2020-2021 Austin-5-8 Choir-Friday Assignments
- Instructor
- Mrs. Diana Austin
- Term
- 2020-2021 School Year
- Department
- Music
- Description
-
Upcoming Assignments
No upcoming assignments.
Past Assignments
Due:
Here's a video for this week! I can't wait for you to get to hear the recordings we make from all of our hard work this semester.
Thank you for sticking with it so long! I'm so proud of you!
-Mrs. Austin
Thank you for sticking with it so long! I'm so proud of you!
-Mrs. Austin
Due:
Live Students: Post today's recordings for How Can I Keep From Singing here.
Due:
Live Students: Post today's recordings for Homeward Bound here.
Due:
This video is a fun one all based non rhythm which is where so much of music comes from. Try doing this along with the group and see how you do!
Don't forget to turn in this assignment and let me know how you are doing with your music (and in life in general!).
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Austin
Don't forget to turn in this assignment and let me know how you are doing with your music (and in life in general!).
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Live Students: Post today's recordings for How Can I Keep From Singing here.
Due:
Hello!
Here's a fun video for you!
Keep practicing your songs at home and let me know how it's going. I miss you!
Mrs. Austin
Here's a fun video for you!
Keep practicing your songs at home and let me know how it's going. I miss you!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
I'm sending this to everyone on the google classroom but these assignments are only for students who are accessing my class virtually.
Here's the plan for my online students for the next few weeks: I will send you a video each week for fun and inspiration. Your job is to practice your music at home and contact me with any questions as well as just letting me know how it's going. Turn in your assignment each week so I can give you credit for participation.
I will give you information on how to record your music when I am able to get the details ironed out on how it will work best. I want to make sure you have the opportunity to participate in the best way possible.
I love you all and miss you!
Mrs. Austin
Here's the plan for my online students for the next few weeks: I will send you a video each week for fun and inspiration. Your job is to practice your music at home and contact me with any questions as well as just letting me know how it's going. Turn in your assignment each week so I can give you credit for participation.
I will give you information on how to record your music when I am able to get the details ironed out on how it will work best. I want to make sure you have the opportunity to participate in the best way possible.
I love you all and miss you!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Send your recording from our recording attempts today here. Have a great day! Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir! I hope you are doing well and that you survived the blizzard well with your family!
You made it to Spring Break! I want you to take it easy and give yourself a break this week. Practice your music enough that you don't forget what you've learned. Enjoy some time to relax though!
I'm including one of my favorite "a capella" (unaccompanied) jazz pieces of all time. If you've never heard this one you'll love it! Try to sing along with just one part. Notice how they use their consonants as percussion in the song. This one is super fun so feel free to dance along!
I love and miss you all!
Mrs. Austin
You made it to Spring Break! I want you to take it easy and give yourself a break this week. Practice your music enough that you don't forget what you've learned. Enjoy some time to relax though!
I'm including one of my favorite "a capella" (unaccompanied) jazz pieces of all time. If you've never heard this one you'll love it! Try to sing along with just one part. Notice how they use their consonants as percussion in the song. This one is super fun so feel free to dance along!
I love and miss you all!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir!
I am so excited that I will get to see some of you soon! And I also know that there are some of you who still won't be able to join us and I am already missing you at the same time as I am excited to join with everyone. Each one of you is so so precious to me. This note is longer than normal so please bear with me and read it all the way through.
First off, here's the results of the survey: You all are SO glad to be singing again! That was apparent in all of the comments and I'm so glad to hear that adding 2 songs has been a good thing so far! Most of you said that you wanted to add another song although a few of you said you were a little overwhelmed with what you have going on in other classes.
So do we add a third song or not? Well, I'm still looking at the requirements that are in place at the district level for singing together. One of the rules is that we can only sing together for 30 minutes in a room and after that the room must be vacated for 30 minutes. I will be looking at the building today (3/12/21) with Mrs. Lancaster to see what options we have. If you are coming to class in person you can expect that whenever the weather is nice enough we will be singing outside. If you are staying online you can expect that I will not forget you and we will find a way to make it valuable for you. Since there are some pretty big details hanging in the air I am not giving a third song just yet.
This week I am including a video on each of the songs that I have given you just to give you some pointers in your practicing. I will also put these videos into the Music and Resources folder so you can go back to them later. I just thought you would do well to have some guidelines as you practice at home.
I do want to make sure that everyone is actually learning these songs well. This week I would like you to include a recording of yourself singing "How Can I Keep From Singing". It is easiest for me if they are attached to this assignment. Don't record yourself a thousand times or anything; I know you've only had them for a little while and it's okay if you haven't learned them all the way. Just record yourself practicing so I can gauge progress. The recording you send can be with you singing along with your part with the recording in the background. It would actually be helpful to me to have the background music and singers in the recording so that I know if you're on pitch. Again, don't make it a complicated assignment, just a practice recording.
I've also included an inspirational singer that Mia Hess sent in to me. It definitely brought me to happy tears. I hope you enjoy it!
I miss and love you,
Mrs. Austin
I am so excited that I will get to see some of you soon! And I also know that there are some of you who still won't be able to join us and I am already missing you at the same time as I am excited to join with everyone. Each one of you is so so precious to me. This note is longer than normal so please bear with me and read it all the way through.
First off, here's the results of the survey: You all are SO glad to be singing again! That was apparent in all of the comments and I'm so glad to hear that adding 2 songs has been a good thing so far! Most of you said that you wanted to add another song although a few of you said you were a little overwhelmed with what you have going on in other classes.
So do we add a third song or not? Well, I'm still looking at the requirements that are in place at the district level for singing together. One of the rules is that we can only sing together for 30 minutes in a room and after that the room must be vacated for 30 minutes. I will be looking at the building today (3/12/21) with Mrs. Lancaster to see what options we have. If you are coming to class in person you can expect that whenever the weather is nice enough we will be singing outside. If you are staying online you can expect that I will not forget you and we will find a way to make it valuable for you. Since there are some pretty big details hanging in the air I am not giving a third song just yet.
This week I am including a video on each of the songs that I have given you just to give you some pointers in your practicing. I will also put these videos into the Music and Resources folder so you can go back to them later. I just thought you would do well to have some guidelines as you practice at home.
I do want to make sure that everyone is actually learning these songs well. This week I would like you to include a recording of yourself singing "How Can I Keep From Singing". It is easiest for me if they are attached to this assignment. Don't record yourself a thousand times or anything; I know you've only had them for a little while and it's okay if you haven't learned them all the way. Just record yourself practicing so I can gauge progress. The recording you send can be with you singing along with your part with the recording in the background. It would actually be helpful to me to have the background music and singers in the recording so that I know if you're on pitch. Again, don't make it a complicated assignment, just a practice recording.
I've also included an inspirational singer that Mia Hess sent in to me. It definitely brought me to happy tears. I hope you enjoy it!
I miss and love you,
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir!
I am hoping that you are learning your songs at home and are feeling familiar with them. I am not sure how best to check your progress on these except by having you send me a recording of you singing. If you have another idea let me know, but otherwise I will probably ask for a recording in the next two weeks, just so you know.
I have been watching your progress on the Boom Cards. It looks like a lot of you are having a lot of fun with them! I will assign a few more decks to you so you have some new challenges in there! Try to do at least two decks at least one time per week... unless that's too easy! I'll keep adding more and more challenging decks as we go!
This week's video is a song by a British composer who is still alive and influential in the music world today. The song was submitted by a high school choir member and really I should have introduced you to this composer earlier. Most of his works that I am familiar with are for very large ensembles so I haven't chosen any of his works for us to perform, but he is someone you should know about as a choral student.
Also, as a freebie, I'm including one of my favorite classical songs by Edward Elgar. Lay down, close your eyes, and just take this one in.
Keep smiling you guys! Keep your eyes focused on the good and positive things around you. Remember that you are loved and are more valuable than gold. Bring good into this world.
I love and miss you!
Mrs. Austin
I am hoping that you are learning your songs at home and are feeling familiar with them. I am not sure how best to check your progress on these except by having you send me a recording of you singing. If you have another idea let me know, but otherwise I will probably ask for a recording in the next two weeks, just so you know.
I have been watching your progress on the Boom Cards. It looks like a lot of you are having a lot of fun with them! I will assign a few more decks to you so you have some new challenges in there! Try to do at least two decks at least one time per week... unless that's too easy! I'll keep adding more and more challenging decks as we go!
This week's video is a song by a British composer who is still alive and influential in the music world today. The song was submitted by a high school choir member and really I should have introduced you to this composer earlier. Most of his works that I am familiar with are for very large ensembles so I haven't chosen any of his works for us to perform, but he is someone you should know about as a choral student.
Also, as a freebie, I'm including one of my favorite classical songs by Edward Elgar. Lay down, close your eyes, and just take this one in.
Keep smiling you guys! Keep your eyes focused on the good and positive things around you. Remember that you are loved and are more valuable than gold. Bring good into this world.
I love and miss you!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hi Choir!
I don't have too much new news for you today because I've given you songs to work on. I haven't heard from many of you about if you would like to do a second song or not, so this week I am attaching a survey. Fill it out (it's super fast!) and try to do it right away on Friday morning if you can so that I have information to work with for the following week.
This week:
1) Fill out the survey.
2) Listen and sing along with the choir warm ups video.
3) Watch the Ave Maris Stella video.
4) Turn in this assignment.
5) Practice your songs along with the recordings I provided. The resources will stay in the MUSIC AND RESOURCES Section for the remainder of the semester. Please try to practice your music at least 5 times each song during the week.
Have a super week!
Mrs. Austin
I don't have too much new news for you today because I've given you songs to work on. I haven't heard from many of you about if you would like to do a second song or not, so this week I am attaching a survey. Fill it out (it's super fast!) and try to do it right away on Friday morning if you can so that I have information to work with for the following week.
This week:
1) Fill out the survey.
2) Listen and sing along with the choir warm ups video.
3) Watch the Ave Maris Stella video.
4) Turn in this assignment.
5) Practice your songs along with the recordings I provided. The resources will stay in the MUSIC AND RESOURCES Section for the remainder of the semester. Please try to practice your music at least 5 times each song during the week.
Have a super week!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir! I hope you are doing well today!
Hopefully you all are doing well learning the two songs you have so far. Send me an email to let me know how that's going. Is two songs enough or would you like a third song?
I'm going to include something new this week that I think you will enjoy. They are called "Boom Cards". It's like an online game to practice rhythm reading. These were made by a good friend of mine and especially for our classes at Apex-- you are the first to try them out!
***BOOM CARD ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS***
1) Go to: boomlearning.com (link below)
2) Click "student"
3) Log in with Google. Put in your Svvsd username and password.
4) When you get in you will see your decks all ready to go! Select one and start playing!
I'm also including a really funny video just to make you laugh. The more you've studied music the funnier this will be!
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Austin
Hopefully you all are doing well learning the two songs you have so far. Send me an email to let me know how that's going. Is two songs enough or would you like a third song?
I'm going to include something new this week that I think you will enjoy. They are called "Boom Cards". It's like an online game to practice rhythm reading. These were made by a good friend of mine and especially for our classes at Apex-- you are the first to try them out!
***BOOM CARD ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS***
1) Go to: boomlearning.com (link below)
2) Click "student"
3) Log in with Google. Put in your Svvsd username and password.
4) When you get in you will see your decks all ready to go! Select one and start playing!
I'm also including a really funny video just to make you laugh. The more you've studied music the funnier this will be!
Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hi there! I have a new song for you this week. It is called "How Can I Keep from Singing". There are many many arrangements of this song (or maybe I should say these lyrics) and some are better than others. This is a fabulous arrangement of the song and I hope that you really enjoy learning it.
I've put all of the resources you need to learn it under "Materials" so you can easily find them at any time. Also, I am planning on us learning this song along with the High School Choir which I think will be such a beautiful arrangement. You'll see in the resources that I listed out which part is yours so you know which track to listen to. For this class assignment I'm going to ask you to print the music and listen to the balanced voices recording of the song (we purchased original copies for the school so it is legal to print this music as long as it is destroyed at the end of the semester).
1) Sing through the choir warm ups video.
2) Print the sheet music for How Can I Keep from Singing. Add it to your folder with the printed music for "Homeward Bound"
3) Listen to the Balanced Voices recording below.
4) Go to "Materials" in this classroom and find the songs. Under "How Can I Keep From Singing", find your name so you know which recording to listen to.
5) Listen to your recording and sing along at least 4 times this week.
6) Turn in this assignment!
7) Smile! I like to think of you smiling when I think of how much I miss you!
Have a great week!
--Mrs. Austin
I've put all of the resources you need to learn it under "Materials" so you can easily find them at any time. Also, I am planning on us learning this song along with the High School Choir which I think will be such a beautiful arrangement. You'll see in the resources that I listed out which part is yours so you know which track to listen to. For this class assignment I'm going to ask you to print the music and listen to the balanced voices recording of the song (we purchased original copies for the school so it is legal to print this music as long as it is destroyed at the end of the semester).
1) Sing through the choir warm ups video.
2) Print the sheet music for How Can I Keep from Singing. Add it to your folder with the printed music for "Homeward Bound"
3) Listen to the Balanced Voices recording below.
4) Go to "Materials" in this classroom and find the songs. Under "How Can I Keep From Singing", find your name so you know which recording to listen to.
5) Listen to your recording and sing along at least 4 times this week.
6) Turn in this assignment!
7) Smile! I like to think of you smiling when I think of how much I miss you!
Have a great week!
--Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello amazing Choir students!
I have good news! I have new music for you! The first song I'd like to work on is Homeward Bound. Take a look at the online resources provided. You will want to listen to the recording that matches what you've been assigned in order to learn your part at home. There is also a recording of just the accompaniment as well as a "balanced voices" which has all of the parts together.
1) Look below to see what part you are assigned to.
2) Print your music.
3) Listen to the "Balanced Voice" track so you can hear what it will sound like all together.
4) Practice with the voice track that matches your assigned part (Soprano, Alto, or Bass).
Let me know if you have any questions!
Here are the parts you will sing this year: If you have questions please let me know.
Soprano/Part 1:
Seth Austin
Rachel Phillips
Solana Rodriguez
Ana Vaughan
Alto/Part 2
Mary Carmichael
Ryan Davis
Lyla Williams
Bass/Part 3
Abby Phillips
Noah Martinez
Elijah Martinez
I miss you all!
Mrs. Austin
I have good news! I have new music for you! The first song I'd like to work on is Homeward Bound. Take a look at the online resources provided. You will want to listen to the recording that matches what you've been assigned in order to learn your part at home. There is also a recording of just the accompaniment as well as a "balanced voices" which has all of the parts together.
1) Look below to see what part you are assigned to.
2) Print your music.
3) Listen to the "Balanced Voice" track so you can hear what it will sound like all together.
4) Practice with the voice track that matches your assigned part (Soprano, Alto, or Bass).
Let me know if you have any questions!
Here are the parts you will sing this year: If you have questions please let me know.
Soprano/Part 1:
Seth Austin
Rachel Phillips
Solana Rodriguez
Ana Vaughan
Alto/Part 2
Mary Carmichael
Ryan Davis
Lyla Williams
Bass/Part 3
Abby Phillips
Noah Martinez
Elijah Martinez
I miss you all!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello 5th-8th Grade Choir!
I sure miss hearing your voices! I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks picking out music that I think will suit you really well and that will be easy to practice at home.
I don't know what to tell you specifically on how we will perform this semester. You know by now that everything changes so quickly. I am hoping for some type of performance before the school year is done though and I really am excited to see how it turns out!
Enjoy the warm-ups this week as well as a video from the Film Gala. This isn't choral music, but it's sometimes fun to hear the instrumental music from movies just as the music itself. I hope you enjoy it!
Mrs. Austin
I sure miss hearing your voices! I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of weeks picking out music that I think will suit you really well and that will be easy to practice at home.
I don't know what to tell you specifically on how we will perform this semester. You know by now that everything changes so quickly. I am hoping for some type of performance before the school year is done though and I really am excited to see how it turns out!
Enjoy the warm-ups this week as well as a video from the Film Gala. This isn't choral music, but it's sometimes fun to hear the instrumental music from movies just as the music itself. I hope you enjoy it!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello. 5-8 Choir!
I hope this week finds you well. I'm still coming up with a plan for us based on a few things that are changing. I promise that I'm only delaying so that I can make this as great as I can!
For this week I have some warm ups for you as well as a funny OLD video just to make you laugh. Sorry that yet again my computer glitched so the video is split into two videos. I hope you have a super week!
Mrs. Austin
I hope this week finds you well. I'm still coming up with a plan for us based on a few things that are changing. I promise that I'm only delaying so that I can make this as great as I can!
For this week I have some warm ups for you as well as a funny OLD video just to make you laugh. Sorry that yet again my computer glitched so the video is split into two videos. I hope you have a super week!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir! I hope you had a stupendous break! Tell me something you did in the comments!
A quick review of expectations for this semester: I will post lessons by 8:30 the morning of class. My hope is that you will watch my lesson on Friday and then click "turn in" when you've finished watching it. If you can't get to it on Friday you have until the end of the following Thursday to complete it. This is how I record attendance for the week so if you do not "turn in" the assignment or reach out in another way then you will be marked absent the following week. Turning in your lesson each week just lets me know that you have watched my video and sang through the choir warm ups. I will also be sending other activities periodically that I think will help, so watch for those and complete them during the week they are assigned. Remember, my goal is to help you pursue excellence and use your voice to enhance this time apart, not add stress to your life. If you need any kind of adaptations or adjustments to these expectations or help of any kind reach out to me and I am here to help.
This week my lesson video is short and sweet. I have been looking into some music that you could work on at home in hopes that eventually we can work songs as a class. Send me a personal comment or an email if you have thoughts about the way we do choir this semester. I have lots of thoughts and ideas but I would love to hear if there's something that you would really like to do or really don't want to do. I would also love it if you have ideas for the class that I haven't thought of or tried yet. I do this class for YOU so let's make it awesome!
I hope you enjoy this fun video about the Marble Machine! The first video is a chance to see it in action. The second is an interesting look into how other machines like it in the past have been created. You don't need to watch both but I believe you'll find them both fascinating!
Have a stupendous week!
Mrs. Austin
A quick review of expectations for this semester: I will post lessons by 8:30 the morning of class. My hope is that you will watch my lesson on Friday and then click "turn in" when you've finished watching it. If you can't get to it on Friday you have until the end of the following Thursday to complete it. This is how I record attendance for the week so if you do not "turn in" the assignment or reach out in another way then you will be marked absent the following week. Turning in your lesson each week just lets me know that you have watched my video and sang through the choir warm ups. I will also be sending other activities periodically that I think will help, so watch for those and complete them during the week they are assigned. Remember, my goal is to help you pursue excellence and use your voice to enhance this time apart, not add stress to your life. If you need any kind of adaptations or adjustments to these expectations or help of any kind reach out to me and I am here to help.
This week my lesson video is short and sweet. I have been looking into some music that you could work on at home in hopes that eventually we can work songs as a class. Send me a personal comment or an email if you have thoughts about the way we do choir this semester. I have lots of thoughts and ideas but I would love to hear if there's something that you would really like to do or really don't want to do. I would also love it if you have ideas for the class that I haven't thought of or tried yet. I do this class for YOU so let's make it awesome!
I hope you enjoy this fun video about the Marble Machine! The first video is a chance to see it in action. The second is an interesting look into how other machines like it in the past have been created. You don't need to watch both but I believe you'll find them both fascinating!
Have a stupendous week!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hooray! We made it to the very last week! Congratulations!
This week is simple and fun. I hope you have some time to enjoy some special holiday time with family! Sing through the warm-ups, watch the video, and enjoy. Here's another song by Eric Whitacre. Enjoy, breathe deep, and soak up some peace and joy.
If you have some wonderful winter or holiday music send it to me! I would love to hear something new!
Have a super week!
-Mrs. Austin
This week is simple and fun. I hope you have some time to enjoy some special holiday time with family! Sing through the warm-ups, watch the video, and enjoy. Here's another song by Eric Whitacre. Enjoy, breathe deep, and soak up some peace and joy.
If you have some wonderful winter or holiday music send it to me! I would love to hear something new!
Have a super week!
-Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir! I hope you had a stupendous Thanksgiving break and were able to make some wonderful memories with your family!
This week I have some choir warm ups for your voice. Remember that your voice is a muscle so you really want to make sure you are keeping it in shape. The video I have for you this week is really interesting and I can't wait to hear what you think of it. I just wish I could play jazz piano like that!
Don't forget to turn in this assignment so that I can mark you present on attendance. Keep on singing! I miss you and can't wait to see you again!
Mrs. Austin
This week I have some choir warm ups for your voice. Remember that your voice is a muscle so you really want to make sure you are keeping it in shape. The video I have for you this week is really interesting and I can't wait to hear what you think of it. I just wish I could play jazz piano like that!
Don't forget to turn in this assignment so that I can mark you present on attendance. Keep on singing! I miss you and can't wait to see you again!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello!
This week I have warm ups for you as well as a choral song I think you will enjoy listening to. Keep singing, keep smiling, and know that I love you! Have a stupendous Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Austin
This week I have warm ups for you as well as a choral song I think you will enjoy listening to. Keep singing, keep smiling, and know that I love you! Have a stupendous Thanksgiving!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello 5th-8th Grade Choir!
The choir warm ups I have for you are shorter today... but they have a surprise at the end because I made my video at home! Hopefully they make you laugh!
I also have a neat video talk called "The Transformational Power of Classical Music". Listen to/Watch it and tell me what you think. I am amazed at how music can transform a person's mood, emotions, and energy. Classical Music is especially interesting because of the staying power that it has-- it's been around for SO long and people still are moved by it!
Sing along with the video, watch the talk about classical music, and then click "turn in".
You all are such an amazing class! I miss you so much and can't wait to sing with you again some day!
Have a super week!
Mrs. Austin
The choir warm ups I have for you are shorter today... but they have a surprise at the end because I made my video at home! Hopefully they make you laugh!
I also have a neat video talk called "The Transformational Power of Classical Music". Listen to/Watch it and tell me what you think. I am amazed at how music can transform a person's mood, emotions, and energy. Classical Music is especially interesting because of the staying power that it has-- it's been around for SO long and people still are moved by it!
Sing along with the video, watch the talk about classical music, and then click "turn in".
You all are such an amazing class! I miss you so much and can't wait to sing with you again some day!
Have a super week!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir!
I will be ordering a set of holiday caroling books soon to use with the High School Interactives class coming up in December. I plan to keep these books though and use them in future years.
What are your favorite holiday carols to sing as a group? I will look for books that include as many of your favorites as I can find. Answer soon-- I will be ordering books next week!
Thank you!
Mrs. Austin
I will be ordering a set of holiday caroling books soon to use with the High School Interactives class coming up in December. I plan to keep these books though and use them in future years.
What are your favorite holiday carols to sing as a group? I will look for books that include as many of your favorites as I can find. Answer soon-- I will be ordering books next week!
Thank you!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello my wonderful choir! I am so grateful for you and wish I could hear your beautiful voices!
I have some choir warm ups for you this week as well as something to listen to. The listening assignment is one that was sent to me by a student. If you happen to have a favorite Choir performance you want me to hear send it my way! I love to hear new things from you guys!
Keep singing and keep working on your music reading!
I love you guys!
Mrs. Austin
I have some choir warm ups for you this week as well as something to listen to. The listening assignment is one that was sent to me by a student. If you happen to have a favorite Choir performance you want me to hear send it my way! I love to hear new things from you guys!
Keep singing and keep working on your music reading!
I love you guys!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir!
I hope the week has been great for you so far!
Here's the fun for this week! Watch my videos, and let me know how it's going.
The video this week was submitted to me by Margaret Gillett. I think you'll find it quite a moving song. The way the harmonies interact with the words is part of what makes it amazing.
Have a super week! I love and miss you!
Mrs. Austin
I hope the week has been great for you so far!
Here's the fun for this week! Watch my videos, and let me know how it's going.
The video this week was submitted to me by Margaret Gillett. I think you'll find it quite a moving song. The way the harmonies interact with the words is part of what makes it amazing.
Have a super week! I love and miss you!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hi there, Choir!
I am sending you some new and fun things today! First of all, enjoy the warm ups and interval challenges I'm giving you this week. The more we build on these the stronger musicians you will become.
As we work more on our sight singing skills I thought this video was appropriate. This is Bobby McFerrin. You will LOVE this one. You really can hardly watch Bobby McFerrin without being fascinated. Enjoy, and tell me what you think!
Mrs. Austin
I am sending you some new and fun things today! First of all, enjoy the warm ups and interval challenges I'm giving you this week. The more we build on these the stronger musicians you will become.
As we work more on our sight singing skills I thought this video was appropriate. This is Bobby McFerrin. You will LOVE this one. You really can hardly watch Bobby McFerrin without being fascinated. Enjoy, and tell me what you think!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello! So sorry about my videos today... my computer had a seizure and decided it had had enough so I had to split it into 3 videos. Sing your heart out! Keep your voice in shape! I'm really hoping that the work we do in the meantime will help us be more prepared and ready for when we all come together again!
I have one new video for you although I am worried that it may not come through the way I want it to. I found this really inspiring video on two vocal groups-- a 6 person men's jazz group from South Africa and a 6 person women's classical group from Germany that come together for a week to make an amazing concert combining their cultures and styles. If you can listen to the whole 25 minute video it's pretty neat. If not, at least listen to the two minutes I've included in the slides file below which is their first presentation of a song they came up with after just one day of combining their styles. (NOTE: You don't have to watch the whole 25 minute documentary... it's just pretty cool if you have time).
Don't forget to turn in your assignment after you've sung along with me and then watched the video.
Have an awesome week!
Mrs. Austin
I have one new video for you although I am worried that it may not come through the way I want it to. I found this really inspiring video on two vocal groups-- a 6 person men's jazz group from South Africa and a 6 person women's classical group from Germany that come together for a week to make an amazing concert combining their cultures and styles. If you can listen to the whole 25 minute video it's pretty neat. If not, at least listen to the two minutes I've included in the slides file below which is their first presentation of a song they came up with after just one day of combining their styles. (NOTE: You don't have to watch the whole 25 minute documentary... it's just pretty cool if you have time).
Don't forget to turn in your assignment after you've sung along with me and then watched the video.
Have an awesome week!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hi there guys! I hope your week has been amazing and that you're finding some joy in this busy time. I went camping in the wilderness last weekend and was so grateful for the chance to breath smoke-free, corona-free, chaos-free air! It was a gift!
For this week I have a video for you with some more warm-ups to keep your voice from falling out of shape. I also have another video for you to listen to. You know I'm a big fan of Eric Whitacre's compositions. He pioneered the idea of virtual choirs WAY before anyone every thought of it. Here's his latest virtual choir-- over 17,000 singers! Pretty amazing. Listen and enjoy! Don't forget to "turn in" this assignment when you've finished both activities.
Also, I wanted to give you an idea of how I am grading. When I get your assignment turned in then I mark you present and give you a participation grade. I really do appreciate when you send me a comment each week to tell me how it's going, what you liked or struggled with-- it helps me plan and know that you are engaged. I will also be giving performance grades down the road, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
I hope your week is going well and that you stop by to see my during office hours! I miss you all!
-Mrs. Austin
For this week I have a video for you with some more warm-ups to keep your voice from falling out of shape. I also have another video for you to listen to. You know I'm a big fan of Eric Whitacre's compositions. He pioneered the idea of virtual choirs WAY before anyone every thought of it. Here's his latest virtual choir-- over 17,000 singers! Pretty amazing. Listen and enjoy! Don't forget to "turn in" this assignment when you've finished both activities.
Also, I wanted to give you an idea of how I am grading. When I get your assignment turned in then I mark you present and give you a participation grade. I really do appreciate when you send me a comment each week to tell me how it's going, what you liked or struggled with-- it helps me plan and know that you are engaged. I will also be giving performance grades down the road, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
I hope your week is going well and that you stop by to see my during office hours! I miss you all!
-Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir! I hope you all are finding a good groove and finding joy in each and every day! I miss making music with you and hearing your amazing voices!
This week I have two things for you.
First, there's my lesson video. My video cut off and so it's broken up into 2 pieces. First warm ups, and then a continuing lesson on intervals. I'm trying to get some common language into our ears so that when we get back together we are way ahead in terms of being able to read and learn new music together.
Second, and just for fun, I've included a video of Avi Kaplan from Pentatonix singing Overtones. Seriously... I cannot do this and I think it's amazing. Overtones naturally occur in every note, and you can hear them under just the right conditions. I have heard choirs that are so in tune they are able to produce them consistently. But I had never heard of anything like this! Let me know what you think!
And if you have a great choir video to share, pass it on to me! I'd love to hear it and maybe even share it with the class!
Have a super week-- you are amazing!
Mrs. Austin
This week I have two things for you.
First, there's my lesson video. My video cut off and so it's broken up into 2 pieces. First warm ups, and then a continuing lesson on intervals. I'm trying to get some common language into our ears so that when we get back together we are way ahead in terms of being able to read and learn new music together.
Second, and just for fun, I've included a video of Avi Kaplan from Pentatonix singing Overtones. Seriously... I cannot do this and I think it's amazing. Overtones naturally occur in every note, and you can hear them under just the right conditions. I have heard choirs that are so in tune they are able to produce them consistently. But I had never heard of anything like this! Let me know what you think!
And if you have a great choir video to share, pass it on to me! I'd love to hear it and maybe even share it with the class!
Have a super week-- you are amazing!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hello Choir!
For this week, I have a video with choir warm ups and an introduction to intervals and how to identify them. Watch the video, sing along, and don't forget to "turn in assignment" at the end.
Also, one super fun activity for you! It's called "Eat with Your Ears" and is a science experiment you can try involving good music and chocolate... seriously, your family will love this! Let me know how it works for you! Comment on the class page!
I love and miss you guys! I hope to see you soon!
Mrs. Austin
For this week, I have a video with choir warm ups and an introduction to intervals and how to identify them. Watch the video, sing along, and don't forget to "turn in assignment" at the end.
Also, one super fun activity for you! It's called "Eat with Your Ears" and is a science experiment you can try involving good music and chocolate... seriously, your family will love this! Let me know how it works for you! Comment on the class page!
I love and miss you guys! I hope to see you soon!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hi Choir!
Here's some vocal work for this week just to get your voices moving. We are talking about your high voice which is called your head voice for women and falsetto for men. Give your voice a nice workout and enjoy singing!
Also, I'm including a song for you to listen to. This is just a great choir singing a fun song. Thee song is a traditional song from Newfoundland, Canada. I'se the B'y means "I'm the boy". It's a song with a lot of slang and I just love the harmonies in it. Tell me what you think!
Have a wonderful week! It will be great to sing together again soon!
Here's some vocal work for this week just to get your voices moving. We are talking about your high voice which is called your head voice for women and falsetto for men. Give your voice a nice workout and enjoy singing!
Also, I'm including a song for you to listen to. This is just a great choir singing a fun song. Thee song is a traditional song from Newfoundland, Canada. I'se the B'y means "I'm the boy". It's a song with a lot of slang and I just love the harmonies in it. Tell me what you think!
Have a wonderful week! It will be great to sing together again soon!
Due:
Hi guys! Today I have some choir warm ups for you to try along with me. Do your best and send me a comment about how it went. Is it weird to do warm ups at home? Is it nice to give your voice a workout? Does your voice feel a little out of shape? Let me know! Have a wonderful week!
Mrs. Austin
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hi guys! I don't know if you've been stressed out with all of the new things in life right now, but I sure have needed a reminder to bring me back to one of the things I love about singing and about choir: good music that helps me access a deeper part of myself.
This is a song by Ola Gjeilo, one of my favorite modern composers of choral music today. He is from Norway and I sometimes feel like you can hear the Norwegian scenery in his music-- vast and wild and full. Last year the 5-8 Choir did the song "Seasons" and the year before that my Friday choir did the song "Northern Lights", both his compositions. It seems appropriate to start the year off with something by him again.
Lay down somewhere comfortable, close your eyes, and breathe deep. Listen to the music and allow yourself to hear all of the different layers in it. This piece is MUCH more than 4 part harmony. As you are laying there listening you will notice that your belly rises and falls with your breathing. This is THE WAY to breathe as a singer! Shoulders are still (not moving towards the ears with the inhale) and the breath is almost silent. As you get up from listening see if you can maintain that same breathing. This will give you more oxygen and help ground you-- especially during the corona-chaos!
Love and best wishes to you all!!!
Mrs. Austin
This is a song by Ola Gjeilo, one of my favorite modern composers of choral music today. He is from Norway and I sometimes feel like you can hear the Norwegian scenery in his music-- vast and wild and full. Last year the 5-8 Choir did the song "Seasons" and the year before that my Friday choir did the song "Northern Lights", both his compositions. It seems appropriate to start the year off with something by him again.
Lay down somewhere comfortable, close your eyes, and breathe deep. Listen to the music and allow yourself to hear all of the different layers in it. This piece is MUCH more than 4 part harmony. As you are laying there listening you will notice that your belly rises and falls with your breathing. This is THE WAY to breathe as a singer! Shoulders are still (not moving towards the ears with the inhale) and the breath is almost silent. As you get up from listening see if you can maintain that same breathing. This will give you more oxygen and help ground you-- especially during the corona-chaos!
Love and best wishes to you all!!!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Hi guys! I don't know if you've been stressed out with all of the new things in life right now, but I sure have needed a reminder to bring me back to one of the things I love about singing and about choir: good music that helps me access a deeper part of myself.
This is a song by Ola Gjeilo, one of my favorite modern composers of choral music today. He is from Norway and I sometimes feel like you can hear the Norwegian scenery in his music-- vast and wild and full. Last year the 5-8 Choir did the song "Seasons" and the year before that my Friday choir did the song "Northern Lights", both his compositions. It seems appropriate to start the year off with something by him again.
Lay down somewhere comfortable, close your eyes, and breathe deep. Listen to the music and allow yourself to hear all of the different layers in it. This piece is MUCH more than 4 part harmony. As you are laying there listening you will notice that your belly rises and falls with your breathing. This is THE WAY to breathe as a singer! Shoulders are still (not moving towards the ears with the inhale) and the breath is almost silent. As you get up from listening see if you can maintain that same breathing. This will give you more oxygen and help ground you-- especially during the corona-chaos!
Love and best wishes to you all!!!
Mrs. Austin
This is a song by Ola Gjeilo, one of my favorite modern composers of choral music today. He is from Norway and I sometimes feel like you can hear the Norwegian scenery in his music-- vast and wild and full. Last year the 5-8 Choir did the song "Seasons" and the year before that my Friday choir did the song "Northern Lights", both his compositions. It seems appropriate to start the year off with something by him again.
Lay down somewhere comfortable, close your eyes, and breathe deep. Listen to the music and allow yourself to hear all of the different layers in it. This piece is MUCH more than 4 part harmony. As you are laying there listening you will notice that your belly rises and falls with your breathing. This is THE WAY to breathe as a singer! Shoulders are still (not moving towards the ears with the inhale) and the breath is almost silent. As you get up from listening see if you can maintain that same breathing. This will give you more oxygen and help ground you-- especially during the corona-chaos!
Love and best wishes to you all!!!
Mrs. Austin
Due:
Welcome to Choir Fall 2020!
Of all of the classes that I have to teach, Choir is by far the most mysterious to me as we enter this fall semester. I never imagined an era where breathing together would be considered dangerous or where the job of choral instructor would be considered hazardous. But, as any of you who has had me in the past knows, breathing is a REALLY big deal in my choir classes. I spend a lot of time on the shape of the mouth and the breaths we take together. And why do people sign up for choir anyway? For the joy of singing together. There is magic that happens when music is expressed together by a group of people working toward the same purpose. That's what we want to achieve. So... if we can't breathe together and we have to keep our mouths covered and if WebEx will continually create lag time delays that make it impossible to sing together online... how do we have a class called "Choir"??? This, my friends, is our great challenge this year.
I'll tell you what I know. I know that music is powerful. I know that honing in on the craft of music will give you coping skills later in life that you never imagined you'd need. I know that there is something amazing that's created when people who don't even speak the same language can pick up the same sheet music and sing together and unite in purpose.
I have ideas and plans for this class so that we can use this time apart to make our choir even better. But I want to hear from you. What do you want? What are you needing from this class? Where is your stress level this school year?
This week your assignment is simply to fill out the attached survey. Please be honest-- none of us needs added stress or added work, so the more honest you are the easier it is for all of us. My goal is a class that challenges you, increases your skill level, but that doesn't add excessive stress or burden to your life.
My students are the reason I return to work each year. You inspire me in so many ways and I know that this year won't be any different. Thanks for jumping into this adventure with me.
Mrs. Austin
Of all of the classes that I have to teach, Choir is by far the most mysterious to me as we enter this fall semester. I never imagined an era where breathing together would be considered dangerous or where the job of choral instructor would be considered hazardous. But, as any of you who has had me in the past knows, breathing is a REALLY big deal in my choir classes. I spend a lot of time on the shape of the mouth and the breaths we take together. And why do people sign up for choir anyway? For the joy of singing together. There is magic that happens when music is expressed together by a group of people working toward the same purpose. That's what we want to achieve. So... if we can't breathe together and we have to keep our mouths covered and if WebEx will continually create lag time delays that make it impossible to sing together online... how do we have a class called "Choir"??? This, my friends, is our great challenge this year.
I'll tell you what I know. I know that music is powerful. I know that honing in on the craft of music will give you coping skills later in life that you never imagined you'd need. I know that there is something amazing that's created when people who don't even speak the same language can pick up the same sheet music and sing together and unite in purpose.
I have ideas and plans for this class so that we can use this time apart to make our choir even better. But I want to hear from you. What do you want? What are you needing from this class? Where is your stress level this school year?
This week your assignment is simply to fill out the attached survey. Please be honest-- none of us needs added stress or added work, so the more honest you are the easier it is for all of us. My goal is a class that challenges you, increases your skill level, but that doesn't add excessive stress or burden to your life.
My students are the reason I return to work each year. You inspire me in so many ways and I know that this year won't be any different. Thanks for jumping into this adventure with me.
Mrs. Austin