Today marks two weeks from our Advent Concert. There are about six or eight more binders, so if you *still* haven't gotten one yet, please sign one out the next time you're in the loft.
At last Wednesday's rehearsal we spent a lot of time reviewing Me Thinks I See an Heavenly Host, God is with us (both in English and Slavonic), Avar Part's Bogoroditse Devo, and the Doxastikon for St. Nicholas on December 6 Make Ready, O Cave.
Youtube links:
Me Thinks I See an Heavenly Host: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaawHFeGBVw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUtZxqtfybQ
Bogoroditse Devo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbyUZkBHCko and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e65GLeA4bV8 (only for the first 90 seconds about)
There are still a few more things we need to spend time on at upcoming rehearsals. A few of the liturgical pieces we haven't sung since last year and need to have a fresh look. Also, we still need to spend time on Kastalsky's Shepherds of Bethlehem. I feel like we've really come a long way on this. We are singing it at just about the tempo I would like. It sounds like most of the notes are there, and the our diction is coming along well. The Little Drummer Boy, God's Son is Born, and a few of the Carpathian carols we need to continue to review and refresh in our minds.
Youtube links:
Shepherds of Bethlehem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB2w_q_216w and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3riAmXEq7k
Little Drummer Boy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOo2zPdD-TU (minus the triangle)
Still remaining are three rehearsals including the dress rehearsal:
Wednesday, November 28
Sunday, December 2 (after Church School, probably in the gymnasium because of the second liturgy)
Wednesday, December 5 (dress rehearsal)
The following Friday (December 14) we have our concert at TMORA. More information will be coming about this.
Finally, some of you might be wondering about me. After four visits to the doctor over the past two weeks, I'm finally starting to feel better. It turns out a pesky virus was to blame for all my misfortune. Thank you to everyone who as pitched in and helped all the services at the cathedral run as usual. It's comforting to know that we have well trained assistants and singers who can step in and cover for me at the drop of a hat when I'm not well. I hope to be back and feeling normal by this Wednesday.
