I'm Inspired!

This week, February 27-March 3, we are looking at songs that are inspirational or inspire you in some way. Songs of this type have different meanings in different contexts, so the same song for two different people may be interpreted in two or more different ways. Inspirational songs can be religious, secular, pop, rap, hip hop, country, or from any genre when they hold meaning to a listener. Find your favorite inspirational song and post a response about the following:
1) Why you consider it inspirational
2) What genre it is from
3) What in the music (lyrics, instruments, meaning, etc) justify it being inspirational
4) Include a link to the video in your post

Check all spelling, grammar, and turn your post in by March 3, 2017, 11:59 pm. No late posts are accepted. No duplicate songs are accepted, even if they are by different singers/performers.

Here is an example of an inspirational song I chose (you cannot post this same song or any variation of it).

Folk Songs

A folk song is a song originating among the people of a country or area, passed by oral tradition from one singer or generation to the next, often existing in several versions, and marked generally by simple, modal melody and stanzaic, narrative verse. 

In other words, a song that has been passed down from generation to generation. Each culture has its own folk songs. There's American folk, English folk, Irish, Spanish, etc. 

Today, there are numerous arrangements of folk songs written in different styles and sung by many musicians. Here is an arrangement of one of my favorite folk songs, "Scarborough Fair," by Simon and Garfunkel.

Now, find any folk song (you may need to do some research and listening on the Internet) and post it in the comments below. Remember not to post the same song as someone else, and spelling and grammar will count! Posts are due by February 24, 2017, 11:59 pm. No late posts will be accepted. Include a link to your video. 

Black History Month Meets Music

This week, we are going to look at African American singers and artists. Here is my favorite Christmas tune, "The Christmas Song," by Nat King Cole.

https://youtu.be/mWNkiAI-R

Reply to this blog post with a tune by one of your favorite African American artists from history. Refrain from using modern day musicians (such as Usher, Rhianna, etc.) and describe musical elements that you like about the piece. As always, be sure to check your spelling and grammar. Posts are due by 11:59 on Friday evening. Remember, you can not use a song that someone already posted! -Ms. R

Critique for February 8th

For those who were absent on Wednesday, Februrary 8th, we did a critique in class. Here are the videos we watched in order.

I've Been in the Storm, UGA Hodgson Singers
https://youtu.be/0rBoAypsPCA

Done Made My Vow, ASBC Bicentennial Choir
https://youtu.be/ySJlG32Twm8

Precious Lord, Concordia Chamber Choir
https://youtu.be/Od5lY22b180

Let Your Light Shine, California 2012 All-State
https://youtu.be/wFk1dUX7-qc





Note: You will be given a work sheet to fill out, you will not need to reply to this post.

Country and Western

This week we are looking at country/western music. There are many similarities between Country music and other genres (particularly R&B) and most people who like one will like the other. Pick your favorite Country song and write about the following: 1) why you like the song, 2) what instruments are used, 3) what makes the song sound like country and western (there are specific things that achieve this sound), 4) how this song or style of song is similar to another style. Make sure to check your post for grammar, spelling, and include a link to your video in your comments. No duplicate videos allowed and all posts must be made by Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11:59 pm. No late posts accepted.

Here is one song that I like. You cannot repost this song.