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Tocqueville3
- Posts: 702
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- Location: Mississippi
#1
Post
by Tocqueville3 » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:30 am
In February, our choir will be doing Mendelssohn's
Elijah. 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn's birth. I have been offered the alto part. I am busting. The woman who usually does the alto parts of whatever works we do wasn't asked to participate. Apparently, she takes too much liberty with her part and our director doesn't like that too much. He didn't really tell me that's why but I think that's why she prolly wasn't asked. She is an extraordinarily talented woman with a wonderful rich sound to her voice. And she has many, many years of experience. I have never done a work like this. I have sung some of the arias from Eiljah so I am familiar with it but I have never done them together. It's going to take some prep. I might have to get a piano temporarily. Luckily, we aren't doing the entire thing. I am gonna have to practice every day! And (the most improtant part!) I have to get a long gown. I think the choir is wearing robes but I get to wear a long gown! i need to get one before Christmas becasue I'm short and it will need to be shortened.
This opens a lot of doors for me. Whenever our church does a work like this we advertise for it and you never quite know who could be in the congregation that night. I know it's just Mississippi, but still. And the next time we do another major work like Handel's Messiah or the Brahms Requiem I will prolly be offered the alto part first.
I am so excited. I can't even tell you.

"I would drape myself in velvet if it were socially acceptable."
--George Costanza
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danielh41
- Posts: 1219
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#3
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by danielh41 » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:37 am
Congrats and good luck!
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earendel
- Posts: 13881
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#4
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by earendel » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:47 am
Tocqueville3 wrote:In February, our choir will be doing Mendelssohn's
Elijah. 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn's birth. I have been offered the alto part. I am busting. The woman who usually does the alto parts of whatever works we do wasn't asked to participate. Apparently, she takes too much liberty with her part and our director doesn't like that too much. He didn't really tell me that's why but I think that's why she prolly wasn't asked. She is an extraordinarily talented woman with a wonderful rich sound to her voice. And she has many, many years of experience. I have never done a work like this. I have sung some of the arias from Eiljah so I am familiar with it but I have never done them together. It's going to take some prep. I might have to get a piano temporarily. Luckily, we aren't doing the entire thing. I am gonna have to practice every day! And (the most improtant part!) I have to get a long gown. I think the choir is wearing robes but I get to wear a long gown! i need to get one before Christmas becasue I'm short and it will need to be shortened.
This opens a lot of doors for me. Whenever our church does a work like this we advertise for it and you never quite know who could be in the congregation that night. I know it's just Mississippi, but still. And the next time we do another major work like Handel's Messiah or the Brahms Requiem I will prolly be offered the alto part first.
I am so excited. I can't even tell you.

How wonderful! Our church choir has done
Elijah and it's a beautiful piece. Unfortunately our alto soloist is a former opera star and she still sings as if she were in a concert hall rather than our sanctuary. Our minister of music doesn't have the heart to ask someone else to sing alto parts for major works.
"Elen sila lumenn omentielvo...A star shines on the hour of our meeting."
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Tocqueville3
- Posts: 702
- Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:39 am
- Location: Mississippi
#5
Post
by Tocqueville3 » Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:53 am
earendel wrote:Tocqueville3 wrote:In February, our choir will be doing Mendelssohn's
Elijah. 2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Mendelssohn's birth. I have been offered the alto part. I am busting. The woman who usually does the alto parts of whatever works we do wasn't asked to participate. Apparently, she takes too much liberty with her part and our director doesn't like that too much. He didn't really tell me that's why but I think that's why she prolly wasn't asked. She is an extraordinarily talented woman with a wonderful rich sound to her voice. And she has many, many years of experience. I have never done a work like this. I have sung some of the arias from Eiljah so I am familiar with it but I have never done them together. It's going to take some prep. I might have to get a piano temporarily. Luckily, we aren't doing the entire thing. I am gonna have to practice every day! And (the most improtant part!) I have to get a long gown. I think the choir is wearing robes but I get to wear a long gown! i need to get one before Christmas becasue I'm short and it will need to be shortened.
This opens a lot of doors for me. Whenever our church does a work like this we advertise for it and you never quite know who could be in the congregation that night. I know it's just Mississippi, but still. And the next time we do another major work like Handel's Messiah or the Brahms Requiem I will prolly be offered the alto part first.
I am so excited. I can't even tell you.

How wonderful! Our church choir has done
Elijah and it's a beautiful piece. Unfortunately our alto soloist is a former opera star and she still sings as if she were in a concert hall rather than our sanctuary. Our minister of music doesn't have the heart to ask someone else to sing alto parts for major works.
It really is a beautiful piece. I just love "For He Shall give His Angels".
The lady who has been singing with us has been doing so for like a hundred years. She still sounds great, though. She just thinks she's entitled to do what she wants with the part. I think it took a lot for our minister of music to tell her it was time for someone new. She's a very gracious lady so she'll do fine.
"I would drape myself in velvet if it were socially acceptable."
--George Costanza
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tlynn78
- Posts: 9559
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- Location: Montana
#6
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by tlynn78 » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:01 am
Congrats, Tocque! I know this is something you've worked hard for. Good for you, you'll do great!
t.
When reality requires approval, control replaces truth.
To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. -Thomas Paine
You can ignore reality, but you can't ignore the consequences of ignoring reality. -Ayn Rand
Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire
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Catfish
- Posts: 2250
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#7
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by Catfish » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:02 am
Brava!
Catfish
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nitrah55
- Posts: 1613
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- Location: Section 239, Yankee Stadium
#8
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by nitrah55 » Thu Nov 13, 2008 12:15 pm
Way cool.
I am about 25% sure of this.
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silvercamaro
- Dog's Best Friend
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#10
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by silvercamaro » Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:43 pm
Tocque, this is wonderful. I know you will be great.
Now generating the White Hot Glare of Righteousness on behalf of BBs everywhere.
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kayrharris
- Miss Congeniality
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#11
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by kayrharris » Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:55 pm
My civic chorale is also doing Elijah but it is on the same day as Natalie's wedding, so I won't be participating.
Tocque look at the website Southeastern Performance Apparel. There are great dresses at reasonable prices.
Congratulations and good luck!
Last edited by
kayrharris on Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. "
Benjamin Franklin
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lilyvonschtupp26
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#12
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by lilyvonschtupp26 » Thu Nov 13, 2008 4:25 pm
Toc!
Gave me goosebumps just reading your post. That is so awesome.
Congrats!
It is not true that we have only one life to live; if we can read, we can live as many lives as we wish. -S.I. Hayakawa
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VAdame
- Posts: 1877
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- Location: da 'Burgh!
#13
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by VAdame » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:25 pm
Oops, I thought you were talking about
my Elijah! My older grandson; turned 12 last month:
Don't let the Angel Wings fool ya!

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cindy.wellman
- LOLOLOL
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- Location: Alaska
#14
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by cindy.wellman » Thu Nov 13, 2008 10:40 pm
Awww! VA what an awesome picture.
Tocque - I'm very impressed with your post. I love music and it makes me happy that you got this part.

I know that you'll do very well.