• 05/17/26 (John): I would like the quartet (Stars & Stripes) to arrive at 6:00 Tuesday night to rehearse with the saxes. I would like Da Cappella to arrive by 6:15 to run My Foolish Heart. All other Da Capo members are called at 6:30. We will run the rest of our program; Dear Future Husband, Someone to Watch Over Me, Big Yellow Taxi, Who Are You, Chicago Medley, Songs For the People, I've Been Everywhere, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy

• 05/10/26 (John): Here's the lineup for Tuesday night: Full chorus at 6:30 - One Voice, Turn Off Your Phone, Celebration, Harmony's..., Sing On!, People Got to Be Free, You...Sunshine. After that, or at 8:00 (whichever comes later) Da Cappella will stay for My Foolish Heart. After that, quartet will stay for Stars and Stripes. Please expect to stay past 8:00 from now until the concerts.

• 05/04/26 (John): Hi all, I am being led away from you tomorrow night. My FA boys tennis players were to compete this past Saturday in the first round of the State Singles Tournament. The rain, which was worse at the coast than here, washed out play which is rescheduled for tomorrow after school. Christina has agreed to fill in for me, so please give her the attention and respect you give me - no wait, give her more. Frank, Lloyd and David (Frank Lloyd Wright) get the night off. I am calling Da Cappella from 6:30-7:15. Reviewing both One Voice and My Foolish Heart. All women are called from 7:15- 8:00. Reviewing both Boogie Woogie and Dear Future Husband. Patrick will come for the full rehearsal to assist Christina at the piano. Thank you all and see you next week, when we will start running blocks of the program.

• 04/25/26 (John): Reminder that Da Cappella will meet first (6:30) this Tuesday night. Full chorus members are called for 7:00. If you arrive early, please sit quietly while we work on songs. At 7:00, we will return to One Voice (I hear a triumphant yell from Shelley), putting together solo, backups (Da Cappella), and full choir. After that, we will finish work on Chicago in Concert and put the full Chicago medley together. With time remaining, I'd like to review Harmony's Never Too Late and People Got to Be Free (which Leanne and I heard today on the Billy Joel Channel on Sirius XM - apparently Billy was a fan of the Rascals). Note to Lloyd and David; the baritone recording I made is horrible, so please ignore it and learn the bass part. We'll need you both on bass since Peter has a separate part to sing, as do I. Thanks. 

• 04/22/26 (Board): Hello all, Just a reminder that next week is the Dine to Donate event at 302 West in Fryeburg.  Please share with your friends and family.

• 04/19/26 (John): I hope you've been listening to your recordings. We will finish up learning Songs For the People this week. Then we'll move on to Chicago in Concert before reviewing Sing On and Big, Yellow Taxi. 

• 04/16/26 (John): Program order and soloists

  • 1- One Voice >> Solo- John; segues into...

  • 2- The Turn Off Your Phone Song >> No solos

  • 3- Celebration >> No solos

  • 4- Harmony's Never Too Late >> Solo 1 & 3- Ann Ryan; Solo 2- Donna; Duet- Ann & Donna

  • 5- Sing On >> No solos

  • 6- Dear Future Husband >> Solo- Heather; Small Group- Beth, Anne, Sam, Donna

  • 7- Someone to Watch Over Me >> Solos- Christina and Steve

  • 8- My Foolish Heart - Da Cappella

  • 9- Big Yellow Taxi >> No solos

  • 10- Who Are You >> All solos- David

  • 11- Chicago in Concert and You're the Inspiration >> Small group (ms. 73-83)- Charlotte, Mary, Leanne

  • 12- Songs For the People >> No solos

  • 13- I've Been Everywhere >> Solo 1 and last measure- Peter; Solo 2 (ms. 13-14)- Lloyd

  • 14- The Stars and Stripes Forever (sax and vocal mash-up) >> Tenor- Julie; Lead- Steve; Baritone- John; Bass- Peter

  • 15- Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy >> No solos

  • 16- People Got To Be Free >> No solos

  • 17- You Are My Sunshine >> No solos

• 04/16/26 (John): Fryeburg is celebrating the Semiquincentennial the week of June 21-27. I have signed up Da Capo (volunteers who are able) to sing twice during the week.  The first is the Tuesday (6/23) night concert at Bradley Park. The Della Valla Trio (see previous email's flyer) are headlining and we will open for them. We'll start about 6:45 and sing some songs from our Patriotic portion of the concert, which will include I've Been Everywhere, Stars and Stripes Forever (saxes and quartet), and Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. The second will be on Thursday, June 25. This one will be part of an Ice Cream Social on the lawn of Fryeburg Congregational Church, similar to what we did last August. It begins at 1:00 and we'll perform the same 3 songs as well as some surprise appearances from our founding fathers. Check your calendars and I hope you can join us for this special national celebration.

• 04/13/26 (John): We are all back together again tomorrow. We'll be looking at new music, including Celebration, Who Are You and Songs For the People. I have attached a rewrite of Chicago for altos and basses - I hope you find it easier to follow. (it does NOT have the accompaniment included). I predict 'no snow' for tomorrow.

• 04/05/26 (John): This week is just for women (and me and Patrick). On Dear Future Husband I would like the small group to consist of Beth and Anne C. on the top, and Sam and Donna on the bottom. Measures 28, 60 and 84 will be just Beth and Anne; measures 30, 62 and 86 will be just Sam and Donna (On the small group line). You four should check out the Small part predominant recordings - Group 1 is sopranos and group 2 is altos (in our case, tenors). Everyone should be checking in to listen to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy - it flies and it's fly! See you Tuesday- men next week.

• 03/31/26 (John): NO REHEARSAL TONIGHT. Just reminding you all that there is no regular chorus rehearsal tonight. I will be working with a select few (NOT Da Cappella) at 7:30 but they know who they are. Next week, we will work on the two SSA numbers, so male-presenting tenors and basses need not be present - I'll see you again on the14th.

If you are receiving this email and will NOT be joining us for the rest of this semester and concerts, please let me know so I can remove you from the group temporarily.

Also, reminders about dues ($50) and music ($20). If not already paid, you can see Beth at next week's rehearsal.

• 03/23/26 (John): Tomorrow we'll review Sunshine and People Got to be Free, start work on the You're the Inspiration part of Chicago, take a quick look at Harmony's Never Too Late, and leave time at the end to hear soloists on Someone to Watch Over Me. This 'audition' will qualify you for any solo throughout the program - to be doled out at the Director's discretion.

Remember next week, March 31st, there will be no full chorus rehearsal. Only those designated (they know who they are) will rehearse at the Congo church at 7:30.

On April 7th, I would like all women (even tenors) at rehearsal. No male-presenting basses and tenors need be at rehearsal that night.

• 03/16/26 (John): Tuesday we will review I've Been Everywhere (no, Heather, still not up to show tempo). As promised, we'll crunch some notes on You Are My Sunshine then look at Someone to Watch Over Me and, if time, start work on People Got To Be Free. Next week, March 24th, I would like to hear anyone interested in singing solo or with a small group. Please prepare the female or male solo at the start of Someone to Watch Over Me - which we will review tomorrow. Remember there will NOT be a full chorus rehearsal on March 31st. This is the last week for new members, except by special dispensation from the Director.

• 03/07/26 (John): We will pick up where we left off at our first session, working through Big Yellow Taxi. I also want to start on I've Been Everywhere (listed in S&A recordings as 'everywhereman') - so many place names, so little time! You should know, I recorded that on the slow side for learning purposes. We'll start ramping up the tempo in May. Then we'll hit Chicago - the rock band, not the city or the B'way Musical. Reminder that we will edit out Does Anybody....It Is (having just done that song) and Colour My World (I love the song but we don't need a 3 minute solo in the middle of a choral arrangement) and add You're the Inspiration to the end of 25 or 6 to 4. We will be open to new members for two more Tuesdays, so get the word out and bring a friend.

• 02/14/26 (John): I'm looking forward to getting started on this semester's music. For Tuesday, you will need to print (or let Kristen know you can't) the following pieces:

  • • One Voice

    • The Turn Off Your Phone Song

    • Big Yellow Taxi

    • You Are My Sunshine

These can all be found on our website, https://sites.google.com/view/da-capo-mwv-singers/home, Click on 'For Da Capo members', then 'sheet music'. Tenors and basses will also find part-specific recordings of all these songs (and many more) on the website. Please be patient for the female parts to be recorded and uploaded. ALERT- if you are printing Chicago in Concert, you do NOT need to print drive pages 12-17 (which are pages 13-18 of the octavo). Those pages will be cut and You're the Inspiration will be tacked on to the medley. See you Tuesday.

• 02/09/26 (John): Greetings all current, past and, perhaps, future members of Da Capo Chorus. It's recruitment time again. Having just completed the Winter concerts, we are looking forward to an exciting semester of music to prepare for our June concert weekend. The concerts will be Thursday through Saturday, June 11-14 at various locations throughout the Mount Washington Valley. We rehearse Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 at the Church of the New Jerusalem on Oxford St. in Fryeburg. If you have the time and the inclination to join us, we'd love to add you to our ranks. We do a mix of popular, Broadway, classic rock, jazz and specialty songs. Learn more about us by checking out our website; https://sites.google.com/view/da-capo-mwv-singers/home?authuser=0

Our first rehearsal will be Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:30. If you're unsure we're a good fit for your musical taste, come check us out for a rehearsal or two to hear what's going on. After the 17th, we will be off for two weeks. Weekly Tuesday rehearsals begin March 10 and continue until our June concerts. Hope to see you on the 17th!

• 02/02/26 (John): Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:30 at New Church. That will be our opening rehearsal for the Spring semester. My hope is to distribute the music then and have some recordings for you to work on until we meet 3 weeks later on March 10 (sorry, Leanne and I will be in Florida for 2 weeks). 

*Learn the music

• work towards memorization which leads to a better overall performance and allows for more movement

• attend all scheduled rehearsals (if you need to miss some, work on the music on your own)

• listen to the recordings (when available)

• practice on your own at home or by getting together with your section group members

*Be respectful, responsible and safe

• Be supportive and kind to all members

• Fulfill responsibilities for attendance and learning music

• Stay home if you are not feeling well, particularly if you have a runny nose, cough, sore throat and/or fever

• Check emails and Da Capo website and calendar frequently for updates to rehearsals, concerts, or fundraising events

*Help support Da Capo

• Da Capo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) and needs the support of its members and the community (see Financials and Stuff for breakdown of costs)

• Pay dues in a timely manner - Dues are $50 per semester

• Pay music costs in a timely manner.  You keep your music at the end of the semester, unless you want to donate it back to Da Capo

• Participate in fundraisers whenever possible (caroling events, restaurant fundraisers, etc.)

• Seek sponsors or advertisers to support Da Capo - see Julie or Beth for more information

• Volunteer to bring food, set up or break down equipment for concerts whenever available

• All members are encouraged to invite family and friends to caroling, dine to donate events, and of course, concerts

To ensure Da Capo thrives as a singing group, we rely on various funding sources such as:

• Member Dues

• Donations

• Concert Program Advertising and Sponsorships

• Concert Ticket Sales

• Community Events and Fundraisers 

to cover essential expenses such as:

• Sheet Music

• Director Fees

• Rehearsal and Concert Venue Rentals

• Concert Program Printing

• Concert Program Advertising

• Guest Musicians

With semester dues set at $50 per singer, in addition to sheet music costs (you keep the music), we encourage members facing financial hardships to reach out for assistance. Your support and contributions are vital for our success and longevity.

This space is for any of us to share what we are involved with outside the organization. Do you have a project, club, band, business, etc. that you are a part of outside of Da Capo? If so, then share it here so that others can learn about it!

• August 8 @3:00pm - 7:00pm (Anne): Summers are Forever

  • • Please mark your calendar for the 11th annual Summers are Forever event on Saturday August 8th from 3 to 7 p.m. at our Ogeedankee cabin in Tamworth, New Hampshire.  This year we welcome back Alice Howe and Freebo (along with their backing band) for the musical performance.  Their performance will start around 4pm. For those who want to make a long weekend of it, we are also planning other activities including a Friday charity golf round, a Sunday brunch and mountain hike.  For additional information please check the Summers are Forever webpage at:  www.ogeedanke.org

    • If you already know whether you are planning to attend (or not) please RSVP here:  https://forms.gle/JVGa1LJmuanXnRwK9

• June 6 @7:00pm (Diane): I Hear America Singing: Choral music of American composers

  • • Mt. Washington Valley Choral Society Spring Concert

    • Leura Hill Eastman PAC at Fryeburg Academy

    • More info and tickets in advance at mwvcs.org

• Check out FROZEN JR. - April 10, 11, 17, 18 @7:00pm, April 11, 12, 18, 19 @2:00pm

• January 11 @ 7pm (David): AN EVENING’S FROST – THE POETRY OF ROBERT FROST

  • • Directed by Christine Thompson

    • Join us for a special evening at the Playhouse for the poetry of Robert Frost, directed by Christine Thompson. An Evening’s Frost is a compilation of selected poems by Robert Frost, thoughtfully arranged into a cohesive and evocative journey by the late M & D Artistic Director, Richard Russo. The New England poet Robert Frost, perhaps best known for “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”, also wrote many narrative poems that explore profound human experiences. Many of these works grapple with the delicate boundary between life and death. Frost was no stranger to loss; he outlived four of his six children. His prolific body of work may be understood, in part, as an effort to confront and make sense of these unimaginable tragedies. Yet, with remarkable brilliance, Frost infuses his poetry not only with beauty, but also, most importantly, with hope. 

    • Performances at M&D Playhouse at the historic Eastern Slope Inn, 2760 White Mountain Highway, North Conway

    • Tickets: www.mdplayhouse.com

• December 4,5,6,11,12,13,18,19,20 @7:30pm, December 7,14,21 @3:30 pm (David): A Christmas Carol

  • • By Charles Dickens

    • Directed by Mackenzie Hester

    • M&D continues its annual tradition of presenting the ultimate in holiday offerings. The timeless Christmas classic about a mean-spirited and selfish old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas. One cold Christmas Eve, Scrooge, who is found being unkind to the people in his life, will be visited by three ghosts who will give him an opportunity to change his ways before it is too late. A play about taking a look into your past, your present to see how it affects your future and most importantly yourself. This play gives a look about what you can do with a chance to correct the error of your ways, to learn, to grow, a chance to change your path and therefore your future.

    • Performances at M&D Playhouse at the historic Eastern Slope Inn, 2760 White Mountain Highway, North Conway

    • Tickets: www.mdplayhouse.com

• November 7,8,9,14,15,16 (Mary): Once Upon a Mattress, Jr. 

  • • By Mary Rodgers, Marshall Barer, Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller

    • Directed by Mary Bastoni

    • Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larken and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.

    • Performances at The Majestic Theater, 36 Main Street, Conway, NH 01818

    • Tickets: artsinmotiontheater.com

      • ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: YOUTH EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

• September 19 @ 7pm-8:30pm (John): Barry Me A Little

  • • Barry Manilow was the biggest hit-maker of the 70s and 80s and he is still touring at age 82. We are happy to present his younger prodigy (not really) for this area premiere. John Waldie thrilled audiences last year with his Billy Joel tribute, now he presents 'Barry Me a Little', his take on the man who "wrote the songs that make the young girls cry" (though he didn't write that song - Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys did.) Don't miss the local 'King of the Keys' as he modulates his way through the Manilow repertoire. 

    • Denmark Arts Center - denmarkarts.org