Vocal Styles Blog

Hello Music Appreciators!
This week, you'll listen to three videos that show three singers singing in very different ways (the three videos above).
Write four sentences about each style that you see (you should have a paragraph for each piece, with four sentences in each paragraph):
- One sentence that describes the timbre - 20 pts.
- One sentence that describes the style of the piece - 20 pts.
- One sentence that describes something unique about the singer or the song - 20 pts.
- One sentence that tells what you appreciate about the video - 20 pts.
- Good grammar and spelling, and you refer to each piece by the vocalists' names or the song titles - 20 pts.
Please comment by Monday, November 29 to receive full credit.
-Mr. Ward
Here are the URL's, if the videos to the right are not working correctly:
Kongar-ol Ondar (Tuvan Throat Singing): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVyyhHFKI8E
Franzl Lang - Einen Jodler hor i gern: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67rc96joOz8
Bobby McFerrin - Drive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=codmxk7uLv8

Classical/Romantic Quiz

Hello class,

During the past couple weeks, we have been discussing Classical and Romantic music. Above, you can see Symphony A and B. One is from a Classical symphony. One is from a Romantic symphony.

As you listen to the two videos, listen for Classical and Romantic characteristics. After listening, write an excellent paragraph (3-5 sentences) that clearly explains which piece is Classical, and which piece is Romantic. Be sure that you paragraph includes AT LEAST three reasons that explain how you identified each piece as that specific style.

Here is a reminder of some very important characteristics:

Classical:
- terraced dynamics
- cadences
- simple meter
- string instruments
- form

Romantic:
- changing tempos
- changing dynamics
- large orchestra, with a variety of instruments
- a lot of emotion and mood changes
- sounds like a sountrack

Rubric:
25 pts. You wrote with correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.
25 pts. You wrote one paragraph (3 to 5 sentences)
25 pts. You correctly identified the two pieces as Classical or Romantic
25 pts. You clearly state three reasons on how you came to your conclusion

Please submit your comment by Monday, November 22 for full credit.

In case you cannot view the videos to the right, here are the URL's:
Symphony Movement A: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejOTIAf-giM
Symphony Movement B: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oms4LvGI7bk

Go to the Musical

Hi class,

Instead of doing a Blog this week, you're going to see the Providence St. Mel production of Fiddler on the Roof. I hope you enjoy it!

See you there,

Mr. Ward

A Capella Music Blog, Opera Critique

Hello Music Appreciators!

This week, you'll listen to two videos that show some different choral styles. One is from the Renaissance period, and the other is more of a modern day piece. In addition, you'll critique your performance in the opera (find your opera at the bottom of the blog).

The first piece is Sicut Cervus by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - written during the Renaissance period (also to the right):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYU8uomYaiM

The second piece is Ave Maria by Franz Biebl - written in 1964 (also to the right):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCXnhYgoHDw

Listen to each of the pieces. Write one sentence that describes the following in each piece (you should have a paragraph for each piece, with four sentences in each paragraph):
- Texture (monophonic, homophonic, polyphonic) - 15 pts.
- Tempo - 15 pts.
- Meter - 15 pts.
- Use of dynamics (gradual changes? terraced?) - 15 pts.

- Good grammar and spelling, and you refer to each piece by it's name/composer - 20 pts.

- A third paragraph should critique your performance in the musical. Be sure to mention specific things that you could improve on - 20 pts.

Make sure to have accurate information!

Turn in by Monday, November 8 for full credit.

-Mr. Ward