Choir

Concert and Enrichment Opportunities 2024-2025

Choir Extra Credit Opportunity:

1) A few of you asked about missing homework assignments, the ones from before Spring Break required listening to our Easter pieces in preparation for that ceremony. It would be 'busy work' to do so now. However, if you would like to email Mrs. Steyn with a brief, well-written, paragraph answering the questions --"What was your favorite piece to sing at the Easter ceremony? Why was it your favorite? What was beautiful, interesting, poetic, moving, powerful about the piece?"--it will be accepted as a bonus homework assignment (or replace a 0 as needed).

2) I will still accept concert attendance as a bonus assignment (either with a copy of the program or a note from your parent) with an accompanying paragraph describing the experience. There are a few upcoming concerts still on the list above--local schools are also hold concerts every week and there is lots of wonderful music to be heard!

May 2-5 CHOIR HOMEWORK:

HOMEWORK FORM

This week's homework can be used to replace a missing homework assignment.

1) Bring choir folders next week on Tuesday and to recitation on Thursday. (You will need "Gaudeamus," Cantate (women), Two Folk Songs (Men) and Fiddler.

2) Listen to Fiddler on the Roof (skip past L'Chaim) one time on Friday and one time on Monday and read the brief synopsis of the musical below. Pay special attention to the transitions in your listening! Media player below.

Fiddler on the Roof, written by Harneck and Bock in 1964, tells the story of a Jewish community in the Russian village of Anatevka. The main character, Tevya, has 5 daughters that he hopes to marry to eligible Jewish bachelors so he enlists the help of a matchmaker. The daughters have modern ideas of love matches that collide with Tevya's strong sense of tradition (and contrast with his own arranged marriage to wife, Yente--the sing a beautiful duet called "Do You Love Me?" The lines sung by 'daughters' and 'mothers' in "Tradition" are meant to be tongue-in-cheek criticisms of the very limiting social structure being depicted. The daughters fall in love, follow their hearts and one daughter elopes--we see Tevya struggle with all of this change and the departure from tradition. The family story is set within a larger backdrop of anti-semitism in pre-revolutionary Russia, the sense that their lives are changing and may never be the same again is shown in the village setting and mirrored in the family structure ("Sunrise, Sunset"). The title of the musical comes from a line spoken by Tevya, without traditions, our lives would be "as shaky as a fiddler on the roof." The fiddler silhouette appears on the set and playbill of most productions and skillful fiddle playing is a big part of the score.

FiddlerRoof.mp3

No homework this week! Thank you for your hard work and good participation in our Easter ceremony. It was something special--some specific moments that I enjoyed: "Behold Our God"--this was so good and I could tell that many of you knew and enjoyed this hymn as well, the women's singing of "Arise" with Mrs. Howard on violin (so lovely and moving), "O Sacred, Wondrous Love"--this was marvelous and the men were particularly strong and tuneful on this piece, all of you sang with expression and energy, our closing with the children was so beautiful! Well done, everyone, on to recitation preparation!

Choir Homework: Due After Spring Break

CHOIR HOMEWORK FORM

**There are some survey and self-assessment questions in this homework form. Please make sure to complete them!

1) Listen to "Fiddler On the Roof Medley" at least TWO TIMES (This is a classic bit of musical theatre--if you haven't watched the movie, maybe enjoy it over the break. Things from Fiddler show up all over pop culture--you'll recognize several pieces.)

2) Women: Please use music and this audio to rehearse "Cantate." This piece is so energetic and wonderful, you are doing great with it! CANTATE DOMINO

3) End of this grading quarter is approaching--if you haven't completed homework from the past several weeks, now is your chance. I left the links open. Those 5 point assignments can really impact your grade.

4) Check the concert and enrichment opportunities above--I've added some new things! Lots of great music happening in Lexington this spring.

DID YOU KNOW?

When you sing together as a choir your hearts begin to beat in sync and heart rates lower. How cool is that? Read more HERE.

March 21-24

No homework! Enjoy the weekend.

March 14-18

CHOIR HOMEWORK FORM

ALL 7-12 Grade Choirs:

1) Friday: Listen once to "Fiddler On the Roof Medley" (We won't be doing the speaking parts or all all of the pieces. This is a classic bit of musical theatre--if you haven't watched the movie, maybe enjoy it this weekend! Things from Fiddler show up all over pop culture--you'll recognize several pieces.)

2) Monday: Choose one of the Easter pieces and listen for memory.

(Several of the pieces below are musical previews--you need to follow the link then click play in bottom right corner.

O Sacred, Wondrous Love

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

Thy Will Be Done

Were You There? (still hearing solos next week then we will make a decision!)

Women's Choir:

Listen to your part 1 times over the weekend. Focus on the part that is causing you any confusion--we will be learning the rest of the B section on Tuesday, so perhaps work on that! Use your music! You will hear the other parts in the"background," but your part will be predominant. It's easiest to follow with music in front of you.

Soprano 1

Soprano 2

Alto

March 7-March 10

CHOIR HOMEWORK FORM

7-12th Grade:

Friday: Choose one piece from the list below to listen to and memorize.

Monday: Choose a different piece from the list below to listen to and memorize (these are youTube links, you can scroll down to use the Spotify links if that's more accessible)

O Sacred, Wondrous Love

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

Thy Will Be Done

Were You There?

10-12th Choir

Come Thou Fount SOPRANO

Come Thou Fount ALTO

Come Thou Fount TENOR

Come Thou Fount BASS

Women's Choir 7-12:

Listen to your part 2 times on Friday and two times on Monday. Use your music! You will hear the other parts in the"background," but your part will be predominant. It's easiest to follow with music in front of you.

Soprano 1

Soprano 2

Alto

DID YOU KNOW?

"Singing can reduce tension, increase energy, and improve mood in healthy subjects and singers show a decrease in heart rate after choral singing." (National Institute of Health)

February 28-March 3

HOMEWORK FORM

7-12th Choir

Link to Spotify Playlist that includes many of our pieces for Easter.

1) We will be auditioning for the "Were You There?" solo in the next couple of weeks. Be sure to listen if you'd like to audition.

2) Choose one of the three pieces below and listen two times on Friday, choose a different one and listen two times on Monday.

O Sacred, Wondrous Love

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

Women's Choir:

DID YOU KNOW?

Your voice is as unique as your fingerprint. The unique qualities of our singing voices extend beyond the differences between male and female. There are so many elements involved in producing a sound. It doesn’t stop at the size and shape of our vocal cords. Our bodies, particularly, our vocal tract, oral cavities, and the manner in which we speak have a huge impact on the timbre of our voice, which also translates in the sound we make when we sing. While some voices may have similarities, no two voices are identical. (London Singing Institute)

February 21-24

HOMEWORK FORM

1) We are working toward memorization for all of our Easter pieces. Please take some time to listen and study your music--listen at least once to "Were You There?" and "Adoramus Te." (Spotify below) We are dusting these off from the past two years.

2) Choose one other piece to listen to and memorize. Note any spots that are tricky for you.

We get the great privilege of connecting what we know about Christ and his suffering to the beauty, truth and expressive power of music. How we do that and why we do that is important!

7th-12th Grade Pieces

O Sacred, Wondrous Love

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

Thy Will Be Done

Were You There? (Spotify playlist)

Adoramus Te (Spotify)

Women Only:

Arise, My Soul, Arise (spotify playlist)

Cantate Domino (Recitation not Easter :)

Senior High Choir

Mercy (10-12 Grade, spotify playlist)

DID YOU KNOW?

A study carried out by PHD student Matthew Sachs at the University of Southern California, has revealed that people who get chills from [listening to] music might have structural differences in their brain.

The research studied 20 students, who listened to three to five pieces of music. Ten of the students admitted to feeling shivers, while the other ten didn’t. The researchers then took brain scans of all the participants.

“[The ten who felt shivers] have a higher volume of fibres that connect their auditory cortex to the areas associated with emotional processing, which means the two areas communicate better,” Matthew told Neuroscience News. These ten participants also had a higher prefrontal cortex, which is involved in certain areas of understanding, like interpreting a song’s meaning

“People who get the chills have an enhanced ability to experience intense emotions,” Sachs said. “Right now, that’s just applied to music because the study focused on the auditory cortex. But it could be studied in different ways down the line,” he pointed out.

The study also found that people who are open to experience – as well as people who have more musical training – are more likely report strong emotional responses. (classicfm.com)

February 6-9

This is your chance to go back and complete any homework you have forgotten since we started back in January. All the forms are still open and the goal is that you are frequently reviewing what we've, increasing retention and studying notes so that we can make music! Thanks for taking responsibility for this work.

Additionally, I am going to be posting a fact about singing or music every week on the homework page!

DID YOU KNOW?

"Scientists have researched the effects of group singing, and the results show benefits for mood, stress levels, and even the immune system.

Researchers in Germany used questionnaires and before-and-after saliva samples to compare the effects of singing choral music with just listening to it. They found that singing buoyed mood and boosted the immune system activity." (See full article here.)

January 30-February 5

HOMEWORK COMPLETION FORM

7th-12th grade:

1) Listen to "O Sacred, Wondrous Love" 1 time before Tuesday. (video below).

2) Listen to "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" 1 time before Tuesday. Especially focus on memorizing words.

All New Students (new to the school and all 7th graders):

1) Thy Will Be Done: listen 2 times before Tuesday.

Women--7th-12th Grade:

Arise My Soul Arise: watch one time below--pay attention to the clear diction, expression, beautiful dynamics (loud/soft)

January 23-29

HOMEWORK COMPLETION FORM

For choir homework this week--all 7th-12th grade:

1) Listen to "O Sacred, Wondrous Love" 1 time on Friday and 1 time on Monday (video below).

2) Listen to "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" 1 time on Friday and 1 time on Monday. This is coming along nicely!

3) Thy Will Be Done: listen 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday. We will be polishing this one for Easter again! It was many people's favorite piece!

January 16-22

It was great to see you all and hear your voices this week. It is going to be a good semester!

HOMEWORK COMPLETION FORM

For choir homework this week:

1) Listen to "O Sacred, Wondrous Love" 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday (video below). This piece is stunning, can't wait to put it together!

2) Listen to "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday. This will replace "Lamb of God" this year. It's going to be beautiful.

Week 14:

Choirs: Good singing on Thursday! I'm thankful for each of you and the way you sang as choirs and conducted yourselves throughout the program--in being seated on stage (Senior high--superb!) and moving on and off stage (all groups). Well done!

**If you missed the program for any reason, please email Mrs. Steyn and Mr. Beeken for a makeup assignment.

I'm praying for productive study and peace for each of you as you prepare for and take finals this week. Merry Christmas!

Week 13:

HOMEWORK FORM

Choirs, you're doing a wonderful job, looking forward to putting our pieces together next week.

Homework for this weekend:

1) Listening (all linked below)

a) "Hallelujah Chorus" and marvel that you get to sing something so stunning! Each time we do it it gets a little more confident, keep it up! It needs lots and lots of energy.

b) LIsten to the hymn "Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery"

c) Listen to "Charlie Brown" Carol medley.

2) Review words for anything that needs to be sung from memory. (Asterisks below for memory parts) If you are singing special parts or reading, practice those.

3) Put your music in order and make your folders presentable. Be sure your NAME is on your folder or at the top of the first piece of music and BRING YOUR FOLDER TO PORTER ON TUESDAY MORNING.

ORDER:

*Asterisks are for things that will be sung from memory.

1) Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery (7-9 have this, 10-12 and strings: this will be a hymn sung by audience and led by students--please listen BELOW, If you don't know this one.

2) High School a cappella (Have Yourself a Merry*, Go Tell*)

3) Senior High Choir (We Are Not Alone*, Come and See the Baby*)

4) Angels We Have Heard on High (led by students, everyone sings, words on screens)

4) Women's Choir (Of the Father's Love, Veni, Faint Music*)

5) Men's Chorus (Carol of the Bells*, A La Nanita*)

6) Do You Hear What I Hear? (maybe from memory or help from screens)

7) Hallelujah Chorus

8) Silent Night (words will be on the screens--4 part harmony*)

9) Charlie Brown Carols (words on screens--so please scroll down to listen this week!)

Come Behold the Wondrous

Hallelujah

Week 12:

COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK FORM AFTER DOING HOMEWORK TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for each of you and the very great privilege that it is to make beautiful music in community, reflecting just a tiny bit of the beauty of our Creator. Some suggested listening for you :)

ALL CHOIRS:

1) **Hallelujah Chorus: NEW ASSIGNMENT

Listen and follow your part at least 2 different times over the break, try to keep this piece fresh!
Focus on the second section (from 1 minute 38 seconds to the end.)
The tricky p. 13 section that we worked on a lot last week is at minute 2:45 (please study that section)
If you're getting lost, you can slow down the speed by clicking on the "cog" in the bottom right of the video screen.

This is a major work that, once learned, you'll be able to enjoy for a lifetime! Keep up the good work, I'm really impressed with your singing on this one.

2) Christmas Medley:

Please listen one time on Friday and one time on Monday.

**Orchestra people--we have done this quite a bit on Thursdays, so maybe listen a little extra! We will be singing lots of melody on this one. (There will be a small group singing 'Christmastime is Here')

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

Week 11:

COMPLETE THIS FORM WHEN YOUR HOMEWORK IS COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY

ALL CHOIRS:

1) **Hallelujah Chorus:

This week we will continue to study the second part of "Halleluah Chorus." Starting at 1 minute 38 seconds--watch the practice video for your part 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday. Scroll down for those! If you're getting lost, you can slow down the speed by clicking on the "cog" in the bottom right of the video screen.

This is a major work that, once learned, you'll be able to enjoy for a lifetime! Keep up the good work, I'm really impressed with your singing on this one.

2) Christmas Medley:

Please listen one time on Friday and one time on Monday.

Week 10:

COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK FORM WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED HOMEWORK TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.

ALL CHOIRS:

1) **Hallelujah Chorus:

This is a major work that, once learned, you'll be able to enjoy for a lifetime! Keep up the good work, I'm really impressed with your singing on this one.

2) Christmas Medley:

We will be closing with this fun "Christmas Medley." Please listen one time on Friday and one time

on Monday. Orchestra people--we have done this quite a bit on Thursdays, so maybe listen a little extra! We will be singing lots of melody on this one.

7-12 Men's Chorus

1) Listen to "A La Nanita Nana" (See below) one time on Friday, one time on Monday.

Week 9:

COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK FORM WHEN YOU'VE DONE HOMEWORK TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY.

ALL CHOIRS:

1) **Hallelujah Chorus:

This week we are studying the second part of "Halleluah Chorus." Starting at 1 minute 38 seconds--watch the practice video for your part 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday. Scroll down for those! If you're getting lost, you can slow down the speed by clicking on the "cog" in the bottom right of the video screen.

7-12 Men's Chorus

1) Listen to "A La Nanita Nana" (See below) one time on Friday, one time on Monday.

7-12 Women's Choir

1) If I assigned descants to you, please listen to those in preparation for next week.

2) Please listen to "Of the Father's Love Begotten," link below. Pay special attention to where the syllables should be landing. (This recording has an extra verse--our verses are 1, 3, and 4 with a tiny variation) I love the way these singers lean into the strong syllables and use forward momentum through the melody. So lovely, reflective and worshipful.

Week 8:

Complete this homework form when you have done listening to the best of your ability.

ALL CHOIRS:

1) Hallelujah Chorus:

Watch the practice video for your part 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday. Scroll down for those! If you're getting lost, you can slow down the speed by clicking on the "cog" in the bottom right of the video screen.

10-12th Grade Choir

-Listen to "Come and See the Baby" while following in your music 2 times or more. Please focus on the transitions, the ending and if anyone is interested in the solo/descant practice it to try next week. This would be good for a male voice!

7-12 Women's Choir

-Please listen to "Of the Father's Love Begotten," link below. Pay special attention to where the syllables should be landing. (This recording has an extra verse--our verses are 1, 3, and 4 with a tiny variation) I love the way these singers lean into the strong syllables and use forward momentum through the melody. So lovely, reflective and worshipful.

DESCANTS:

If I sent you a descant for "Faint Music" or "Veni", please work on learning those. If I didn't send you one but you are interested in learning it--shoot me an email!

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

Week 7:

FILL OUT THIS HOMEWORK FORM WHEN YOU FINISH THE LISTENING ASSIGNMENT BELOW.

ALL CHOIRS:

1) Hallelujah Chorus:

Watch the practice video for your part 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday.

SOPRANO

ALTO

TENOR

BASS

Week 6:

Fill out this homework form when you finish the assignment below.

ALL CHOIRS: HALLELUJAH CHORUS

1) Use the KEY HERE to write in (or check) the solfege for your part from page 5 to measure 32 on page 8.

2) Hallelujah Chorus: Sections B and C

-Listen to your part 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday

WOMEN'S CHOIR

1) Listen to and watch the following performance of "Veni Emmanuel" (BELOW) one or more times. Watch the expression in faces, bodies and voices and the forward moving energy they sing with at all times. Every single member of this choir is diving for the ball! :)

** Veni Emmanuel Descant (for an assigned small group)

**A Reminder for 10-12 Graders: On Thursday, please enter the sanctuary, go directly to your assigned seat and complete the sight reading exercise that will be listed on the board.

If you need help finding your seat, each of your new section leaders has a seating chart:

Soprano: Caroline Stapleton; Alto: Kate Hogue, Tenor: Razor Sharp and Bass: Jack Ferrell.

Week 5:

DON'T FORGET TO COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK FORM

1) ALL CHOIRS: 7-12th Grade Men and Women

Hallelujah Chorus: Sections B and C

2) Women's Choir

-Review your part on "Veni Emmanuel" (Both sections below and mention one thing by page or measure number that you are challenged by.)

ALTO p. 1-9

ALTO p. 9-16

SOPRANO p. 1-9

SOPRANO p.9-16

Week 4:

WEEK 4 HOMEWORK FORM

1) Women's Choir (7th-12th)

-ALTO "VENI" SECTIONAL p. 9-16

- SOPRANO "VENI" p.9-16

2) 10-12th Grade Choir

-Listen to "Come and See the Baby" while following in your music 2 times or more.

Week 3:

WEEK 3 HOMEWORK FORM: COMPLETE AFTER YOU FINISH HOMEWORK.

1) SYLLABUS: return your signed syllabus to Mr. Beeken or Mrs. Steyn if you have not done so.

3) Women's Choir (7-12 women)

-Review your part 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday (follow in your music)

SOPRANO

ALTO

4) 10-12 Grade Choir:

--Listen to "We Are Not Alone" (below) and follow in your music 2 times or more. Learn the solo if you're interested in auditioning--male or female voices.

Week 2:

1) SYLLABUS: return your signed syllabus to Mr. Beeken or Mrs. Steyn if you didn't complete it last week.

2) Student SURVEY: Finish this form for a homework grade if you didn't do it last week.

3) Women's Choir (7-12 women)

-Find your PART HERE (this may change a little over the next week or so!)

-Listen to your part 2 times on Friday and 2 times on Monday (follow in your music)

SOPRANO

ALTO

WHEN YOUR HOMEWORK IS COMPLETE, FIll OUT THE HOMEWORK FORM LINKED HERE.

Week 1:

All Classes:

1) Return signed syllabus on Tuesday for a homework grade. Thursday String players, you can print the syllabus HERE.

2) Bring your 1/2" or 1" black binder with pencil to class each week.

3) Please follow the LINK HERE and answer questions to help us get to know you better. This is the same form that Mr. Steyn has shared, you only need to fill it out once.