For Quarter 1 and Quarter 2, Chamber meets Tuesdays and Fridays 7:30am-8:30am. The rest of the year's schedule is to be determined.
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Repertoire: BETTER WAY
BETTER WAY. piano https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UJ9eYv91_S3z8zBtuw0vkCJpBC36SRQC/view?usp=sharingHOLY WINTER
Holy Winter: Piano only https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nUjRk6XwabdPAqlwiy9P_U33y3BpUvbU/view?usp=sharing Piano + voice https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gpomh0eT0SurG4EorzGMj2LE1Gkql-UE/view?usp=sharing
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Sept 29 Class: Virtual Warmup, O Canada, Flanders Fields outside, Small Groups time.
Oct 2 class: Intervals, Warm-up, Musica, I Choose Love
Oct 6 class: 2 part class: choir in smaller groups: Flanders Field, O Canada, Musica, I Choose Love; followed by stairwell session time
Nov 10 class: conducting 2nd time with test on Friday, Who's Dat in The Hat, NO class next Tuesday (will post online assignment), Better Way section D & E, Holy Winter recorded in stairwell, SOLO work submitted by Friday.
Nov 12 class: 5/4 time vs 4/4 time, completed conducting test (3 pattern putting click on "and" of 3.)
Nov 19 class: Hilary's group needs to do HOLY WINTER!!!
Nov 20 class: Rowena's group still needs to to Better Way with Roman, Hilary's group to finish off Better Way, Alex still needs to do guitar.
Nov 24 class: Rowena's group did BW section D. Need to finish D to end. Hilary's group need to finish BW from B to end. I gave "Mothers and Daughters" pre-teach. Class wants to do another solo/small group personal choice song assignment.
Dec 1 class: new solo or small groups chosen. Did chord reading#1 session, need to hand back results, teach again, and then give test on Tuesday.
Dear Chamber Choir Class (cc: parents/guardians):
I am SO excited to see you back at South so we can get back to work on music! I share the same concerns that many students and parents are feeling in terms of safety during Covid - especially in our choir classes. Please rest assured that my primary goal is that all of my students feel safe in this new environment.
Chamber Choir: Your first class with me is on TUESDAY SEPT 15th at 7:30AM outside in the large covered OUTDOOR concourse area (located between the two entrances to the school)
Here are some things you should know before we meet:
-Yes, our first Chamber class will be entirely outside in a large area. Once you come into school, please walk directly into the outdoor concourse area. You do NOT need to bring anything.
-Our first class is all about talking to each other and for me to get feedback from you on my plans for making this year the best we can make it. It's about discussing concerns and coming up with solutions that we can all agree to. I have so many ideas and once I have had the chance to meet you and talk to you it will help guide our plans.
Some things you might be wondering:
-I will be wearing a mask, which reminds me I better drink my coffee before we meet :)
-I've been working on plans for several non-singing units on music we usually wouldn’t cover in a choir class that we can explore. I have come up with several active non-singing music-making mini-units that would be interesting, engaging, and great for physical distancing for you. I think mixing things up this year is important and I think you will have fun in the process!
-Regarding singing, as we adapt to this new normal we have to put safety first. My focus for any singing will be on SMALL ensembles. I encourage mask wearing, and I will be wearing one. I’m working on ways to maximize the use of all of the space in our wing to spread students out more often (into smaller groups – into hallways and outside). When it comes to multiple people singing that may happen I want to be outdoors or spread out over large areas with more distance and fresh air. We will maximize the use of the following spaces: the large covered OUTDOOR concourse area will be ours if we choose, as well as several large indoor areas (that means: our large cafeteria, the band room, the choir room, the gallery beside MJF, D331, and either end of the hallway outside of the music rooms).
-Please hold your questions for now on exact scheduling until we meet! It's very complicated, and that's why I haven't been able to communicate with you until now! For now, you can think of this class somewhat along the lines of a linear course (Sept-June) which will have unusual scheduling and more details coming later. We'll discuss what that means when we meet.
-I will be checking in with every student on an ongoing basis about their comfort levels and things that I should know to help them feel safe. This really matters to me!
Phew, that's a lot of info. I’m sure you probably have more questions - please save them for when we meet next Tuesday Sept 15th at 7:30 AM in the outdoor concourse😊
Best regards,
Mr. Wilson