This page contains resources to assist Chorale members to practice at home.
For each piece of music currently being rehearsed by the Chorale there will either be 1) a set of resources which will include a set of practice files comprising a version of the piece for each voice type where that voice is emphasised above the others and one with all voices blended or 2) a link to an external site (e.g. “Choralia*) where a set of practice file will be found.
1). Example set of practice files:-
2). Example Choralia link:-
In addition there might be
- a copy of the score
- a link to a video (e.g. YouTube) or music file on another website
- supplementary information about the piece or a pronunciation guide etc.
For each resource:- (in the following Click is for access via a Windows PC or laptop but you may need to tap or tap and hold on mobile devices)
- Where there is a numbered list of music files with the voice type stated (See “1).” above) – click on the voice you want to hear.
- Should you want to change the play back speed, you can copy the link to the voice file you want to play (right click on the voice file and “copy link”) then go to the bottom of this page and follow the instructions under “Choral player link” to upload the file and the instructions under “Use of Choralia resources” to play the file.
- Where there is a link to e.g. Choralia* (see “2).” above) click that link and follow the instructions under “Use of Choralia resources”.
- Where there is a video, click on the arrowhead in the middle of the picture. When the video is finished click on the normal back arrow to return to this page.
- Click/tap/press (depending on your device) on the blue link alongside the score to download/print the score if present
*Use of Choralia resources:- See bottom of page for more information
2024
June event
Lauridsen – O Magnum Mysterium
Video
Lauridsen – Lux Aeterna, O Nata Lux
Video
Paulus – The Road Home
NEW VERSION 19/04/2024
Video
November concert
Todd – Jazz Missa Brevis
Below is a mixture of commercially available practice files and “home grown” practice files. The former, labelled BANDCAMP, use various instruments to represent each voice and therefore don’t contain lyrics whereas the latter, labelled, NEW COLLEGE CHORALE, do.
I am gradually replacing the BANDCAMP versions with my own NEW COLLEGE CHORALE versions.
*Use of Choralia resources
Example Choralia link for Mozart Missa Brevis KV192
https://www.choralia.net/mz22mp3/mz22mp3en.htm
When you click on any Choralia link such as above you will see a page like the one reproduced below. There are sections for each piece by voice type (e.g. Soprano, Alto etc.). The three columns to the right are:- 1) the selected voice alone with a metronome, 2) the selected voice emphasised over the other voices and 3) all voices blended equally.
Click on the one you want and you will see the Control Panel looking like the one reproduced below (surrounded by adverts and requests for donations but ignore these !).
To play the selected piece, click on the arrow to the left of the bar at the top of the Control Panel box. Progress will be shown in the top bar (e.g. 00.40 – 2.35) – 40secs into a piece lasting 2min 35sec). If you hover your mouse cursor in the top bar you will see a moving circle which you can drag about to restart from a different point. That’s it !
Additional optional controls
Depending on what type of device you are using (PC,MAC, or smartphone etc. some of the below details may vary and there may be other icons (hover cursor over them or tap to see whatt they do) and controls but these are the basics.
To start at a specific point other than the beginning you can move the slider on the blue bar (click on it and drag it)to where you want to start (trial and error so note the time on the grey bar at the point you want to restart as you run through the piece) and, if you want to keep practicing this piece, you can loop from the beginning by clicking on the blue box to the right (click on it again to stop it looping).
To speed up or slow down the piece without changing the pitch you can drag the slider on the bar with a hare and tortoise one way or the other (guess which is fast and which is slow!).
You can increase or decrease the amount the selected voice is emphasised over the others by dragging the slider left (decrease) and right (increase) on the next bar down with the loudspeaker symbols.
If you forget which bar does what you can hover your mouse cursor over one of the icons at the end of each bar (e.g. hare, tortoise etc.) for details.
Should you want even more detailed help you can click on the question mark symbol in the boxes at the top of the previous Choralia page (See above) and you will be taken to a new Choralia page with full details of how to use the resources.
Choral player link:-
when you get there paste in any link copied from the practice file lists above (right click , copy link), paste it into the top box (under the message “URL of the mp3 file (mandatory):” and press Submit.