I heartily concur with CW in his blog of 11/30 ! Winter, Christmas and holiday time is fast approaching, and Hanukkah is here! (today and next 8 days). The doublebarreled northern gusts have dropped our temperatures to respectable December numbers, and we're even having our first snow fall of the season today!
Christmas lights are going up steadily in neighborhoods, the radios are blaring the seasonal songs, and decorations are popping up everywhere! (almost enough to make me forget I have to pack and move my office this week!)
Before I forget! CHECK OUT this SYMPOSIUM occuring December 14 - 16 at Northwestern University School of Music in Evanston, Illinois: Building Bridges, Improvisation as a Unifying Agent in Education, Arts and SocietyYou may note a theme running through this blog today and through the remaining Wednesday blogs in December.......
This time of year always brings back indelible memories of the joy of singing in holiday concerts in school.......so yes, you guessed it- the theme will be singing, holiday songs, and carols! I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, so I appreciate your forebearance, those of you who prefer instruments you hold vs. the instrument of the body (the voice).....
From "One Little Candle" in 6th grade with our flashlights covered with blue cellophane, to "Dona Nobis Pacem" in 8th grade, to Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" in high school, (and read more about how this amazing piece was written! HERE) December was always, and still is for me, about song! I'm sure it's still a special time for many student singers and instrumentalists today as well. The thrill of getting dressed in long formal black skirts and white blouses, the darkened auditorium, the hush that fell over the audience, the beautiful strains of the piano and other instrumental accompaniment, and the utter joy of connecting our voices into one supernova of colorful harmony, creating an Aurora Borealis of heavenly sound! (for more on this concept, read about South African UBUNTU: "a person is a person through other people" - and why we need choral music!
One of the holiday songs which made an early impression on me is one that most will recognize, as it's been usurped into all formats of interpretation. But in its original pure form - "The Carol of the Bells" - is one of the most delicate and shimmering of winter carols. How unique and challenging it was to a 7th grader who had only really sung traditional carols until then! Read HERE for how this Ukrainian Carol made its way to America, and a little bit about the genesis of its singing since! Back in 7th grade, I felt so accomplished once we'd learned the piece, and were ready to perform it.....skipping easily through the up tempo pace, the different parts, and staccato lyrics!
What is a carol, exactly? Have a quick read at this interesting site, which will also give you the history of many favorite Christmas carols and holiday songs!
HERE are a few comments sent in so far, in response to this month's QUESTION of the MONTH, which asks about the use of Sacred music and "holiday" concerts. Many other comments were also submitted thus far, but space and time limitations preclude them all being listed here....I'll share more of these survey comments in subsequent December Wednesday blogs.....and hopefully, in the last December Wednesday blog, I'll feature a short comparison of the numerical responses to this survey from 2004, 2005, and this year! (Click HERE to read MENC's Sacred Music Position Statement) And this just out! NASSP "December Dilemma" and other resources CLICK HERE
Our school system has guidleines regarding the use of "holiday" and sacred music in school. Many times, the music specialists get together and review each other's programs for material that may raise a red flag for a concert or just check the balance. It seems that everyone is quite happy when you honor all traditions. The music must also be based on curriculum and quality. Historical significance is also something to be considered. The key is repertoire selection.
I've taught is schools in PA, CT and NY. I find that every school and community reacts differently to the use of "sacred/religious" music in choral concerts. In my current situation I was told by the principal that I couldn't use a spiritual, "Over My Head" with my third grade chorus unless I changed the text to take out the word "God". Apparently parents have called in the past and she wants to avoid any conflicts. It is important to note that the song is in our district approved textbook. I am getting more and more frustrated with this whole issue because so much of the classic choral music to which students should be exposed come from a variety of religious/cultural traditions. Why can they tell me I have to use Hannukah songs and Kwanzaa songs in programs but I better not have the children sing the beloved carol, Silent Night! All types of music should be included in a music program especially as children today are growing up in a global community.
Once, back in 1971, I had a problem with some parents about my students singing Dona Nobis Pacem - not because it might have been considered sacred, but rather because we were at war (Viet Nam) and how dare I do a song about peace!!! How times have changed. I did it last year, and it was one of everyone's favorites!
I once told an older student with complaints "I'm not asking you to believe it, I'm telling you to sing it!" How much of our musical repertoire would we eliminate if we were to stop singing songs of a religious nature. It's part of our history and culture. If it is ok to study other cultures and their music, what about the Christian tradition?
Winter concerts in Decembers past have usually included a variety of music for several winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the New Year) including sacred and secular texts, as well as generic winter themes. I've never had a complaint in twenty years of teaching in a large public school system (15,000+ students).
Okay, hang in there, just a few more mentions of choirs and singing! (sorry to any instrumentalist purists!)
Below are a few resources and links to various music ed and singing related topics plus a couple of links to Christmas music sources and a few articles of interest......and of note, we received a call this week from a member asking "Where in the world is the Christmas and Hanukkah and holiday music on your site?" How refreshing that was to have someone assume we should or would have holiday music posted!
SOURCES/NEWS/RESOURCES/ARTICLES
Here is paper discussing the benefits of singing in a choir:
CHORUS AMERICA paper - CHORUS IMPACT STUDY
CLASH OF THE CHOIRS" - Calling all choirs: here’s your chance to be featured on TV during "Clash of the Choirs," a four-night competition featuring five celebrity choir directors (Nick Lachey, Patti LaBelle, Blake Shelton, Michael Bolton and Kelly Rowland) that will begin airing on NBC December 17 at 8 pm. NBC invites you to submit a video recording of your choir performing for the chance to be featured in a special "Holiday Moment" each night of the broadcast. For complete information and rules, visit "Clash of the Choirs Deadline: December 10!
SONGS for Teaching: find the Christmas ornaments on the RH side of page, "Celebrate the holidays" for songs of different holidays - CLICK!
STEVEN VAN ZANDT's ROCK 'n ROLL FOREVER FOUNDATION: sign up to be kept informed of the status of this curriculum, and to have it sent to you! CLICK
Why Singing "achieves miracles" in UK school National Singing program: click HERE
to learn more about this national effort to get all school children singing, the National Singing Programme, and the on-line database of music they're compiling. According to the article:
"Get schoolchildren singing together regularly, and something miraculous happens. They concentrate better, they're happier in themselves, and the school takes on a real cohesive sense of identity. This isn't just the subjective impression of starry-eyed music teachers: it's hard fact. Every single one of the top 30 primary schools in England has a singing programme involving all pupils."....
And I leave you with this quote!
"I always loved music; who so (ever) has skill in this arts is of a good temperament, fitted for all things. We must teach music in schools; a schoolmaster ought to have skill in music, or I would not regard him; neither should we ordain young men as preachers unless they have been well exercised in music. Music must be supported by the King and the princes, for the maintenance of the arts is their duty no less than the maintenance of the laws." attributed to Martin Luther
STAY WARM AND SEE YOU THEN! SR
This time of year always brings back indelible memories of the joy of singing in holiday concerts in school.......so yes, you guessed it- the theme will be singing, holiday songs, and carols! I know this isn't everyone's cup of tea, so I appreciate your forebearance, those of you who prefer instruments you hold vs. the instrument of the body (the voice).....
From "One Little Candle" in 6th grade with our flashlights covered with blue cellophane, to "Dona Nobis Pacem" in 8th grade, to Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" in high school, (and read more about how this amazing piece was written! HERE) December was always, and still is for me, about song! I'm sure it's still a special time for many student singers and instrumentalists today as well. The thrill of getting dressed in long formal black skirts and white blouses, the darkened auditorium, the hush that fell over the audience, the beautiful strains of the piano and other instrumental accompaniment, and the utter joy of connecting our voices into one supernova of colorful harmony, creating an Aurora Borealis of heavenly sound! (for more on this concept, read about South African UBUNTU: "a person is a person through other people" - and why we need choral music!
One of the holiday songs which made an early impression on me is one that most will recognize, as it's been usurped into all formats of interpretation. But in its original pure form - "The Carol of the Bells" - is one of the most delicate and shimmering of winter carols. How unique and challenging it was to a 7th grader who had only really sung traditional carols until then! Read HERE for how this Ukrainian Carol made its way to America, and a little bit about the genesis of its singing since! Back in 7th grade, I felt so accomplished once we'd learned the piece, and were ready to perform it.....skipping easily through the up tempo pace, the different parts, and staccato lyrics!What is a carol, exactly? Have a quick read at this interesting site, which will also give you the history of many favorite Christmas carols and holiday songs!
HERE are a few comments sent in so far, in response to this month's QUESTION of the MONTH, which asks about the use of Sacred music and "holiday" concerts. Many other comments were also submitted thus far, but space and time limitations preclude them all being listed here....I'll share more of these survey comments in subsequent December Wednesday blogs.....and hopefully, in the last December Wednesday blog, I'll feature a short comparison of the numerical responses to this survey from 2004, 2005, and this year! (Click HERE to read MENC's Sacred Music Position Statement) And this just out! NASSP "December Dilemma" and other resources CLICK HERE Our school system has guidleines regarding the use of "holiday" and sacred music in school. Many times, the music specialists get together and review each other's programs for material that may raise a red flag for a concert or just check the balance. It seems that everyone is quite happy when you honor all traditions. The music must also be based on curriculum and quality. Historical significance is also something to be considered. The key is repertoire selection.
I've taught is schools in PA, CT and NY. I find that every school and community reacts differently to the use of "sacred/religious" music in choral concerts. In my current situation I was told by the principal that I couldn't use a spiritual, "Over My Head" with my third grade chorus unless I changed the text to take out the word "God". Apparently parents have called in the past and she wants to avoid any conflicts. It is important to note that the song is in our district approved textbook. I am getting more and more frustrated with this whole issue because so much of the classic choral music to which students should be exposed come from a variety of religious/cultural traditions. Why can they tell me I have to use Hannukah songs and Kwanzaa songs in programs but I better not have the children sing the beloved carol, Silent Night! All types of music should be included in a music program especially as children today are growing up in a global community.
Once, back in 1971, I had a problem with some parents about my students singing Dona Nobis Pacem - not because it might have been considered sacred, but rather because we were at war (Viet Nam) and how dare I do a song about peace!!! How times have changed. I did it last year, and it was one of everyone's favorites!
I once told an older student with complaints "I'm not asking you to believe it, I'm telling you to sing it!" How much of our musical repertoire would we eliminate if we were to stop singing songs of a religious nature. It's part of our history and culture. If it is ok to study other cultures and their music, what about the Christian tradition?
Winter concerts in Decembers past have usually included a variety of music for several winter holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the New Year) including sacred and secular texts, as well as generic winter themes. I've never had a complaint in twenty years of teaching in a large public school system (15,000+ students).
Okay, hang in there, just a few more mentions of choirs and singing! (sorry to any instrumentalist purists!)Below are a few resources and links to various music ed and singing related topics plus a couple of links to Christmas music sources and a few articles of interest......and of note, we received a call this week from a member asking "Where in the world is the Christmas and Hanukkah and holiday music on your site?" How refreshing that was to have someone assume we should or would have holiday music posted!
SOURCES/NEWS/RESOURCES/ARTICLESHere is paper discussing the benefits of singing in a choir:
CHORUS AMERICA paper - CHORUS IMPACT STUDY
CLASH OF THE CHOIRS" - Calling all choirs: here’s your chance to be featured on TV during "Clash of the Choirs," a four-night competition featuring five celebrity choir directors (Nick Lachey, Patti LaBelle, Blake Shelton, Michael Bolton and Kelly Rowland) that will begin airing on NBC December 17 at 8 pm. NBC invites you to submit a video recording of your choir performing for the chance to be featured in a special "Holiday Moment" each night of the broadcast. For complete information and rules, visit "Clash of the Choirs Deadline: December 10!
SONGS for Teaching: find the Christmas ornaments on the RH side of page, "Celebrate the holidays" for songs of different holidays - CLICK!
STEVEN VAN ZANDT's ROCK 'n ROLL FOREVER FOUNDATION: sign up to be kept informed of the status of this curriculum, and to have it sent to you! CLICK
more below......
Why Singing "achieves miracles" in UK school National Singing program: click HERE
to learn more about this national effort to get all school children singing, the National Singing Programme, and the on-line database of music they're compiling. According to the article:
"Get schoolchildren singing together regularly, and something miraculous happens. They concentrate better, they're happier in themselves, and the school takes on a real cohesive sense of identity. This isn't just the subjective impression of starry-eyed music teachers: it's hard fact. Every single one of the top 30 primary schools in England has a singing programme involving all pupils."....
And I leave you with this quote!
"I always loved music; who so (ever) has skill in this arts is of a good temperament, fitted for all things. We must teach music in schools; a schoolmaster ought to have skill in music, or I would not regard him; neither should we ordain young men as preachers unless they have been well exercised in music. Music must be supported by the King and the princes, for the maintenance of the arts is their duty no less than the maintenance of the laws." attributed to Martin Luther
TIL NEXT WEEK.......(more below).....
STAY WARM AND SEE YOU THEN! SR
