Singing in tune?

Okay all you musical people out there. How do you and the choir you are in (important qualifier, that) stay in tune on difficult songs? We're due to sing "I Believe in the Sun" arranged by Jonathon Adams, and although it's beautiful, it's hell to stay on pitch. We're usually flat four notes in.

I'm trying to remember the tricks that previous directors have used to lift our voices into pitch, but I've only come up with a couple. Like standing up, for one. (Yeah, yeah, I know...) I was thinking that since the background of the piece is so somber (words were found on a basement wall in Cologne, presumably written by someone hiding from the Gestapo), maybe that's dragging us down a little further than the notes are supposed to go, so psychological counters are needed. But it would be kind of weird to sing this song while smiling.

So... any tips? We perform this one on Sunday, so we're all out of practices, besides the morning of.

Rambling about Austen

The other day I finally got around to seeing the Billy Piper version of Mansfield Park. I can't believe they actually managed to make me like Fanny less than I did in the book, but somehow (and I do know how, actually), they did. And there wasn't even the benefit of liking the Crawfords.

Watching it wasn't a complete waste of time, however. I don't know what about that version inspired me, but I was struck with the wicked AU plot bunny. What would have happened had Fanny (the book's Fanny, not that... that mangled version) married Henry? It would not be a happy story, given that she'd already given her heart to Edmund, but at the same time, she would be able to find comfort in providing for her family more than Edmund's living would have provided. But, as I said, it would not end well.

I'm not going to write this story, though. I dislike Fanny way too much, and I can't see her growing any more likeable in this tale. Worse, in fact.

It's funny how my take on Austen's characterizations have changed over time and exposure. The feelings vary, of course, with my mood, but at the same time, I am getting more and more sympathetic towards Mrs. Bennet, for example. I don't disparage Lizzy's choice of refusing Mr. Collins (how horrible that would have been!), but at the same time... It is really quite irresponsible of Lizzy to throw away an opportunity like that.

Of course, that brings up the question of how much responsibility do we bear to our families? In my modern mind, Mrs. Bennet was out of line demanding that Lizzy sacrifice her happiness and sanity for the sake of the family finances and her sisters' futures. But at the same time, that was well before women's lib. Before women could support themselves...

And, of course, this issue has been thought to death by other, better informed and disciplined minds. So I'll stop now.

Because it's been fun looking at everyone else's...

I shouldn't post this right now as I'll be going out this evening. But I'm going to anyway. ;-)

1. Pick 10-20 your favorite movies.
2. Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
3. Post them here for everyone to guess.
4. Fill in the film title once it's guessed.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search functions.


( Edited to add clues... )