"mark"

[Bob Haas]

I'd wager that this sense of "mark" is linked to or is an extension of
"marking time," which is when a musician follows along with the music,
making note of his part, etc.  This from many summers on the boards
doing musical theater.  Any full-time musicians out there care to
comment.

GEORGE THOMPSON wrote:

> A recent issue of the NY Times uses a word from the jargon of opera
> singers which I don't find either in OED or the Harvard Dictionary of
> Music.  The artice is discussing the strenuous effort required to
> sing the role of Tristan, in Wagner's Tristan und Isolde.
>
> During these rehersals most singers "mark," that it, sing in
> half-voice, leaving out high notes altogether.
> New York Times, December 6, 1999, in the article on Ben Heppner on
> the front page of the Arts section.
>
> GAT

--

Bob Haas
Department of English
High Point University
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

                    "Shun the frumious Bandersnatch!"