INSPIRE Chorus Member Resources


INSPIRE Chorus Public Site (inspirechorusaz.org)

Presentation Schedule

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Rehearsal Schedule

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Rehearsal Reference

Score Marking Conventions
  • Generally all articulations, dynamic markings, and other indications are observed as printed. A hand-written mark overrides a printed mark. Refer to the "Dynamics Definitions" table for appropriate singing volumes.
  • Passages, lyrics, notes, etc. where crossed-out with an "X" are not performed.
  • Arrows between or directly above lyrics indicate no breath should be taken at those points. In places where staggered breathing is required, coordination with others in your section to avoid breathing simultaneously may be necessary.
  • To compensate for not using a director, most cutoffs are planned to occur on a beat (or pulse) and are indicated with the beat number (e.g. a cutoff on "1" is marked as "1", a cutoff on "4" is marked as "4"). Cutoffs that occur between beats to accommodate moving notes or phrasing considerations are marked as a decimal value (e.g. a cutoff on "and" of beat "4" is marked "4.5").
  • In cases where the music pauses (e.g. a fermata), a pulse indication is provided. For example, in a 4/4 measure where a fermata occurs on beat "3" and a pickup to the next measure is printed as beat "4" the indication might read "3–4 (5) 6". Interpret this as if the measure was actually written as 6/4 in which we hold the note with the fermata for pulses "3" and "4", cutoff on pulse "5", and sing the pickup to the next measure on pulse "6". To maintain uniformity this pulse should be maintained silently by the choir without a change in tempo. When done correctly, the pause will be heard by the audience naturally the way it is intended. (Don't be surprised if people start looking around for the director, wondering how we do it!)
Vowels and Consonants
Authorized Vowels Consonants
Dynamics Definitions
fff = Forceful (stadium)
 ff = Projected (outside)
  f = Elevated (large room, no microphone)
 mf = Normal (regular speech)
 mp = Tempered (small room, primary class)
  p = Intimate (bedroom, gossip)
 pp = Subdued (library, temple)
ppp = Nearly Inaudible (whisper)

Remember: Silence is music!