Masterwork MP3s -- The Wilberg Trilogy - 2022
Important update: The mp3s for "Bright Morning Stars" are now available below. (posted 2/21/22)
Greetings, Fellow Masterworkers!
During the January break I decided to make recordings of those three fabulous songs arranged by Mark Wilberg. They are tricky!! I hope these recordings will help you master everything. If you were in the Chorus during the Megill years, you'll remember that I used to make these recordings all the time, and then Don would distribute them in CD format. I'm still using that same synthesizer (purchased in the 1980s) and it still works perfectly!
Each song will have 5 different tracks:
ALL -- all the parts with full piano accompaniment at performance speed
SOP, ALTO, TEN, BASS -- separate voice parts, with all other parts much softer in the background, but still loud enough so you can hear what else is going on around you -- these four tracks will be at slightly slower speed to help you learn it thoroughly.
The voice tracks are each represented by an orchestral instrument:
Soprano -- flute
Alto -- clarinet
Tenor -- French horn
Bass -- Bassoon-ish reed instrument
The full piano score with all four hands is also included in the background.
There is very little dynamic variation in these recordings, and there is no tempo adjustment other than extra time given for the couple of fermatas. The 3rd song WILL have eventually quite a bit of tempo changes throughout, as conducted by Chris, but it is recorded at just one speed for practice purposes.
In general, I recommend that you go through the ALL part first, just to get the flavor, especially with the two faster ones. (The 3rd one is already a very slow performance tempo, so I did not change that for the individual parts.)
Next, listen to and sing along with your own voice part. When you're comfortable with it, go back to the ALL version and try to sing along and performance speed.
A variation on this suggestion is to play a different voice part while you try to sing along with your own part. Try it -- it is FUN!
If your part does not start at the very beginning, mark down the timing of your entrance on the mp3 so you can always fast-forward to that exact location.
Counting and MARKING your scores is CRUCIAL! For the survivors of those counting and marking workshops I used to give, THIS is exactly where it will help. The 3rd song is deceptively difficult for every part except the altos. You sing no words -- and the timing of those repeated notes is unexpected and unpredictable. Chris will not be able to cue entrances or cutoffs, and he WILL expect you to change the notes at the correct time. Marking your counting numbers in every measure will be the ONLY way you'll be able to stay together. (I'm assuming he will also ask you to stagger your breathing during those long "ooh" passages.)
The 3rd song is also the most boring to practice on your own, so mark your counts the FIRST TIME -- you'll probably not want to sing along with that mp3 more than a couple times. Just sayin'...
The 3rd song starts with two preparatory measures in the same tempo and key as the rest of the song. This gives the altos their pitch and tempo.
And one more quick thing: it's no accident that these recordings are posted on the same page as the Sight-Reading Project I created during the 2020 shutdown. Just in case you missed it the first time... (#sneakycarol)
During the January break I decided to make recordings of those three fabulous songs arranged by Mark Wilberg. They are tricky!! I hope these recordings will help you master everything. If you were in the Chorus during the Megill years, you'll remember that I used to make these recordings all the time, and then Don would distribute them in CD format. I'm still using that same synthesizer (purchased in the 1980s) and it still works perfectly!
Each song will have 5 different tracks:
ALL -- all the parts with full piano accompaniment at performance speed
SOP, ALTO, TEN, BASS -- separate voice parts, with all other parts much softer in the background, but still loud enough so you can hear what else is going on around you -- these four tracks will be at slightly slower speed to help you learn it thoroughly.
The voice tracks are each represented by an orchestral instrument:
Soprano -- flute
Alto -- clarinet
Tenor -- French horn
Bass -- Bassoon-ish reed instrument
The full piano score with all four hands is also included in the background.
There is very little dynamic variation in these recordings, and there is no tempo adjustment other than extra time given for the couple of fermatas. The 3rd song WILL have eventually quite a bit of tempo changes throughout, as conducted by Chris, but it is recorded at just one speed for practice purposes.
In general, I recommend that you go through the ALL part first, just to get the flavor, especially with the two faster ones. (The 3rd one is already a very slow performance tempo, so I did not change that for the individual parts.)
Next, listen to and sing along with your own voice part. When you're comfortable with it, go back to the ALL version and try to sing along and performance speed.
A variation on this suggestion is to play a different voice part while you try to sing along with your own part. Try it -- it is FUN!
If your part does not start at the very beginning, mark down the timing of your entrance on the mp3 so you can always fast-forward to that exact location.
Counting and MARKING your scores is CRUCIAL! For the survivors of those counting and marking workshops I used to give, THIS is exactly where it will help. The 3rd song is deceptively difficult for every part except the altos. You sing no words -- and the timing of those repeated notes is unexpected and unpredictable. Chris will not be able to cue entrances or cutoffs, and he WILL expect you to change the notes at the correct time. Marking your counting numbers in every measure will be the ONLY way you'll be able to stay together. (I'm assuming he will also ask you to stagger your breathing during those long "ooh" passages.)
The 3rd song is also the most boring to practice on your own, so mark your counts the FIRST TIME -- you'll probably not want to sing along with that mp3 more than a couple times. Just sayin'...
The 3rd song starts with two preparatory measures in the same tempo and key as the rest of the song. This gives the altos their pitch and tempo.
And one more quick thing: it's no accident that these recordings are posted on the same page as the Sight-Reading Project I created during the 2020 shutdown. Just in case you missed it the first time... (#sneakycarol)
Bright Morning Stars
These first four tracks are ONLY the 4-part men's divisi in m. 19-27. The piano begins at m. 17, and drops out at m. 28.
Each track below starts with the piano at m. 17. Piano fades at m. 40, then starts up again at m. 48. The soprano and alto divisi at m. 62-67 are NOT separated. Tracks end at m. 84. (sorry 'bout that!)
Masterwork Chorus Sight-Reading Project
Please watch this brief video first -- it will provide an overview of all the
nitty-gritty related to this exciting new project!
nitty-gritty related to this exciting new project!
Any questions? Please contact me at [email protected].
Please note -- The files are listed in REVERSE ORDER.
The newest installment is posted at the top of the list!
The newest installment is posted at the top of the list!
Hint: Download the PDF first, and either print it out or just leave it on your computer screen. Then return to this page to play the MP3.
Section 2
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Page 2-O
various keys Two-Part Harmony (posted 5/26/21) |
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Page 2-N
various keys Two-Part Harmony (posted 5/19/21) |
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Page 2-M
various keys Two-Part Harmony (posted 5/12/21) |
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Page 2-L
B Major Two-Part Harmony (posted 5/5/21) |
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Page 2-K
Db Major Two-Part Harmony (posted 4/28/21) |
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Page 2-J
E major Two-Part Harmony (posted 4/21/21) |
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Page 2-I
Ab major Two-Part Harmony (posted 4/14/21) |
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Page 2-H
Eb major Two-Part Harmony (posted 4/7/21) |
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Page 2-G
A major Two-Part Harmony (posted 3/31/21) |
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Page 2-F
Bb major Two-Part Harmony (posted 3/24/21) |
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Page 2-E
D major Two-Part Harmony (posted 3/17/21) |
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Page 2-D
F major Two-Part Harmony (posted 3/10/21) |
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Page 2-C
G major Two-Part Harmony (posted 3/3/21) |
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Page 2-B
C major Two-Part Harmony (posted 2/24/21) |
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Page 2-A
C major Two-Part Harmony (posted 2/17/21) |
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Section 1
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Listed in reverse order -- newest ones are at the top...
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Page 1-U
various keys (posted 2/10/21) |
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Page 1-T
various keys (posted 2/3/21) |
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Page 1-S
various keys (posted 1/27/21) |
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Page 1-R
various keys (posted 1/20/21) |
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Page 1-Q
C Major (posted 1/13/21) |
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Page 1-P
Db major (posted 1/6/21) |
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Page 1-O
B major (posted 12/30/20) |
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December 23 -- Just for fun (after you've completed Page 1-N, below), see how many of these you can name using your new sight-reading skills! Ready? Go!
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Page 1-N
Ab major pickup notes (posted 12/23/20) |
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Page 1-M
E major (posted 12/16/20) |
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Page 1-L
A major (posted 12/9/20) |
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Page 1-K
Eb major rests (posted 12/2/20) |
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Page 1-J
C major bass clef (posted 11/25/20) |
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Page 1-I
Various keys (posted 11/18/20) |
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Page 1-H
Bb Major (posted 11/11/20) |
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Page 1-G
D Major (posted 11/4/20) |
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Page 1-F
F Major (posted 10/28/20) |
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Page 1-E
G Major (posted 10/21/20) |
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Page 1-D
C Major (posted 10/14/20) |
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Page 1-C
C Major Various meters (posted 10/7/20) |
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Page 1-B
C Major 3/4 meter (posted 9/30/20) |
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Page 1-A
C Major 4/4 meter (posted 9/23/20) |
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