The Requiem...

So the insanity of Mr. Cotignola and I continues!! We are beginning the requiem that we will be performing at Gala.

As a full choir and symphonic orchestra, we will be performing movements 1, 2 and 7. In addition, chamber orchestra and an octet selected from within our choir will perform movement 5. There is also a soprano solo within the first movement. Movement 1 is a particularly difficult piece and this will take some effort on  your part outside of class to accomplish. I have attached a link to the Monteverdi Choir's performance of this requiem. This is the version that I am using to study this piece and we will be taking their tempos, dynamics, breath marks, etc. This choir only sings music from this time period, so they are the best of the best at baroque and classical repertoire.

I can't wait to get started!

Mrs. Christy

Click here to listen to the Requiem!

Eric Whitacre Opportunity

So I have made a VERY exciting discovery. On April 1, Eric Whitacre will be conducting his works that will be performed by a choir that is currently auditioning. I have attached the website where you can find the audition information. Unfortunately, I cannot take all of you, but I wish you the best of luck if you take advantage of this opportunity! Here is the link Click Here

-Ms. Christy

Gala Music

Some of you asked if I could post the links to the new pieces so you could hear them again! That definitely makes a chorus teacher smile :) Here they are! Enjoy

Eric Whitacre's Cloudburst

Gyorgy Orban- O Mistress Mine

Caldwell- John the Revelator

Lauriden- La Rose Complete

You can also look up Mozart's Requiem. We are performing the Introit, Kyrie, Dies Irae and Lacrymosa with the Orchestra!

We have our work cut out for us :) See you in 2012!!

Lesson Schedule for Gala and Spring

Here is the lesson schedule for the remainder of the year. There is no time to makeup lessons so keep track and be organized!!

Gala comes up in 9 weeks!

Schedule

Have a GREAT BREAK!!

Mrs. Christy

Concert Makeup Assignment

This assignment is for the few of you who missed the night of the winter concert. Sickness definitely swept through the choir last week, so please complete the following assignment by JANUARY 5, 2012 in order to replace the grade.

Your essays should be three pages in length, double spaced, using times new roman. Any adjustments in margin will be penalized. Please use proper grammar and make sure you spell check. Your papers should be well thought out and insightful.

Option 1)
Using the recording of the winter concert, analyze the performance in a written critique using the guidelines for NYSSMA Majors. This will involve getting back the music from me so that you can cite measure numbers and sections of the different pieces properly.

Option 2)
Cloudburst, by Eric Whitacre has been written for both chorus and band. Listen and compare the two pieces. What is more or less effective about each performance? How does the use of text in the choral performance enhance/ detract from the piece?

This is partially your opinion, but if should also include a section that discusses the background of the piece and composer. What piece came first? (The choral or band) Why did he make the choice to set it for both ensembles? What changes in each performance?

Option 3)
O Mistress Mine! by Gyorgy Orban is a setting of Shakespeare's text from the Twelfth Night. How does it reflect the meaning of the text? How was the piece used in the original work and how has Orban interpreted the setting? Why has he interpreted it this way? Are their literary clues that can be found in the music and vice versa? Can you find other choral settings that have set the text differently? Cite them and discuss how their interpretation of the text differs.

Option 4)
This Gala we will be performing Mozart's Requiem. This is a Major body of work and is a standard of both choral and orchestral literature. Listen to the entire work. Research Mozart and his style. How is it reflected in this piece? What makes it such an effective piece of music? How has he shown the meaning of the text in the voicing and orchestration? How does this piece show how Mozart's style developed and changed as a composer over the course of his lifetime? Please include a brief historical background of Mozart however, the focus of the piece should be on the Requiem.

Performance at Sertino's

This Wednesday, the Jazz Band & Jazz Choir will be performing at Sertinos Cafe in Smithtown. Please come and support your fellow students!

Smithtown West
Jazz Band & Jazz Choir

Enjoy a night of performances & delishious coffee that will put 

you in the holiday spirit!

Wednesday, December 14th

6-9 pm

at Sertino's Cafe in Smithtown

Jazz Choir

Hey all,

This week because of the conference day I will not be seeing you for rehearsal. However, you do need to take a look and start memorizing your carols! We only see each other three times before your first performances of these will begin.

Here is the list of songs with the verses that you should know:

**= we need to take a look at these still!

Angels We Have Heard On High (vs. 1 & 2)
Away in a Manger (vs. 1 & 2)
Carol of the Bells
Come Light the Menorah **
Deck the Hall in 7/8
The First Noel
God Rest You Merry Gentleman **
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (vs. 1-3)
Hiney Mah Tov **
Jingle Bells **
Joy to the World (vs. 1,2 & 4)
Light the Candles
O Come All Ye Faithful
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Silent Night (vs. 1,2 & hum)
S'vivon
White Christmas


Also please remember that for some of these gigs I need a few of you to take some initiative and learn either solos/ duets/ quartets etc. so that there is more of a variety to the program. I know we cover a lot of songs in our set list, but here are a few suggestions:

Baby it's cold outside
Frosty the Snowman
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)
Let it Snow
Silver Bells
O Holy Night
Santa Baby
Winter Wonderland
Dreidel Song

Have fun getting in the Holiday Spirit!!! See you next week.

Ms. Christy