Embedded Files
Goals
Goals
- Experience a piece of musical theater, performed at a Lincoln Center Originals: Songwriters concert.
- Deepen the experience through reflection, songwriting, and art-making.
- Explore the theme of: “Places I Like”
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Video
Video
Bobby Steggert and Jenny Barber perform “Why I Like New York” (music by Zina Goldrich, lyrics by Marcy Heisler) in the David Rubenstein Atrium as part of Lincoln Center Originals: Songwriters.
Bobby Steggert and Jenny Barber perform “Why I Like New York” (music by Zina Goldrich, lyrics by Marcy Heisler) in the David Rubenstein Atrium as part of Lincoln Center Originals: Songwriters.
This performance was recorded on May 15, 2015.
This performance was recorded on May 15, 2015.
Warm Up
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
- Begin with some self-care. Gently massage your jaw -- slowly working your way to your lips. Tap the nasal passages. Spend some time releasing the tension in your temples and the back of your neck. Scratch the crown of your head with your fingertips. (Don’t worry -- your hair still looks GREAT!)
- Now, let’s get our voices warmed up! Don’t be shy! Begin with some big yawns and sighs. Let go of your day thus far -- sigh it out!
- Establish your range with a few sirens. Start with a low rumble, slowly and carefully get louder as your pitch gets higher.
- Incorporate the hands and arms by stretching your hands up when you get to the high notes, and bring them back down as your pitch drops back down.
- Now let’s blow some raspberries with lip trills! Really feel the vibration of your lips. Does it tickle? Kick it up a notch by ‘trilling’
- Feel free to sing your favorite song to get your vocal chords warmed up!
Reflection / Discussion
Reflection / Discussion
1. What do you notice about the performers, Bobby Steggert and Jenny Barber?
1. What do you notice about the performers, Bobby Steggert and Jenny Barber?
- How would you describe their voices? Tone? Vocal quality?
- How do the performers interact with each other?
- What is their relationship?
- What are they wearing?
- What do you notice about their performance space?
2. What do you notice about the music?
2. What do you notice about the music?
- How would you describe the music?
The lyrics? - How does the song, Why I Like New York, make you feel?
- What do you like about New York? Are they the same or different than the reasons Bobby Steggert sings in this song?
Songwriting: "Why I Like..."
Songwriting: "Why I Like..."
The musical theater song Why I Like New York begins with a charming first encounter between a man and a woman who passionately discuss their complicated relationship with New York City.
The musical theater song Why I Like New York begins with a charming first encounter between a man and a woman who passionately discuss their complicated relationship with New York City.
She asks him, “So what do you like so much about it?” and he responds by singing:
She asks him, “So what do you like so much about it?” and he responds by singing:
Why I like New York, it’s a complicated thing.
Why I like New York, it’s a complicated thing.
It’s a question that I’m asking every day.
It’s a question that I’m asking every day.
Why I like New York, it’s a hope that seems to cling.
Why I like New York, it’s a hope that seems to cling.
Activity
Activity
Now you can be the songwriter and compose an ode to a few places that you ‘like’ using this template...
Now you can be the songwriter and compose an ode to a few places that you ‘like’ using this template...
Why I like ___(place)___, it’s a ___(adjective)___ thing.
Why I like ___(place)___, it’s a ___(adjective)___ thing.
It’s a ___(noun)___ that I’m ___(verb-ing)___ every day.
It’s a ___(noun)___ that I’m ___(verb-ing)___ every day.
Why I like ___(place)___, it’s a ___(noun)___ that seems to cling.
Why I like ___(place)___, it’s a ___(noun)___ that seems to cling.
1. Begin by composing an ode to where you are right now.
1. Begin by composing an ode to where you are right now.
My example:
My example:
Why I like my bedroom, it’s a relaxing thing.
Why I like my bedroom, it’s a relaxing thing.
It’s an oasis that I’m enjoying every day.
It’s an oasis that I’m enjoying every day.
Why I like my bedroom, it’s a feeling that seems to cling.
Why I like my bedroom, it’s a feeling that seems to cling.
2. Then complete the verse for a place you love.
2. Then complete the verse for a place you love.
My example:
My example:
Why I like Lincoln Center, it’s an exciting thing.
Why I like Lincoln Center, it’s an exciting thing.
It’s an adventure that I’m exploring every day.
It’s an adventure that I’m exploring every day.
Why I like Lincoln Center, it’s a song that seems to cling.
Why I like Lincoln Center, it’s a song that seems to cling.
3. Lastly complete the verse for a place you want to be.
3. Lastly complete the verse for a place you want to be.
My example:
My example:
Why I like Paris, it’s a cultured thing.
Why I like Paris, it’s a cultured thing.
It’s a city that I’m dreaming of every day.
It’s a city that I’m dreaming of every day.
Why I like Paris, it’s an elegance that seems to cling.
Why I like Paris, it’s an elegance that seems to cling.
4. Finally, put all your verses together in a song.
4. Finally, put all your verses together in a song.
You can play the video again and sing along with your new lyrics.
You can play the video again and sing along with your new lyrics.
Art Making: "Why I Like..."
Art Making: "Why I Like..."
Supplies:
Supplies:
Paper and a drawing utensils
Paper and a drawing utensils
Choose one of the above favorite places for which you wrote a song lyric.
Choose one of the above favorite places for which you wrote a song lyric.
- On your paper, draw this place.
- You can incorporate your drawing with the lyrics.
- Add details in your drawing showing what you like about it.
For my example, I used my verse about Paris.
For my example, I used my verse about Paris.
I drew the Eiffel Tower to represent my love of the city.
I drew the Eiffel Tower to represent my love of the city.
And I incorporated my lyrics into my drawing.
And I incorporated my lyrics into my drawing.
Explore More
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Extension Questions:
- What do you like about New York?
- Do the places that you like have anything in common?
How are they similar? How are they different? - Do you have a favorite musical?
- Do you have a favorite songwriter?
Share:
Share:
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website.
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