The Ithaca Community Chorus

and Chamber Singers

Ithaca, New York

Gerald Wolfe, Director

VOICES Multicultural Chorus

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NEWS FROM THE ITHACA COMMUNITY CHORUS
Week of November 5, 2007
Read the ICC website ( http://ithacacommunitychorus.clarityconnect.com)
Send mail to the ICC Board ( IthacaCommunityChorus@clarityconnect.com)

MESSAGE FROM GERALD WOLFE

HOMEWORK FOR 11/14:

Handel - Anthems I and III

Haydn - Credo "Et incarnatus est" and "Et resurrexit," Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei ("Dona nobis pacem")

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT

Hello Everyone!
Well, another week has passed and we are that much closer to the Holiday season and concert time...if anything has been a reminder of that, the snowflakes that have been falling occasionally over the past few days have been. The season is changing, and I have come to realize that this season is indeed a transitional one for the Chorus. Not only do we have a new leader (me), but we have what feels like a record number of new faces. Also, sadly, and what feels like weekly, we are facing the other half of transition- some of our long lasting members are finding that life's changes are pulling them away from the chorus, and from the supporting roles that they have so faithfully maintained over the years. This is not a bad thing-- perhaps a sad thing, but it means that we as an organization are being given a chance to evolve and change, to grow. This is a great opportunity for some of our new members to "get in on the action," or for some of our more seasoned members who are ready for the next step.

Quickly, I'll use myself as an example, because it's easy. I was a member for 4 or five years before I found myself ready to take on a role. I was busy with school previously, but found myself with a little extra time, and we really needed a ticket seller. I was nervous, but did it anyway. All of a sudden, I felt like I had a deeper connection with the chorus! I was actually learning people's names, having more conversations with people, and had a deeper understanding of the how important the chorus is in the community, and how important the concerts are to members and their friends, families, and community members. Being more involved has been more rewarding than I thought it would be. Previously, I had been in awe of those who took on roles, because I thought they must all be brilliant time managers, etc. But honestly, the small roles that people play are what keeps the machine that is the chorus operating smoothly. I sound like a promotional pamphlet! I'll move on.

So, this has been a big week, and I need to ask for a few more people to come forward to take on some vital roles. Are you one of our faithful members who rarely misses a week? With the impending loss of our beloved attendance officer and music archivist, Jane Peck, we need someone to take on her role. The great part is that she has attendance down to a science, and has a worksheet that helps keep track of everything very nicely. She is willing to share her system, and train anyone who might be interested. Basically, it would entail showing up a bit early with the sign in sheets and plugging the attendance into a sheet that looks a lot like a teacher's attendance sheet. There is a little bit more than that, but no rocket science. Send her an email, or me, or feel free to grab me before rehearsal or on break. jspeck2005@netzero.net or bellamayophoto@hotmail.com

Also, Allison Myers, who organizes the recording of the concert and practice CD's, needs to head to New Jersey for a year, and will probably leave before the upcoming concert. She also has this job down to a science. We use the same recording guy every season, so it would basically entail making the phone calls and getting the CD ordering forms out, back in, and making CD's available in the following semester. For the practice CD's, it would mean ordering the primary CD and burning copies for those who want to buy them. allisonmyers@hotmail.com. Feel free to ask her any questions, even if you have a vague interest. Of course, for any of these jobs, the other board members and I would be right there to help if needed.

Ok- so here is a really fun and one-night-event-type opportunity. As you have heard during rehearsal and from the newsletter, Grace Church in Cortland is having a concert of the Messiah on December 2nd. Dave Neil, the director (and our frequent bass soloist) has told us that we are welcome to sell tickets for our concert there! So, if you are interested in selling some tickets (and maybe some calendars) and seeing the Messiah for free, let me know. A Voices member will also be recruited for the event, so if you have a Voices buddy, this could be a way to have a productive and fun night out together. bellamayophoto@hotmail.com

One more: Tickets. Sunny Gooding is going to help me manage tickets this semester, but I am often busy talking during break, so if anyone would like to help her at the table distributing and keeping track of things, let one of us know. It's always a bit easier to have another person at the table. If anything, you get to take turns getting tea. shgooding@clarityconnect.com or bellamayophoto@hotmail.com

Oh yes- next week is the deadline for ad sales, so contact Connie Thomas if you have any last minute blips or questions. thomasc@ithaca.edu

And also, calendar sales are going well! The great part about being an Ithacan is that it is such a transitional community and most of us have friends and family all over the planet. They all need waterfalls in their lives, even if they are the paper kind.

Have a great week everyone. We are really rolling along like a good fugue. See you Wed, and Be Well,
Steph Meyer
VP Chorus

BALDWIN 2 MANUAL ELECTRONIC ORGAN WITH PEDALS
Offered by a Grace Church parishioner for a donation. Contact Gerald at grwmusic@earthlink.net

MUSIC AT GRACE CONCERT BY LUSCINIA - Sunday, November 11, at 4 PM
Grace Episcopal Church, Elmira, NY

Luscinia, a five-voice a cappella ensemble specializing in a cappella music from the 13th-17th centuries, consists of Liz Peters and Sherry Smart, sopranos; Lynn Leopold, alto; Jonathan Ivers, tenor; and Geof Royall, bass. Their program, “Sacred and Secular Songs of Love,” will feature settings of the Song of Solomon by Palestrina, courtly love songs by Dufay, Spanish Renaissance motets, a piece from the Kleine geistliche Konzerte by Schütz, and music by Tallis and Monteverdi.

The public is cordially invited; a free-will offering will be accepted. Detailed directions may be obtained from the parish website: www.grace-elmira.org or by calling the parish office at 607-732-0545.

MESSIAH REHEARSALS

The Cortland Messiah rehearsals have been changed to Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:15, due to some schedule conflicts with members of the chorus. If any ICC members would like to join us, it would be splendid! The dress rehearsal is Saturday, Dec. 1, 2:00-5:00. Performance is with professional orchestra, hot-shot, magnificent soloists, good food and artwork afterward in the reception, and an incredibly enthusiastic audience. Who could ask for more after a 35-minute drive?
David Neal (NealD@cortland.edu)

DATES TO REMEMBER

Wednesday, Nov 21 - No rehearsal - Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, Nov 28 - rehearsal at Kendal
Sunday Dec 2 - Messiah at Grace Concert
Saturday Dec 15 - Voices Concert at Lansing High School - Gospel Messiah
Sunday Dec 16 - Chamber Singers sing at Kendal
Saturday, Jan 12, 8:00 PM – ICC concert

NEWSLETTER ITEMS?
If you would like to include a brief item in the ICC e-newsletter, send text ready to copy and paste by Friday 11:00 am to Mary Royer (mroyer@twcny.rr.com). Notices should be related to the chorus or the local music community.

Mary Royer
ICC Newsletter Editor
mroyer@twcny.rr.com