Learning Targets: Breath, Vowel Uniformity, Ensemble

Erlaube: This song is deceptively simple in the part writing, it is easy to read but it really helps us to develope some specific musical skills and when performed well, is really a beautiful musical moment. We listend to the recording with eyes closed so we could really hear what it is like when a choir knows what they are singing about. We practiced facial expression, singing the phrases on one breath, staying together with a consistent tempo, and then we sang with eyes closed to see what it was like to REALLY listen to one another.

Listening: Loch Lomond- the piece really gets your toe tapping. How can we create that feeling of excitement with our voices on our songs. Let's get our current three songs learned so that we can begin some new lit (Loch Lomond)

Elijah Rock-we sang in a circle, worked on face expression, matching vowels, and big tone in measures 33-40 so we can really "rock" that section. The opening unison of the ladies in measure 9 has to be so precise to be in the middle of the pitch (vowel has to match, tone up in the head). We sang without the piano to get more confident on parts. Breathing is an issue still. All students were given homework--go work on breathing in front of your bathroom mirror for 15 minutes every day.

No Mark: Remember what we have worked on for this piece already. (we took 30 seconds to review in our minds before singing) This piece is so good for teaching how to really take a good relaxed breath and to make that a habit when singing. This piece starts off unison, YOU MUST LISTEN CAREFULLY and match vowels and pitch. Measure 22-23, is a critical spot be VERY AWARE of what you are doing as a singer to ensure you are in the center of the pitch, high up in your head with a tall space. 

Sight Reading: The Camel

Mountaineer Choir Rehearsal January 10, 2012

Items you need to study before next class:

Sight Reading: Pages 51-53

Bell Assignment: look in your folder spot

In your small notebook you need to write down information about the Tonic and Dominant Triad—get this from another student in class.

Elijah Rock: Students got into groups and figured out their parts for measure 63-68, then we sang it together, no piano was needed.

Erlaube mir- we video recorded and listened for balance, blend, and rhythmic precision.

Students memorized pitches for measures 1-8 (testing on this next class) and we started the German for measures 1-4.

Students worked really hard, with great focus. GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!!!!!

Mountaineer Choir

January 6, 2012

Bell assignment- get the bell assignment and complete it for Mrs. Moore before the end of class, or in the break.

Sight Reading-Pages 43-50 in the yellow sight reading book

Erlaube mir-
Sophomores are studying time periods in social studies this year, the information about the romantic time period will help you in this class.

Romantic era- was a time of Nationalism, and a time where people expressed themselves more openly than was generally seen in society before. The arts became part of the identity of a nation. Composers used folks songs from their country as the basis for compositions for choir and orchestra. People were proud of the art and music of their nation, it was a way to identify themselves as “German” or “French” or “Russian” for example.

Also characteristic of the music of this era is that songs did not always have a set steady tempo. The tempo may change if the performer feels that would help to express the mood or text of the song. Also dynamics had a greater range between loud and soft, again as a way to be more expressive.

These characteristics are common in all music from this era, and you should know this as part of the content for this class. If you were given another piece from the Romantic era, you should know that the tempo does not need to be strict, and that there is greater opportunity to be expressive with dynamics.

We listened to recordings of this song as a solo art song, and we listened to a choir sing the arrangement we have. From the recordings we discovered ideas for balance, blend, and expression.

4 basses have to be as loud as 12 altos
5 tenors need to be as loud as 13 sopranos

We read the rest of Erlaube mir, you need to spend time learning the notes on your own before next class.

Mountaineer Choir January 4, 2012

Hey guys, good job in spite of how tired you were today!

If you were absent here is what you missed:

1. Bell assignment-you need to pick this up next class, write in the counting and perform it for Mrs. Moore before the end of the class.
2. Sight reading- Pages 36-40 in your book. Come in to make this up during lunch or before school.
3. We revisted our goals that were set back in September. Each student was asked "what do you need to do TODAY, to reach this goal.
4. Elijah Rock- M63-68, write in the solfege (we reviewed how to identify altered solfege) and identify half steps/whole steps and other intervals in the 6 measures.
We also spent time learning a bit of the history of this music.
5. Erlaube mir-sang through measures 1-8, again no piano. It was good to hear how much better students remembered their music by learning it "off piano." Thursday Jan 12 you will have an assessment on measures 1-8 (recorded solo singing, assessment will be on accuracy of pitches and rhythms, intonation, and phrasing)

Hey Mountaineer Kiddos---

I hope this will help you prioritize your practice, and plan proficiently :)

Mountaineer Choir Due Dates




Memorization Schedule: Pitches and text should be memorized by the following dates.


October 11- Carol of the Bells
October 13- Snow
October 19-Silver Bells
October 25-Lully, Lulla, Lullay
October 27-White Christmas
November 2-Spaseniye (Russian) ***play performance, Sr Citizen at 3:30

November 8-Dashing Through the Snow
November 14- Sleigh
November 16- I’ll Be Home for Christmas
November 22-Good Cheer **jazz band field trip

Coming up………..

Sept 30th
ESS P13-14
-Spaseniye test: measure 21 to the end, be able to sing your part independently
-Run all pieces we have looked at so far (Carol, Snow, Ding Dong, Lully) working on consistent resonant supported tone for all pieces. Just plain good singing!

October 4th
ESS P15-17
Focus Piece: Lully-sing on text, discover meaning of the text, relate to dynamics, practice dynamics
Spaseniye-begin language (Christina and Arthur)
Silver Bells-reinforce work from Sept 29, practice parts, tone.
White Christmas-reinforce work from Sept 29, practice parts, tone.
Begin Memorizing Carol of the Bells

October 6th
ESS P 18-19
Focus Piece: Sleigh—part by part, memorization time for other pieces
Spaseniye-review language, practice
Run through all pieces (10 minutes per piece) STUDENTS MUST REMEMBER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

lmo

Swedish Gal Pronounces Domaredansen :)

Almighty and Everlasting (2) Comments

Cool to see the music as you hear it, eh?!