteer Team (so far!) Keep an eye and ear out for more ways to pitch in!
Production Chair: Bev Roche
Season Producers: Michal Regunberg, Bev Roche
Rehearsal Set-up: Ann Wynne, Laurie Sherwood, Julie Puncochar
Rehearsal Sound: Joyce Nichols, Susin James, Brian McGovern
Rehearsal Livestream: Jack Matson, Jai San Antonio, Paula Tusler, Scott Sandler
Attendance & Check-in: Roz Hoffman, Margie Hilton
Music Distribution: Evelyn Gladu, Susie Moore
First Night Check-in: Bev Roche, Arlyn Roffman, Roz Hoffman, Margie Hilton, Gail Sullivan
First Night Ushers: Katie Dunton, Joan Toussaint, Bill Wood, Louise DeBenedictis
Late Check-in: Sandy Sachs, Laurie Sherwood, Pat Brewer, Kate Kaplan, Angela Vierling-Claassen, Sue Clark, Phyllis Sandell, Jeri Levine, Carry Sexton, Kathy Williams, Margaret Schumacher,
Bill Rogers
Chair Re-set Captains: Amy Fitzgerald, Julie Puncochar
New Singer Welcome: Richard L'heureux, Mabel Liang, Leslie Zheutlin, Paula Tusler
Eat, Meet & Greet Coordinator: Karen Grossman
Concert Production Manager: Richard L'heureux
Stage Manager: Mary Steuart Band Hospitality: Marta Kabalin
PLUS - all the folks who help put away chairs each week - thank you!!
Did we miss you?
Please email Volunteers@MysticChorale.org if we forgot your name, so we can add you next week!!
Board of Directors:
Patricia Stimpson, Co-President & Treasurer
Olivia Tappan, Co-President
Leslie Zheutlin, Secretary
Arlyn Roffman, Publicity Chair
Michal Regunberg, Fundraising Chair
Mabel Liang, Membership Chair
Richard L'heureux, Member at Large
Joan Toussaint, Member at Large
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Livestream Instructions & Tips | |
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Welcome Virtual Singers!!
We are so glad you are joining us, and look forward to having you there "with us" in the rehearsal hall!
What you will need:
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A computer/laptop (recommended) We recommend your computer or laptop - the bigger the screen, and the better your speakers, the more you will feel "with" us. But a tablet, ipad or phone will work, too.
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Headphones, Earbuds or External Speakers (highly recommended). The better your speakers, the more you will hear the director and singers in the room.
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A place to sit and sing comfortably. We suggest an upright chair, similar to what you would find at rehearsal. A soft chair or couch is not as conducive to good singing.
How to tune into the Livestream:
At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, click the video preview or link below, and you'll be with us! Each week, we'll post the livestream link here in News & Notes, and on the website, here.
If we lose the Livestream signal:
Occasionally, we lose the livestream signal due to a poor internet connection. If that happens, go to the "Just in case" backup link below. We'll try to be back up and running asap!
How to watch the video after the rehearsal:
If you miss the Livestream on Tuesday night, it will be available on our website and the YouTube Playlist after rehearsal.
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Click the image below to join the rehearsal from home: | |
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"JUST IN CASE" - Backup Livestream Link
Occasionally, we lose the livestream signal due to a poor internet connection. If that happens, go to the "backup link" below. We'll try to be back up and running asap!
Backup link (for use ONLY if we lose the livestream):
https://youtube.com/live/tVb7i2zJxMo
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Rehearsals: 10 Tuesdays, March 12 – May 14, 7:30-9:30 pm. First Parish Unitarian, 630 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Mass.
Attendance Policy:
Please note that you may miss no more than two rehearsals to sing in the concert.
You may count ONE Livestream rehearsal towards your attendance requirement. A sectional led by Mike also counts as make-up for a missed rehearsal. Sectional rehearsals led by section leaders do not count as a make-up.
Dress/Tech Rehearsal: Monday, May 20, 7-9:30 p.m.
Cary Hall, Lexington
Concert: Tuesday, May 21; new call time 5:30 p.m.
Cary Hall, Lexington
Concert Attire Colors: green and blue
Where to watch the livestream or rehearsal videos:
https://mysticchorale.org/livestream-rehearsal-videos-spring-2024/
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