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Read the PDF file here. It contains excellent tips on how to make your practice time more productive. We will discuss the key points in class next week.
By now, you were to have submitted your Bb scale (#1 and #2), and the Eb scale. Many of you have not done that, and are losing 20% of possible points each day it is late, so get on that tonight! As I told you earlier, if you encounter technical difficulties, you must let Mr. Fallis know, and see Mrs. DeCardy about solving the issue. Don't forget to submit "The Good King Rocks" by Wednesday night.
Here are some good videos to prepare for your upcoming performance on Dec. 15th.
How to project your voice more (guys can use this too)
Begin to develop your vibrato to dramatically improve your voice.
The importance of stage presence, and selling your music to the audience.
More to come soon!
Please check your class for links to some videos that will help you to learn to project your voice, develop vibrato and increase your high range.
18 November
In addition to submitting the Eb scale to your blog by next Wednesday, you must also turn in your playing test for "The Good King Rocks". First click "Find Music" on the home page, then on the upper left, you will find a tab for the library. Search alpabetically for Johnson, Timothy (the composer). Find the correct title, and click on your instrument for the dropdown menu.
After it has loaded, practice it a couple of times, then record it and check how you did by clicking assessment at the top of the screen. If you are pleased with your score, save it as an MP3 and save it to the folder you created for SmartMusic. Also save the grade for the playing test, and submit both to your blog by midnight Wednesday, Nov. 26
You may record the piece as many times as you wish to achieve your best personal score.
All Classes-
17 November
We are soon going to be adding movement to "Chapua Kali Desemba", "The Perfect Christmas Night" and (possibly) "Sleigh Ride". Check out these songs on You Tube and be prepared to share some ideas with the rest of the choir
All the pieces should pretty much be memorized by now. You will be checked to see if you know all your lyrics! Practice at least 20 to 30 minutes a day. Concentrate on staying on pitch and using your best tone at all times. Here’s a great video to help you build resonance and projection, and to improve your tone.
3 November
Choir students should be practicing their concert pieces every day. This week, we will work on memorization, and begin learning some "dance" moves to some of the songs. Also, auditions for solos will take place in the next few days. Please have your solos memorized for the tryouts. Below is the schedule for the coming rehearsals.
Chapua Kali Desemba This group has taken some liberties with the music, but WOW, do they have power!
Shepherd's Pipe Carol This arrangement is in 4 part harmony, but it will help you to practice
Pie Jesu For those of you who would like to audition next week for a small group who will perform this in December. This version is quite different than the music you have, but the melody is the same. The part 2 harmonies are not that hard, so learn those with the links on the October 31 post below.
Vocal Warmups and Proper Breathing Technique
Tuesday, November 4 - solo auditions for "One Candle". There will two soloists selected for this piece.
Monday, November 10 - "Chapua Kali Desemba" and "Shepherd's Pipe Carol must be memorized." Solo auditions for "Chapua Kali Desemba"
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 11 and 12 - Lunchtime auditions for "Pie Jesu". If you wish to be part of this select group, please see Mr. Fallis before Tuesday so that you can get some help preparing for the audition.
Friday, November 14 - "Perfect Christmas Night" and "When The Lights All Shine" must be memorized. Solo auditions for "When The Lights All Shine".
Tuesday, November 18 - "Sleigh Ride" is to be memorized.
If you are interested in trying out for a solo, you should see Mr. Fallis for help to prepare for the audition
31 October
Below are links to the practice files you will use to prepare for our concert in December. Be sure to select the correct part to practice!
Chapua Kali Desemba
Auditions for the solo will take place Nov. 11. Please be prepared to "belt it out".
Chapua Kali Desemba- part 1 and 2 together Part 1 is played by piano, part 2 is a clarinet voicing
Chapua Kali Desemba- part 1 and 3 together - Part 1 is played by piano, part 3 is played by organ
Chapua Kali Desemba - full version with vocals
Chapua Kali Desemba- all parts
Chapua Kali Desemba - accompaniment
Shepherd's Pipe Carol
Shepherd's Pipe Carol - full version with voice his version is a little different than ours, but it will help you learn the style
Shepherd's Pipe Carol - harmonies (at A, D, 10 measures after E, and optional descant at F)
Shepherd's Pipe Carol - accompaniment
Perfect Christmas Night
Perfect Christmas Night - full with voices
Perfect Christmas Night - part 1 This uses organ voicing
Perfect Christmas Night - part 2
One Candle
Two soloists are required for this piece and anyone can audition. Auditions will take place Nov. 4.
One Candle - part 1/soprano (top part, top staff)
One Candle - part 2/alto (bottom part, top staff)
One Candle - part 3/tenor (top part, bottom staff)
Sleigh Ride
Sleigh Ride - full with voices
Sleigh Ride - soprano and alto
When The Lights All Shine
Auditions for solos (preferably one boy, one girl) will be Nov. 10. Please have it memorized (how easy is that?) and be prepared to be recorded.
When The Lights All Shine - full version with vocals
When The Lights All Shine - part 2, beginning at 57 (first time through)
When The Lights All Shine - accompaniment
Pie Jesu
This piece will be performed by an elite few. Auditions will take place Nov. 10 and 12. See Mr. Fallis beforehand for some help to prepare for the audition.
Pie Jesu - part 2 (vibraphone voicing)
11 November
You can earn extra credit if you can present some ideas for “riser movement” for “We Need A Little Christmas”, provided we actually use your ideas.Keep practicing your parts, at least 20 minutes per day, and concentrate on staying on pitch and using your best tone at all times. Here’s a great video to help you build resonance and improve your tone.
3 November
Here is the schedule for the next couple of weeks. Practice every day, and have the pieces memorized by the dates listed below.
Wednesday, November 5 – “Alleluia for Our Time” memorized
Monday, November 10 - "Something Told The Wild Geese" must be memorized.
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 11 and 12 – Lunchtime auditions for “Pie Jesu”. Also Tuesday, “When The Lights All Shine” is to be memorized.
Friday, November 14 – solo auditions for “When the lights all shine”
Monday, November 17 - "We Need A Little Christmas" to be memorized. Solo auditions for “When The Lights All Shine”
31 October
Below are links to the practice files you will use to prepare for our concert in December. Be sure to select the correct part to practice!
When The Lights All Shine
Must be memorized no later than November 12
When The Lights All Shine - full version with vocals
When The Lights All Shine - part 2, beginning at 57 (first time through)
When The Lights All Shine - accompaniment
Pie Jesu
Practice the part of your choice to prepare for auditions for this piece. Only a select few will perform Pie Jesu. Auditions will be during lunch Nov. 11 and 12
Pie Jesu - part 2 (vibraphone voicing)
Something Told The Wild Geese
This must be memorized by November 10
Something Told The Wild Geese - part 1
Something Told The Wild Geese - part 2
Something Told The Wild Geese - parts 1 (piano) and 2 (clarinet voicing)
Yultide Rhythm
Was due to be memorized by October 24.
Yuletide Rhythm - full version with voices
Yuletide Rhythm - accompaniment
Alleluia For Our Time
This must be memorized by November 5
Alleluia For Our Time - full version with voices
Alleluia For Our Time - soprano
Alleluia For Our Time - tenor (this file has been slightly revised to reflect what we discussed in class Nov. 27
Alleluia For Our Time - baritone (guys, be certain not to start in the wrong/low octave, or you will run into trouble after just a few measures!)
Alleluia For Our Time Soprano (93 to the end only)
Alleluia For Our Time Alto/Tenor (93 to the end only)
Alleluia For Our Time Baritone (93 to the end only)
Alleluia For Our Time - accompaniment
We Need A Little Christmas
This must be memorized by November 17
We Need A Little Christmas - part 1
We Need A Little Christmas - part 2
We Need A Little Christmas - parts 1 (piano) and 2 (vibraphone)
We Need A Little Christmas - accompaniment
17 November
Assignment - now that you have Smart Music functioning, you are to record #1. Key of Concert Bb Major, including the arpeggio, #2. Key of Bb, and #1. Key of Concert Eb Major, all found on page 40. The Bb exercises must be submitted to your blog by midnight Wednesday, Nov. 19 and the Eb scale is due by midnight Wednesday, Nov. 26.
If you encounter any difficulty with Smart Music, contact Mr. Fallis before the deadline.
When saving your MP3, include your first name in the file's name; for example "Jeffrey's Bb scale". This will help me identify whose assignment it is, since not all of you have your name on your blog.
Low Brass, woodwinds and bass guitars should practice with the files listed below. They are slowed down a bit so that you can concentrate on correct fingerings, accurate pitches and good tone
6 November
There will be extra credit for the first three band students that submit a paper to Mr. Fallis, indicating the type of animal that is playing the clarinet in the comic strip. Be sure to include your name.
5 November
The Concert Eb scale must be memorized by Wednesday, Nov. 12. Extra credit will be given if you can play the scale two octaves.
31 October
Happy Halloween!
By Monday, Nov. 10 , you must have "BB's Power Rock" memorized. You will be tested on that, beginning that day.
Below are links to MP3's that you can use to practice at home:
BB's Power Rock This is only a MIDI file, so the sound is not the greatest. This piece must be memorized by Monday, Nov. 10
23 October
Students, here are some links to websites and videos that may help you or inspire you. Remember that this IS the internet, so use good judgment if you begin to look at related links. Also, be aware that I am unable to control comments or reviews made by other people, so surf responsibly!
If you find some cool videos or websites on your own, send me the link in an email, and I'll post them on my blog.
Flutes
Have you ever heard rock played on a flute?
Or seen a beat-boxing flautist?
Clarinets
Watch a teenager play the Stamitz Clarinet Concerto (very nice)
Just for fun, enjoy one of the most famous clarinet pieces in the world
Avani, here's one just for you
Do you want to super-size that?
Saxophones
Here are a series of saxophone lessons
Enjoy this sax quartet
Listen to this jazz Tenor solo
Improve you articulation and tonguing
How do like this "bad boy"?
Trumpets
Learn how to clean your valves
Take a refresher lesson on breathing
Trombones
Rock on dude!
A sweet jazz solo, and awesome range!
High School girls wail on "The Stars and Stripes Forever"
'Bones' are so cool!
Tubas
Who says tubas can't rock and roll!
Percussion
You've got to watch this!
Interesting World Percussion: Can you say Ghatam? Tabla (and she's only 9!)
All Brass Instruments
Give your horn a bath
Grease your tuning slides
After it's dry and reassembled, learn how to polish your instrument
Watch a brass quintet, featuring the tuba
You can earn extra credit if you can present some ideas for “riser movement” for “We Need A Little Christmas”, provided we actually use your ideas. Keep practicing your parts, at least 20 minutes per day, and concentrate on staying on pitch and using your best tone at all times. Here’s a great video to help you build resonance and improve your tone.
11 November
You can earn extra credit if you can present some ideas for “riser movement” for “We Need A Little Christmas”, provided we actually use your ideas. Keep practicing your parts, at least 20 minutes per day, and concentrate on staying on pitch and using your best tone at all times. Here’s a great video to help you build resonance and improve your tone.
6 November
Have you been practicing with the MP3 files? Don't forget that by Monday, "Something Told The Wild Geese" must be memorized.
Don't be shy about auditioning for "Pie Jesu". Auditions for that are Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
3 November
Here is the schedule for the next couple of weeks. Practice every day, and have the pieces memorized by the dates listed below.
Wednesday, November 5 – “Alleluia For Our Time” memorized
Monday, November 10 - "Something Told The Wild Geese" must be memorized." Gr. 7 must also have “Concert Etiquette Rap” memorized
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 11 and 12 – Lunchtime auditions for “Pie Jesu”. Also Tuesday, “When The Lights All Shine” is to be memorized.
Friday, November 14 – solo auditions for “When The Lights All Shine”
Monday, November 17 - "We Need A Little Christmas" to be memorized. Solo auditions for “When The Lights All Shine”
Thursday, November 20 - "Chapua Kali Desemba" to be memorized.
31 October
Below are links to the practice files you will use to prepare for our concert in December. Be sure to select the correct part to practice!
Chapua Kali Desemba
This piece must be memorized no later than November 20
Chapua Kali Desemba- part 1 and 2 together Part 1 is played by piano, part 2 is a clarinet voicing
Chapua Kali Desemba- part 1 and 3 together - Part 1 is played by piano, part 3 is played by organ
Chapua Kali Desemba - full version with vocals
Chapua Kali Desemba- all parts
Chapua Kali Desemba - accompaniment
When The Lights All Shine
Must be memorized no later than November11
When The Lights All Shine - full version with vocals
When The Lights All Shine - part 2, beginning at 57 (first time through)
When The Lights All Shine - accompaniment
Pie Jesu
Practice the part of your choice to prepare for auditions for this piece. Only a select few will perform Pie Jesu. Auditions are at lunch Nov. 11 and 12.
Pie Jesu - part 2 (vibraphone voicing)
Concert Etiquette Rap
This piece must be memorized by November 10
Concert Etiquette Rap - full version with voices
Something Told The Wild Geese
This must be memorized by November 10
Something Told The Wild Geese - part 1
Something Told The Wild Geese - part 2
Something Told The Wild Geese - parts 1 (piano) and 2 (clarinet voicing)
Yultide Rhythm
Was due to be memorized by October 24.
Yuletide Rhythm - full version with voices
Yuletide Rhythm - accompaniment
Alleluia For Our Time
This must be memorized by November 5
Alleluia For Our Time - full version with voices
Alleluia For Our Time - soprano
Alleluia For Our Time - tenor (this file has been slightly revised to reflect what we discussed in class Nov. 27
Alleluia For Our Time - baritone (guys, be careful not to start in the wrong/low octave, or you will run into trouble after just a few measures!)
Alleluia For Our Time Soprano (93 to the end only)
Alleluia For Our Time Alto/Tenor (93 to the end only)
Alleluia For Our Time Baritone (93 to the end only)
Alleluia For Our Time - accompaniment
We Need A Little Christmas
This must be memorized by November 17
We Need A Little Christmas - part 1
We Need A Little Christmas - part 2
We Need A Little Christmas - parts 1 (piano) and 2 (vibraphone)
We Need A Little Christmas - accompaniment
