Getting In Flagrante in concert formation is always a challenge with all the many considerations to consider and try to keep everyone happy. Add a different location to the mix with limitations of a differently shaped room and pillars, which makes it even harder. Especially as everyone was squashed, bearing in mind that not everyone was there!
However, the formation sheet is just a guide, giving us a basis to start from and next week, when we are back upstairs in our usual room, it will be much easier for us to spread out and for those in the second and third rows to see through the gaps.
Be prepared for more position changes if necessary.
The sound was also different downstairs. However, Tim, the pianist, joined us so Eamonn could give us his full attention on his improvised, rickety lectern!
The importance of watching Eamonn for the cut-offs cannot be emphasised enough so we all finish together cleanly; it makes us sound professional.
We all know the notes to sing (well, mostly!), so familiarise yourself with the words so you have the confidence to look up and watch Eamonn, who is working hard for every voice part.
It is now down to performance, and here are the key points:
- Watch Eamonn for the cut-offs and ensure you never ‘hiss’ on ‘s’ and that ‘t’s are crisps and we all end them at the same time
- Watch Eamonn for every entry and the loud, soft, fast and slow dynamics.
- He will indicate with the rolling of his hands that we do not breathe in the middle of particular phrases
- Absolute stillness after you have sung your last note. Do NOT turn your page for the next song, scratch your nose, etc, until after the last note is played on the piano.
- Keep the voice in your cheekbones and smile bright; it willotes from help stop the notes from going flat.
- Are you a pleasure to watch? If you look like you’re enjoying yourselves, the audience will enjoy it all the more.
If you know your music well, especially when there are long repeats of choruses at the end, there is no need to look down. Look up, and Eamonn will direct you. Just follow, follow, follow his instructions.
We have one more rehearsal on Tuesday, and Eamonn will concentrate on the songs we are singing, all of Act One and some of Act Two.
Please look, listen, and practise at home, as these need to be spot on!
Audience participation numbers are fun; although we need to know them and lead the audience in the singing, accuracy is not so crucial.
If we all play our part as individuals and are the best we can be by practising during the week, when we come together and are team players, we will be sensational.
Don’t aspire to be the best on the team; aspire to be the best for the team.
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