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