PHILO YEARBOOK IS LIVE After a long gestational period, our first-every Philo Singer Yearbook is available for your reading pleasure! Click here to access: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iW_LIrp3B_iViIC_LeODPXmjBgcb8tTD?usp=sharing We will update this 2x/yr at start of each "semester" when new singers join. So if you did not provide a photo or bio for "version 1," you can do so any time before February and we'll add your information in the next round. This pdf document will be housed on the Philo Singers section of our Google Drive. This section is also called the "singer portal." Just look for the folder called "Singer 'Yearbook'" to locate the document, if you misplace the above link. You can always search on the word "yearbook" on Google Drive as well. Thank you to everyone who provided photos and responded to our survey. I hope you will enjoy getting to know your fellow singers even better, especially if you...
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THANK YOU FROM THE KISTNER FAMILY AND GAYLE Thank you so very much for singing at Dave Kistner's Memorial Service on Saturday. It meant so very much to the family. Those of you who knew Dave knew him as a humble, giving, all around great guy. I don't think his family had any idea how many people loved him. They thought there wouldn't be many people at the service. 🙂 His sons, Nate and Tim, were astonished. Nate is the one who requested Battle Hymn. He was awestruck by your singing and willingness to provide such a gift to them. Thank you for prioritizing this occasion in your very busy schedules. It mattered. You sang beautifully. I was so proud and grateful for your presence and voices. Extra thanks and smiles of gratitude for Kathy, for playing JUST the bass part, Dave's part, on some of the verses of the prelude hymn. For Don, who saved the seat next to him, where Dave sat every week, right behind me in the chancel pe...
AMERICA WILL BE: practice tracks with part dominant options Another practicing "hack". Thanks, Lise. Gayle From: yasui@aol.com <yasui@aol.com> Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2025 2:32 PM To: Gayle Wieand <gdwieand@msn.com>; Susan Federico <sfed812@gmail.com> Subject: part dominant links Hi Gayle, I found this site helpful for learning America Will Be. It has part predominant files that you can purchase for a nominal fee. It seems accurate and is how I learn since I can't read music. Once downloaded, it can be played via computer or transferred to a phone for portable listening. America Will Be part predominant If you click on the "Voice Part" pull-down menu, it gives lots of options. The "predominant" selections enable you to learn alongside muted other parts, since so much of this requires listening to the rest of the choir. Another hack I use is to play it on my computer and simultaneously record it via my "voice memos...
PWMP CONCERTS DECEMBER 7 and 9 2025 Please share the news of this concert of our sister chorus with your family and friends Please share the concert info with your friends and family. I think the Sunday concert might be livestreamed, too. I'm really enjoying the music! It's lifting my spirits at a time I really need it! Our friends and family will probably feel the same! Hugs, Gayle
Philo's 2025-2026 Zoom link Topic: Philomusica Rehearsal Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81445767508?pwd=dX3wuGiFwD1TNz9XeaLb0BsOhXKYA5.1 Meeting ID: 814 4576 7508 Passcode: 828929 --- One tap mobile +13092053325,,81445767508#,,,,*828929# US +13126266799,,81445767508#,,,,*828929# US (Chicago) Join instructions: https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/81445767508/invitations?signature=-KvG0vgKCtd2hl4Plzwcn7wBuw7BoH3MnVP2bLjXzvQ
Sectionals Wed Nov19 AND Sun Nov 23 - schedule below Wed Nov 19: sectionals on Wed eve are IN PERSON at Gayle's ( 1701 Hillcrest Rd, Laverock, PA 19038) 7:00 PM Sopranos 8:00 PM Altos Sun Nov 23: Also in person at Gayle's 12:30 Tenors 1:30 Basses 2:30 Sopranos 3:30 Altos There will be an attempt to use Zoom too, but recent technical difficulties suggest that it will not work. Please plan to come in person
Singer Aid for Dave Kistner's memorial service See link below From: Susan F <sfed812@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, November 17, 2025 3:49 PM To: GAYLE WIEAND <gdwieand@msn.com> Subject: Dave's Service Will this help Philo Singers because of our short time frame? If so, feel free to forward. The link should work for everyone. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNyC-YXdeEXTIjbhx59I7nefizGkzx8d&si=EeCyQZQm8Y-SRhgI
Picaflor parts for sop and alto Dear Sopranos and Altos, Lise Yasui found these Picaflor tracks online. I haven't listened to them Maybe they'll help? Thanks, Lise! From: yasui@aol.com <yasui@aol.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 10:41 PM To: Gayle Wieand <gdwieand@msn.com>; Susan Federico <sfed812@gmail.com> Subject: Picaflor parts Hi Gayle and Susan, Picaflor parts I found this site with parts broken out for Picaflor. It's weird and electronic, but accurate I think. I find these only so helpful since you can't hear the other parts, but alto 'dominant' sites are hard to find. I record these on my voice memos app on my iphone, and that allows you to play them back at slower speeds. Still, I'm eager for the day AI will let you create part-dominant training tools! lise
November 14 2025 Dear Singers: Dave Kistner's memorial service will be next Saturday, Nov 22, at Willow Grove United Methodist Church. 34 N. York Rd, Willow Grove, PA 19090 Many of you have already asked if we could sing, and the family would love it if we would. I WILL CONSIDER IT A PERSONAL GIFT TO ME IF YOU ALL WOULD, INDEED, JOIN ME IN SINGING AT HIS SERVICE. Dave was an integral part of Philomusica for many years, doing many tasks behind the scenes and without fanfare. He loved Philo. At the end of August, sick as he was, he spent over 2 hours sorting music at our library storage facility. We'll meet at the church at 9 AM to warm up and run the music before the 10 AM service. AND, we'll rehearse on Monday night if you all agree to sing on Saturday. The family has requested Battle Hymn of the Republic. I'm desperately looking now for a copy of the Wilhousky arrangement. That's right, Dave, was a BIG Civil War hi...
November 13 2025 Dear Singers, In my private studio, I teach a whole lesson on "how to really learn a song." One of the steps is to write out the words on lined paper, leave a couple spaces between lines. Then speak the words, not in rhythm, just to learn them. Several times, in different ways, find the meanings of the poetry. Then sing the words on one note. Not in rhythm yet Make notes on the lines underneath about the lemmings, diphthongs, unaccented vowels, etc. Go to the head of the class by singing on one note only the vowel sounds. Have fun and increase your skills. Cheers, Gayle
10 Nov 2025 Hi Singers A couple things about practicing. You probably want to invest at least 1 to 2 hours a week on your music outside of rehearsals and sectionals. This might involve listening to recordings of your parts or the whole song and singing along and practicing your own vocal technique and notes with a piano or a cappella. You can always call me to schedule one on one or set up a small group practice. The Alto 2's do this all the time! I know some of you practice every day. Bless you! We've stacked rehearsal and sectionals for these weeks in November before Thanksgiving to make sure we're moving forward before the holidays begin. December is crazy, then the year-end break, then it's JANUARY! Please visit the portal for all the links. Let me know what you need. NOVEMBER Sectionals THIS SUNDAY, Nov 16. 1701 Hillcrest Rd. Laverock. PA. Bring notes of what you need. Tenors at 1 Basses at 2 Sopranos at 3 Alto...