Two videos of the most famous choral piece of all time (and GREAT fun to sing), the Hallelujah Chorus, from Hande's Messiah. This first one is from a tiny village in Alaska. Maybe we should make them a video answer. What would the right response be? From Handel's Judas Maccabeus?
And similarly, but live and fabulously synchronized:
I especially like the "of" that goes up and down. And when they hold the signs higher for the sopranos.
(This much-too-early holiday music post is in honor of Ethan, who I think starts listening to Christmas music in September.)
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
I always say Swedes are the best singers
This just proves it. Solid, synchronized, super in-tune a cappella. One on a part. That is HARD.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
You Were Just What I Needed
Seriously, you guys don't know the Cars? The greatest Boston band ever (besides Aerosmith, the Dropkick Murphy's and Boston, who might tie)? Seriously? Well, it is time to get some EDUCATION. And rock out.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
Dry Your Tears, Afrika
7th/8th Grade Chorus: your homework is to listen at least once to both versions. Leave a comment explaining: which you prefer? Why?
Version 1:
Version 2:
Version 1:
Version 2:
Sunday, September 11, 2011
And a Marvelous, Mighty Monday Morning to All!
Greetings singers! Welcome back! I hope everyone's first week went well. My 2 music classes and 2 drama classes both seem pretty good, and all 3 choirs are ready to rock, I can just tell!
A gentle reminder to 6th grade singers to get their chorus forms signed, money in an envelope with your name on it, and see me to sing individually. Getting your form signed SHOULD involve:
-making sure your parents mark their calendars for our concerts and dress rehearsals
-a closet check for concert attire
-and a quick phone call to sign up for a Treble Singers audition if you're interested in that.
ALL singers who have not yet done so need to come see me 1st lunch or after school for a 2 minute singing check-in.
Exciting news- we have a new accompanist! You'll get to meet her starting Wednesday- keep an eye out!
See you soon,
Ms. A
A gentle reminder to 6th grade singers to get their chorus forms signed, money in an envelope with your name on it, and see me to sing individually. Getting your form signed SHOULD involve:
-making sure your parents mark their calendars for our concerts and dress rehearsals
-a closet check for concert attire
-and a quick phone call to sign up for a Treble Singers audition if you're interested in that.
ALL singers who have not yet done so need to come see me 1st lunch or after school for a 2 minute singing check-in.
Exciting news- we have a new accompanist! You'll get to meet her starting Wednesday- keep an eye out!
See you soon,
Ms. A
Sunday, June 19, 2011
You Should Know, I Was Talking About You Behind Your Back
I sent home my 2nd annual attempt to communicate to chorus parents on Thursday. Here's what I said...
Dear chorus parents,
This afternoon was the annual recognition ceremony. Students get recognized for all sorts of things- leadership in sports, excellence in languages, participation in drama, citizenship in cluster classes. As I watched my 8th grade singers stand up over and over again, though, I couldn't help but think about the fact that while the right students were recognized, perhaps we recognized the wrong things. All the things your children were receiving awards for were just manifestations of their interior qualities that make them such wonderful people: dedication, kindness, caring about others, positive attitudes, commitment, the pursuit of excellence, leadership, and the ability and desire for self-expression.
Some examples of things students did without hope of recognition, but simply because they are wonderful, caring members of their community: This year, chorus students created a school-wide campaign to raise money for UNICEF at Halloween. They gave up lunches to participate in a fundraiser for victims of violence in Darfur. They spent long afternoons practicing for junior district auditions, without promise of getting in, and they gave up the last free days of their middle school career to rehearse for graduation chorus. They helped the students around them deal with angst, anxiety, arguments, and music. They spent evenings mastering tricky fingerings, drumbeats, and piano chords to accompany our singing. They were silent in protest of oppression of gays and lesbians. They were supportive of each other in times of unspeakable tragedy. They were jubilant in song. I learned a lot, because they taught by example.
In a week or two, you'll get your child's report card, and there will be no grade for any of the things I just mentioned. So you can consider this their 'letter' grade. Congratulations on having a child who deserves recognition every day for their capacity for kindness, and thanks for lending them to me for an entire school year.
Have a wonderful summer,
Jaime Alberts
Are your ears burning? Flushed with pride, I hope. Great job, rock stars.
Ms. A
Dear chorus parents,
This afternoon was the annual recognition ceremony. Students get recognized for all sorts of things- leadership in sports, excellence in languages, participation in drama, citizenship in cluster classes. As I watched my 8th grade singers stand up over and over again, though, I couldn't help but think about the fact that while the right students were recognized, perhaps we recognized the wrong things. All the things your children were receiving awards for were just manifestations of their interior qualities that make them such wonderful people: dedication, kindness, caring about others, positive attitudes, commitment, the pursuit of excellence, leadership, and the ability and desire for self-expression.
Some examples of things students did without hope of recognition, but simply because they are wonderful, caring members of their community: This year, chorus students created a school-wide campaign to raise money for UNICEF at Halloween. They gave up lunches to participate in a fundraiser for victims of violence in Darfur. They spent long afternoons practicing for junior district auditions, without promise of getting in, and they gave up the last free days of their middle school career to rehearse for graduation chorus. They helped the students around them deal with angst, anxiety, arguments, and music. They spent evenings mastering tricky fingerings, drumbeats, and piano chords to accompany our singing. They were silent in protest of oppression of gays and lesbians. They were supportive of each other in times of unspeakable tragedy. They were jubilant in song. I learned a lot, because they taught by example.
In a week or two, you'll get your child's report card, and there will be no grade for any of the things I just mentioned. So you can consider this their 'letter' grade. Congratulations on having a child who deserves recognition every day for their capacity for kindness, and thanks for lending them to me for an entire school year.
Have a wonderful summer,
Jaime Alberts
Are your ears burning? Flushed with pride, I hope. Great job, rock stars.
Ms. A
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