WHASSUP! I'm sorry this congratulatory post didn't come sooner 'cuz I was slacking around and stuff so YAY WOOHOO! *fireworks in the background and sparkles and everything*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFfCKy0nKr0
Okay down to business. So today we managed to learn THE ENTIRE SYF SET PIECE WITH THE WORDS PUT IN! Yay! And while this was going on people were in the MEP rooms getting reshuffled and stuff. And boy were there some changes. For the full list, please go to any SL or fee or nic. And for those who don't like where they are for valid reasons, such as not being able to reach the notes, go to the conductors. We also got a new song, whose name I've forgotten and probably can't spell anyway. And if you don't have it come look for me. And if you don't have your SYF set piece again, look for me. Yup that's about it.
❤ Ankita
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
Meiying's message
So yes, have fun on Friday and I guess for most of the new members, this would be your first time being on stage to perform in an official CHOIR concert. Some of you may be anxious and perhaps have a little stage fright which is okay I had my fair share of anxiousness and freaking out right before going on stage every time. As long as you know your pieces well and be able to perform to the standard you and the choir has set upon yourselves, I am sure the concert will be awesome. During my “term” in choir, there’s always this phrase being raised all the time, “ the choir is as strong as its weakest member”. Basically every voice matters, no matter how big or small, being the main melody or not. I know you guys have been practising hard for this concert, so continue to bless our audience with your wondrous voices
I also hope you guys will love singing like the way I do and be serious and focus in practices. Through my 4 years in choir, I slowly found my love for singing and now there isn’t a day where I won’t be singing And the lessons taught in practices have improved my singing tremendously. Doesn’t matter if you didn’t have any musical background, I too started from scratch. So don’t give up if you are not able to read notes fast or catch a tune straight away, you will ultimately be able to do so with experience.
And, I will try to come visit you guys one of these days after my common tests, hopefully if you still have practices then. I miss you all so dearly and for my juniors who don’t know me, even if I have not talked to you before, just say hi and I will do so too:) Yes, I’m very friendly, you can ask your seniors.
AND YES THE POST ON THE MAKEUP IS QUITE IMPORTANT. FEEL FREE TO ASK YOUR SENIORS FOR GUIDIANCE;)
LOADS OF LOVE (LOL),
Meiying
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Make-up tutorial
i cannot believe i'm doing this. i cannot believe i'm doing this. ok here we go Before putting any make-up on at all, wash your face first so that you can get rid of excess oil, dirt, eye boogers(?) that might have accumulated on your face throughout the day.
Foundation
How to pick the right foundation
Colour: I have absolutely no idea how to do this. Your best bet would be to ask the salesperson for help. Trying on the colour is obviously a must. Make sure it matches your skin so that it doesn't look like a mask on your face.
Type: there are 2 types of foundation: powder and liquid. The general rule is that dry skin should never use powder and oily skin should never use liquid. The reason behind this is that powder will only make dry skin dryer and liquid foundation, since oil and other liquids don't mix, won't blend well enough into your skin
Application
Powder: use a powder puff, duh. Make sure you don't take too much onto your face at a time or else you will streak your face like crazy. And make sure you put a little into your hairline as well so that it doesn't look like you're a geisha. see the bit of uncovered skin there? yeah, you don't want that.
Liquid: there are 3 ways to apply liquid foundation: fingers, sponge and brushes.
Fingers: you just have to rub it into your skin slowly, in tiny little circular motions, spreading it evenly over your entire face. Your neck, too, if you want.
Sponge: you can get these at watsons' guardian, wherever. They're also disposable, so yay! Same instructions as before. Just keep in mind that sponges absorb a lot of foundation, so you'll find that you're running out of foundation very quickly.
Brush: this method is actually the best because it gives you minimal wastage of foundation, and the most even coverage. You can find brushes in any make-up store such as sephora, sasa, etc. again, make sure you blend evenly throughout your face and into your hairline as well.
Eyeliner
For beginners, I would advise you to use pencil liners such as this one. I really don't know how to explain how to apply eyeliner over text so here is a link to Michelle phan's how-to guide. A few tips: warm the edge of the pencil by going over it with a hair dryer (if you happen to have one in your pocket) if not draw on your hand with it for a bit . This is to make it slightly easier for the pencil to glide onto your lashline so that it won't pull on your eyelid. Another tip is to pull on the edge of your eyelid like this while you do your eyeliner. You'll need to practice a few times to get the hang of this.
Blush
You're gonna have to apply this with a blush brush, like so: and you're gonna wanna apply this on the apples of your cheeks, you know, the part you circle with your fingers and call 'fishballs'
Lips
There are many many different types of lip colour out there. But the main two are lipgloss and lipstick. And it's stupid to explain how to put it on because it's completely idiot proof. Just make sure you don't get any on your teeth. And if you're wearing lipstick you might want to use lipliner and a bit of lip balm before you put on the actual lipstick. It just helps the lipstick glide on smoother.
Eyeshadow
Pssh I'm lazy. And since this isn't compulsory for stage anyway, here is another Michelle Phan tutorial. Just ignore the part about the primer on the eyelids. and don't put anything on your lower lids because you really don't need to and it's messy without the right tools anyway
and that's about it. there is a whole world of make-up out there, more options that might work better for you and my goodness i'm sleepy. this is make-up at it's most basic and i cannot think about how to make it simpler. but as always if i've missed something out or if there's something you don't get, e-mail me, text me, fb me, etc.
ankita
PS foundation's the one you really wanna splurge on
PPS GO PRACTICE YOUR SCORES
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Il est né le divin enfant (final correct pronunciation)
Corrections in green :D
Il est né (Eel eh nay) le di-vin en-fant, (luh dee-veen ong-fong)
Jou-ez haut-bois, (Zhoo-ayz oh-buah) rés-on-nez mu-set-tes. (reh-zoh-nay miu-zet-tur)
Il est né le di-vin en-fant, (Eel eh nay luh dee-veen ong-fong)
Chan-tons tous (Shong-tong too) son a-vè-ne-ment. (song ah-veh-nuh-mong)
De-puis plus de (Duh-pwee ploo duh) qua-tre mille ans (kah-truh *roll the r* meel ong)
Nous le pro-met-taient (Noo luh pro-may-tay) les pro-phè-tes, (lay praw-fet-tur)
De-puis plus de qua-tre mille ans (Duh-pwee ploo duh kah-truh meel ong)
Nous at-ten-dions (Noo-za-tong-dee-ong) cet heureux temps. (set uh-ruh tong)
Ah! Qu´il est beau, (Ah! Keel ay bow) qu´il est char-mant! (Keel eh shar-mong)
Ah! que ses grâ-ces (Ah! Kuh say grass-suh) sont par-fai-tes! (song par-fay-tur)
Ah! Qu´il est beau, qu´il est char-mant! (Ah! Keel eh bow, keel eh shar-mong)
Qu´il est doux ce di-vin en-fant! (Keel eh doo suh dee-veen ong-fong)
Une é-ta-ble (Yoon *don't emphasise the y sound* eh-tah-bluh) est son lo-ge-ment, (eh song loh-zhe-mong)
Un peu de paille (Ung puh duh pie) est sa cou-chet-te, (eh sah koo-shet-tur)
Une é-table est son lo-ge-ment, (Yoon eh-tah-bluh eh song loh-zhe-mong)
Pour un Dieu (Poor ung Dee-uh) quel a-bais-se-ment. (kell ah-bay-suh-mong)
O Jés-us (Oh Zhay-zoo), roi tout puis-sant, (rooah too pwee-sang)
Si pe-tit en-fant que vous ê-tes, (See puh-teet ong-fong kuh voo-zett-tur)
O Jé-sus, roi tout puis-sant, (Oh Zhay-zoo, rooah too pwee-sang)
Rég-nez sur (Ruh-nee-ay see-uh) nous en-tiè-re-ment. (noo-zong-tee-ay-ruh-mong)
Please check your emails as Ms Tham has kindly sent us a recording of the pronunciation done by her French friend. I've tried uploading it to this blog post multiple times but there's an error :(
For this song, please memorise the REFRAIN so that you don't have to keep flipping back to page 16 from page 17. And for all Christmas carols, remember to keep smiling and move naturally to the music to give off a good vibe. Hold your scorebook in such a way that when you look up at the conductor and down at your score, only your eyes, not your whole head, move.
Don't give up guys! And don't focus on the time you wish you had - instead, do what you can with the time that has been given to you. :D
-Quianna:)
Il est né (Eel eh nay) le di-vin en-fant, (luh dee-veen ong-fong)
Jou-ez haut-bois, (Zhoo-ayz oh-buah) rés-on-nez mu-set-tes. (reh-zoh-nay miu-zet-tur)
Il est né le di-vin en-fant, (Eel eh nay luh dee-veen ong-fong)
Chan-tons tous (Shong-tong too) son a-vè-ne-ment. (song ah-veh-nuh-mong)
De-puis plus de (Duh-pwee ploo duh) qua-tre mille ans (kah-truh *roll the r* meel ong)
Nous le pro-met-taient (Noo luh pro-may-tay) les pro-phè-tes, (lay praw-fet-tur)
De-puis plus de qua-tre mille ans (Duh-pwee ploo duh kah-truh meel ong)
Nous at-ten-dions (Noo-za-tong-dee-ong) cet heureux temps. (set uh-ruh tong)
Ah! Qu´il est beau, (Ah! Keel ay bow) qu´il est char-mant! (Keel eh shar-mong)
Ah! que ses grâ-ces (Ah! Kuh say grass-suh) sont par-fai-tes! (song par-fay-tur)
Ah! Qu´il est beau, qu´il est char-mant! (Ah! Keel eh bow, keel eh shar-mong)
Qu´il est doux ce di-vin en-fant! (Keel eh doo suh dee-veen ong-fong)
Une é-ta-ble (Yoon *don't emphasise the y sound* eh-tah-bluh) est son lo-ge-ment, (eh song loh-zhe-mong)
Un peu de paille (Ung puh duh pie) est sa cou-chet-te, (eh sah koo-shet-tur)
Une é-table est son lo-ge-ment, (Yoon eh-tah-bluh eh song loh-zhe-mong)
Pour un Dieu (Poor ung Dee-uh) quel a-bais-se-ment. (kell ah-bay-suh-mong)
O Jés-us (Oh Zhay-zoo), roi tout puis-sant, (rooah too pwee-sang)
Si pe-tit en-fant que vous ê-tes, (See puh-teet ong-fong kuh voo-zett-tur)
O Jé-sus, roi tout puis-sant, (Oh Zhay-zoo, rooah too pwee-sang)
Rég-nez sur (Ruh-nee-ay see-uh) nous en-tiè-re-ment. (noo-zong-tee-ay-ruh-mong)
Please check your emails as Ms Tham has kindly sent us a recording of the pronunciation done by her French friend. I've tried uploading it to this blog post multiple times but there's an error :(
For this song, please memorise the REFRAIN so that you don't have to keep flipping back to page 16 from page 17. And for all Christmas carols, remember to keep smiling and move naturally to the music to give off a good vibe. Hold your scorebook in such a way that when you look up at the conductor and down at your score, only your eyes, not your whole head, move.
Don't give up guys! And don't focus on the time you wish you had - instead, do what you can with the time that has been given to you. :D
-Quianna:)
Friday, November 23, 2012
PSSO - Canzone di Zampognari
The pronunciation is the normal Latin pronunciation.
One thing to note is that the PSSO choir repeats Quando...Bettelemme and Maje le stelle...accussi twice. Its just a matter of matching the words to the notes for this piece.
Tochter Zion- German Pronunciation
This is the pronunciation for verses 1 and 3. However, the notes may differ from our score.
Tochter Zion Translation
Hi guys, guess what?!
I found something to make your learning of Tochter Zion more interesting! O(∩_∩)O
1.Tochter Zion
Zion's Daughter
Freu e dich
O Rejoice!
Jauchze laut, Jerusalem
Shout aloud, Jerusalem
Sich dein Konig kommt zu dir!
Lo, thy king doth come to thee!
Ja, er kommt, der Frie de furst!
Yea, he comes, the Prince of peace!
Tochter Zion freue dich!
Zion's Daughter, O Rejoice!
Jauchze laut, Jerusalem!
Shout aloud, Jerusalem!
2. Hosiana, Davids Sohn,
Hail, hosanna, David's son,
ser gesegnet deinem Volk!
be thou to thy people blest!
Grunde nun dein ew'ges Reich!
Thine eternal kingdom come!
Hosiana in der Hoh'!
Praise be sung to thee on high!
Hosiana, Davids Sohn,
Hail, hosanna, David's son,
ser gesegnet deinem Volk!
be thou to thy people blest!
3. Hosiana, Davids Sohn,
Hail, hosanna, David's son,
sei gegrubet, Konig mild!
be thou welcome, Gentle King!
Ewig steht dein Friedensthorn,
Firmly stands thy throne of peace,
du des ew'gen Vaters Kind!
thou, the Father's only Son!
Hosiana, Davids Sohn,
Hail, hosanna, David's Son,
sei gegruber Konig mild!
be thou welcome, Gentle King!
April, love
Credits:
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/zions_daughter_version_1.htm
Credits:
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/zions_daughter_version_1.htm
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Practice on 21/11/12
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- carol of the bells
we all like this song, and we did this pretty well, so what we need to work on would be the rhythm and especially the pronunciation
you're going to need to transfer this into your scores too:) anthea will be doing the solo bit, with mona and Angela doing the duet.
- silent night
Mona’s octet will be doing the semi-chorus for this. we'll be doing the English version, not the German one, so don't learn that, please. we were also advised to write in the words into the score if we didn't know it that well. the notes and rhythms are pretty easy so that's not really an issue
- deck the halls
take note of when to sing the 'fa's and when to sing the 'la's and also, the 'fa la la la' part isn't the same as what most of us are used to. so take note of them. very careful note of them. the rhythm's also a very trick one in this song
- o come all ye faithful
we're only allowed to breathe every four bars, remember that, please. the notes and rhythm aren't too hard for this one, so let's make it absolutely perfect!
- the first nowell
we're only doing verses 1,2,4, and 6 for this song. April will be doing the solo. the harmonies for this carol are the thing we seem to be having trouble with, honestly. so let's all practice like crazy for this. the rhythm's also generally pretty easy for this one. along with the notes. it's sticking to the notes that we find difficult, really. the only solution is to sing your part louder of course!
- god rests you merry gentlemen
we're doing verses 1, 2 and 5. jade's octet will be doing verse 2.
- we wish you a merry Christmas
this is to be memorised. we'll be handing out candy canes after this song, so that's why it needs to be memorised. all 4 verses of it.
we haven't put in any dynamics for any of the songs. except for buwa. during extra practice (sectionals and octet practices) let's try to do this! it's not that hard, promise. remember that all of Miss TPW's pieces + ave maris Stella are to be memorised BY NEXT WEDNESDAY. and let's all really strive to do this in time.
as you know, we were also supposed to have done responsorio de navidad for competition too, but miss Tham said that we might not have enough time to do that. she also mentioned that she'd rather do three pieces brilliantly than do 4 pieces but very average-lee. so let's do the three pieces brilliantly so that we can prove to her that we're capable of doing another one just as well!
what happens during these really long practices is that we become very demoralized and restless and nothing gets absorbed into our brains. so what we must do is to keep our spirits up for as much as possible and if you notice anybody else going all bleh, shake them up a bit and cheer them up too, okay? okay. I really liked that you guys actually volunteered to look through RDN (short form. too tired to type it out.) by yourselves! that's the kind of initiative that's touching. but keep in mind that the three sacred songs, 4 folk songs and Christmas carols are priority over looking through responsorio, okay? okay. this has been a super long blog post and I’m really tired, so G'NIGHT. and as usual, if I’ve missed anything out, please tell me or come edit it yourselves :).
Ankita
Firstly, updates on each and every song that we're doing.
Ave Maris Stella
We've memorised this and we've put in the words too. The words are to be written into the score. The meaning is somewhere in the blog archive, go look for it. Let's try and put words into the music! After you manage to stay in tune, of course.
Regina Celi
We've put in the words until bar 33 and we've done bar 51 to the end in solfage. We need to memorise the first phrase in text and be prepared to do this in octets by next week, Wednesday. Please look through the middle section (bars 34-50) and try to sing through it in words. You can use a piano to help you along if you need it.
Oremus
We've memorised the first part of oremus, until the cannon bit. Make sure the text for the canon bit is right because it's pretty tricky. Most of the time it just repeats itself but at the very end, it changes. The words and a few notes, I mean.
Yagi-Bushi
I'm not sure what state this is in, but all the same, we're all going to need to memorise this piece. Anthea will be singing the solo part. Maybe someone who was there while this was being run through can elaborate on what needs to be done.
Lenggang
The rhythm for this one is a bit tricky, especially for the alto and mezzo parts. For this song too, dynamics will need to be put in during octet practice and/or sectionals.
Buwa
This song has been memorised in full. Including notes, rhythm, dynamics and so on and so forth. For those who were wondering about the meaning of buwa buwa, I don't have it. I couldn't find the translation on Google and when I tried Google translate, this came up.
"Utu's prolapsed uterus prolapsed uterus evaporated in you no pola
prolapsed uterus dika pola
prolapsed uterus prolapsed uterus evaporated or do"
so... Yeah. If anybody has friends who are Filipino, could you ask them to translate? Then you could post it to the choir blog so that it could benefit everyone! :) In any case, it's basically about a mother singing her kid to sleep. So keep that in mind as you practice and try and bring out the appropriate emotions
Ting tan Qing
Ave Maris Stella
We've memorised this and we've put in the words too. The words are to be written into the score. The meaning is somewhere in the blog archive, go look for it. Let's try and put words into the music! After you manage to stay in tune, of course.
Regina Celi
We've put in the words until bar 33 and we've done bar 51 to the end in solfage. We need to memorise the first phrase in text and be prepared to do this in octets by next week, Wednesday. Please look through the middle section (bars 34-50) and try to sing through it in words. You can use a piano to help you along if you need it.
Oremus
We've memorised the first part of oremus, until the cannon bit. Make sure the text for the canon bit is right because it's pretty tricky. Most of the time it just repeats itself but at the very end, it changes. The words and a few notes, I mean.
Yagi-Bushi
I'm not sure what state this is in, but all the same, we're all going to need to memorise this piece. Anthea will be singing the solo part. Maybe someone who was there while this was being run through can elaborate on what needs to be done.
Lenggang
The rhythm for this one is a bit tricky, especially for the alto and mezzo parts. For this song too, dynamics will need to be put in during octet practice and/or sectionals.
Buwa
This song has been memorised in full. Including notes, rhythm, dynamics and so on and so forth. For those who were wondering about the meaning of buwa buwa, I don't have it. I couldn't find the translation on Google and when I tried Google translate, this came up.
"Utu's prolapsed uterus prolapsed uterus evaporated in you no pola
prolapsed uterus dika pola
prolapsed uterus prolapsed uterus evaporated or do"
so... Yeah. If anybody has friends who are Filipino, could you ask them to translate? Then you could post it to the choir blog so that it could benefit everyone! :) In any case, it's basically about a mother singing her kid to sleep. So keep that in mind as you practice and try and bring out the appropriate emotions
Ting tan Qing
Blah. Just blah. I know that nobody
likes this song, but let's all try and pretend that we do so that we can sing
well, it'll sound good and then we'll actually like it and then it'll get even
better and so on and so forth. And no, this isn't wishful thinking. The rhythm
was the problem in this piece. We’ll need to practice that quite a bit in your
octets. Try counting to yourselves in your heads or tapping on your collarbones
to improve. I left halfway through so I’m not sure what went on. Again, someone
should elaborate a bit more.
Christmas carols
- carol of the bells
we all like this song, and we did this pretty well, so what we need to work on would be the rhythm and especially the pronunciation
- tochter Zion
I have no idea. Someone else will have to give a detailed analysis of this piece.
I have no idea. Someone else will have to give a detailed analysis of this piece.
- Canzone dei zampognari
same as above
same as above
- IL est ne le divin enfant
the main problem with this piece is that the pronunciation of the words is very difficult. It’s also been up on the blog for nearly 2 weeks. Let’s all go have a look at the lovely long post that Quianna typed out for us so that we can be absolutely perfect the next time we practice this :) the notes and rhythms are pretty easy for this one, truth be told. It’s just when we add in the words that we get all muddled up.
the main problem with this piece is that the pronunciation of the words is very difficult. It’s also been up on the blog for nearly 2 weeks. Let’s all go have a look at the lovely long post that Quianna typed out for us so that we can be absolutely perfect the next time we practice this :) the notes and rhythms are pretty easy for this one, truth be told. It’s just when we add in the words that we get all muddled up.
- In dulci jubilo
parts of this piece is in Latin, so take a look at the Latin rules posted up a few weeks ago for a general guide on how to pronounce them properly. Huai jin's octet plus April and I will be singing the solo bits.
parts of this piece is in Latin, so take a look at the Latin rules posted up a few weeks ago for a general guide on how to pronounce them properly. Huai jin's octet plus April and I will be singing the solo bits.
- Personent hodie
translation:
translation:
Personent hodie
voces puerulae, laudantes iucunde qui nobis est natus, summo Deo datus,
et de virgineo ventre procreatus.
|
On this day earth shall ring
with the song children sing
to the Lord, Christ our King, born on earth to save us; him the Father gave us. Refrain Id-e-o-o-o, id-e-o-o-o, Id-e-o gloria in excelsis Deo! |
In mundo nascitur,
pannis involvitur
praesepi ponitur stabulo brutorum, rector supernorum. perdidit spolia princeps infernorum. |
His the doom, ours the mirth;
when he came down to earth,
Bethlehem saw his birth; ox and ass beside him from the cold would hide him. Refrain |
Magi tres venerunt,
munera offerunt,
parvulum inquirunt, stellulam sequendo, ipsum adorando, aurum, thus, et myrrham ei offerendo. |
God's bright star, o'er his head,
Wise Men three to him led;
kneel they low by his bed, lay their gifts before him, praise him and adore him. Refrain |
Omnes clericuli,
pariter pueri,
cantent ut angeli: advenisti mundo, laudes tibi fundo. ideo gloria in excelsis Deo. |
On this day angels sing;
with their song earth shall ring,
praising Christ, heaven's King, born on earth to save us; peace and love he gave us. Refrain |
you're going to need to transfer this into your scores too:) anthea will be doing the solo bit, with mona and Angela doing the duet.
- silent night
Mona’s octet will be doing the semi-chorus for this. we'll be doing the English version, not the German one, so don't learn that, please. we were also advised to write in the words into the score if we didn't know it that well. the notes and rhythms are pretty easy so that's not really an issue
- deck the halls
take note of when to sing the 'fa's and when to sing the 'la's and also, the 'fa la la la' part isn't the same as what most of us are used to. so take note of them. very careful note of them. the rhythm's also a very trick one in this song
- o come all ye faithful
we're only allowed to breathe every four bars, remember that, please. the notes and rhythm aren't too hard for this one, so let's make it absolutely perfect!
- the first nowell
we're only doing verses 1,2,4, and 6 for this song. April will be doing the solo. the harmonies for this carol are the thing we seem to be having trouble with, honestly. so let's all practice like crazy for this. the rhythm's also generally pretty easy for this one. along with the notes. it's sticking to the notes that we find difficult, really. the only solution is to sing your part louder of course!
- god rests you merry gentlemen
we're doing verses 1, 2 and 5. jade's octet will be doing verse 2.
- we wish you a merry Christmas
this is to be memorised. we'll be handing out candy canes after this song, so that's why it needs to be memorised. all 4 verses of it.
we haven't put in any dynamics for any of the songs. except for buwa. during extra practice (sectionals and octet practices) let's try to do this! it's not that hard, promise. remember that all of Miss TPW's pieces + ave maris Stella are to be memorised BY NEXT WEDNESDAY. and let's all really strive to do this in time.
as you know, we were also supposed to have done responsorio de navidad for competition too, but miss Tham said that we might not have enough time to do that. she also mentioned that she'd rather do three pieces brilliantly than do 4 pieces but very average-lee. so let's do the three pieces brilliantly so that we can prove to her that we're capable of doing another one just as well!
what happens during these really long practices is that we become very demoralized and restless and nothing gets absorbed into our brains. so what we must do is to keep our spirits up for as much as possible and if you notice anybody else going all bleh, shake them up a bit and cheer them up too, okay? okay. I really liked that you guys actually volunteered to look through RDN (short form. too tired to type it out.) by yourselves! that's the kind of initiative that's touching. but keep in mind that the three sacred songs, 4 folk songs and Christmas carols are priority over looking through responsorio, okay? okay. this has been a super long blog post and I’m really tired, so G'NIGHT. and as usual, if I’ve missed anything out, please tell me or come edit it yourselves :).
Ankita
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Practice on 7/11/12
Dear all, this is a post kindly written by April. So anyone can post on the choir blog! But please send it to Lyn, Nicolette, Fiona or me for vetting first kay? :) Thank you! :D Love, JO
---
Hi guys, I hope that you've been thoroughly enjoying your holidays! It's so much more relaxed than school days yeah? I also hope that while you enjoy the break, still keep in mind that we are all accountable members of the choir, and take time to practise this extraordinary gift of singing God has blest us with <3 span="span">
Now, this is what we went through on the 7/11/12...
Pieces covered:
1. Lenggang Kangkong & Rasa Sayang
2. Deck the Halls
3. In Dulci Jubilo
So, for Lenggang Kankong + Rasa Sayang, the main difficulty faced is not really the notes, with the exception of
Bar 9-10 for sops
Bar 7-8 for altos and mezzos
The main problem for this piece would be the rhythm particularly from bar 35-38 ( including the first beat of bar 39) where there are numerous triplets.
One tip that Ms Tham gave was to sing triplets as TRI-O-LA and 'normal' notes as TI-TI- (TA).
So this segment would be sung as TRI-O-LA TRI-O-LA TRI-O LA(TI) TRI-O-LA TRI-O-LA TI-TI-TA TRI-O-LA TRI-O-LA TI-TI TRI-O-LA TI-TI TRI-O-LA TI-TI-TA
Also, Ms Tham pointed out that for Malay songs the vowels and consonants should be spat out (enounciated clearly, projected)
I'll check with Huai-Jin or Athena about the pronunciation and post a sound clip to you guys soon.
Another smart suggestion Ms Tham gave for revising this piece is running through the piece by segments, then continuing to link the segments up to 'form' the ENTIRE piece.
I recommend that you clear up the pronounciation of the text also before coming for practise on 16th Nov, so that you don't stumble on the words. Before that, just replace the text with some other words like 'broccoli' , 'maccaroni', 'watermelon', 'one direction', 'justin bieber' or 'taylor swift' whatever...
Okay, for the next piece, In Dulci Jubilo Ms Tham wanted Bi Xuan's Octet ( Huai-Jin, Abigail Lee. Jane, Vanessa, Rui Jun, Bethany, Juhea, Lisa Koh and Stephanie) + Ankita + April to sing the verse 3 & 4 solo. This arrangement is subject to change depending on how prepared we are. Practise hard guys! Arrange 'sectionals' so we can sing with each other, encourage and support each other as an octet, section, and choir right? 我们是同甘共苦的伙伴，经历的苦涩经验、愉快的时光。。。。（
Important thing to note for In Dulci is that verse is a sort of 'call and reply' so when you sing through it try to listen out for the section that calls, and the section that answers their call, see how your melody replies and relates to theirs. If you have any difficulties, feel free to ask any senior about it.
Some more challenging portions include verse 4:
Hey sop 1s! Don't be afraid of the high notes okay? It's quite manageable once you warm up your voice. If you can't reach it on your own, sing it one octave lower first. We can work at it during sectionals... Jia you!
To all sections, remember to count! We have a unison note at pg 21, the bar below the page no 87. For the sop 2s and alto 1s that note is 'If' . Guys it may sound confusing but the note is an 'A'. Make sure every one is one the same note.
Here's the final part regarding practise on 7/11/12;
Alright the last piece learnt was Deck the Halls (pg 31). Be careful about this carol y'all because it is NOT what you sing during Christmas, at least not all of it.
Okay, one thing Ms Tham pointed out for this piece is that the feel should be happy and raw. That means that you shouldn't try to swallow your voice or keep it too chesty. Instead, try to bring your voice forward and resonate the sound. Got it? It's a Christmas carol, don't forget, so cheer everyone up with your voice!
Unusual/ Different portions include;
Page 32, first bar for sop 1s where the rhythm for 'fa la...' is not the same as the previous ones
Page 32, 2nd ' stanza' 1st bar also for sop 1s where the notes for 'fa la...' is different from the usual tune
*i'll send the sound clip for the mentioned slightly more challenging parts to your inbox shortly~ don't worry, you can manage it! Once you get it, it will be much easier because it is repeated. Jia you!!! ( translation: press on! You CAN do it!)*
P.S. I hope you could hear the metronome, and follow it first. I'm unsure of the actual tempo...
Pg 32, second 'stanza' to page 33, 3rd stanza, 2nd bar for altos
Please pay attention to your part and get it right the first round ʘ‿ʘ
Ms Tham was pretty upset that she had to go through it more than 4 times before it was accurately sung. The main problem was the notes.
* I'll try to play through it once on the piano. The recording will be sent to your inbox shortly too. Fighting!*
Love, April
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