It Is Well
Arr. by David Wise
Staging Team: Gabby DuBois
NEW KEY - We will record this song up 1/2 step in the key of B. Please practice your part in this key!
SATB Rehearsal track with click in key of B.
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Divisi
S1: EN, KJN S2: AG, JS, KN A1: DU, CB, MH A2: GD, EH, KE T1: RC, JW T2: BW. CW B: BB |
We started on this last year, but it never came together due to COVID. Hopefully, we can rework some of the parts and try again!
GROUP NOTES FOR "IT IS WELL" (from last year)
I have heard most of GB projects, and everyone seems to be making the same mistakes, so I thought I would point out some major areas to focus on when you make your final recording. I will count off 2 points from your total score for any error listed below that is on your final recording, so make your you circle it!
1) The most important note is to make music out of this. I know it is incredibly difficult to sing with meaning and intensity when you are just singing with a guide track, but go back and listen to the session singers, and note the way every vocal was delivered with musicality and intent. Keep that in mind. You've got the notes. Now make music.
2) There are a few phrasing issues that will be obvious if we don't sing the same way. Please make note of these areas:
Observe the dynamics, particularly the softness of the opening and building toward the great moments of intensity.
1) The most important note is to make music out of this. I know it is incredibly difficult to sing with meaning and intensity when you are just singing with a guide track, but go back and listen to the session singers, and note the way every vocal was delivered with musicality and intent. Keep that in mind. You've got the notes. Now make music.
2) There are a few phrasing issues that will be obvious if we don't sing the same way. Please make note of these areas:
- Always observe every rest written, making sure to note the cut off. Some of you are cutting off too early on those whole notes. Hold all the way to the downbeat of the following measure. On the chorus, when you've go half notes, cut off on three.
- We'll take a breath in m. 25 before "It Is well."
- Do not breath between m. 56 and 57. This should be HUGELY intense with no break until beat 3 of m. 57.
- Do not breathe between m. 64 & 65. Same phrasing. Carry over through the key change. Take a breath on beat 3 of m. 65.
- Do not breathe in m. 69 between the "Ah" and "It is well." Carry over.
- THe ONLY place we will take a breath where it is not marked in the score is at m. 78 after the word "with."
Observe the dynamics, particularly the softness of the opening and building toward the great moments of intensity.
- Intro: soft, reflective
- Vs 1: mp
- Chorus 1: mp - building to mF.
- Turn Around into Vs. 2: mp to mF
- V. 2: mF building to strong Forte at "That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate. and hath shed His own blood for (breathe) my soul.
- Chorus 2: mF
- Turn to Vs. 3: starts softly then builds on the "Oh-Ah" and it should be HUGE there. FF!
- It remains full, passionate, and intense all the way to the chorus
- Chorus 3: mF but starts to build in 76.
- Tag: Starts at F and gradually comes down to mp by the end.
Rehearsal Tracks
All Parts_Recording Track
This is the track you will use to record your vocal/video. Note that the tempo is slightly different on this track, so be sure to use THIS video in your ear when you record. |
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Soprano 1: EN, KJN
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Soprano 2: AG, JS, KN
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Alto 1: DU, CB, MHGM, KN, EC
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Alto 2: GD, EH, KE
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Tenor 1: RC, JW
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Tenor 2: BW, CW
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Bass: BB
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This is the conducting guide for "It Is Well" that we attempted last year. We may use this again, if so, it is here for reference.