6th Grade - Alleluia! I Will Sing

Here's a link to a sound clip of the song "Alleluia! I Will Sing" that we will be performing with the 6th grade choirs for the Fall Concert.

http://listeninglab.stantons.com/title/alleluia-i-will-sing/468346/

6th Grade - Shenandoah

The 6th Grade Chorus is currently working on a piece entitled "Shenandoah" written by Rollo Dilworth. This American folk song has been set to choral music many times, yet Dilworth takes somewhat of a jazz approach to this beautiful piece.

Take a look at this choir singing this stunning arrangement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXw8vcA4fg

Here's an interesting interview with this popular composer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCXXTMU9deg&feature=related

6th Grade - I See the Moon

Here's a great video of a choir singing the song "I See the Moon"by Douglas Beam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OpeeHN11Qw

6th Grade - Dry Bones

The 6th grade classes have started working on music for the Fall Concert. One of the songs is a spiritual entitled "Dry Bones." Below are a couple links to this song that are fun to watch.

Enjoy!

"Dem Bones"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5m3IdGcx_g

The Delta Rhythm Boys sing "Dem Bones"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1szphOU1E0&feature=fvwrel

You can also listen to the recording of the arrangement we'll be singing by clicking on the link below. Once there, look in the 6th grade file folder for the song title "Dry Bones."

"Dry Bones"
http://www.heritagehall.com/uploaded/faculty/cmiller//DryBones2PT.mp3

Take a look at John Jacobson's choreography to this song:

http://www.halleonard.com/JJW2012/

Kodaly Hand Signs

The 5th grade classes have been learning about the Kodaly or Curwen hand signs used for singing. This method is already used in the 6th grade classes as well as the 7th and 8th grade choirs. These hand signs are a visual and physical way to assist with sight singing as well as music making in general. They are also good for visual and kinesthetic learners. Each hand sign relates to one of the solfege syllables, do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do. 

For more information as well as a chart to help learn these hand signs, go to this website:

http://www.classicsforkids.com/teachers/training/handsigns.asp

For a chart that you can download and print for your reference, go to:

http://www.kodaly.org.au/index.php/component/docman/cat_view/3-reference-charts?Itemid=65

Circle the State with Song Auditions

Very soon, the 5th and 6th grades students will have the opportunity to audition for a state-wide festival known as Circle the State with Song. I am only able to select 12 singers to attend this honor choir event, so below is a link to the recording I use for audition. It's listed as the OMEA Children's All-State downloads at the bottom of the link below. There are four different voice levels they may choose from, although we will be rehearsing these in class so they will know what best fits their voice.


CIRCLE THE STATE WITH SONG/ALL-STATE AUDITION RECORDINGS

http://www.okmea.org/children_chorus_instructions.html

5th Grade - Together We Can Change the World

The 5th Grade Classes have been introduced to a wonderful song entitled "Together We Can Change the World." Not only is it a great song, but it exemplifies the ideals of this school and what we should strive to do throughout our lifetimes.

Check out the music video of this song on YouTube:

"Together We Can Change the World"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFy54NmYPyc

COCDA Information

COCDA audition music will now be available online. The audition pieces are:

"Hold On!"
"There Shall a Star From Jacob"

Please follow this link to obtain access for download. Only load those voice parts you have been assigned. Don't forget to download the accompaniment CD for each of these songs. Also, this page is password protected. Please e-mail me for that password in case you have forgotten what was given to you in class.

http://www.heritagehall.com/



page.cfm?p=2479


Take time to watch these YouTube videos of these audition pieces.

Hold On!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV39ohwTHvc&list=PLFCA62567FF1812A4&index=1&feature=plpp_video


There Shall a Star From Jacob
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVPEw4yb54g&list=PLFCA62567FF1812A4&index=3&feature=plpp_video

(The words on this second video are different at pg. 8 starting with the words "As bright the star..." The notes, though, are the same.)

Those who would like to have an audio CD made instead will have one available to use at home for rehearsal.

Welcome to a New Year!

Welcome to a brand new year of music making at Heritage Hall Middle School! It's incredible the amount of talent that I see enrolled in middle school choir programs. We're in for a great year!

Check this blog regularly for updates on classroom happenings, performances and interesting music information.