Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: http://read.jwpepper.com/i/674167
65/2073&74L-91 91 Angel Band – p. 31 When I first tried this piece with singers, it sounded too straight. So I added more rhythms to achieve a relaxed gospel-quartet feel. The sixteenth notes shouldn't be forced, but sung like grace notes. Emphasize the first beat of each measure to create the gospel-waltz motion. • M. 8 – Write "tell the story." • M. 38, 139 – Write "st" right on the rest for a precise cutoff. • M. 97 – Write "strong quartet." • M. 114 – Write "full-bodied" and sing from the bottom of your diaphragm. Hush, Little Baby – p. 42 For the opening verses, vocal warmth is more important than heavy tone. High eyebrows and an inward smile will help to communicate the scene. Enjoy the interplay of the voices at places like m. 23. The final section (m. 76-end) is intended to communicate the love and connection between God and the world. The piano left hand should be played in a relaxed clock-like fashion, imagining a guitar or harp. • M. 35 – Write "lightly and precisely" to allow the parts to move without bogging down, especially in the bass part. • M. 50-51 – Note the "musical tears" in the piano. • M. 56 – Men, write "easy" in order to blend with the women. • M. 58 – Write "swell" and circle the crescendo. • M. 69 – Write "drop jaw." • M. 76 – Write "breath and heartbeat" to experience the easy rhythm of this section. Go Sing It on the Mountain – p. 51 Keep the eighth notes very even. Feel the ticking clock; don't go so fast that it sounds confused. Steady tempo will add to the energy. Have an "energy competition" between voice parts to make the polyphonic sections come alive. Hold on. Have fun! • M. 4 – Write "calling out" as if you are in a field. • M. 16 – Write "stage" and sing it as if you were in a staged musical. This will give it extra brightness and energy. All the voice parts should do the same at their respective entrances. Make it sparkle. • M. 23 – You may have basses sing the upper A here for strength. • M. 26 – Place a check on the rest for the precise cutoff on beat 2. • M. 48 – Altos, sing it strong, and use your fluty head voice on the top notes. • M. 56 – Sopranos, circle the line to remind you to slide the note naturally. Star Eternal – p. 64 Feel the slow steady pilgrimage as we follow God's light. At m. 18, write "deep gospel." Follow crescendos and sing toward the second measure of each phrase. Put a hash mark above each eighth note to give them a little detached emphasis. • M. 27 – Make a big deal out of the dynamics here. • M. 32 – Write "Arise." There is a double meaning here as we approach the Lord in the manger, but also look forward to heaven. • M. 36 – Write "worship." • M. 59 – Write "into the distance." • M. 61 – Men, this will be easy to sing if you relax and lighten the tone. • M. 66 – Write "float" as you sustain the tone. For Preview Only