Our F2F choir (Next Stage Choir) that has been rehearsing in groups of no more than 30 and outdoors, met this week, indoors, all of us (about 40). But there were only four sopranos. Before lockdown, we were eight or more, but at least three have dropped out, and this week two were away. So only four nervous sops.
We were singing Sondheim. Do you know how difficult Sondheim is? But beautiful harmonies, amazing suspensions. BTW, I didn't know about suspensions until I joined the Self Isolation Choir. I've learned a lot. Our F2F director, Russell, decided to start the rehearsal with a fast piece, "Putting it together". Sondheim is so so challenging. And the sopranos are first in that piece.
We also rehearsed "Into the Woods". At last we could hear each other together, not on Zoom, or the poor accoustics of outside. It was fascinating to hear the minor tones of the second sopranos and altos underlying the brightness of the first sopranos. Sondheim writes dark pieces.
Finally, we finished off with Sunday - I hadn't got my music for that but almost know it anyhow. It's a lovely piece. Russell grumbled that we should all be off book for that by now, and he wants us off book next week for "Into the woods."
The best bit was right at the end, as we finished, one of the tenors came up to the four of us, and said, "Ladies, you were great tonight! There were only four of you sopranos and you sounded wonderful!" Wow. <blush of pleasure>.
