Found on Crescendo.com.au

The Glorious World of Choir

Here on Crescendo you will find a FREE excerpt From ‘Bumblebee! Rounds & Warm-ups for Choirs’ by Michael Griffin.
It this resource you will find more than just a wonderful collection of 130 choir exercises including more than 45 rounds. Michael Griffin shares timeless wisdom to help you get your choir into shape.

For your FREE excerpt click here

Three Things

I am linking up with Aileen Miracle to share three things that worked for me and my students this week.

#1 - Dig Deep

Want a fabulous song to sing with your choir or your classes? I have been doing this one. Not only is there a good message (which I look for in my material), but it is fun to sing and you can even have Pete Churchill himself do some of the teaching for you while you grab a quick drink of water and catch your breath!

These are the clips in order:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD3Z9V196WY

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR19WS4gsPA

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=672ItIwVXAs

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkkaTQ_LPNQ

1. Full Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wW1KNWxo4w

And then a colleague (thanks Lee Reushle) shared this link: http://www.epoc.co/?q=content/dig-deep from the English Pocket Opera Company. There is a lyric sheet (you will have to change sew to sow), audio tracks, score.....

What a find!!!!

#2 - Oreo Intervals

(Also posted this in my latest newsletter - click here to sign up - it is FREE - HERE)

Thanks to Pinterest and this original pin, I used Oreos with my Year 9s to help explain intervals and chords. It was fabulous, but I think I was probably more literal than these pictures. 

The biscuits were the notes played/sung, and each level of cream was a note in between. I made a minor 2nd (no cream) and Major second (one lot of cream) a minor third (two lots of cream) and a Major third (three lots of cream). We sang and played the chromatic notes in between as well. Then we focused on the thirds and built the chords. My chords had only one biscuit in the middle to accurately represent the notes in the chord....anyway, it was a fun lesson segment, and we got to eat the intervals.
"Mrs O'Shea, please can I have the Major third." So cute and fun!

#3 - Music Tech Teacher Quizzes and Games

The first time on the music lap tops for the year sevens and eights this week. We explored the quizzes and games on the Music Tech Teacher site HERE and boy were they engaged and happy. 

Totally Treble - Choir Workshop

(Email Debbie for a flyer debbie@crescendo.com.au )

with Kate Albury, Debbie O’Shea and Katherine Ruhle

Session 1: Debbie O’Shea is an enthusiastic, experienced educator who wants to help conductors with repertoire choice and keeping students actively engaged in rehearsals. In this session, Debbie will delve into a bag of tricks, some learned on her recent visit to the UK and the USA, as well as some long standing favourites. You will also read through a new piece or two and learn some canons and warm ups.

Session 2: Katherine Ruhle is an incredibly talented Brisbane composer who is writing some fabulous pieces! In this session you will be introduced to some new warm-ups, canons and larger works, movement and intentional listening activities, all working towards forming well-rounded musicians who can sing beautifully. 

Session 3: Kate Albury and the Brisbane Grammar School Vocal Group and Chamber Choir. Kate Albury is Choral Director and Coordinator of Middle School Events at Brisbane Grammar School.  Her choral experience extends from conducting with the Queensland Conservatorium Chorus to co-conducting Gondwana Singers at the National Choral School.  She is excited to be bringing the Chamber Choir, an auditioned ensemble of 35 treble voices as well as the Vocal Group, a non-auditioned ensemble of over 75 voices!  During this session she will demonstrate some of the boys’ favourite warm ups and games as well as conduct an open rehearsal which will include techniques on sight reading a new piece and also polishing and choreographing well-known repertoire.

Saturday May 16^th - 9.00am – 3.00pm

Cost: $220.00 -  Crescendo Members $200

(Students $110) includes notes, morning tea and lunch

Venue: Arana Leagues Club 247 Dawson Parade, Keperra (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)

New Resource for Music Teachers from Ian Ross-Williams

Ian Ross Williams’ brand new Song Book & CD of 16 original songs for Primary School children.
The Song Book includes notation, tuned percussion arrangements and or guitar chords, dance moves and teacher’s notes. The CD includes backing tracks and lyrics booklet. $25 ea. or $45 together as a kit.
A gorgeous collection of original songs, including ‘Come On Down‘(pentatonic/percussion), ‘Happy Dog’(dance), ‘Tiptoe’ (pentatonic & actions), ‘Get Up’ (choral), plus the beautiful ‘So Many Stars – Yingarti Japalinga’, a round previously only available on a limited release EP. Also included are two little gems from Ian’s back catalogue – ‘Jimmy Jumper’ (a novelty waltz) and ‘The Sun Goes Up’, a lullaby suitable for young choirs, with philosophical, life-affirming lyrics. Plus full choral version of the new classic ‘AUSTRALIA – IT’LL AMAZE YA round, part-song.
Repertoire to deeply engage students. Repertoire to enhance your Music Program. Content directly in line with the National Curriculum. Invites student creativity: Compose ostinatos, improvise to the backings. Read notation and play in hocket (photocopy-able masters provided in the Song Book) and much, much more!
To purchase hard copy, email Ian: ianrosswilliams@yahoo.com (with your delivery address and billing details).
Audio mp3 downloads also available, as two albums, Vocal &/or Backings album: iTunes, Amazon Mp3, Google, Rdio, eMUSIC, Spotify and Route Note Direct. Song Book and Collectable CD package

Would you like a brand new ANZAC song?

The talented Stuart Gillard has released a new work and is offering it FREE!
In his own words: In commemoration of the ANZAC centenary I have composed a 2 part choral piece entitled "Four Hundred Seasons"
This piece is free to download and use as you require.
It can be found on my website .
http://www.stuartgillard.com.au/choral-music

Fabulous Australian Choral Composer Mark Puddy. If you do not know of his work, then pop in and have a look. http://www.markpuddy.com/www/home/

Which one of his pieces do you love?

Friday Finds #6

Join a choir. Science shows it’ll make you feel better.

As Music Educators, we know that singing in a choir can make you feel happier. You may be interested in this:
"I used to think choir singing was only was for nerds and church people. Since I was neither, I never considered singing in a group—even though I loved singing by myself...."
Read more here

Choir Tips

This is a fantastic little compilation of choir tips and ideas from the talented participants at the Totally Treble Crescendo Workshop held on May 28, 2011…

“Start exactly on time with a fun game – they won’t want to miss out on the game and therefore will be ready to go on time!”

“Fire engine sirens for voice warm up (up and down, loud and soft)”

This free sample download can found here Choir Tips . Please hop in and explore the site - but there are nearly 1000 extra downloads if you become a member, for a $50 annual fee.

QYMA

I have entered my school choirs into the Queensland Youth Music Awards. I love this competition as it allows my students to hear other great choirs. This is from their web site:

In its 44th year in 2011, Queensland Youth Music Awards will run for 5 weeks from May 9th to June 2nd and will be held at Northside and Southside Brisbane venues.

The event will see over 100 ensembles & choirs taking part from different schools throughout South-East Queensland.
www.qyma.org/index.php