Crescendo is going virtual this fall!
Crescendo sings a mix of pop, standards, jazz and show tunes. Members range from experienced singers to those who learn music mainly by ear. The group is under the direction of Wendi Olinger, who makes rehearsals fun but challenging, too.
Fall 2020 Crescendo Season
For now, we can't sing together face-to-face or side-by-side, but we still can be musically creative. Director Wendi Olinger is taking us online with an all-new format for Crescendo rehearsals. We plan to focus on 4 or 5 pieces – some from last spring, some holiday songs – and have 40-minute rehearsals by section (sopranos with sopranos, tenors with tenors, etc.).
To combat the frustrating technical delays last spring when we tried to sing together via Zoom, Wendi will play piano and sing, and we’ll each sing along at home while muted online. She’ll un-mute everyone from time to time to answer questions, review segments in the music that need more attention and get feedback. By taking advantage of Zoom's strengths, it should feel almost like individualized vocal instruction – but with a little socializing thrown in.
The focus will be on vocal technique, diction and musicality. Each rehearsal will have a 5-minute check-in and warm-up with a quick wrap-up at the end. In between, Wendi will provide concentrated part work, focusing on one or two songs per session.
The cost this fall: $59. Scholarships are available, thanks to our generous sponsors. You can pay via with a credit card below:
or you can mail a check, payable to Ovation, to:
Ovation Performing Arts Northwest, 600 Ericksen, Suite 103, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
If you plan to participate, please register by September 20, so we can send your music via email before the first rehearsal on September 21.
Between rehearsal sessions, you'll have recordings of your voice part to review what you've learned, as well as recordings that include all the other vocal parts, allowing you to blend in your voice. We hope to turn one or two songs into a professional-quality video recording that can be shared on the Ovation website and through social media.
Because there will be four section rehearsals each week, we will need to schedule some rehearsals on another day besides our traditional Monday. Please email Mary Thomas to let her know what nights would work for you (Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday).
We're planning to start September 21 and run for eight straight weeks. The ninth week, we plan to finish the recording.
Come join us – and get your musical brain moving again!
Pictured above are Fall 2019 Crescendo members!
A special thanks to our generous sponsors:
