BTW Choral Students Chat!

For this first blog post of the 2021-2022 school year, write about whatever you want to discuss. It can be how good of a year you are having, how you are adjusting to being back in school, what you want to do after you graduate from high school, etc. Make sure your post is appropriate for school and that you have at least 2 paragraphs of information (a paragraph is 5-7 sentences). Once you finish writing, include the link to a YouTube video of a song or performance that you like. Tell everyone why you like the song or performance and if it has some special meaning to you. Make sure that once you write, you either sign in with a Google login so that your post is linked to your name. If you cannot log in with a Google id, then choose anonymous as your id and include your name at the end of your post. If you need help, please let Mr. Williams know before Friday. All posts are due by Friday, November 5, 2021 by 11:59 PM. Late posts will lose points each day late. Here is a video for a song that I like. 

Overcoming COVID-19

For this week, please find a song that expresses how you or the people around you are coping with COVID-19. Your post can be a song that helps you get through this pandemic, your own recording, or anything uplifting. Include a link to the video or upload your own video here. After including your video, please write at least two (2) full paragraphs about why you chose what you chose. Use as many musical terms as possible and please be explicit and detailed in your writing and check it for grammar. All posts are due by Friday, May 1, 2020. Happy posting!!!

Showcase 2020!

For this week's blog post, you need to reflect on how Showcase 2020 went. Your post should be 2 paragraphs long minimum and address each of the following:
1. What was your favorite part of the performance?
2. What part(s) did you think needed improvement?
3. Did you give your best effort?
4. What would you like to see done next year in Showcase?

All posts are due by 1/17/20, 11:59 pm. Late posts will be receive the appropriate number of deductions per MPS policy. Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. In order to receive credit, make sure that your post is on the blog site. No screenshots or other methods will be accepted. Do not reply to another student's post. If your post does not answer each question, you will not receive full credit.

Covers

This week, our blog post is about covers and it is twofold. What are covers? Covers are recordings of music, usually vocal, by artists or performers who did not originally write or record the music. We see them all the time on YouTube in particular and in karaoke bars, but they are seen in other places both live and recorded. This is important because as we prepare for POPS Concert, the majority of the music is all covers.

Part 1: This part of your assignment this week is to find a cover of a song that you like. Post one paragraph (about 5 complete sentences) about the song, why you like it, who it is by, and specific musical elements that make the song a good choice to cover. Examples of good musical sentences are "I enjoy this song because it has a good rhythmic beat accented by the singer's vocal melismas" or "The piano part has a lot of higher notes that sound like bells which add to the whimsy of the song". You cannot use the sample sentences in your post. Examples of poorly worded/poor sentences are "I like the song because it is fast" or "I like the song because I like it". Be precise in your wording.

Part 2: Using your smartphone or any app that allows you to record, record yourself singing a cover of a song that you like. It can be a cappella or with accompaniment. Free apps like the YouTube app on most phones allows you to record and upload to YouTube. All videos must be uploaded to YouTube. The minimum time that your video must be is 1'30" and that does not include any speaking you do before singing. Record an entire song or one verse and a chorus. We will go over how to do this in class on Monday and Tuesday. When recording please make sure that you choose to make your video unlisted and include the link provided to you on YouTube to the video at the end of your post.

All posts are due by Friday, September 20, 2019 by 11:59 PM. After that, points will be deducted and posts will be scrutinized for any and all errors and whether all elements of the prompt are present. Have fun recording and we will watch all videos in class the following week.

Choral Music

For this second blog post, you will need to choose one choral piece that you like or enjoy hearing or performing. Tell the name of the piece, who it is by, what voicing it is for (mixed voices= SATB, women's ensemble, men's ensemble, children's choir, etc), if it uses any accompaniment (piano, drums, other instruments) and what you like about the piece. Be as specific as possible and use as many musical terms as possible. At the end of your post, please include a link to your video either on YouTube or another website/source.

In your second paragraph, discuss what critiques you have about the performance. Think like a musician and make informed comments. Do not be too broad--comments like "they sounded good" or "the tone could have been better" are not specific. Instead, write something like "the sopranos blended well when singing the higher notes and they all used the same vowel space" or "the piano was not too loud compared to the singers, providing a good balance". These are much better comments. Please check all spelling, grammar, and punctuation. All posts are due by Friday, August 30, 2019 at 11:59 pm. Late posts will received the appropriate deductions.

Back To School

In this first blog post, please introduce yourself to the class. Tell 1) name, age, how long you've been at BTW, 2) your favorite type of music and why, 3) any musical experiences you have had in the past (include any performances, solos, choirs, instruments, etc), 4) your favorite song. Please double check spelling and grammar before posting your response. Complete by Friday, August 23, 2019. Late posts will receive the correct deductions per MPS grading policy.

Black History Month

This week, we are going to look at Black History selections. You can choose a composer, choral piece, or solo singer performer. Include a link to your video selection or webpage. 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, Rihanna, 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 pm on Friday February 8, 2019. Remember, you can not use a song that someone already posted!

Notes For Choir- Showcase and Following

Notes for the week of January 7-11, 2019

This is Showcase 2019 week! Students will be in rehearsal this week on Tuesday through Thursday at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center inside the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Montgomery.Based on the schedule sent today, choral students need to attend rehearsal on Wednesday and Thursday night only. All rehearsals begin at 4 pm and end at approximately 8:30 pm each night. Students should arrange to ride with a classmate or have someone bring them to rehearsal each night. You will receive information Monday on Showcase meals for performers only.Please be mindful that this is an important week for the entire BTW community. Students should try to maximize downtown during rehearsals by studying, preparing for other assignments, catching up or getting ahead on reading, etc, so that time is not lost. It is important to get a good night’s rest daily, stay hydrated, and be prepared to give your best in performance.

Showcase tickets will be handed out to those students who have paid their Blue/Gold Event Fee. If you need additional tickets, please bring the money to the school and Mr. Williams will receipt it and give you tickets. Non-performers and individuals not involved in BTW’s performance are not allowed backstage. Attendees will need a ticket; performers will not.

There are three performances of Showcase: Friday morning, Friday evening, and Saturday. Students will need to coordinate a drop off/ride to the Friday morning performance. However, transportation will be provided by school bus back to the Hayneville Rd campus for those who do not drive. Students are cleared to go home and rest after the morning performance. Parents may pick them up from the MPAC or at Hayneville Rd. Students may ride the school buses provided back to campus if they need to. Call time for the morning performance in 8:00 am and the performance begins at 9; Friday evening-6 pm and start time is 7pm; and Saturday is 1 pm with start time of 2 pm. Parents may not attend the morning performance on Friday. 

Choral performers- per Gary Moore, the creative director for Showcase, choral students will wear concert attire. This means dresses, tuxes, and pearls for ladies. Please wear makeup! You will not be seen if you do not. Make sure to follow all directions when given during performance and rehearsals. If you fail to have the required costumes or fail to follow directions, you will not perform and will receive the appropriate grade reflecting your actions.

Week of January 14-18, 2019

Following Showcase week, we have been asked to sing for Governor Kay Ivey’s inauguration. It will take place on January 14, 2019 at the Capital Building (same place we sang for the tree lighting ceremony). It will begin at 10 am. We need to arrive by 8:30 am. This is early! However, we need the publicity for our school and this will be a great opportunity to showcase the hard work we have been doing in choir. The plan (most likely) is to meet that morning at the old BTW campus, park cars, and have a bus transport us together to the capital building. I will finalize this with Dr. Starks. Parents I am sure you are welcome to attend. Dress is dresses and tuxes (note that this is not a school day for us).

Tentatively we have planned a PBIS day for choir since we have been working hard lately. The plan is either to go bowling, go to Launch park in Prattville, or some other activity per Dr. Starks approval. TBD

Hallelujah!!!!

This is our last blog post for the grading period. In this post, we are going to listen to two different versions of Hallelujah Chorus which we have been learning. In your response, please compare and contrast the two and give musical reasons about which you like. Be as specific as possible in your one paragraph (5 sentences) response. All posts must be made by 11:59 pm on Friday, December 14, 2018.

The Holidays Are Here!

This week we are looking at holiday music.  As we approach the holiday season, we should begin to look at music that would be appropriate for a holiday or Christmas performance.  In this blog post you will need to find one holiday or Christmas piece that will be appropriate for a choral performance.  Your selection can be for a choir or for a solo singer.  Include in your post why you chose the selection, what musical elements about it make it appropriate for holiday or Christmas, and whether or not you would perform in the selection yourself either as a solo or in a choir. All posts should be made by Friday November 16, 2018. No late posts accepted. Include a link to the video.

It's My Birthday!

On this blog post, you need to look for songs that where released on your birthday or in the month of your birthdate. The year must match the year you were born. Check the top 100 or Billboard charts for the year you were born. You might be lucky to find one for your date. Include a link to the video and discuss something about the song you have found. You may have to do a little research to find out more information. Spelling and grammar count in addition to the post being at least 1 full paragraph. Due by Friday, October 26, 2018 at 11:59 pm.

Old School/Throwback Music

For the post this week, you will need to find an old school (before 2000) song that you like or style that you are particularly fond of. In your post, discuss why you like the song or style and any musical elements about it that make it interesting to you. Include a link to your video and check your spelling and grammar before posting. All posts are due by 10/19/18 at 11:59 pm. No late posts accepted.

POPS Choreography

Since we are now working on choreography for POPS, let's look at choir (or Pop artists) who use choreography in their performances. Find two examples for this post: one good/great and one that could use some improvement. In your post, make sure you critique both videos. List two positive areas and two areas for improvement. Include the link to your videos and use correct spelling, grammar, and turn your post in by Friday, September 21, 2018 at 11:59 pm. No late posts accepted.

Rising from the Ashes!

This year has already turned out to be a unique one in that we have experienced some major changes that will affect the remainder of the year. With that in mind, we are in a state of rebirth or rejuvenation. For this week we are looking at songs that are inspirational and that can be used to help people cope or adjust to new beginnings. Post one selection that meets this criterion and include a link to it in the post. Your post should be at least one paragraph in length with correct spelling and grammar. No late posts are accepted. Please complete and turn in by Friday, September 14, 2018 at 11:59 pm.

Choral Music

For this second blog post, you will need to choose one choral piece that you like or enjoy hearing or performing. Tell the name of the piece, who it is by, what voicing it is for (mixed voices= SATB, women's ensemble, men's ensemble, children's choir, etc), if it uses any accompaniment (piano, drums, other instruments) and what you like about the piece. Be as specific as possible and use as many musical terms as possible.

In your second paragraph, discuss what critiques you have about the performance. Think like a musician and make informed comments. Do not be too broad--comments like "they sounded good" or "the tone could have been better" are not specific. Instead, write something like "the sopranos blended well when singing the higher notes and they all used the same vowel space" or "the piano was not too loud compared to the singers, providing a good balance". These are much better comments. Please check all spelling, grammar, and punctuation. All posts are due by Friday, August 17, 2018 at 11:59 pm. No late posts are accepted.

Back To School!

Welcome back to school for the 2018-2019 school year! I already have a lot planned for the year. For this the first blog post, please introduce yourself to the class. Tell your name, age, last school attended, grade, what you want to learn this year in choir, and anything else that we may not know about you. In a second paragraph, tell me what your favorite song or genre of music is and why. Use a many musical terms as possible when explaining. Copy and paste a link to the song at the end of your post. Your post should be a minimum of two paragraphs (5-8 sentences for each), use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. All posts should be made to the blog site before Friday, August 10, 2018 at 11:59 pm. No late posts are accepted. Post early so that you avoid any technical problems.

Here is a sample song.

Black History

For Black History month, we are looking at songs and spirituals that express the feelings slaves would have felt. In this post, you will need to find a spiritual that expresses the true feelings a slave could and would have felt. You post should be free of grammatical errors, correct punctuation and spelling. Posts should be turned in by February 9, 2018, 11:59 pm. Write at least one paragraph for your post. No duplicate posts.

Here is an example.

Showcase 2018!

For this week's blog post, you need to reflect on how Showcase 2018 went. Your post should be 2 paragraphs long minimum and address each of the following:
1. What was your favorite part of the performance?
2. What part(s) did you think needed improvement?
3. Did you give your best effort?
4. What would you like to see done next year in Showcase?

All posts are due by 1/26/18, 11:59 pm. No late posts will be accepted. Use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. In order to receive credit, make sure that your post is on the blog site. No screenshots or other methods will be accepted. Do not reply to another student's post. If your post does not answer each question, you will not receive credit.

POP Music

Since we are now a month past from POPS, let us look at some popular music. Pick your favorite song that would have been appropriate for POPS back in September and write about it here. No duplicate posts are allowed. All posts must be made by October 27, 2017 at 11:59 PM. No late posts are accepted. Please check to make sure that your post has posted to receive credit. Check for spelling, grammar, punctuation and errors.

Sample song:

Party Music

This week's blog post requires you to find a piece of music that would be appropriate for a party. Since Halloween is approaching and some people are getting ready to have parties, I felt it would be appropriate to do party music themed posts. Please make sure that the songs you choose are appropriate for school and do not contain any profanity or explicit language. Check your posts for correct grammar, spelling, and nor errors. All posts are due by October 20, 2017 at 11:59 PM. No late posts are accepted. Please check your post to make sure that it has posted if you would like to receive credit for the assignment.

Sample song: