Singer's corner

Chorus Instructions

Welcome to the choir members’ area!

You can now get down to work. Here you’ll find all the information you need to learn about the work.

Also think about planning your weekend, booking your visits (program to come) or requesting accommodation.

THE MESSIAH

We will sing Handel’s Messiah, in English.

On a cultural note:

Composed by Georg Friedrich Handel in 23 days, and nights – plagued by a creative fever after having been faced with paralysis of the right side that prevented him from writing, and created in Dublin in 1742 for Easter, this oratorio is now traditionally played during the period of Advent— preceding Christmas.

According to Handel’s wish, an orphanage, the Foundling Hospital received the proceeds from the performances. When he died, he left to this foundation the copyright to the oratorio.

Messiah is the last musical work that Handel attended.

RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU KNOW THE TUNES

Experienced singers or beginners, you are asked to know the score BEFORE the weekend. Learning requires a real investment, regardless of your level. Your involvement serves the quality of the concert of course, it is also a mark of respect towards the choristers near you.

BUY YOUR SCORE

You will need to get Handel’s Messiah Novello version in English. This very popular version is readily available in music bookstores.

NB: If you already own another edition, be sure to reproduce on it the chorus, page and bar numbers as they appear in the Novello version. There is a discrepancy from one edition to the next. Anticipating this will save time and concentration during rehearsals.

We have a partnership with Arioso (music scores dealer) open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm

45, rue de Rome, 75008 Paris

contact@arioso.fr or 01 44 70 91 68 

If you say you’re going to sing with Venite Cantemus, you get a preferential rate of

-14% (€14.50 instead of €16.50), 

-20% off (€13.20 instead of €15.50) if you order 20 scores.

Postage included for orders of €50 or more.

LEARN YOUR SCORE

The choruses to be studied:

PART 3

N°46. Since by man came death

N°53 -Worthy is the lamb+AMEN-

Watch out there is a cut: we do not sing from the 3rd beat of bar 39 to 3rd beat of bar 53.

WORK YOUR PARTITION

With audio or video files:

+ online audios – Cyberbass  (played voice, possibility of slowing down the tempo)

online videos – on Youtube 

+ Learning CDs

for example the series Chorsingen leicht gemaght (SATB), Peters Music Partner edition (singing)

+ Work apps, our favourite is the CARUS MUSIC app for tablets and smartphones, which offers the possibility of slowing down the tempo.

Are you ready to sing without looking down at your score? You’re ready! Eyes only on Gildas, the boss (worth it, right?).

PRACTICE

Practice together: nothing like it to test your mastery of the score.

We recommend that you practice with other choristers. Several options:

You are looking for rehearsals

Get in touch with other participants close to you geographically:

– organise practises together

– join an existing choir near you

Ask us to put you in touch with singers living near you via ticket registration form, contact Anne or contact the Facebook group.

You are organizing rehearsals

Are you part of a choir that practices? Great! Can you accommodate isolated choristers? You’re going to make some people happy, let us know via the registration form, on the Facebook group or by contacting Anne.

Two intermediate rehearsals will take place in Paris  in May and June.

Subscribe to the newsletter  to receive details when the time comes.

HOW DO I ORGANIZE PRACTICE?

All you need is a place, a piano -and a pianist -, a choirmaster, and don’t forget a little word of warning for the neighbours, and get started!

We suggest you use the Facebook group Venite Cantemus to make your initiatives visible.

Share your preparations on social networks, identify yourselves, use the #venitecantemus or send us your photos and videos so we can share them.