WMS Chorus Newsletter
Listen to the group, and check out upcoming opportunities!
Welcome to the Chorus S'more!
In chorus class, students sing in a large group, learning a variety of genres from Classical to Folk to RnB. We work on a variety of vocal techniques like tone, placement, diction, and breath support, and we also weave in other skill building like recording technique, adjudication, and dramaturgy.
WMS Chorus Spring Concert ft. WHS & All City Chorus
Students need to be at school at 6pm and ready to warm up at 6:15. We will spend time before warm-ups getting everyone lined up and into their positions on stage. For our combined piece, we will need to fit close to 90 kids on stage, so we ask for patience as we get everyone where they need to be!
Parents are welcome to stay at school once they've dropped off their students. The doors to the auditorium will be open at 6:15.
If transportation back to school is an issue, students are welcome to stay at school between the end of the day and the concert. Be advised, students will need to have brought their concert clothes or will need them dropped off if they choose to stay.
NOTE: Concert attire is ALL BLACK! Specifics have been posted on Google Classroom.
Grade 6 - Rehearsal Updates
Our choristers are making steady progress on their repertoire. Using solfege, they've been working on a rendition of "Lion Sleeps Tonight" which involves singing in 4-part harmony! While this song is really repetitive, we've gotten the chance to use it to flex our audiation (inner-ear) skills, rehearsing and performing in 'mixed' seating, meaning students are seated next to people who are not in their voice part.
Our second piece is "I'm On My Way," a traditional spiritual that has proved challenging. This piece is a bit deceptive-- while it seems repetitive, each phrase is slightly different than the others, giving this song a unique level of difficulty! It's taken a lot of time and effort, but we're making good progress!
The final piece we've been working will be performed with the 7/8th Grade Chorus. It's a Serbian piece in 9/8 time called "Niska Banja." This fun and unique tune has allowed us to explore Eastern-European performance traditions. While the score of this piece is quite daunting (repeat signs, a coda section, and segnos galore), our students are not easily intimidated! They've artfully mastered the melody, lyrics, and form, and this is sure to be a highlight at the concert!
(Updated 5/14)
Grade 7/8 - Rehearsal Update
Our choir students have been hard at work over the last two months! Having finished the in-class portion of their recording project, a fantastic arrangement of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" we've been deep in preparation for our upcoming Spring Concert!
Our choristers are steadily working through their concert rep. Both of their selections offer unique challenges. The first is "Clear Water," a programmatic piece about the sea. This song has a polyphonic texture, meaning instead of harmonizing on a single melody (aka homophonic texture), the song is made up of many different melodies layered on top of each other. While it starts of mostly in unison, throughout the song, different counter-melodies are added, becoming a cacophony of sound by the end!
Our second piece is called "Juntos." Mostly in Spanish, this 3-part piece is really bouncy and rhythmic. With lush harmonies and tons of syncopation, this song definitely has its challenges, and yet, it's become a favorite among students.
The final piece we've been working will be performed with the 6th Grade Chorus. It's a Serbian piece in 9/8 time called "Niska Banja." This fun and unique tune has allowed us to explore Eastern-European performance traditions. While the score of this piece is quite daunting (repeat signs, a coda section, and segnos galore), our students are not easily intimidated! They've artfully mastered the melody, lyrics, and form, and this is sure to be a highlight at the concert!
(Updated 5/14)
Six Flags Update (7/8 Chorus)
We're heading back to Six Flags for Music in the Parks! As you know, the date of the trip has been moved to Saturday, June 3rd. We will be performing two pieces from our Spring Concert. This is sure to be an exciting trip!
We have collected three payments. If you have not turned in the total of $132.45 ($122 for the bus + ticket and $10.45 for the t-shirt) please do so as soon as possible. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding balances due.
(Updated 5/14)
Concert Dates
Our performance dates are as follows:
- Chorus Spring Concert: Thursday, May 25th, 7:00PM (Arrive at 6 for 6:15 Warm-Ups in the Music Room) @ WMS Auditorium
- Music In The Parks: Saturday, June 3rd, 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM (7/8th Grade Chorus) @ Six Flags New England