Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines.
HARMONICS
Musical harmonics are another discovery from the field of physics. In our first post about sound waves, we discussed the fact that sound acts as a wave. A pitch is actually made up of several different waves sounding together. These are referred to as the note’s harmonic series.
The bottom sound wave that we can most commonly hear is called the fundamental. All of the sounds that we hear above that fundamental, are referred to as overtones. They can be heard by the human ear at the same time as the fundamental, but they are significantly less obvious. The harmonics sound in order of strength, as it relates to the fundamental. The first sound we hear is the octave, followed by a fifth and a fourth.
For more information on the subject of harmonics, check out this fascinating video!
How else might harmonics be important in music? Tell us in the comments below!
Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines.
MUSCLE MEMORY
Our bodies are amazing at doing so many things. The physiological makeup of our bodies allows us to make music by playing instruments, or by using our voices. One of the most amazing aspects of these bodies is what is commonly referred to as ‘muscle memory’. This term can be a misnomer, because it does not actually mean that memories reside in your muscles.
Instead, our brain has the ability to develop what are known as ‘procedural memories’, an ability which is developed through repetition. By practicing something over and over again, our brain develops synaptic pathways that allow our bodies to perform these tasks without conscious thought.
For musicians, muscle memory can be a tremendous boon. Instrumentalists develop the ability to play scales and other technical aspects of music without conscious thought. Making the technical aspects of musicianship a ‘procedural memory’, allows musicians to focus on the artistic expression of their music. It is also what allows them to learn and remember massive amounts of musical data; so much so that a professional musician can sit down at a piano years later and still play a piece they haven’t performed for many years.
One caveat about muscle memory is that the synaptic pathways do not distinguish between good playing, and poor playing. If you repeatedly practice a scale or a piece incorrectly your brain with put those errors into your procedural memory, and it can be very difficult to ‘un-learn’ those mistakes.
What other effect does physiology have on music? Tell us in the comments below!
Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines.
Sound Waves
The way we understand sound, is a product of the scientific discipline of physics. From the study of physics, we understand that sound is a vibration; a mechanical wave of pressure through air (or sometimes water!)
In the diagram above you can see that the type of wave generated has a great effect on what kind of sound is eventually produced. Sound waves affect volume, pitch, timbre, and dynamic!
Check out this interesting video for a deeper understanding of the physics of sound:
How else is the discipline of physics used in music? Tell us in the comments below!
Music is such a wonderful pursuit for mind and body because it is not just an art form, but combines a myriad of other disciplines, including mathematics, biology, and physics. This series, Math and Science in Music will explore the many ways in which music incorporates a variety of these disciplines.
TIME SIGNATURES
Time signatures are used in Western musical notation to denote rhythm and metre in a piece. The time signature is found at the beginning of the piece and is usually comprised of two numbers:
Math is used in a myriad of different ways when looking at time, rhythm and metre in a piece. Music is mathematically divided into equal parts using measures, and those measures are divided up into equal parts using varied rhythms. Rhythmic values usually differ from measure to measure to make a piece more interesting.
Musicians must become adept not only at translating the rhythmic values they see into their mathematical counterparts, but they often need to subdivide those rhythms in their mind to ensure they’re keeping a steady tempo. This means that they are completing mathematical formulas in their mind, while keeping a steady tempo, and applying artistic expression to their performance! Pretty amazing!
How else might math be used in music? Tell us in the comments below!
Here are three ways in which singing can make you more independent:
#1. Uncertainty:
Because of the transitive nature of music, and performance, musicians must become comfortable with uncertainty. A performance will never be perfect; a piece never played the same way twice. In music, there are no absolutes, and musicians are experts at accepting that. Comfort with uncertainty is important in becoming more independent, because it allows you accept and adapt to whatever comes your way.
#2. Motivation:
Music can seem like an exceptionally overwhelming area of study to those who have never been trained. It requires a great deal of self-motivation to continue to study music, since there are no quick fixes in learning music. Time, patience, and perseverance are the hallmarks of musical education, and this can be intimidating to many, because it seems like there is always too much still to learn. Self-motivation is an important skill in gaining independence; it ensures that your drive to learn and succeed comes from yourself, instead of from external sources.
#3. Discipline:
Although music is an art form, it is also a discipline. The study of music, the act of performance, requires a self-discipline that few other areas do. Learning the music, practicing, and honing a piece for performance means an incredible amount of dedication and commitment. Discipline like this is so important in becoming independent because it ensure that you won’t give up, even when things become difficult or overwhelming.
How else might singing make you more independent? Tell us in the comments below!
Singing has been shown to be beneficial in various ways; it improves breathing, circulation, enhances cognitive abilities, and lowers stress levels. But one of the best outcomes of singing, and particularly singing in a group is the joy and happiness
#1. Good music:
Music has the ability to make us feel a myriad of different emotions, which is one of the reasons why it is such a powerful art form. When we listen to good music, we experience a biological response to the music. Our brains begin to release the chemical dopamine, which is responsible for positive emotions, such as joy.
#2. Singing with others:
We receive pleasure from singing, not just by ourselves, but by singing in community. Many voices together can create more nuanced and layered music than singing alone. The benefits of singing with others include, increased self-esteem and confidence, a larger sense of community, and even biological changes. A recent study has shown that choir singers sync their heartbeats when they sing in ensemble!
#3. A job well done:
Singers often feel a sense of exaltation when they’re performing; a feeling which often extends even after the performance. The exhilaration of performing, is heightened by knowing that you did a great job. Satisfaction, pride and joy, all contribute to the euphoria of singing!
How else might singing be joyful? Tell us in the comments below!
There are many reasons why it is valuable to sing with others, but it is especially beneficial to sing with others of different ages. Here are three reasons why:
#1. Voice types:
For many children, being able to sing with the full spectrum of voice types is something they have to wait until they are grown to experience. Because our program runs from age 3 up until age 25, and because we often sing with adult choirs, and musical groups with varying voice types, we are able to expose our choristers to the full range of the human voice. This is essential to their ear training, and to their confidence as singers, as they move from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood.
#2. Musical Abilities:
We accept singers of all abilities, and this helps us to foster a community of people who above all, love singing. We believe that everyone has something to learn, and that allowing different ages, and musical abilities to come together to make music, ensures that everyone can take something valuable away from the experience.
#3. Mentoring:
In the Calgary Children’s Choir we have developed a mentorship program from our youngest singers to the oldest. This program ensures an inclusive, and welcoming environment for all singers, and provides support to our newest choristers, or those who need extra help with music. Our eldest choristers, look out for the youngest ones (and sometimes vice versa!), ensuring a caring, and committed group of choristers who are happy to be together and make wonderful music!
Why do you think it is valuable for people of all ages to sing together? Tell us in the comments below!
This past weekend we were very excited to be out in Bragg Creek, on our annual retreat to choir camp! Camp is a great opportunity for our choristers to get to know one another better, to rehearse new music, and learn more about what it means to sing as part of an ensemble!
We had a wonderful time in our drumming session with David Kovatch from One World Drum Co.!
The Calgary Youth Choir led us in an amazing activity, in which choristers composed song in the style of an era, like the 50’s, or the 80’s, and then performed them in costume! It was so much fun that even the chaperones got in on the action!
Our skit night was a great event, featuring the amazing musical and compositional talents of our choristers!
We had a lot of fun singing both in rehearsal, and around the campfire, where we would often break into four part harmony!
It was another great year at camp full of music, fun and friendships – old and new!
What was your favourite part of camp? Tell us in the comments below!
#1. Listening:
Listening is an essential aspect of singing, and of music in general, but it is also an important aspect of communicating with others. By listening to others around us, we gain a better understanding of the complete picture, and the diverse perspectives of others.
#2. Understanding Text:
The ability to analyze text in a piece is an important part of singing. The words add an important layer to the music, as discussed in greater detail here. Singers become very adept at understanding exactly what they are singing, and in communicating that effectively with their audience.
Often, the text of music is set to poetry, which can not always be taken in a literal sense. Poetry uses literary devices to beautifully convey sentiment, and it requires singers to not only understand the literal sense of the words, but to deduce the metaphorical meaning as well. This subtext is essential to communicating the true spirit of a piece, and interpreting the meaning musically.
#3. Clarity:
Singers always seek clarity in their performances. Because of the nuance involved in vocal pieces, singers are conscious of always trying to communicate the piece clearly. Enunciation, breath management, and careful consideration of which words to highlight, are all ways in which singers can clarify the meaning of a piece. These are essential communication skills; allowing singers to effectively evoke the character and meaning of whatever they are singing!
How else does singing improve communication skills? Tell us in the comments below!
Welcome to another wonderful, musical year with the CCC!
We have an exciting year lined up, with some new changes in place as our program grows and changes:
– The Music Makers program has expanded to include two levels: Music Makers Level 1 is for ages 3 & 4 and is offered on Thursday from 4:45 – 5:30. Music Makers Level 2 is for 5 year olds and is offered on Thursday from 5:30 – 6:16.
– The Calgary Youth Choir now rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 5:30pm – 8:00pm.
We have three major concerts lined up for this year:
– Christmas concert on Saturday December 12th, 2015 at 7:00pm at the Rozsa Theatre
-Folk concert on Saturday February 27th, 2016 at 7:00pm at the Rozsa Theatre
-Spring concert on Saturday May 14th, 2016 at 7:00pm at the Rozsa Theatre
Our fall choir camp will be from Friday September 25th, 2015 – Sunday September 27th, 2016.
What aspect of choir are you most excited about this year? Tell us in the comments below!
Today we started with the doors to the breakfast hall being locked, so after some confusion and some well placed phone calls by Heather Fradette we got our morning meal in lots of time.
We then walked through Ottawa to get to the national arts centre and got to see some of the prep work for Canada day! Once we arrived we warmed up and started our unisong concert! It was amazing being up on stage with all our new friends and truly singing for the joy of it!
After our 10 AM concert we had some time to go for lunch and walk around down town Ottawa to enjoy the festivities. After lunch we returned to the preforming arts centre and sang/accompanied the national arts centre orchestra. The concert when really well and the absolute highlight was when we were closing the concert with nothing other when ‘Oh Canada’! We were given little paper flags to wave wildly after wards and there was an amazing sense of pride, especially when the crowed cheered and waved their flags and various items with us; It was like nothing else.
After that we had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant and got to go up to parliament hill and see the stage and the street vendors. We then had our final concert. As soon as it was done we hurried back to the hotel to make it back to the centre in time for the fireworks. They were spectacular! We then all headed back to our rooms and headed so bed after an amazing Canada day in the capital.
Today was a very full day, rehearsing en masse with the mind-bogglingly energetic and musically brilliant Dr Sirett. We were especially 8:30 in the morning when the rehearsal started, or six-thirty back home. We would love to learn his secrets. We were a bit bogged down this morning, too, with our formal uniforms for tonight’s choir-to-choir performance.
The school we’re rehearsing in! And some sleepy choristers!
The notations would have made it easy to find our bags… if they hadn’t moved us to a different room.
In three hours, we managed to get through virtually all of our music, and the men even had a sectional. They know French now! We’re so proud. Even after only a few hours of rehearsal, we are really starting to come together as a mass choir under Dr. Sirett’s marvellous management. (He truly is a splendid dictator…er I mean director.) Why don’t you have a listen and see (hear) for yourself! Do we sound cohesive yet? Let us know in the comments down below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhT9HflBei4
After our impressive and slightly (very!) draining three hour rehearsal, we grabbed our bag lunches and dashed to the bus, making our (frenzied) way to the WarMuseum.
Can you see the sleepiness or are we good actors?It’s always difficult to write about moving and painful topics like the one covered in the museum, but the choir handled it pretty gracefully. We did see lots and lots of interesting artefacts, including battlefield surgical kits from several historical wars, an honest-to-goodness Swastika flag captured by Canadian soldiers in the Second World War, and a piece of the Berlin Wall gifted to Canada by Germany after the end of the Cold War.
Oh, we also saw one of Hitler’s parade cars, which is a remarkably imposing vehicle before one considers who used it. Once that is taken into account, it becomes more than a little bit frightening. It was in incredibly good condition, with only one shattered window. Frankly, given who it belonged to, we’re surprised that such a vehicle survived.
Some of the most moving parts of the experience were the WWI and WWII exhibits, which were especially poignant because of the personal accounts and vivid scenery recreations.
Another sobering and thought-provoking aspect of the museum was Memorial Hall, a simple but beautifully designed tribute to fallen Canadians.
Memorial Hall is set up so the sun entering through the window hits the tombstone at 11/11/11, and the permanent ‘shadow’ on the ground runs all the way through the lobby and out the building.
The remainder of the afternoon was spent in another rehearsal, much like the first, only sleepier and fortunately shorter.
After dinner, we got ready for the individual choir performances. It was lovely to hear our newfound friends singing on their own. Apparently we sounded great too!
Rehearsing…
Performing!
After the concert, we headed back to our dorms, and bed.
Our one-of-a-kind T-shirts have received a lot of positive attention. Thanks Kat!
We started the day bright and early with an 8:30 rehearsal with Dr. Sirett, tired and groggy from “the grog”, the music woke us up.
After a lunch on the fly, the bus took us by 22 Sussex Drive, and the Governor General’s house, en route to the Royal Canadian Mint.
After a tour of the inner workings, and a strong man contest with a gold bar, we headed to the National Arts Centre for a rehearsal with the orchestra.
Following the rehearsal, we had some free time, where we walked past the War Memorial, as well as around the By Ward Market, enjoying Beaver Tails, Iced Cream, and Obama Cookies; and even singing a song in the square.
We then proceeded to head back to the NAC for dinner, before one more rehearsal with Dr. Sirett.
We’re ready. Three concerts tomorrow, where we will sing our hearts out, and wave our flags high and proud.
Today was a very eventful day. We went to the Museum Of Canadian History, the mall and had our first mass rehearsal for Unisong!
We woke up quite early to grey skies and the smell of rain, making sure we were dressed in the right choir tee shirt for the day (it matched the sky). Crossing the river into Québec, we went to the Canadian Museum of History – a riveting and informative experience. We learned about the Confederation and Rebellions of 1867. Another exhibit was the Magna Carta, which was showing two of the six documenting the original Magna Carta. There were many other exhibits at the museum: one dedicated to Terry Fox and the other about the ancient Greeks.
The trip to the mall was an explosion of free time and choir children running loose. There was a surprisingly eco friendly serving system, using plastic trays and plates and metal cutlery. When done with the dishes, facility operators cleared and cleaned so they could be used once more.
photo by Paul Vanhoutteghemphoto by Paul Vanhoutteghemphoto by Paul Vanhoutteghemphoto by Paul Vanhoutteghemphoto by Paul Vanhoutteghem
The first mass rehearsal could be best described as busy, exciting and difficult. We met new people and learned new techniques for singing. The man conducting the mass choir is Mark G. Sirett and he focused attention to technique and detail. He was energetic and exuberant! I’m sure tomorrow will be filled with more fun and adventure along with singing!
What a day! Starting off bright and early, we met at the Calgary airport at 8:10 am.
We took off right before noon. The flight was a little bumpy, but fun all the same! Granola bars and good company got us through the long flight.
Arriving in Ottawa, we saw it was cloudy and cool, which is honestly a bit of a relief from the hot weather back home. After singing together on the way to our dorms and eating some well deserved pizza, our first day on tour comes to a close.
On Sunday, May 24th, in the afternoon, we had our final concert of the year; Madrigals and More, featuring the HeeBee-jeebees, and the Edmonton Young Voices choir.
The Rozsa Centre was decorated with a spring theme, featuring lovely maypoles designed by our Creative Consultant, Kat Long. We were thrilled to end our 2014-2015 singing on such a high note (pun intended), singing such pieces as Adiamus, Frobisher Bay, Sing We and Chant It and more!
What was your favourite part of the concert? Tell us in the comments below!
Thank-you to our wonderful CCC community for a fantastic 2014-2015 singing season! Please check back at the end of June for our Tour Blog, as we travel to Ottawa to participate in the Unisong Choral Festival!
Our upcoming Spring Concert on May 24th, 2015 is called Madrigals and More, and unsurprisingly, will feature a type of music known as madrigals!
Madrigals are a type of music that became popular during the Renaissance period. A madrigal is usually a secular vocal piece of music, often unaccompanied by instruments. These types of songs originated in Italy in the early 1500’s, and were the most important secular music of the period.
Madrigals are most notable for their expressive text. Composers were fastidious in ensuring that the vocal lines they wrote highlighted and enhanced the text of the madrigals, creating another layer of expression and communication. Madrigals combined the most beautiful and descriptive poetry of the time, with lively, vivid vocal lines.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w38kHRd0vE
We would love for you to join us at our concert on May 24th, 2015!
The Calgary Children’s Choir is very lucky to have a wonderful artist as part of our staff. Our Creative Consultant, Kat Long-Jones, recently created three new t-shirt designs for the choir to wear on our upcoming tour to the Unisong Choral Festival this summer!
Kat designed these three t-shirts to be something the choristers would want to wear after tour was over, and to serve as a reminder of the fantastic time had on tour!
Kat chose the national animal of Canada, the beaver, for the first design. Since beaver tails have such an interesting texture, Kat elected to modify the tail to include the Calgary Children’s Choir kilt pattern! The beaver is depicted holding a flag heralding the choir, and our upcoming tour destination!
In this design, Kat was inspired by the popular collegiate-style t-shirts. She created a replica of the Canadian flag, using black and red text. The writing on the shirt contains the lyrics from the songs the Calgary Children’s Choir will be singing on tour. This shirt is meant to convey that the Unisong Choral Festival, and our wonderful Canadian nation is made up of music, and communities coming together.
The third design features an Inukshuk, a symbol from our northern First Nations people, and a symbol which is recognized around the world as Canadian. The Inukshuk is built as a physical marker for travellers, but also a spiritual reminder of safe journeys, and the way home. Kat designed this shirt with our choristers in mind, as they travel away from their families to represent our choir on the national stage. The Calgary Children’s Choir logo is seen as a sihouette in the moon – Singing For The Joy Of It!
Our choristers got to see their new tour shirts at our recent choir workshop!
Many thanks to Kat Long-Jones for these beautiful designs!
Which t-shirt design is your favourite? Tell us in the comments below!
As our Calgary Flames play in the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs, it seemed like a great time to write a post about two distinct aspects of our popular culture that may seem incongruous, but are in fact closely aligned – sports and singing!
Anthems:
Anthems are extremely prevalent at sporting events. Almost always, national anthems are performed before the game starts. With the advent of user-generated media content platforms, like YouTube and Vimeo, different kinds of anthems have become popular. Using their creativity, and the technology now readily at hand, anybody can create and share an anthem.
A great example of this is the ‘Never Quit’ anthem written and performed by our friends at Cowtown Opera Company!
Athletic Performance:
There are number of recent studies that demonstrate the many ways in which music can enhance athletic performance! Upbeat music with a strong, steady beat can increase an athlete’s performance by up to 20%! Slower, more lyrical music has been shown to calm and focus an athlete’s mind. As well, in sports that combine art and athleticism, such as figure skating and gymnastics, music can significantly enhance the artistry of the performance!
Atmosphere:
Sporting events always have an electric energy about them – it comes from the excitement of the fans, and the passion of the players and the crowd for the game! Using music featuring strong bass elements, and singable lyrics, sporting events can capture the excitement and energy of the crowd! And it’s not just popular music that can encapsulate that excitement. As demonstrated by the wonderful Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, classical music like O Fortuna from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, can be used to great effect with some newly tweaked lyrics!
What do you think about the relationship between music and sports? Tell us in the comments below!
Music strikes an interesting balance between being an art form and a discipline. It is a difficult process to learn the intricacies of music; understanding the mathematical principles behind music concepts such as time signatures, intervals, and chord progressions. But it is equally difficult to learn how to approach music as an art form; learning to communicate subtle and nuanced emotions, understanding how the music informs text and vice versa, and personally opening up to the music.
Approaching music from an artistic perspective, requires a great deal of vulnerability on the part of the singer, and this can be difficult to manage. Here are three thoughts on understanding the power of vulnerability in music.
#1. Understand the music:
This goes beyond just understanding the structure of the music; learning the rhythm and melody of a piece. A singer needs to also understand the text they’re singing, which we discussed in greater detail here. But even more than that, a singer needs to understand how the music and the text work together; how one informs the other, and how subtleties in both music and text can convey the true nuances of the human experience. Truly understanding the many complicated layers of music is essential for a singer to communicate and connect with the audience.
#2. Connect with the music:
Making a personal connection with the music we are learning is not always as easy as it sounds. Sometimes we have not experienced the event, thoughts or emotions communicated in the music. Thankfully, we do not need to have personally experienced every event and emotion, for us to be able to connect to the music. This is why empathy, the emotion that allows us to see things from another’s perspective, is an important aspect of every artist. Through empathy we can imagine the event or emotion the piece is discussing, even if we do not have these experiences ourselves. Emulating the thoughts and emotions of others, and then communicating those emotions effectively is the hallmark of talented singers, actors, and artists. This connection is what allows us to express the human condition, and it is why art, music, dance and drama, are considered the emblem of civilized society.
#3. Connect with the audience:
One of the most important aspects of performing is connecting with the audience. Music is a wonderful, and powerful way to communicate, and in order to effectively communicate, we must forge a connection with the audience. The most effective way to do this is to allow the audience to see our own understanding, and interpretation of the music, and this comes from our own understanding, and connection with the music. The most difficult aspect of performance is allowing the audience to see that understanding; through our facial expressions, the tone of our voice, our delivery of the music, and in the emotional energy we share with our audience. This is true vulnerability in singing, and it is what allows us to truly create magical, musical moments.
Before you can inspire with emotion, you must be swamped with it yourself. Before you can move their tears, your own must flow. To convince them, you yourself must believe. – Winston Churchill
What are other aspects of vulnerability in singing? Tell us in the comments below!
There are many different ways to sing as part of an ensemble, as we discussed in our blog post A Brief History of Choral Music. When people sing the same part at the same time, it is called Unison singing. When people sing in multiple parts it can be homophonic music – when the voices move at the same time on different pitches, or polyphonic music, when voices move at different times on the same pitches. Canons, or rounds (ex: Row, Row, Row Your Boat) are forms of polyphonic music.
There are several benefits to both types of vocal music:
Unison:
Unison singing really allows singers to focus on how their voices blend together. Often, people think of unison singing as easier than singing in multiple parts, but it can be quite difficult. Since singing in perfect unison demands that all voices blend seamlessly, it can be difficult to remove ego from the process. It involves refinement, subtlety, delicacy, and a light touch.
Multiple Parts:
Singing in multiple parts demands that singers focus on intonation. Singers need to be in tune not only with the instruments, but with the other singers around them; listening carefully for changes in tonality, as the chords made from multiple parts change. Singing in multiple parts also provides a breadth and depth to the vocal sound, by layering the different voices and pitches.
What do you think are the benefits of singing in multiple parts or in unison? Tell us in the comments below!
People have been singing together for as long as we have kept recorded history. The history of Western choral music as we know it today had its origins in sacred music.
Gregorian chant was commonly used in churches as a form of worship. Monks would sing the passages in unison, blending their voices to create the sound that we strive to achieve in modern choir; many voices sounding as one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC6OKIYXBxQ
As music composition matured, the use of several different tones began to be common. Polyphony, or as we began to be used in increasingly complicated iterations. As polyphonic sound increased the breadth and depth of music heard in church, composers began to seek a greater range of sound. Since women were not allowed to sing in church, composers turned to the high soprano sounds of young boys, who were able to sing the treble lines.
Church music reflected the changes of society and with the Reformation of the 16th century, sacred music was forced to adapt. In order to clarify the words sung in sacred music, reformists insisted that there by one syllable per note, thus signaling an end to the prevalence of polyphonic music, and giving rise to homophonic music. Instead of the vertical lines of melody overlapping, there melodies would move at one, on different pitches. Focus on text had another effect on music – it resulted in a greater focus on the marriage between text and melody. This is best reflected in madrigals (which we will feature in our spring concert!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w38kHRd0vE
Choral music began to leak outside of the church, and into more secular performances. Though still used in church, choral music in the secular arena had greater license to experiment away from the rigid strictures of the church. Often instruments would double the voices of the choir, but increasingly, choirs were used to enhance instrumentation, and to add another important layer to music. The use of text allowed another layer of communication, and the audience responded appropriately. Several of the most famous choral moments in history involved the use of large choirs singing with large symphonies, as seen in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony – Ode To Joy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBlQZyTF_LY
With the advent of modern music, many people think that choral music has fallen by the wayside. But this is categorically untrue. More than ever, people seek the togetherness and intimacy that singing with others affords. This is seen with the myriad of choral groups available in every major city in the world. The advent of technology also introduces a new kind of creativity in choral music, best illustrated with events like Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir. (Check out his great Ted Talk about the process!)
Though choral music has a long and illustrious history, it is far from over! If anything choral music is just getting started. After all, the joy and wonder of singing with others is something that will never go out of style!
What is your favourite kind of choral music? Let us know in the comments below!
Musicians often have a healthy dose of confidence. It comes from the self-discipline, self-awareness, and sheer amount of practice that is a part of the process of learning music. Here are four ways in which singing in a choir can increase your confidence:
#1. Conductor:
Despite the myriad of jokes about what exactly a conductor’s purpose is on stage, they are actually a very important aspect of the musical process. Our director is a guide, not only through the process of learning the music; pointing out important technical aspects, and instructing us in the interpretation of the music. There is an implicit trust that develops between conductors and choristers, and that trust can be seen on stage, when a conductor has to manage the many moving parts of a performance. Unconditional trust is an inherent aspect of confidence – it allows singers to get up in front of people, and put their full heart into the performance.
#2. Peer to peer learning:
Confidence comes from knowing those around you support you. And what better way to support someone, than by teaching them? In a choir setting, choristers are not just learning about music from the conductor, but from those sitting around them as well. In the Calgary Children’s Choir we actively encourage peer mentorship, from implementing a buddy system between our youngest singers, and the oldest, and creating collaborative concert settings.
#3. Opportunity to perform:
As a choral group we have at least three large concerts that are part of our singing season. We also have several other singing engagements throughout the year. Because of this, our choristers have many opportunities to practice performing. With every concert, or performance, our choristers become more self-assured, more confident in their ability to stand up in front of an audience and sing!
#4. Part of a team:
When our choristers get up on stage to perform, they know that they won’t be up there by themselves; they will have the rest of the choir up there with them. That is the beauty of choral singing; many voices as one. Knowing that you have others with you, enhancing your own sound, supporting you, and together, creating something beautiful greatly increases confidence. Singing is terrific, but singing with others, is truly something special!
Do you think singing in a choir increases confidence? Tell us in the comments below!
The Calgary Children’s Choir has three major performances a year; our Christmas concert, our Folk Concert, and our Spring concert. Sometimes we’ll have other singing engagements sprinkled in as well. Much of the music that we learn throughout the year is chosen for one of those concerts, but sometimes we learn music without having a specific performance in mind. There are several reasons why we find value in learning music that is not for performance:
Practical Elements:
Often we learn a piece of music to demonstrate a certain aspect of music to our choristers. This could be anything from multi-part harmonies, to great vocal leaps, appropriate breathing techniques, or poignant text. What our choristers take from a piece of music should be from our rehearsals and exercises, our workshops and the practice they might do at home. A piece of repertoire is a valuable way to provide an example of a musical technique, but that doesn’t mean that we have to perform that piece.
Music For Its Own Sake:
While it is wonderful to perform, we shouldn’t think of music as valuable only in the context of performance. Much of what makes learning music so amazing – the self-discipline, the hard work, the hours of practice, are all aspects that are not readily seen in a performance. It is important that we teach our choristers that learning music is important because music itself is important, and not just the act of performing music.
Do you think every piece you learn needs to be performed? Tell us in the comments below!
For many of us, singing is already a big part of our lives; we have choir rehearsals, workshops and concerts. But singing on a daily basis, even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time has several impressive benefits:
#1. Stamina:
As with any muscle, the more you work out your voice, the better you will sound. The voice needs constant practice to gain better breath support, vocal range, and agility. The more you practice, the longer you can sing, the better your ear will pick up the nuances of difficult repertoire, and the more comfortable you’ll be with your instrument!
#2. Break Time:
Singing can be a great way to change up your day, particularly if it has been a long, stressful one! Singing requires a very intense focus, and is a particularly immersive endeavour, so it can be an excellent way to clear your mind, and to relieve any stress you may be experiencing. As well, using singing as a break from the stresses of your life, can ensure better focus when you do need to return to work.
#3. It’s so good for you:
There are so many emotional, psychological, and physiological benefits to singing. And the more you sing, the more you can reap the benefits! From increased lung capacity, to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), a recent study has even shown that singing can assist in regulating blood pressure! Singing also released endorphins in your brain, which are the ‘feel good’ hormones!
Do you sing every day? What do you like most about singing? Tell us in the comments below!
