Why music?

How to rosin a bow

Putting on a new string

Finger Vibrato

Wrist Vibrato

Good Sounds and Bad Sounds

Detache Bowing

Spiccato Bowing

Violin Bow Control

Violin Bow Arm Height

Martele Bowing

Sautille Bowing

Keeping your bow straight

Violin Bow Hold

Extra Credit Assignment #1: Orchestra

Please critique this excerpt by a middle school string orchestra. It is an arrangement of the piece, "Finlandia," by Sibelius. Use the following criteria for your discussion:

1.) Phrasing
2.) Tuning
3.) Dynamics
4.) Interpretation
5.) Section balance

Extra Credit Assignment #1: Chorus

Please critique this Christmas concert using the following criteria:
1.) Posture
2.) Appearance
3.) Blend
4.) Tuning
5.) Programming/Song Selection

Men's Selections for next year

Guys, go over to the left of the screen and click on the sound icons. I absolutely love this stuff.

http://www.a-cappella.com/product/acappella-radiance-songbook-5336B/ttb_mens_gospel

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

This is the Deerfield High School Chorus, and they are about our size. What do you think?

Darth Pants

Don't let this happen to you! Make sure your pants are belted, please!

Song Assignment: Chorus

SSA selections, Christmas:

"Candles in December" Reason: it sounds SOOOO pretty - JV

"Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" Reason: because it's a fun song! - KS

"Look Up Children" Reason: (incomplete entry) RC

""The Bells" by Lon Beery-Reason: I liked this song because it sounded like a good song for the choir. - GA

SSA selections, Spring:

"We Celebrate the Birth of Spring!"reason: it is a very nice and calm song - JV

"How Can I Keep From Singing"- Because it's a pretty song! - KS

"Angel Breathing Out" - RC (incomplete entry) Uh Oh! RC will need to find a replacement entry, because someone else has sent a complete entry on this song . . .

"Agnus Dei" - Victor C. Johnson, Lorenz Publishing Reason: Sweet Jesus, you can't get any better with Latin choral songs. - IT Interesting commentary, IT. However, this is written for two part treble voices. In order to fulfill the assignment, you will need to find two SATB selections. Nice choice, though. - Monty

SATB selections, Christmas:

"Go Tell it On the Mountain" Reason: I like this song because I have heard it growing up and it is very pretty - KR

"From A Distance (Christmas Song)" Reason: I like this song because it pretty and has a good arrangement. It is a good Christmas song. - TW This is an interesting selection because it combines this pop song with some Christmas themes. There is also a string orchestra arrangement. I wonder if this could be put on Lessons and Carols? - Monty

"O magnum mysterium" -Morten Lauridsen Reason: This song brings joy to the hearts of many. And it is really beautiful . . . BM Like the previous selection, there is also a string arrangement in the same key. I'm not sure how I like the idea of combining this traditionally a cappella piece with instrumentation, though. However, if a little extra "oomph" is needed, maybe that wouldn't be a bad idea. - Monty

"Halleluia Chorus" Reason: "TRADITION, TRADITION... marriages must be arranged by the papa, this can never be changed!" - BM I have been looking forward to bringing this back into the repertory. :) - Monty

"Amid the Cold of Winter" (Bret Rhoades) Reason: because it’s beautiful and light-sounding. -HC Nice choice:) Two of my favorite carols combined. - Monty

"As long as there's christmas," arranged by Mac Huff Reason: because it's an all-time favorite from Beauty and the Beast - MG

"Carol of the Bells"- Reason: it is one of my favorite christmas songs and it always sounds really cool - EP

"African Alleluia" arr. Benjamin Harlan Published by HAL LEONARD PUBLISHING CORP.
Reason: I enjoyed the rhythm and I think it could easily be A Capella, with a few claps in it to make up for the piano part being absent. You are right. This would be a nice choice, however, there is no reason to remove the piano. Rather, this might be a nice piece to do with combined choirs. I hate to rob an audience of the full efforts of a composer. - Monty

SATB selections, Spring:

"Be True To Your School" – Beach Boys. Arranged by: Deke Sharon. Why – Because our school is awesome and we should totally show our support with this fun song - MG

"The Song of Purple Summer" – From the musical “Spring Awakening”. Arranged by Mark Brymer. Why – It is insanely pretty and doesn’t sound too overwhelming to learn. -MG

"Unwritten" Reason: I like this song because it is a current popular song and it sounds all pretty and stuff. The arrangement is nice with the chorus. - TW

"Wade in the Water" Reason: I like this song because it is a classic song and everyone will like it. -TW

"You are the new day"- Kings singers Reason: the name says it all. YOU ARE the new day!! It has good harmony and I think it can be do-able. You can be really expressive with it. - BM

"Dirait –On" - Morten Lauridsen Reason: French is ALWAYS a lovely language. This song is not too hard. - BM

“Praise His Holy Name” by Keith Hampton Reason: because I like how energetic the song is and the upbeat tempo. It really displays a joy for Jesus. - HC

"Yesterday," arranged by Emerson Reason: because it's one of my favorite songs and i bet the a capella arrangement sounds really cool - EP I noticed this song has a lot of "doo-doo's and loo-loo's." In the past the choir has been averse to learning these things, but I don't think people have gotten past the learning process to give this style a fair chance. Everyone should pull this up on the jwpepper sight and click on the icon that says "see and hear the music" before deciding on it. I liked it more when I heard it. Good choice. - Monty

"Shenandoah" arr. James Erb ALFRED PUBLISHING
Reason: It is absolutely gorgeous, and it is fairly simple to learn, while showcasing the chorus' talents. - MK This entry has been abridged, but MK writes further about her experience with this piece. There are several entries under this title, and one is spelled "Shenendoah." They all provide intriguing possibilities and are quite different arrangements of the same song. If you type in the item number, it will bring up these specific arrangements. Here are the numbers so that you can compare and contrast:
1278258
10049036
3298652
3126307
3015591
3265428
-Monty

"Angel Breathing Out" Reason: I liked it because I thought it had a ballad of emotion. - AC

Assignment for Orchestra: Songs

"Ukranian Bell Carol" - CA (incomplete entry)
"Pirates of the Carribean" - CA (incomplete entry)
"Deep Sea Fandago" I like this song because it sounds very mysterious and lively at the same time. - AL
"Believe" I like that song because it has a nice melody to it - AL
“Pink Panther”. The original movies are some of my favorites. The theme song is very fun. - KY
“Angels Bach Has Heard on High”. I like the melody. It is a very nice arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard on High”. - KY

College Choral Scholarships for Non-Music Majors

Follow the link to find out about scholarships for students who would like to continue singing in college. This money is for majors and non-majors! The list is not comprehensive, but it is a good start.

This just in . . . the link I posted was broken. I will try again.

http://choralnet.org/resources/viewResource.phtml?id=2439&category=6