Dear Choir Member
Herewith, a few pieces of information to help you use the MP3’s of the Palestrina piece, Sicut Cervus, which Stephen has chosen to be your first learning piece. In all there are 5 MP3’s. These are named: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass and Reduction.
To make these I transcribed the whole piece on to the software known as Sibelius and then extracted each part, and the accompaniment, to make the MP3’s. This means that wherever there are bars’ rests, there will be a silence – you won’t hear me counting along to help you come in with your next entry! You have to do that yourself.
You will be able to sing along with either your single line, to help you learn the part, or, when you have your part mastered, the reduction! The MP3’s on this occasion are made without me asking Sibelius to include any Shellardian added dynamics. You will hear only silences and notes! Sopranos beware your MP3 starts with 3 bars of rests, basses 5 bars! Tenors, your MP3 sounds an octave higher except on the Reduction. This is something I have done in error and I have been unable to put it right! If I do sort the problem I will organise revised copies.
I hope you find the recordings useful!
Regards
Robin