3rd Grade Concert Prep Materials

Here are some helpful videos from YouTube...

The Little Drummer Boy (This is much faster than we do it, but these are the right words):

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Remember, you are doing the 3rd and last verses):

Don't forget to also practice "The Wassail Song" and your recorder song "Good King Wenceslas."

You have been doing great work!!

4th Grade Concert Prep Materials

Here are a couple helpful videos for 4th graders...

O Come O Come Emmanuel (Remember, you are doing the 3rd verse and the last verse):

Campana Sobre Campana:

Don't forget to practice "The Wassail Song" and your recorder song, "O Come O Come Emmanuel."

You've been doing great work!!

6th Grade Concert Prep Materials

Here are some YouTube links for you...

O Come O Come Emmanuel:

Still Still Still (German version-- REMEMBER, we will sing the first German verse, then the two English verses, and then the first German verse again.  Use this for the German words and then sing your English verses over it-- or stop the music).

Go Where I Send Thee

Don't forget about practicing "The First Noel" on your recorder.  You can do it!

7th Grade Concert Prep Materials

Here are some YouTube links to help you practice:

O Come O Come Emmanuel:

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen:

Still, Still, Still (This only has the German verses-- REMEMBER, we will be singing the first German verse, then the two English verses, and then the first German one.  Sing your English verses over this if you'd like).

5th Grade Concert Prep Materials

Use the videos below to practice...

Los Peces en el Rio (tip- see if you have it memorized by writing it out without looking at the lyrics sheet!)

Little Drummer Boy (MUCH FASTER than we do it, but the right words!):

O Come O Come Emmanuel:

CHRISTMAS CONCERT Dec. 8th at 4:00p.m.

Our Christmas concert is seriously just around the corner.  This means, I will use this blog to post some helpful materials for students as they finish preparing their music.  I can't wait to see everyone at the concert.  Students and families should arrive at St. Sylvester Church by at least 3:45 on Sunday the 8th.  And don't forget the potluck in Schwinn Hall afterward.  It will all make for a wonderful time!

8th Grade Concert Prep Materials

8th Grade,
Here is a recording of "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen" to help you with memorization.  Listening a handful of times will really help you.  Another great way to memorize is to write down the lyrics-- BUT not the way we already did-- instead, do not use the lyrics sheet and either write as you listen (and pause and rewind if needed) or write out the lyrics while singing/saying the song to yourself.  By next week, everyone should be done looking at any sort of lyric sheet.  You can do it!
Here is "Los Peces en el Rio" and "O Come O Come Emmanuel, as well.

Family Mass Tomorrow!

Hello Choir Members and Families!  Tomorrow is the 3rd Sunday of November-- a Family Mass at St. Sylvester Church.  I hope to see as many choir members there as possible.  All of the songs we will be singing are ones we have sung over the past 2 weeks at our own masses.  I'm looking forward to it!

Parents, if you are able, please try to bring your children between 11:15 and 11:25 so they can settle in and be ready for the very first song.  HOWEVER, ALL choir members are welcome at any time they arrive.

Thank you!

Message to the 8th Graders

8th Graders-- it is time to polish things up for the Christmas concert.  This next week we will decide who is ready to perform on the keyboards and we'll check in on memorization of Los Peces en el Rio and God Rest You Merry Gentleman.  The lyrics to both are below.  An old technique many use to memorize anything is simply to hand-write the lyrics.  You will do this as part of an assignment you will receive in your next class.  Feel free to get ahead of the game and write your copies now!

Los Peces en el Rio

(http://youtu.be/ociEaTj3Vis)

VERSE 1

La Virgen se esta peinando

Entre cortina y cortina

Sus cabellos son de oro

El peine de plata fina

REFRAIN

Pero mira como beben

Los peces en el rio

Pero mira como beben

Por ver al Dios nacido

Beben y beben

Y vuelven a beber

Los peces en el rio

Por ver al Dios nacer

VERSE 2

La Virgen esta lavando

Y tendiendo en el romero

Los angelitos cantando

Y el romero floreciendo

REFRAIN (Pero mira...)

VERSE 3

La Virgen se está lavando


Con un poquito jabón.


Se le han picado las manos,


manos de mi corazón.

REFRAIN (Pero mira...)

****************************************************************

God Rest You Merry Gentlemen--- 7^th and 8^th

Verse 1

God rest you merry gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember Christ our Savior

Was born upon this day

To save us all from Satan’s pow’r

When we were gone astray

O tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Verse 2

From God, our heav’nly Father

A blessed angel came

And unto certain shepherds

Brought tidings of the same

How that in Bethlehem was born

The Son of God by name

O tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Verse 3

Now to the Lord sing praises,

All you within this place.

And with true love and charity

Each other now embrace

This holy tide of Christmas

All others shall replace

O tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

Family Mass Tomorrow, the 20th

Choir!  We have our 2nd family mass of the year tomorrow morning at 11:30. Families, please try to bring your choir member to the church by 11:20, if possible. This way they can get settled in and be ready to sing the Entrance hymn. Though, if you are there later, please still come in up to the loft, choir members.

See you tomorrow!

Homework Post for 6th and 7th Grade

Please go to the YouTube video below.  Listen to and then sing along with this recording of Still, Still, Still.  It is in German.  We will sing 2 German verses and 2 English verses.  They all follow the same melody.

Use your paper copy of the song as a guide, and write in pronunciations for the German, (see example below).  You have 2 weeks to do this.  We will go over it on Tuesday, Oct. 22.  You will sound amazing singing this all together.  Enjoy!

Still, still, still

FOR CLEAR GERMAN, go to: http://youtu.be/kNEPNsI_QlQ

Still, still, still, [I would write "shteel, shteel, shteel"

Weil's Kindlein schlafen will. [I would write "Vyles kihndt-line shlaf-in vill"]

Die Englein tun schön jubilieren, [dye enk-line toon shun yoo-be-lee-rhen]

Bei dem Kripplein musizieren. [bye dehm krip-line moo-zee-zee-rhen]

Still, still, still,

Weil's Kindlein schlafen will.

Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf,

Mein liebes Kindlein schlaf!

Maria tut dich niedersingen

Und ihr treues Herz darbringen.

Schlaf, schlaf, schlaf,

Mein liebes Kindlein schlaf!

Still, still, still,
He sleeps this night so chill!
The Virgin's tender arms enfolding,
Warm and safe the Child are holding,
Still, still, still,
He sleeps this night so chill

Sleep, sleep, sleep
He lies in slumber deep.
While angel hosts from heav'n come winging
Sweetest songs of joy are singing
Sleep, sleep, sleep
He lies in slumber deep.

Update on Music Class for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd

First grade music classes have been off to a great start.  Students are learning to read rhythms and beginning to become more familiar with musical tones that go well together.  We’ve even started to record some of our work with bells so that I can soon post it for families to see.  Ask your child to give you a sample of “Sarasponda!”

The second graders and I have been working a lot with rhythm.  They are learning to read music notes using simple syllables that break things down and make drumming, singing, and bell playing possible.  Last week we sang a traditional Canadian folk song called “Land of the Silver Birch” and divided into 3 different instrument groups.  Each student took turns playing bells, shakers, and hand drums.  It is a special thing to watch students learn to connect cues they hear in the music with their own instrumental part, rather than playing for the entire song.   We will continue to explore creating a classroom “band” whenever we can!

Third graders are learning to groove on their recorders!  So far, “Hot Cross Buns” and “Buns Cross Hot” have been our main tunes.  Learning an instrument is a special thing.  And learning to read music is a leap even beyond that.  The third graders have begun to read notes on the musical staff.  They are really starting to connect concepts.  Everyone should look forward to hearing the third graders’ recorder work, as well as their fantastic singing.

Solo and Small Group Auditions in Junior High Choir

Hey there, Junior High Choir members.  Here is a YouTube recording of "Send Us Your Spirit" that you can use to prepare the verses.  If you'd like to do a solo or get together 2-4 people for a small group, that is great!  I highly encourage you to go for it, if you are at all interested.  You will give it a try during choir next Wednesday.

http://youtu.be/8m2A45v_Utc

See you soon!
Ms. Fox

First Family Mass of the New Year is Here! Attention Choir Members:

Hello, St. Sylvester Families!

Well, we have begun our new year.  The choirs have already sung at 2 or 3 school masses, and now the first family mass is here.  Family masses are the third Sunday of each month and begin at 11:30.  Our school choirs perform the music-- it's our chance to sing in the church's choir loft and to be accompanied by the very talented Mr. Michael Crump on the organ.  

I recommend that choir members get to church at 11:20.  This gives them a chance to settle in and get ready to sing the opening hymn.  When they arrive, they can come straight up to the loft.  I will have a sign-in sheet for the kids.  I will be sure to note whether their families are already at church, or if they will be waiting to be picked up afterwards.  Children waiting to be picked up will stay with me.

Younger choir members' families signed slips stating they will attend these family masses.  This helped the classroom teachers and me narrow down who could be in choir, since we always have so many enthusiastic students at the beginning of the year.

The junior high choir members are not required to come to every family mass, because we have run into many schedule conflicts in the past.  However, I would like junior high choir members to attend at least 4 family masses out of the 9 we will have during the year.  We really do miss their voices and their leadership when they are not there.  And I believe these family mass performances are truly valuable to the choir experience.

ALSO, did you know your junior high students auditioned for me this year?  This process let students know that choir is truly for people who want to sing, are interested in learning about singing and being part of a choir, and who are willing to put in the effort to do these things.  I was very happy to be able to include all those who auditioned this year.  I know firsthand how scary it can be to sing for someone, whether it be alone or in a small group, especially as a middle schooler.  I was proud and pleasantly surprised by the bravery and effort my choir members showed.

SHOWCASE TONIGHT!

Well, we have reached the end of another school year- almost.  Tonight selected students from grades 1-8 will receive awards and all students will perform a selection of music learned during this past year.  Everyone has worked very hard to put together a wonderful night.  Grades 1-4 will be performing pieces from the musicals they prepared with their classroom teachers.  And grades 5-7 have each prepared a special song for the night.

I hope to see everyone there!

On another note, the final family mass will be this coming Sunday at 11:30 (arrive at 11:20).  Choir, join me to sing in the loft one last time during this 2012-13 school year!

  

Choir at 11:30 Mass tomorrow!

Tomorrow is a very special day for mass (11:30) at St. Sylvester Church.  It is not only Mother's Day, but also time for the crowning of Mary, as well as the day to celebrate the Ascension.  I am hoping that choir members will make it and let the church hear the songs they've prepared this past week.  Third graders can come up to the choir loft, and then I will send them down after communion to prepare for the crowning.  

I'd also like to congratulate those who had their First Communion today!  Everyone looked so nice and behaved so respectfully in the "spotlight"--- it was a proud day to be a St. Sylvester teacher.

Happy Mother's Day in advance to all you fantastic St. Sylvester school mothers!  I hope you have a lovely day and that hearing your choir student sing might be part of it.

Great Job, Choir!

I apologize for not sooner recognizing the choir's fantastic performance at Father Sam's installation mass back on February 17th.  They did a wonderful job, both singing up in the loft and dancing on the main floor in front of hundreds of people.  I was so proud of them-- we had never done anything like that before, and I think it was a great step forward.

Our next Family Mass will be on Sunday, March 17th, beginning at 11:30.

Both the younger and older choirs are currently working on pieces appropriate for this season of Lent.  We've most recently been challenging ourselves to sing a Latin hymn in a round.  This is a great exercise for their ears, as well as their voices.

Now and then we check out other choirs' performances online.  One video that has stuck with me is the excellent PS22 5th grade chorus singing "So Small" with Carrie Underwood.  Here is the link:

http://youtu.be/LrOYKV2x_TM

Really, there are so many wonderful videos posted by the PS22 Chorus that you can take your pick-- all of them will put a smile on your face, and you'll probably find yourself checking out many more that one.  I have put a link to their blog on this page in the lower right-hand corner.

CHOIRS WILL SING AT 1:00 TOMORROW FOR SPECIAL MASS

Dear Choir Members and Families,

This Sunday, February 17^th, our Family Mass has been moved to 1:00pm, so that our school families can be a part of Father Sam’s special installation mass.  Choir members have been working on a special song in Swahili to sing as part of a warm welcome to our community.  They will be singing, as usual, in the choir loft with some added voices from our adult choir.  And during the presentation of the gifts, they will be singing and doing a little dancing down the aisles of church.  I am hoping you will be able to make it to this special mass at 1:00 this Sunday.

Family Mass Today Kicks off Catholic Schools Week

Today is January's Family Mass at 11:30.  It was moved from our usual 3rd Sunday of the month to this, the fourth Sunday, in order to align with the start of Catholic Schools Week.  If you happen to arrive late to mass, please still send your choir members up to sing.  We will be happy to have them!