Reminder...

Our Winter Concert is next WEDNESDAY, December 9th. Be there at 6:45, dressed in BOBRPSOT (Black-on-bottom-red-polo-shirt-on-top)!

It's gonna be great (although a little crowded as we'll have over 100 kids singing that night, between Chorus/Select Choir/HSM Jr cast).

Enjoy your day!

Whoops

You know, I really have been meaning to post a practice recording of "Follow the Drinking Gourd". I have one made, but honestly? It's so bad, I'm EMBARRASSED to post it. Yes, that's right.

So, I'm going to try to re-record it and make it good (this time). Hopefully I can get it posted before Thanksgiving, and you can practice over the break.

Wish me luck...

Enjoy your day!

Come Follow Me

A practice track for your practicing pleasure! More to come (for our other songs of course).

A quick reminder

7th and 8th grade Chorus will be meeting in the auditorium on Monday!

Also, check out this video from a public elementary school in New York City.

What do you think of the soloist? More than that, how about the chorus?

AND: Do you see them using their "Diva hands"? I think it's great!

Congrats to Our Soloists

We held the audition today for the solos in the beginning of "How Sweet it Is"...congratulations to Sarah G and Molly S (solo 1), Nathan G and Caitlyn D (solo 2), and Melodie G-F and Morgan R (solo 3). Well done!

In case you wanted to audition and were absent or you missed the boat on this audition, there are more solos in "Man in the Mirror". Also, there will be other songs we perform this year that have solo opportunities. Don't fret...

Enjoy your day!

Is Bigger Better?

This year marks my fifth year as the Watertown Middle School chorus director.  When I started in Watertown, my 7th grade Chorus had 27 students and my 8th grade Chorus had about 22.  I thought it was pretty impressive...I even had 5 boys!

This year, there are about 30 7th graders and 34 8th graders, and 11 boys (plus I have one in 6th grade chorus-a hard thing for a guy to do)!  It may not seem like a big jump, but when you think about the big picture, moving from around 50 kids to 60 kids means a 15% increase in our numbers.

If you're in 7th or 8th grade Chorus, you've surely seen our larger class size by now.  What do you think of it?  Do you think that having 7th and 8th grade singing together is going to help our sound?  What about musically...do you think that having everyone in one large group will help us learn music faster or more effectively?

While you're thinking about it, remember that last year we had to have large rehearsals during extended homeroom, and we almost never got to rehearse in the auditorium before a concert.  Well, since you've taken a minute to visit the Chorus blog, I'll tell you a secret: 

We're going to start rehearsing in the auditorium about every other week.

Ooh la la, right?!  I think it will make a positive difference.  How about you?

Happy New (School) Year!

Welcome back to the Chorus Blog!  

If this is your first visit, feel free to look around and see what was discussed last year.  If you're a repeat visitor, "HI!"  (wave)

This year is sure to be an exciting one.  We're going to sing lots of different music styles and sing in foreign languages, and don't forget to set your allowance or babysitting money aside for our community performances and field trips! 

I'll be posting later on about which musical the 8th graders will be seeing this year, and keep you in the loop about practice tracks and other important announcements.

Feel free to comment on this blog post; I'd love to hear from you and hear about your summer!  Did you do anything MUSICAL this summer? 

Enjoy your day!

Click Here to take survey

A Real Survey

Inquiring minds want to know:

Why do students sign up for Chorus? What makes them stay in the class? Why would a Chorus student quit after a year, or does it take several years, or is it one particular reason?

Please take this survey so I can have some feedback! More surveys like this will pop up next year; some even for extra credit! (ooh lala)

Click Here to take survey

Enjoy your day!

Question and Answer time!

Alrighty folks, it's time for another online question game!

1. What was your favorite moment of the spring concert?

2. What's been your favorite part of Chorus this year?

3. How has being in Chorus changed your views about music (if at all)?

4. How has being in Chorus changed your friendships at school (if at all)?

5. What have you learned about music through singing in Chorus?

6. What have you learned about your voice through singing in Chorus?

7. If you could choose a song for Chorus to sing next year, what would it be and why?

Copy the questions into a comment box and answer as many as you please.

Thanks, and enjoy your day!

Hey Jude Practice Track

One more for your listening/practicing pleasure!



However, now I must stop, as some nasty neighbor of mine think he's practicing guitar...but is really damaging eardrums everywhere.

Enjoy your day (grrrrr)!

Practice Tracks (A Zing A Za/Catch a Falling Star)

For those of you who actually visit the Chorus Blog...BONUS!  You get practice tracks to work with, right in the comfort of your own home.  Hooray.

OR, if you're in seventh grade chorus, check this one out too.



More to come, as I get them done. Enjoy your day!

Upcoming Quiz on "Hey Jude"

Yes, that's right: there will be a quiz on "Hey Jude" next week...Wednesday, to be exact!

Here's what I'm looking for:

The quiz will be from the second verse "Hey Jude, don't let me down" through the "better, better, better" section. The requirements are:

1. correct words
2. no breath after the word "start"
3. dynamic change when beginning the bridge ("so let it out and let it in")
4. no breath after the word "begin"
5. sforzando (sudden drop to piano, then crescendo) at "better, better, better" section

Each item is worth 20 points. Good luck, and enjoy your day!

The OFFICIAL Extra Credit Post!

If you were in Chorus today, you took a quiz on "Song of the Open Road". Nicely done.

However, some people wished they'd done a little better, so here's an opportunity to gain five extra points on that quiz.



The question is this: Which song from this season's songlist is your favorite, and why do you like it?

The problem: You must answer in complete sentences, and you may not repeat a reason someone else has used.

Perhaps next time I'll post MY answer..???

Enjoy your day!

Song of the Open Road

Testing testing...this COULD be the best post yet!

Here is an audio clip of the 8th grade chorus singing "Song of the Open Road". Enjoy!

Hey Jude!

In case you want to practice for the solo auditions on TUESDAY...
Also: Remember...you only have to know the beginning of the song. However, you should watch the whole video!

The SOUND of Music

When we sing in the chorus room, we can experiment with all sorts of dynamics (do you remember what "dynamics" are?).    However, when we sing in the auditorium, all notions of dynamic variation go out the window.

Why is that?  What about the auditorium diminishes our sound as a choir?  How can we combat this problem?

Comment away...Enjoy your day!

PS: There are some big words in here.  If you're not sure what something means, create a new window or tab and use dictionary.com.  :)

Do Any 8th Graders Read This Blog?

If so, then I'll let you in on a secret: I've chosen the graduation song.




(I think.)


More to come. Ask me in school, or comment here!

Enjoy your day!

Taking Music Home

Did you know you can ask to take our music home with you at any time?  It's true!

As long as you bring it back within a week or two, you're welcome to take any piece that your class is studying home to look at or practice.  

And now...A SURVEY!! 

Do you think it's helpful to have practice tracks available?  Last year I made practice tracks on my computer, and anyone who was interested could bring in a blank CD to put the tracks on.  That way, students could practice Chorus music at home, just like they were in rehearsal.

If you think that's a good idea, leave a comment.

Enjoy your day!

Songs of the Season

I know, I know...I said I was only going to post about once a week.  However...

I was driving along today and a song came onto my iPod: "Holiday Romance," which the 8th grade chorus sang in the winter concert from 2007.  It got me to wondering what else we've performed in concerts over the last few years.  Can you help fill in the blanks?

Winter 2008: Winter Song (grade 6), Put a Little Love in Your Heart (all choirs), Gloria Deo (all choirs), Believe (grades 7/8)...what else?

Spring 2008 (last spring): Dirait-on (all choirs), When I Close My Eyes (grades 6/8), At the Beginning (grade 6)...what else?

Winter 2007: Cantar (all choirs), Holiday Romance (grade 8), Pie Jesu (grades 7/8)...what else?

Post a comment with a song we've performed in the past few years.  Whether you loved it or hated it, I know you remember!

Spring 2007: Joyful Joyful (all choirs), 

A Bad Performance: What to Do?

What makes a "bad" performance?  We've all had those concerts, assemblies, or even just rehearsals when we come away saying "Man, that was BAD."

How do you combat the badness?  What can you learn from it?  Can you turn a bad start into a good finish?

I'm going to answer this myself, I think.

Enjoy your day!

Welcome to "Chorus Notes"

Greetings from Watertown Middle School in Watertown, Massachusetts!

If you are a visitor here but not a resident of Watertown, here's a bit of information for you, dear reader.

• Watertown is located approximately 8 miles west of Boston, Mass.
• Watertown Middle School has almost 600 students.
• The school climate is diverse; there is a good mix of students from many backgrounds.

And now, some facts about the Watertown Middle School Chorus classes:

• There are currently 3 classes of Chorus (one each for grades 6, 7, and 8).
• There is one group open by audition only, Select Choir.
  
• Chorus class meets every other day, and Select Choir meets once or twice a week.
• Typically there are 2 concerts during the school year, in December and May.
• Each Chorus class has 25 students or more, with almost 40 in 8th grade!

Though I try to connect with each student throughout the year, it is very difficult in the large classes to make sure I ask a question of each person in each class. Therefore, I have decided that we can use this blog to communicate outside of school.

At least once a week, I will post a quote, thought, question, or recap of a rehearsal, and students can visit and respond. I have a few requests as far as responses go:

1. Please be respectful of yourself, each other, and me.
2. Be aware that anything you write can be seen by the entire world...think first!
3. You do not need to have a google or blogger account to post a response.
4. You can post more than one response, or respond to someone else's comment, if that comment adds to the discussion.

Thanks! If you have a question about our blog or comments, you may respond with a comment below, or ask me in school.

Enjoy your day!