Hi! Our next rehearsal is Tuesday, November 4th in the Music Building at Stony Brook University room 0113 choral room. (The music building is directly attached by overpass to the Staller Center). When you turn on to campus off of Nichols Road, at the first light, parking is on left or right. Garage fee is $3. We will be rehearsing (11/4): Dr. Mount will run Part Two of the oratorio. Last rehearsal (10/21): Dr. Mount rehearsed the Part One of the oratorio. Tim was asked after rehearsal what key elements he wanted us to take from this rehearsal. "First, drama!" Drama of the language and the verse! When we express the many colors of the language, when we sing them expressively, the story jumps off the stage and surrounds the audience. "Dotted notes and eighth notes." Dotted notes and eighth notes are important, too! The tendency is to not give them their full intensity, or in some cases, their full length. Focus on the subdivisions as a string player would by giving them each a full bow (or close to it). Speaking of string players, Tim told us the first dress rehearsal on Monday, December 1st, will be with the orchestra. They are an outstanding orchestra whom, in effect, will be sightreading their parts. This is important for us to know because they will essentially be taking their cues from us, regarding the shaping of the music and phrases. Announcements * Rehearsal on Veterans Day (11/11) will also be held in room 0113 of the music school at Stony Brook. * Tickets - IMPORTANT - BUY TICKETS FROM NORMA . There will be one 'comp' ticket per member. If you need additional tickets, please let Norma know (for example, "3 plus comp ticket"). Norma will provide you the ticket, and all tickets must be PRE-paid. It is a good idea to let Norma know ASAP. The performance is expected to be a sell-out. $20 - adult; $10 - senior citizen/student. Giving Norma the total count at one time, (for example, "3 plus comp ticket"), will allow her to get tickets for seats next to each other. Remember, seating is assigned. Checks should be made out to 'LISCA'. * Rehearsals in the final week: Monday, December 1st, 6:30-9:30 PM; Wednesday, December 3rd, 6:30-9:30 PM; Friday, December 5th,, 6:30-9:30 PM. * As per Tim's request, please be ready to begin at 6:30 (as Peter Boyle, used to say on 'Everybody Love Raymond', "AIS!") Everyone has an assigned seat, and it will probably be difficult not to disrupt the rehearsal once it begins if you arrive after 6:30. * Rehearsals during the first week of December will be on the main stage of the Staller Center. Once you enter the Staller Center, head to box office, turn 180 degrees and to the LEFT of the men's room, head back to the main stage door. * Cyberbase has the accompaniments to Elijah, and all the parts. You can find a link to this website on our website: http://www.lisca.org/chorusinfo.html * Please let Connie Adee know if you are planning NOT to sing with the group in the spring. She needs to get an accurate order number for the St. John the Passion librettos. * In-Home Concert LISCA Fundraiser: (Friday, November 7th at 8 PM) Featured pianist: Pablo Lavandera Concert will be held at the home of Mark and Lois Barton in Bellport. Tickets - $30 ($50 per couple) - Mark can accommodate 40 people! Wine and cheese reception will follow * This week, please check your name and voice part and sign-off if all is correct * Concert Dress -- Women, all black, no pearls. Men, standard tux and bow-tie. Tra-la-la!: The Traxlers, who are now living part of the year in Florida, are looking to split opera season tickets to the Met with someone. Upcoming Events in Our Community * The Setauket Presbyterian Church is preparing the beautiful Vespera Solennes de Confessore, by Mozart. Rehearsals are at the church on Thursday evenings, starting at 7:30 downstairs. The performances will take place during the morning services on November 9th. If you'd like to be part of the experience, call Martina at 751-2743. Mark Orton is very grateful for all voices!! * Taste of Port Jefferson on Saturday from 2-6 PM. If anyone is interested in learning the details, please contact Bill Godfrey. * GREGG SMITH SINGERS '08-'09 CONCERT SERIES Saint Peter's Church, Lexington Avenue at 54th Street, New York City November 22, 2008 Italian Madrigals - Heinrich Schutz Trois Chansons - Claude Debussy Psalm 121 - I Lift My Eyes - Edmund Najera Three Settings from the Bay Psalm Book - Jack Beeson (intermission} God's World - Michael Cohen The Spheres at Play - Fred Thayer Incarnation - Dorothy Hindman Deo Gratias - Dale Jergenson Waddaya Want for Christmas? - William Vollinger Christmas Carol Arrangements - Gregg Smith Invitations and Opportunities: The Christ Episcopal Church in Bellport extends an invitation to sing in their choir under the direction of Maurice Kemp. The Bellport United Methodist Church invites singers to join them. See Mark Barton if you are interested. The First Presbyterian Church of Port Jefferson is seeking singers for 'Mendelssohn Sunday' which will take place Sunday 12/21. The expanded choir will be singing "He Watching Over Israel" and "Lift Thine Eyes" from Elijah. Prep rehearsals will take place on Sunday AMs, after the 10 AM services. Two rehearsals for those who have already sung the pieces will take place on the previous two Sundays, at 11:30 AM. Please contact Mike Bussewitz at 849-4185 or michael_bussewitz@yahoo.com if you would like to be part of this fulfilling Sunday Here comes holiday time! If anyone is interested in purchasing a "Katie's Concert '07: A Christmas Candlelight Service" CD, there are still some available.