Janacek Seating Chart and Pronunciation Guide

TPSC#1 Pronunciation Guide

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B95qXBjluVAiYU9XS3ViMXdEcXM/view?usp=sharing

TPSC#1 Preliminary Seating Chart

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B95qXBjluVAibVRDdV9GRU1QT1U/view?usp=sharing

Season Opening Picnic

We are very pleased to invite all past, present and future TPS family members to our

Annual Season Opening Picnic

When: Sunday, September 21, 2014 2:30-4:30pm directly after the first TPSC#1 rehearsal

Where: The Friends Center, 1501 Cherry Street Courtyard (if rain, inside)

Who: All singers, board members, staff and friends and family

What:  A potluck celebration of the beginning of another great season of TPS music.

Please RSVP your planned attendance to gayle@philadelphiasingers.org

Interested in sharing your specialty with us or bringing something?  Please e-mail Gayle Moore, Office and Personnel Manager at gayle@philadelphiasingers.org.  We're also looking for a few volunteers to help set up, as long as you're not singing in the first rehearsal

You can also view the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/279867868885264/

We're looking forward to seeing you there!

14-15 Season Offers

Concert and Contract Offers for the 2014-2015 season are officially sent!  The concerts for this upcoming season are:

TPSC#1 Janacek Glagolitic Mass
TPSC#2 Beethoven 9
SUB#1 Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers
TPSC#3 Messiah
SUB#2 Myths and Magic, featuring The Radio Hour
TPSC#4 Holst Planets
TPSC#5 Lindberg Graffiti
SUB#3 David's Farewell
TPSC#6 David's Farewell


Please note: TPSC#1 and TPSC#2 are at the same time, and you will not be able to receive an offer for both.  TPSC#4 has not yet gone out to anyone as the Orchestra is still discussing personnel issues surrounding this concert.  SUB#3 and TPSC#6 are different personnel sets for the same concert on Sunday, May 17, 2015.  While most of this concert will involve our core group of 32 singers, there will be several pieces on which we would like to invite the entire Chorale to sing.  More information about repertoire and rehearsals will be sent soon.

Please also note that this is the first round of contracting and concert offers and based on acceptances, there will be several more rounds of offers extended later in the summer and early Fall.  Please do not e-mail or call the office to request specific performances - all concert decisions are based upon artistic needs.

Thanks for your consideration and we can't wait to see everyone for a fabulous season!

Beethoven 9 Community Sing!

Greetings Singer,

Opera Philadelphia is working with the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra to present a City Wide Side-By-Side performance of the Beethoven Symphony No. 9, the “Ode to Joy” onJune 21, 2014.

Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia are looking for volunteers from choral groups across the region to create a 100 voice community choir that’s as rich and vibrant as Philadelphia itself. What better way to come together to celebrate the power of music than with a community led performance of Beethoven’s immortal Ode to Joy!

The chorus will be accompanied by a 75-piece orchestra consisting of members of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra and talented amateurs, music teachers and selected students from the School District of Philadelphia under the baton of the BPCO’s founder and artistic director, Maestro Jeri Lynne Johnson, at the Dell Music Center on June 21, 2014. This event will be an anchor event in the Dell Music’s summer season and an anchor in Make Music Philly’s annual celebration on the solstice.

Participation in this event is free to all singers on the stage and all members of the audience, so bring a friend, or two!

REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE:

There’s a full registration page online at http://tinyurl.com/bpco-ode-to-joy which includes links to download the score, learn your part through online mp3s, rehearsal information and more.

MUSICAL SCORE:

We’ll be using a score from the 1880s and the piece will be sung in ENGLISH translation. The score was donated by the Free Library of Philadelphia for this event. The score will be available for download. A very limited number of printed copies will be available at the chorus rehearsals. Please prepare to print your own copy of the score. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SCORE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7okYdIeQsZUb2s4eFFVYU12dGs/edit?usp=sharing

LEARN YOUR PART:

If you’re unfamiliar with the score, please review your parts in advance of the first rehearsal as our time together is extremely limited. You can learn your parts via free mp3s online. Please visit http://www.cyberbass.com/Major_Works/Beethoven_L_v/beethoven_9th_symphony.htm to learn your part! The score is marked with the track numbers as the measure numbers do not line up with the mp3s online.

REHEARSALS: We’ll have five rehearsals for this event. Our Chorus Master for this is Opera Philadelphia Chorus Master Elizabeth Braden. Rehearsals will take place at two locations: Wallingford, PA in Delaware County and in Fairmount Park. The rehearsal schedule is below.

Chorus only:

Wallingford Presbyterian Church

110 E. Brookhaven Road, Wallingford, PA 19086

Accessible via Media-Elwyn Septa train and ample free parking on site

Directions: http://www.wallingfordpres.org/visitors/directions/

• Saturday, June 14: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

• Monday, June 16: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

• Wednesday, June 18: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (with Maestro Johnson)

Chorus and Orchestra:

Dell Music Center Strawberry Mansion Bridge Dr, Philadelphia, PA.

Directions and Parking: http://www.mydelleast.com/#!directions/cm7c

• Thursday, June 19: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Saturday, June 21: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

PERFORMANCE:

• Saturday, June 21: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

More details regarding day-of itinerary, attire, parking locations and more will be emailed as we approach the event.

TICKETS:

Tickets are complete free, so please encourage your loved ones to attend a glorious night of music making at a legendary venue. To get tickets, visithttp://www.mydelleast.com/#!page4/cfvg.

RAIN

The Dell is an outdoor venue and all performances are done rain or shine. There is no rain date for this event.

Volunteer Singers Needed for the Philadelphia Freedom Festival!

CALLING ALL PHILADELPHIA SINGERS - TheMann is looking for great singers to join our community choir for the Sing Freedom Sing concert with the Philadelphia Orchestra on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Music repertoire will range from classical to spirituals and gospel. All voice parts are welcomed. Responders must be able to read or pick up music well and should be available for weekly rehearsals--most Mondays, some Thursdays. If interested please contact Lisa Willis at lwillis@manncenter.org.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Monday, April 7^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday, April 14^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday, April 21^st, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday April 28^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday May 5^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday May 12^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday May 19^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Tuesday, May 27^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday, June 2^nd, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday, June 9^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday, June 16^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Thursday, June 19^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30 pm

Monday, June 23^rd, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Thursday, June 26^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:00pm

Monday, June 30^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Thursday, July 3^rd, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday, July 7^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Thursday, July 10^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Monday, July 14^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

Thursday, July 17^th, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm

 

Friday, July 18^th, 2014 from 10:30am-1pm - Joint rehearsal with Philadelphia Orchestra

Saturday, July 19^th, 2014 from 10:30am-1pm - Joint rehearsal with Philadelphia Orchestra

PERFORMANCE @ theMann

Saturday, July 19, 2014

8:00pm Start time / 

6:00pm Choir Call Time

Onward and upward,

Rev. Nolan Williams, Jr.

202-669-5312 direct line

202-681-3064 office line

CEO, NEWorks Productions

-Producers of Inspirational Arts Music, Concerts & Programming

Artistic Director, Philadelphia Freedom Festival

www.manncenter.org/philadelphia-freedom-festival

Help Us Honor Maestro Hayes!

The 2014-2015 season will be Maestro David Hayes’ last season with The Philadelphia Singers. Help us remember David by responding to the following question, either in the comments or by emailing info@philadelphiasingers.org: 

In your own words, what legacy will David Hayes leave TPS after 22 years of service?

All of these responses will be combined and utilized for our year-end appeal and marketing for next season.  Thanks in advance for your help!

3/3 Rehearsal Confirmation

Singers -

Just a confirmation that BOTH rehearsals tonight are still occurring.  TPS will still be having rehearsals for both TPSC#2 Faure and TPSC#3 Carmina.  Thanks for your attention!

Optional Faure Rehearsal 2/28

Dear Singers - 

As David and I being to look forward to next week, we realize that with the current weather forecast, the chance for rehearsal on Monday is looking quite dim.  With that mind, we are inviting all members of our volunteer Chorale to an optional rehearsal tonight at the Friends Center from 7-8:30pm.  

Tonight's rehearsal was originally set aside for Durufle only rehearsal. However given the potential of missing our first full rehearsal on Monday, we have decided to dedicate the first portion of the rehearsal to the Faure Requiem.  If you have the free time and could join us, we'd be very appreciative of the opportunity to rehearse with our full Chorale.

Please remember: this is optional.  If you cannot make it due to other plans, please do not e-mail me your absence or be concerned. Again, this is only an option to provide more rehearsal time for the Faure in light if the potentially horrible winter weather.

At this moment, rehearsal is still schedule for Monday, March 3.    We will be staying in contact over the weekend as the situation progresses.

Thanks for your attention and I look forward to seeing anyone who can show up tonight!

Megan Machnik

megan@philadelphiasingers.org

Faure AfterParty (and Carmina PreParty)

On March 14, 2014 at 4pm, or directly after the Faure Requiem performance with The Philadelphia Orchestra, we will be holding a TPS Happy Hour at Fado Irish Pub at 1500 Locust.  The front room will be reserved for all members of The Philadelphia Singers, and they will be extending happy hour specials for our entire group.

All members of the Faure Requiem, Carmina Burana, and plus ones and friends are invited to attend.  This is great time to relax and enjoy a drink with your fellow singers and we really hope to see you there!  Any questions?  E-mail me at megan@philadelphiasingers.org.

Weather Updates

Well, it looks like March isn't going to be treating us any better than February.  Or January.  Or December, for that matter.  Moving forward, please check this TPS message board for all weather-related concerns and updates. We'll post as frequently as possible about weather and travel concerns as they relate to rehearsal.

Please note that because of the proximity of several important performances, we are much more likely to move forward with rehearsals during winter weather.  Again, if we have rehearsal during winter weather, we ask everyone to please make their best efforts to attend.  We expect everyone to be responsible for their own safety, though, and if your personal situation warrants a missed rehearsal, please notify us via e-mail as soon as possible.

Thanks and let's keep our fingers crossed for the weather!

2014 Spring Auditions Announced!

The Philadelphia Singers are holding 2014 Spring Auditions at the Following Times and Days:

2014 New Auditions Times and Dates: For Incoming Singers

Friday, April 11, 2014 5-9pm

Saturday, May 10, 2014 2-5pm

Friday, May 23, 2014 5-9pm

Saturday, May 24, 2014 12-5pm

2014 Re-Audition Times and Dates: For Current Singers

Monday, March 31, 2014 5-9pm

Thursday, April 3, 2014 5-9pm

Friday, April 4, 2014 5-8pm

Saturday, April 12, 2014 12-4:30pm

All current singers are required to audition every two years in order to maintain your active roster spot with The Philadelphia Singers.  If you're not sure if you need to audition in 2014, please e-mail us at auditions@philadelphiasingers.org.

All information concerning scheduling auditions can be founds on our Auditions Website.

Rehearsal CANCELLED!

Rehearsal this evening, 2/3/14, has been cancelled due to the worsening weather.

We will be sending a follow-up e-mail with updated rehearsal times in order to make-up this lost time.  Thanks for your attention!

Weather Tomorrow 2/3/14

Singers -

Please be aware that heavy snow tomorrow 2/3/14 MAY threaten rehearsal that was planned for that night.  Staff will be monitoring conditions carefully throughout the day and will make a decision by 1pm tomorrow as to whether or not rehearsal will be held.

Please make sure to check your e-mail, this forum, or the Google Calendar for potential updates.

Thanks for your attention!