REHEARSAL GUIDE. by Dennis Allen 2013 LIFEWAY WORSHIP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED _Reasons_Rehearsal_Guide.indd 1

Transcription

1 REHEARSAL GUIDE by Dennis Allen 2013 LIFEWAY WORSHIP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED _Reasons_Rehearsal_Guide.indd 1

2 BLESSED BE YOUR NAME This song has become a standard praise and worship song, so familiarity will not be a problem. However, the problem could be that, because it is so familiar, there is a tendency to sing it as you ve always known it and not pay attention to this arrangement. 10,000 REASONS (BLESS THE LORD) This song is also becoming more familiar, so take the time to make sure everyone is synched into this version. Make sure the cutoffs are together and clean, particularly in the verses. Dynamic contrast will help the message to be more expressive. For example, meas. 53 needs to be really hushed and expectant, with a strong build back into the chorus in meas. 64. MY GOD IS ABLE This is one of the two a cappella pieces in this year s SonPower collection. Rather easy to sing, the key to this arrangement is a group sense of the beat. Right off the bat, in meas. 2, there is a three-beat rest. So, the group has to have a steady rhythmic connection, either through a conductor or simply through paying attention to each other. Each section (soprano, alto, etc.) has step-out lines along the way, so bring those to the front. As these occur, the other sections should make sure they cut off together, cleanly. THIS IS MY FATHER S WORLD Simple hymn, simple arrangement, but a strong message. There is a slight melodic variation from the original hymn in meas. 9, 18, and other similar spots, so heads up. As the key moves from C to D, the vocal parts start to add, so work out the harmonies. Then for the growing extra chorus, beginning in meas. 58, don t get too loud too soon. However, the melody is high, so take care to keep it in tune. Save the loudest singing for the final couple of times, when the full four-part voicing is present. 10,000 Reasons, Rehearsal Guide _Reasons_Rehearsal_Guide.indd 2

3 HOW HE LOVES Every once in awhile you come across a song that most students know and can sing pretty well, but you look at the score and say, Wow, that looks like it would be impossible for my group. That is the case with this song. In many ways, it is too rhythmically difficult and has too wide a vocal range for a choir. However, just let your students listen to the demo they will get it. Trust me. This is an enduring David Crowder classic. FOREVER REIGN For both guys and girls to sing the same note in unison, it has to be a little low for girls, and a little high for guys. But that s how this popular piece is always sung at the beginning, so even though it is low for the girls, have them relax their voice and not oversing. Then full voice for all on the divisi choruses. On the bridge, beginning in meas. 40, girls need to sing with soft energy. Be careful on the melodic moves in meas to make sure they are clean. Then build to the final chorus in meas. 50. CORNERSTONE Wide range in the melody, so take care to sing correctly on both extremes. It is easy to have pitch suffer when you are straining to sing high notes, and it is easy to oversing the low notes. The first really loud place in this arrangement is meas. 36, so keep it back a bit on the first and second verses and chorus. Meas. 20, 39, 51, 74, and 82 contain a rhythm that needs work to be clean. Lots of dynamic contrast between sections is needed. IN CHRIST ALONE (MY HOPE IS FOUND) This is one of the Getty s most popular songs so far, and it works great a cappella. As with all the new Getty hymns, the words are rich, so diction is critical throughout. The four verses are treated with subtle arrangement variations. Verse 1 is straight-ahead. Verse 2 is soprano lead, with alto/tenor/ bass accompaniment. Verse 3 is a sensitive minor feel with a vocal orchestra approach be sure to let the soprano words lead above the doos. Then this verse grows to an explosive proclamation in meas. 42. Verse 4 is the triumphant conclusion, complete with key change and rousing ending. 10,000 Reasons, Rehearsal Guide _Reasons_Rehearsal_Guide.indd 3

4 POWER OF THE CROSS Very powerful text and haunting melody in this beautiful song. The melody has many long extended phrases and notes, so this piece is a perfect time to work on good breathing and good vowels. Notice the slow growth in dynamics all the way through the arrangement. The final culmination begins in meas. 65. Then it tapers back down on the final page. See the chains fall is a powerful image. Please take the time to unpack this spiritual concept to your students as you rehearse this piece. WE ARE SAVED Love this new song! Be very careful on the verses with your entrances, especially the 16th-note pickups. Also, your cutoffs need to be together and clean. Double-check the rhythms in meas to make sure everyone is together. The chorus sings itself, once you get there. The build-up of the bridge in meas. 43 should be expectant and exciting. Then when you suddenly drop the dynamic in meas. 54, only to suddenly raise it in meas. 56, it will be captivating! This is a long song, so these dynamic changes are critical to keeping the arrangement alive. STRONGER Matching the original artist approach to this melody, you will notice the frequent rests. Take care to make clean cutoffs. Dynamic growth and contrast will keep the energy going throughout the arrangement. Really back off the sound in the bridge, meas. 56 and following, building your sound toward the final chorus. But then, just when you think the chorus will explode, you suddenly start it mezzo piano. Then, once again, grow it to the end. THE KING IS COMING Fun song, which needs energy and a smile as you sing. This lyric should prompt an interesting discussion with your students. Ask them what they think it means. 10,000 Reasons, Rehearsal Guide _Reasons_Rehearsal_Guide.indd 4

5 HOSANNA (PRAISE IS RISING) An enduring praise and worship classic, this song has straight-ahead verses and choruses that should be easy to prepare. On page 109 of Nan Allen s book The Words We Sing (Beacon Hill Press, 2010), she has a thorough discussion of the word hosanna, its scriptural roots, and how it has been used in Christian songs. I suggest a study by your choir. NOTE: There are no rehearsal tips for A New Declaration or Christmas in Heaven. 10,000 Reasons, Rehearsal Guide _Reasons_Rehearsal_Guide.indd 5