Choir Goals

This week I revisited some choir goals and rules with the choirs.  I reminded them that our goal should be to sing as much as possible during the hour--that means the less talking the more singing! 

I also added that there should be 

• NO EATING, or GUM CHEWING during choir.
• Use the restroom before choir, please don't ask to leave rehearsal--the school might be locked, and the portable toilet may or may not be available.  Lately, they've been gone!
• Please don't come into the choir room before 3:00, unless an adult is already there.

 Children's Choir

These kids are really doing well learning harmony and following the director!  We played kind of a game to see how well they could follow me with tempo changes, fermatas, and dynamic changes.  It was amusing, but effective in getting their attention!  They have their music nearly memorized, and are being responsive to my cues about where to breath, and where to cut off phrases.  I'm pleased with their progress and enthusiasm!

Notables

We're attempting to learn a few measures of 4 part harmony.  It's tough to get them to hold on to their parts.  They sing their lines great alone, but when we do them all together, many of them loose it.  I recommended that they use the website to practice at home, and gave them practice slips to return to me for candy.  I'm going to give it about one more week, and then I'll simplify the song to 2 part harmony.  Please encourage your child to practice!  It would be really cool if we could sing those measures full out!

FYI--we have about 12 girls on the average are dancing from 3-3:30 each week.  They are learning some fun routines with Ms. Sam.  I'm taking roll of who is participating, as it will be interesting to me to see who ends up auditioning for Footnotes choir May 24th.  I'd suggest if anyone is serious about auditioning, they should be dancing...More on that later.

Footnotes

They have 2 songs memorized for notes and words.  Now the fun begins as we refine and polish.  They are learning a song in Latin, and it has been a great learning piece for diction, dynamics, and strong/weak accents.  I'm happy with their responsiveness to my direction.  Additionally, they are to memorize Lullaby of Broadway from p.7 to the end.  They got about 1/3 of the choreography blocked for the song as well, so things are well underway for them.