VIP had a great rehearsal on Monday night! This group is working incredibly hard on some very challenging music -- and even when the going gets tough, this group never gives up. I'm going to give you one example today and one tomorrow! A little weekend reading for all you VIP fans. :-)
The VIP High School Singers are working on a fantastic and tough a cappella spiritual called "Saints Bound for Heaven" (arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw). A week or so ago, the group kept getting tripped up in one section where the rhythm looks tricky. It's really not but it sure looks that way, and there's a page turn in the worst possible place, which doesn't help matters. You could just feel the frustration oozing from some of the basses as we pounded this page.
As I prepared for the next rehearsal, I remembered a recurring argument that took place at my high school between singers and instrumentalists. "Singers can't count" said the instrumentalists, and we singers valiantly defended ourselves. Except that the instrumentalists were sort of right.
So, how do singers learn to count? Join the band. And that's just what I did in high school, in response to that "Singers can't count" argument. Through hellish band camps, lots of rehearsals, indoor drumline, and some very good (and patient) instructors, I learned to count. (I'm still not as good as some of those band guys, but I'm better than I was!) One of the lessons that I took away from that experience is that your feet help guide you. If you can get your feet to move steadily in tempo, and if you can identify in the music just where your foot comes down, you're a lot closer to getting it right.
We're fortunate to have several band guys in our choir and I wondered if marching would help. And so, on Monday night, entire VIP High School group "stepped off" and wouldn't you know it -- they got it (almost) right. You could see the light bulbs go off as they suddenly connected all the dots and began to understand how the the rhythm operates. We did it again and it was even closer to being right. Next week, I think it will be 100%.
Here's to singers who can count!
Welcome! Voices In Praise exists for the glory of God and in service to others. As the youth choir of Friendship United Methodist Church, the group is open to all youth in grades 6 -12 who have a desire to sing and a willingness to make the commitment to the group. Singers are not required to be a member of the church or to have any background in singing. Our doors are open to everyone!
The choir rehearses on Mondays. Girls rehearse from 6:30pm – 8pm; Guys rehearse from 7pm – 8:30pm.
New singers are welcome any time. Feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at 301-728-1748 with questions!
The choir rehearses on Mondays. Girls rehearse from 6:30pm – 8pm; Guys rehearse from 7pm – 8:30pm.New singers are welcome any time. Feel free to contact Director Holly Reynolds Lee at 301-728-1748 with questions!