Toto, Guns and Roses, Katy Perry, Cold Play and more . . .

Get ready everyone! This begins a two week flurry of visible MCCS activity. From the rehearsal halls we emerge ready to share our love of life through song.

4/21 @ 12:45 at Rail Road Park
4/26 @ 7:00 at Wallace Hall in Gadsden, AL
4/27 Flash Mobs in Bham
4/28 Reh w/ RMCO
4/29 Dress reh. at Bluff Park UMC
4/30 @ 7p.m. CONCERT…..

Pop Goes The Music

Blam

I am so excited about the 2013 Masquerade Party.  We are hosting it on the second floor of Avondale Brewing Co. (I love this place!) from 7-11 on Saturday, March 23, 2013.  Leading up to the part the hosting committee will be at various locations at promo tables; displaying some of the hand painted masks, handing out information and hopefully, selling tickets – COME SEE US. The promo dates and locations are below:

MASQUERADE

• 2/21… 6-9, at the Open Mic – Al’s on 7th
• 2/28… 6-9, at Avondale Brewery
• 3/1… 6-9, at Our Place
• 3/4… 6-9, at BAO Bingo
• 3/7 …  6-9, at the Open Mic Finals – Al’s on 7th
• 3/16… Avondale Brewery – St. Patrick’s Day

Beside the promo ops., the hosting committee is full of energy and creativity.  Door prizes, decor, and entertainment promise to the very best the metro has seen to date.  Above all, this is going to be an extremely fun party.  Please spread the word.

https://www.facebook.com/events/255871781200372/

On December 12, 2012, State Representative Patricia Todd and the Alabama State House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring the Magic City Choral Society – HIR125.

The text of this resolution follows:

By Representative Patricia Todd

COMMENDING THE MAGIC CITY CHORAL SOCIETY

WHEREAS, the highest commendations and congratulations are herein proudly extended to the Magic City Choral Society on outstanding service to the community; and

WHEREAS, the Magic City Choral Society is a community based organization that was founded in October 2006 by Dr. Joseph Paul Dease and a group of community leaders who recognized a need in the Birmingham metropolitan area for a community based choral organization to provide adult continuing choral/music education so that any adult could participate in high quality choral performances without audition; and

WHEREAS, the distinguished entity adheres to a noble philosophy of performance through education, which is driven by the notion that musical performance is a behavior that can be observed, measured,  and therefore, taught; and

WHEREAS, giving back to the community is a key aspect of the organization’s mission; the Magic City Choral Society provides free public concerts and strives to make performances accessible to a diverse audience in Birmingham and Central Alabama; the Choral Society collected essential breakfast items for First Light Women’s and Children’s Shelter, and hosted a karaoke sing-a-long for First Light residents; in addition MCCS collected much needed school supplies and personal items for students a middle school for it’s 2010 holiday concert; in October 2010, the laudable organization, in partnership with four HIV/AIDS service providers in Birmingham and West Alabama, initiated the Red Ribbon Gala Concert to Reignite the Conversation surrounding HIV/AIDS; and

WHEREAS, with strong purpose, and a sense of goodwill, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, The Magic City Choral Society has provided beautiful music and delightful entertainment to many while enriching their lives and uplifting their hearts and minds; and

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Magic City Choral Society is highly honored and commended, and we offer this resolution in the highest tribute to the meritorious organization, as well as in deepest admiration and appreciation, along with sincere best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.

*******

Thank you Representative Patricia Todd!  We hope to continue living up to this great honor and to be positive organization that enriches our singers, audience and the community at large.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 at Al’s on 7th, 7-9p.m.
THURSDAY, JAN., 9 @ Al’s on 7th, 7-9 p.m.
Come Sing Disney Songs! Registration is from 6:30-7:10

https://www.facebook.com/events/113822915444727/

$10 Registration Fee to sing 2 Songs of Your Choice. Groups are $10 for the first person, and $5 for each additional person. Registration open one half hour before start time and close 10 minutes after start time. Order is random, and singers will be called to stage to sing.

You may Bring Your Own Sheet Music (No CD’s or Tracks)

-OR- Choose from Our Selection.

An accompanist will be provided.

Top 2 Tip Earners from each prelim will compete in the Finals on March 3. Top Tip Earn at the Finals will win a cash prize and a spotlight performance with the Magic City Choral Society and the Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra on 4/30 and 5/2.

** Fee and Tips Benefit the Magic City Choral Society

Dear Friends,

This is the Spring Rehearsal rehearsal and performance schedule.  I wanted to give everyone a preview.  A few dates may change, and if so, an update will be available in print at the Open Rehearsal and following rehearsals.   Please share.

JANUARY

21         7:00 – W.C. New Members Orientation

7:30 – Returning Members

22         7:00 – M.C. New Member Orientation

7:30 – Returning Members

28         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

29         7:00 – M.C. Rehearsal

FEBRUARY

*4         7:00 – W.C. and M.C. Joint Rehearsal

11         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

10         7:00 – M.C. Rehearsal

18         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

19         7:00 – M.C. Rehearsal

25         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

26         7:00 – M.C. Rehearsal

MARCH

4          7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

5          7:00 – M.C.  Rehearsal

11         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

12         7:00 – M.C. Rehearsal

18         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

19         7:00 – M.C. Rehearsal

25         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

26         7:00 – M.C. Rehearsal

APRIL

*2         7:00 – M.C.  and W.C. Joint Rehearsal

8          7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

9          7:00 – M.C.  Rehearsal

15         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

16         7:00 – M.C.  Rehearsal

21         Earth Day Performance at

Rail Road Park – Time TBA

22         7:00 – W.C. Rehearsal

23         7:00 – M.C.  Rehearsal

25         6-9 W.C. and M.C. Joint Rehearsal

THIS REHEARSAL IS REQUIRED

For Tour Attendees

26-28    Spring Tour (not required)

*Friday -  Gadsden Concert

*Saturday – Chattanooga Concert

*Sunday – Nashville Concert

29         6-9  Dress Rehearsal with

Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra

THIS REHEARSAL IS REQUIRED

FOR CONCERT ATTENDEES

30         Spring Concert #1 – Bluff Park UMC

MAY

2          Spring Concert #2 – Place TBA

Today is Sunday, December 30, 2012. Forward is a New Year, 2013. Behind, the old year 2012. Thousands upon thousands of people will be doing exactly what I am doing at the moment: contemplating the past and resolving to make or create a different future. And to be sure, ALL of us will experience ups and downs as we try to meet these resolutions. Along the way some will abandon their resolutions altogether, while others will seem to have what it takes to see their resolutions to their desired outcomes.

On Saturday Dec. 22, I sat down the presidents and vice-presidents of the men’s and women’s choruses to review the results of the mid-year surveys. This was a great way to begin the new year, 2013 – going into the second half of the 2012-2013 concert season. Without going into the results, I would like to share with you how those results have influenced the coming season.

• The rehearsal schedule. All regularly scheduled rehearsals will be from 7-9 p.m. Any sectionals will occur during the regularly scheduled rehearsal time of 7-9 p.m.
• Joint Rehearsals. Two joint rehearsal will occur prior to concert week in April. The first joint rehearsal is Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 from 7-9 p.m. The men will join the women during their regularly scheduled rehearsal time. Because of that, there will be no rehearsal on Tuesday, Feb. 5. The second joint rehearsal will be on Tuesday April 2, 2013 from 7-9 p.m. during the men’s regularly scheduled rehearsal time. Because of that, the woman will not rehearse Monday April 1 (no this is no April Fools Joke). At each joint rehearsal we will run, in concert order, all joint selections.
• Listening Session. At the open rehearsal or the following we will listen to a recorded compilation of the spring concert, or a reason facsimile. This will give everyone and idea of what the whole will sound like. In addition, 1-2 more will be scheduled during the spring to hear future concerts. This is a time for you to get an idea about what’s cooking down the road.
• Voice Placements. All members will participate in a 5 minute voice placement. Remember, this will not result in anyone being removed from the choir. Singers may shift sections based on vocal range, timbre, and need for balance among the sections. In addition, singers who desire to be on a call list for the chorale may audition at that time. Selection for the call list will be based on ability to sight-read, singer’s intonation, and vocal timbre. Composition of the Chorale is based on tone, timbre, color, balance, and time.

This is just a highlight some of MCCS new year resolutions. More are forthcoming and will be share with you at the open rehearsals on 1/21 and 1/22 or by your chorus presidents. I am looking forward to an exciting spring season with our Pop Goes the Chorus concert theme, three more Open Mic’s, the Masquerade Party, the Spring Tour, the Spring Concerts, and our collaboration with the Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra again.

Have a safe and Happy New.

Paul

Here is a little tid bit from our recent concerts, Sounds of the Season.

On Friday, November 30th, and Sunday, December 2 the Magic City Choral Society their holiday concert, Sounds of the Season at Bluff Park United Methodist Church and Southside Baptist Church respectively.

It was exciting to see all the new faces in the audiences as well as our historic concert goers.  The Men’s and Women’s Choruses sang their hearts out .  Organist Dr. Beth McGinnis and Soprano Laura Graves were outstanding!  We will be singing for the Bham Tree Lighting tomorrow night at 6 at Linn Park and then again on Friday at the Pell City Center for Performing Arts.

Fa-la-la-la-la!

MCCS spent last night in dress rehearsal at the historic Southside Baptist Church for our Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert . . . Tonight at 7PM at the Bluff UMC, and Sunday at 4PM at the Southside Baptist Church.

Organist Beth McGinnis was amazing, soprano Laura Grave was sublime, and the singers sounded wonderful!

This is the first of FOUR concerts given by the men and women of the MCCS….

11/30 at 7pm at bluff park umc

12/2 at 4pm at ssbc

12/4 for the birmingham city tree lighting

12/7 at 7pm at the pell city center for performing arts

Also, look for us on the 12/2 Sunday Morning NBC local news and the 12/3 ABC Monday Mid Day Show. . . . .

Hope We See You at the Concerts!

Friday, Nov. 7th at Bluff Park United Methodist Church at 7PM

Sunday, Dec. 2, at Southside Baptist Church at 4PM

Tuesday, Dec. 4, at The Birmingham Tree Lighting at Lynn Park

Friday, Dec. 7, at the Pell City Center for Performing Arts a 7PM