This is because of the car parking problems - we are trying to beat the congestion.
Our Messiah performance was one of the best we have done, certainly in recent years - many thanks to all of you who took part.
We are now into rehearsals for the Verdi Requiem which we perform on November 29th.
If you are using the rehearsal midi files (from learnchoralmusic.co.uk or elsewhere) my recommended choice of software is midiplay.exe (see below). However, this is Windows software. If you are not using a Windows computer (or phone), then I would suggest you try firstly the Choral music tutor, which should run on any machine, or I've had recommended to me Sweet MIDI player (Roni Music) for Mac and iphone.
Our orchestra - the Valley Sinfonia - consists of players many of whom are members of the Square Chapel Orchestra, which is Halifax-based. You may be aware that the Square Chapel, which has been restored and well-used over that last decade, has recently been closed by its owners, and all events booked have been cancelled. There is a petition in circulation asking that Square Chapel should be reopened and it should continue as an arts centre. If you would like to support this, you can sign the petition online here.
FUTURE CONCERT and other event DATES: N.B. there have been some amendments
November 29th : Verdi Requiem, Holmfirth Civic Hall, 2pm rehearsal, 7:15pm concert.
December 13th : Christmas short concert and social, 4pm concert
Recommended YouTube videos of Verdi's Requiem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlq9lJRElBk - a performance by Frankfurt Radio Symphony orchestra and MDR Rundfunk choir
Rehearsal files
There are many sources of suitable material, but I find those from learnchoralmusic.co.uk to be convenient and easy to use,
Verdi Requiem
These will play on Windows Media Player, but there are other apps which will allow you to emphasise your own part, or play more slowly to help practice - such as midiplay.exe by Chris Hills, or his more recent Choral music tutor, which runs in a browser and doesn't need to be installed on your system. To use Choral music tutor, one way (on Windows) is to right click on one of the links below, select "Copy link" then switch to Choral music tutor, click on "Open a midi file from the internet" which gives you a box to paste the link you've just copied (either right click the box and select "paste" or left click the box and press CTRL+V). You should also be able to use Choral music tutor on a Mac or phone, but I can't advise on that).
I have received an email from John Hodgson in Toronto, Canada, who has been adapting John Hooper's midi files that I've advertised above by adding (computerised) lyrics and creating playable audio files (mp3 format). These can be played directly from his website, or if you wish, can be downloaded onto your own system (computer or smartphone). His website is at https://abracadenza.ca/
To use it, type (part of) the name of the movement into the "search keyword" box (e.g. for the Poulenc "Qui sedes ad dexteram nobis" movement, type "Qui sedes" (without the inverted commas), and select "Poulenc" from the composer box, and your voice part from the category box. You will find that a list of mp3 files has appeared below the boxes - you can just pick one and play it. Enjoy!
I have had notification of some events in which some of you may be interested - please scroll down to just above the photographs from our Town Hall concert last June.
Rehearsal midi files: John Hooper has kindly produced midi files for many works we have done in the past, and he's already produced rehearsal midi files for works we have planned (as mentioned above) - see his full list at http://www.learnchoralmusic.co.uk
If you use the player recommended on John's site, you can have all parts sounding, but control the volume of each part separately. The recommended player (midiplay.exe) was produced by Chris Hills - who has recently emailed me with later software called "Choral Music Tutor" You can find this at https://choralmusictutor.com/ and you may prefer it to the earlier software.
New members (and others who may want to keep up with what we're doing) - SIGN UP to the Members' Newsletter - this will be emailed using MailChimp only infrequently (because the information will be on this page anyway) and will be used primarily for emergency purposes, e.g. if there is a short-notice rehearsal or concert cancellation or alteration. You can sign up by clicking here; [if nothing happens when you try to click, try control + click] Mailchimp allows you to unsubscribe at any time too. The MailChimp database is fully compliant with GDPR [General Data Protection Regulations].
We still have a few of our CDs (2002 recording) left £5 each; plus recipe books and HCS historical booklets.
REHEARSALS - Thursdays 7.30 until 9.15 (normally). New members welcome! As you know, we are low in numbers particularly in the tenor section, but we need to expand all sections - if you know of any able singers, do please invite them.
Well done everyone on June 8th 2023. The concert in the Town Hall was very warmly received not only by the audience there, but by the other performers and organisers, who commented how much they enjoyed our singing. Organiser John Palmer emailed me his thanks, and said that it "instantly went into our Top Three from the tour so far". A memorable event, I think.
OLDER INFORMATION WHICH MAY STILL BE RELEVANT
CHORALINE 20% Discount for Choral Singers
If you order ‘EasyPlay’ via the ChoraLine website you will receive an email with a blue link to click and use on your PC/Laptop and the rehearsal recording will also upload into the Purchased Music section in the App to use on your Tablet/Phone.
20% discount code : CHORAL
STEP 1
Visit the ChoraLine website to select the rehearsal recording you require.
STEP 2
Click in the circle by your voice part (eg. Alto) & then click in the circle by ‘EasyPlay’
STEP 3
Click ‘Add to Basket’
STEP 4
On the Shopping Basket Page type CHORAL in the discount code box and click the green arrow to activate the code.
STEP 5
Complete the transaction and use your rehearsal recording on all your devices:
Phone & Tablet & iPad: The recording will upload into the ‘Purchased Music’ section in the App.
PC & Laptop: You will receive an email with a blue link to click to use EasyPlay. Please click here for tips
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The ChoraLine App
We recommend the App as the best way to use ChoraLine when rehearsing at home. Please click the link below for a ‘step by step’ guide on installing the App and watch a video showing how to use all the new features in the App:
https://www.choraline.com/
tips-for-the-choraline-app ChoraLine CDs are now sold by Presto Music (01926 886883) who are running a special 25% discount until the 30th September.
Choral Clinic – Singing Tutorials for SATB Choral Singers (also available on the App)
Theses tutorials were recorded during ‘lockdown’ by two highly experienced choral singing teachers. There are four levels (Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced) for every voice part (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass). Please click the link below for further details and to listen to a recording made by the teachers to help you choose the level right for you:
https://www.choraline.com/
choral-clinic Handel’s Messiah - We have put together a special page on our website with tips and advice when learning to sing this wonderful piece of choral music. Please do click the link below:
https://www.choraline.com/
handels-messiah Vocal Exercises (also available on the App)
When singing at home we advise you always warm up your voice and pleased to recommend this recording specially put together by singing teacher Deborah Miles-Johnson - please click the link below to hear a sample:
Advice and Support
Please do email music@choraline.com if we can be of assistance and we will do our very best to help.
Best wishes from us all at ChoraLine
Andrew
Andrew Grigg
www.choralineapp.com
We are affiliated to MAKING MUSIC, an organisation which provides resources for choirs and other music groups throughout the UK and beyond.
Rehearsal Aids:
