MN Chorale rehearsal, 11/27/07
While expecting to attend a "Merry Music Makers" rehearsal, I ended up in a very different place this evening. I observed a rehearsal of the MN Chorale, directed by our own Dr. Romey. Her rehearsal techniques were not all that different from what she does with the Chamber Singers. Much of the rehearsal was whole-part-whole run throughs of the choruses of the Messiah. Much of her comments were focused on unifying vowel sounds, articulation and embellishments, and dynamic terracing in preparation of combining forces with the orchestra. She would at first convey these messages through her (extremely clear) conducting gestures or would make comments as the choir was singing. If the problem persisted or they encountered a particularly difficult passage, she would stop the choir, make a comment using some sort of analogy (i.e. the bow of a period instrument, baroque dancing) and would run the measure until the error was fixed. I like how Dr. Romey inserts positive comments in the midst of her notes. It could get extremely overwhelming hearing all the critiques at once, but she adds reinforcement just when you start to think that you did things completely wrong.
The art of "hearing" never seizes to amaze me. Dr. Romey is so in tune to the sounds around her; she is able to identify a single voice's wrong note or the slight rhythmic inaccuracy of one section in a highly polyphonic texture. I felt like a legitimate musician when I was able to pick up on things before she said anything or notice tuning issues (never a strong point for my ear) - this part of the observation felt incredibly different from being in front of a group conducting. I feel like I can't hear Anything! If I can do both things at the same time, I would feel like a much more capable director. I think the biggest thing is having a clear understanding of the music in the first place to compare the choir to. It was quite evident Kathy Knew the score and had high expectations for the choir.
The Chorale sounded marvelous .. I recommend trying to make it to the concert (whenever it is.. I'm not sure..) They are doing articulations and phrasing that are much more buoyant and light than I'm used to hearing in the Messiah. It's quite lovely.