Monday, November 8, 2010

WHAT WE DID TODAY #1-46: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2010

GENERAL PERIODS 2,3,6 
COMPOSER: PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Nutcracker Suite: DANCE OF THE SUGARPLUM FAIRIES
For free sheet music go here: http://www.free-scores.com/download-sheet-music.php?pdf=8105 


Check-out these versions 
of the Nutcracker Suite:












Term: What is a SUITE?
As in the "Nutcracker," composers who had written operas or ballets which incorporated many long dance movements or songs often made arrangements of these in a shortened form for orchestra so that it could be played at concerts.


NEW INSTRUMENT: 
Celesta (bell like sound) used in the "Nutcracker"



The celesta (pronounced /sɨˈlɛstə/) or celeste (pronounced /sɨˈlɛst/) is a struck idiophone operated by a keyboard. Its appearance is similar to that of an upright piano (four- or five-octave) or of a large wooden music box (three-octave). The keys are connected to hammers which strike a graduated set of metal (usually steel) plates suspended over wooden resonators. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celesta

The story:

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (GermanNussknacker und Mausekönig) is a story written in 1816 by E. T. A. Hoffmann in which young Marie Stahlbaum's favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom populated by dolls
ETA Hoffmann: writer of the story

OBJECTIVE: Musical performance
QUOTE AUTHOR: Leonard Bernstein
Solfege MI-DO-RE/check quotes 

AUDIENCE BEHAVIOR: 
Different venues have different expectations of audience behavior
Compared classical music audience to rock concert audience...is there a reason the audience is allowed to be noisy at a rock concert but not at a classical music concert? Answer: Use of sound amplification so the performers can be heard over it.

Classical audience shows gratitude by applauding, standing ovation. 

Whistling and yelling is unacceptable except when people call out "bravo" or "bravissimo."

Sometimes when the audience wants more they may call out "encore." A way of asking the performance to perform another selection for the audience.

Students performed their prepared piano pieces for our recital. Others will play tomorrow and Wednesday.

MINI-KEYBOARD RECITAL IS SCHEDULED THIS WEEK OF NOVEMBER 8, 9, 10.

DECEMBER 9th is the holiday concert for chorus, band, and strings. Recorder students are invited to play their instruments ("recorder carolling") as the pre-concert activity outside of the gym. This is not mandatory; just a fun way to celebrate the holidays through music. We will play the holiday music learned in class. All students need to bring is their recorder; music and accompaniments will be already set-up. More details to follow as I get them.


BEGINNING VIOLIN PERIOD 5/ADVANCED VIOLIN PERIOD 4: 

OBJECTIVE: PREPARATION FOR HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE ON DECEMBER 9th
1. TUNE

2. Worked on holiday songs to learn the music without the teacher helping with tracking
3. Use of music stands/partners in preparation for the concert
Songs we are working on for the concert so far are:
Coventry Carol
Greensleeves
Jingle Bell Rock
Hava Nagila
Good King Wenceslas

Holiday Concert : Thursday, December 9th
13 rehearsal days left until the concert