Thank you to everyone who participated in the Magic of Music classes this week! As promised below is a link to all the videos we watched in our history classes.History Playlist
If you have any questions please leave a comment or send me an email!
Monday, February 18, 2013
Magic of Music History Classes
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Magic of Music classes this week! As promised below is a link to all the videos we watched in our history classes.History Playlist
If you have any questions please leave a comment or send me an email!
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Bad weather, bad men
Be reminded! All MHC choirs start back this week! The Children's Choir and the Adult Choir are always seeking new members. If you or someone you know is interested in singing, please contact the Conservatory 403-529-3880.
Adult Choir - Tuesday, January 8; 7-9pm
Girls' Choir - Wednesday, January 9
Children's Choir - Wednesday, January 9; 5:45-6:45
This semester the Adult Choir will be preparing for a concert titled "Bad weather, Bad men" which will feature Canadian folk songs pertaining to the title. Also, the Girls' Choir will be adding to their list of Canadian repertoire in preparation for their upcoming tour to Scotland!
See you this week!
Adult Choir - Tuesday, January 8; 7-9pm
Girls' Choir - Wednesday, January 9
Children's Choir - Wednesday, January 9; 5:45-6:45
This semester the Adult Choir will be preparing for a concert titled "Bad weather, Bad men" which will feature Canadian folk songs pertaining to the title. Also, the Girls' Choir will be adding to their list of Canadian repertoire in preparation for their upcoming tour to Scotland!
See you this week!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Bad...
Repertoire for the MHC Adult Choir Winter 2013 season is all ready to go... The title of this post is your hint. More details to come!
Friday, November 2, 2012
One month until Christmas...concert!
The Medicine Hat College Conservatory of Music and Dance is proud to present this year's annual Choral Christmas Concert! The MHC Children's Choir, Girls' Choir, and Adult Choir will be featured in this upcoming concert. We are also proud to be accompanied by the MHC Academy Orchestra in presenting Camille Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio. Read on to learn a bit more about the Academy Orchestra's and Adult Choir's upcoming performance.
Born in Paris, France and best known for his composition Carnvial of the Animals, Saint-Saëns quickly learned music theory, piano, several languages, math, and various other academic subjects. After his intelligences were discovered, his teachers were quick to help nurture his abilities. Saint-Saëns soon became friends with many other composers such as Liszt and Fauré. In addition to his many natural abilities, Saint-Saëns supposedly also had perfect pitch!
What is perfect pitch? The best way to explain this gift is to imagine how fresh (or un-fresh) your brain is in the morning. If you were asked to sing or identify a 'G' right after waking up, most people would not be able to produce the correct answer. However, a select few are able to do this without any trouble. Identifying or producing a pitch is as natural and easy as identify or producing a commonly spoken English word. It is important to consider this talent in light of the morning because many people have something called relative pitch. Relative pitch means that once you know that you have successfully identified a note, you are able to successfully identify every note you hear afterwards. This means that at any point during the day you can relate the pitch you already know to the pitch you are hearing and you are then able to identify it. When you wake up in the morning however, you have nothing to refer to thus making it impossible to identify a pitch without a prior reference point.
Saint-Saëns is rumored to write his Oratorio de Noël, or Christmas Oratorio in less than ten days in order to meet pressures from his employer. It includes a small string orchestra, organ, harp, soloists, and choir. Because there are no harp players who live in Medicine Hat, we will substitute some sort of keyboard instrument for the harp. Also, in order to allow the choir (and audiences) maximal enjoyment, the majority of the solo, duet, and trio parts will be sung by the entire choir. Saint-Saëns modeled several movements after the most famous (even at his time) Johann Sebastian Bach, including the initial Prelude and movements echoing the same theme. Written in 6/8 time, these 'pastoral' movements are reminiscent of shepherds in their fields who played instruments like flutes and recorders while tending their sheep.
Perhaps the most famous movement of Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio is the last movement. Familiar to most choral music fans, it is a strong, triumphant, and fitting end to the joyous re-telling of the Christmas story.
We look forward to you joining us at this joyous concert! Join us on Sunday, December 2 at 3pm at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church to hear some glorious music!
Merry Christmas!
Born in Paris, France and best known for his composition Carnvial of the Animals, Saint-Saëns quickly learned music theory, piano, several languages, math, and various other academic subjects. After his intelligences were discovered, his teachers were quick to help nurture his abilities. Saint-Saëns soon became friends with many other composers such as Liszt and Fauré. In addition to his many natural abilities, Saint-Saëns supposedly also had perfect pitch!
What is perfect pitch? The best way to explain this gift is to imagine how fresh (or un-fresh) your brain is in the morning. If you were asked to sing or identify a 'G' right after waking up, most people would not be able to produce the correct answer. However, a select few are able to do this without any trouble. Identifying or producing a pitch is as natural and easy as identify or producing a commonly spoken English word. It is important to consider this talent in light of the morning because many people have something called relative pitch. Relative pitch means that once you know that you have successfully identified a note, you are able to successfully identify every note you hear afterwards. This means that at any point during the day you can relate the pitch you already know to the pitch you are hearing and you are then able to identify it. When you wake up in the morning however, you have nothing to refer to thus making it impossible to identify a pitch without a prior reference point.
Saint-Saëns is rumored to write his Oratorio de Noël, or Christmas Oratorio in less than ten days in order to meet pressures from his employer. It includes a small string orchestra, organ, harp, soloists, and choir. Because there are no harp players who live in Medicine Hat, we will substitute some sort of keyboard instrument for the harp. Also, in order to allow the choir (and audiences) maximal enjoyment, the majority of the solo, duet, and trio parts will be sung by the entire choir. Saint-Saëns modeled several movements after the most famous (even at his time) Johann Sebastian Bach, including the initial Prelude and movements echoing the same theme. Written in 6/8 time, these 'pastoral' movements are reminiscent of shepherds in their fields who played instruments like flutes and recorders while tending their sheep.
Perhaps the most famous movement of Saint-Saëns' Christmas Oratorio is the last movement. Familiar to most choral music fans, it is a strong, triumphant, and fitting end to the joyous re-telling of the Christmas story.
We look forward to you joining us at this joyous concert! Join us on Sunday, December 2 at 3pm at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church to hear some glorious music!
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Back to School, Back to Singing!
It's time to start gearing up for another year of fantastic music making! Here are some reminders and some information about the upcoming season:
First Rehearsals
MHC Adult Choir - Tuesday, September 11, 7pm
MHC Girls' Choir - Wednesday, September 12, 7pm
MHC Children's Choir - Wednesday, September 12, 5:45pm
Reportoire
MHC Adult Choir - Christmas Oratorio (Oratorio de Noel) by Camille Saint-Saens. Check out some info on Saint-Saens, and listen to a sample here.
MHC Girl's Choir - A selection of music composed by Canadians including an a cappella Latin Mass by Stephanie Martin, We Rise Again which was made popular by the Rankin Family, and two modern motets about being female, Sisters and This Morning by Gwyneth Walker
MHC Children's Choir - a bunch of fun yet challenging stuff, just like always!
Concert
All three groups will share a Christmas Concert this year. Sunday, December 2, 3pm, Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church
First Rehearsals
MHC Adult Choir - Tuesday, September 11, 7pm
MHC Girls' Choir - Wednesday, September 12, 7pm
MHC Children's Choir - Wednesday, September 12, 5:45pm
Reportoire
MHC Adult Choir - Christmas Oratorio (Oratorio de Noel) by Camille Saint-Saens. Check out some info on Saint-Saens, and listen to a sample here.
MHC Girl's Choir - A selection of music composed by Canadians including an a cappella Latin Mass by Stephanie Martin, We Rise Again which was made popular by the Rankin Family, and two modern motets about being female, Sisters and This Morning by Gwyneth Walker
MHC Children's Choir - a bunch of fun yet challenging stuff, just like always!
Concert
All three groups will share a Christmas Concert this year. Sunday, December 2, 3pm, Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Medicine Hat College Girls Choir takes passion from director - Medicine Hat News
Check it out! Medicine Hat News did a great article about the success of the choral program at the College!!!
Medicine Hat College Girls Choir takes passion from director - Medicine Hat News
Medicine Hat College Girls Choir takes passion from director - Medicine Hat News
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Zimbe!
Zimbe! is a brilliant fusion of traditional African song and jazz, in a
format which is already drawing together singers of all ages, ability and
nationalities across the globe. The music is accessible, instantly likeable and
fun to learn as well as to perform.
Composer Alexander L'Estrange,
himself a highly regarded jazz pianist and bass player, has chosen songs from
all over Africa and arranged them wonderfully, interleaving the choral writing
with the instruments of the jazz ensemble.
This is a work which forges links
between adult choirs and massed children's choirs, placing singing at the heart
of the community as it always has been in Africa. And, since jazz grew out of
blues which itself sprang from the mouths of African people, what better
accompaniment for these songs than a jazz quintet? Zimbe! is at times touching and moving,
at other times funky and grooving and all of the time incredibly uplifting both
for performers and audiences alike.
Check out the Zimbe! website for information on CD recordings, iTunes tracks, part learning help, and other interesting and helpful resources. Also check out the Zimbe! Facebook
site.
The MHC Adult Choir is welcoming new members who are interested in singing, meeting new people, and preparing a concert of African works. No experience is necessary, only an interest in music and a desire to work hard and enjoy the results. If you or anyone you know is interested in joining, please contact Bradley van Middelkoop,
Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 7-9pm at the Cultural Centre and begin on January 10. Looking forward to an exciting term learning some fantastic African choral music!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Adult Choir - Fall 2011 - Gustav Holst
Hi All! I hope you are having a fantastic summer! Just looking ahead to the Fall semester and our Christmas concert and thought I'd give you some advanced info! So, for all you keeners, you can check out the following links of Gustav Holst's Christmas music, which of course, we will be featuring in our 2011 Christmas concert.
Christmas Day, A Choral Fantasy on Old Carols - Score! - Listen!
Lullay my Liking - Score! - Listen!
Four Old English Carols - Score!
1. A Babe is Born - Listen!
2. Now Let Us Sing
3. Jesu, Thou the Virgin Born
4. The Saviour of the World is Born - Listen!
Personant hodie - Score! - Listen!
Psalm 86: To my humble supplication - Score! - Listen!
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Score! - Listen!
This is not an exhaustive list of reportoire for our concert, but it should give you keeners a good start!
Looking forward to seeing you all Tuesday, September 13, 7pm at the Cultural Centre!
Christmas Day, A Choral Fantasy on Old Carols - Score! - Listen!
Lullay my Liking - Score! - Listen!
Four Old English Carols - Score!
1. A Babe is Born - Listen!
2. Now Let Us Sing
3. Jesu, Thou the Virgin Born
4. The Saviour of the World is Born - Listen!
Personant hodie - Score! - Listen!
Psalm 86: To my humble supplication - Score! - Listen!
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence - Score! - Listen!
This is not an exhaustive list of reportoire for our concert, but it should give you keeners a good start!
Looking forward to seeing you all Tuesday, September 13, 7pm at the Cultural Centre!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Concert: Mozart's Missa Brevis in D minor
Come hear Mozart's Lenten Mass in D minor this Sunday, April 17 at 3pm at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church.
You will also be treated to several other of Mozart's shorter works and the sounds of a saxophone Sonata performed by Brendan Catalano and Elaine Dobek-Shandro.
Tickets available at the Cultural Centre office or at the door. $10/$5.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Adult Choir TOUR!?!?!?!?!?!?
In the summer of 2009, the MHC Girls' Choir went on tour to France and The Netherlands. One week of the trip was spent at a very unique choral music festival - Europa Cantat Utrecht 2009. The Europa Cantat festival takes place every three years and allows individual singers, choristers, and ensembles to meet people from around the world, and listen and perform choral music with one another.
From July 27 - August 5, 2012, the festival takes place again, this time in Torio, Italy. The website (Europa Cantat Torino 2012) is still under construction, however, you can get a good idea of what the festival will look like by checking out the Utrecht 2009 link above.
Because the Girls' Choir (and all of the accompanying adults) enjoyed the last festival so much, I am proposing that the MHC Adult Choir attend the 2012 festival in Torino. I realize that the summer of 2012 is quite far in the future, however, because of the logistical nature of a trip such as this it is important to start thinking about it as early as possible.
A few words about how the festival is organized:
Each registrant chooses an "atilier" or a choir that he/she will join for the duration of the festival. The choice of atiliers is amazing; choirs range from hip hop to classical to stage production and more. At the end of the week, each atilier performs what they've prepared. Each atilier is conducted by a world renowned guest clinician.
Entire choirs can register for the festival and therefore have the opportunity to put on several concerts of their own repertoire throughout the week. As the MHC Adult Choir, we would likely have a very Canadian repertoire list and perform concerts dressed like Canadians (whatever that is...).
The great thing about this set up is that we can determine our level involvement depending on how many people are planning to go. If we have a group of people who constitute a viable choir (that is, enough sopranos, altos, etc.) then we can register as a choir. If not, then we register as individuals, but still attend as a group.
There are certainly many things to consider regarding an Adult Choir tour. At this point, I'd just like you to consider whether this would be an option for you. Spouses, families, and friends would all be invited, of course, and they could determine their own level of involvement. There would also be opportunity to extend our tour to include other Italian destinations if we want.
Consider it and email me with your thoughts!
From July 27 - August 5, 2012, the festival takes place again, this time in Torio, Italy. The website (Europa Cantat Torino 2012) is still under construction, however, you can get a good idea of what the festival will look like by checking out the Utrecht 2009 link above.
Because the Girls' Choir (and all of the accompanying adults) enjoyed the last festival so much, I am proposing that the MHC Adult Choir attend the 2012 festival in Torino. I realize that the summer of 2012 is quite far in the future, however, because of the logistical nature of a trip such as this it is important to start thinking about it as early as possible.
A few words about how the festival is organized:
Each registrant chooses an "atilier" or a choir that he/she will join for the duration of the festival. The choice of atiliers is amazing; choirs range from hip hop to classical to stage production and more. At the end of the week, each atilier performs what they've prepared. Each atilier is conducted by a world renowned guest clinician.
Entire choirs can register for the festival and therefore have the opportunity to put on several concerts of their own repertoire throughout the week. As the MHC Adult Choir, we would likely have a very Canadian repertoire list and perform concerts dressed like Canadians (whatever that is...).
The great thing about this set up is that we can determine our level involvement depending on how many people are planning to go. If we have a group of people who constitute a viable choir (that is, enough sopranos, altos, etc.) then we can register as a choir. If not, then we register as individuals, but still attend as a group.
There are certainly many things to consider regarding an Adult Choir tour. At this point, I'd just like you to consider whether this would be an option for you. Spouses, families, and friends would all be invited, of course, and they could determine their own level of involvement. There would also be opportunity to extend our tour to include other Italian destinations if we want.
Consider it and email me with your thoughts!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Mozart Missa Brevis in D minor
Happy Winter Adult Choir!
As you know, we are going to tackle Mozart's Missa Brevis in D minor this semester. I've put together a playlist of some good videos on YouTube that will help you learn this piece. Click here to check it out!
Because the Missa Brevis is short (it is literally translated as "short mass" and only includes the Mass Ordinary) we will have to learn something else in order to fill out a concert. I am currently considering a few options, but haven't come to a final decision. You can, however, expect something that will compliment Mozart for the first half of our concert.
Enjoy the videos and we'll see you back for our first rehearsal on
Tuesday, January 11, 7pm, MHC Cultural Centre!
Happy New Year!
As you know, we are going to tackle Mozart's Missa Brevis in D minor this semester. I've put together a playlist of some good videos on YouTube that will help you learn this piece. Click here to check it out!
Because the Missa Brevis is short (it is literally translated as "short mass" and only includes the Mass Ordinary) we will have to learn something else in order to fill out a concert. I am currently considering a few options, but haven't come to a final decision. You can, however, expect something that will compliment Mozart for the first half of our concert.
Enjoy the videos and we'll see you back for our first rehearsal on
Tuesday, January 11, 7pm, MHC Cultural Centre!
Happy New Year!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
MHC Christmas Concert
Tuesday, December 14: 7pm
College Theatre
Tickets $5/$10 at Cultural Centre or at door
Join the MHC Adult Choir, Girls' Choir, Children's Choir, and Junior Children's Choir in a choral celebration of Christmas! Hear Christmas carols old and new, and from near and far! This will be a sold out show, so get your tickets early!
Merry Christmas!
College Theatre
Tickets $5/$10 at Cultural Centre or at door
Join the MHC Adult Choir, Girls' Choir, Children's Choir, and Junior Children's Choir in a choral celebration of Christmas! Hear Christmas carols old and new, and from near and far! This will be a sold out show, so get your tickets early!
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A Dreadful Practice - a MHC Choir Halloween Concert
Saturday, October 30, 7pm
College Theatre
Tickets $5/$10 at Cultural Centre or door
Join the MHC Adult Choir, Girls Choir, and Children's Choir as we sing about witches, trolls, dragons, and more! Featured works: The Witches' Scene from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, The Witches' Chorus from Verdi's MacBeth, and Hall of the Mountain King from Grieg's Peer Gynt.
Happy Halloween!
College Theatre
Tickets $5/$10 at Cultural Centre or door
Join the MHC Adult Choir, Girls Choir, and Children's Choir as we sing about witches, trolls, dragons, and more! Featured works: The Witches' Scene from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, The Witches' Chorus from Verdi's MacBeth, and Hall of the Mountain King from Grieg's Peer Gynt.
Happy Halloween!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Conservatory Class Dates and Times
Happy Back to School! Here is a reminder about the dates and times of your Conservatory classes! All classes begin the week of September 13 and all classes are held at the Medicine Hat College Conservatory of Music and Dance.
Junior Choir A (ages 5-6) - Wednesdays, 4:00-4:45
Junior Choir B (ages 7-8) - Wednesdays, 4:45-5:30
Children's Choir (ages 9-14) - Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45
Girls' Choir (ages 12-19) - Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00
Adult Choir - Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00
Rudiments of Music Theory - Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00
Music Theory and Harmony - Tuesdays, 5:00-6:00
Overview of Music History - Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00
The theory and history classes are intended for all ages. Many adults will find the Overview of Music History course very informative and enjoyable. There are no formal grades or tests given in class; success is based on the time and effort each student devotes to reading and homework outside of class time. Students may wish, however, to register for a Royal Conservatory examination, and these classes will prepare students to write these exams successfully.
The Royal Conservatory of Music has recently changed the names and levels of their theory and history classes - I have not included these names in this information. If you are unsure which course to enroll in, or what level would be best suited for you, please contact me.
Looking forward to a fantastic year of music!
Junior Choir A (ages 5-6) - Wednesdays, 4:00-4:45
Junior Choir B (ages 7-8) - Wednesdays, 4:45-5:30
Children's Choir (ages 9-14) - Wednesdays, 5:45-6:45
Girls' Choir (ages 12-19) - Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00
Adult Choir - Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00
Rudiments of Music Theory - Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00
Music Theory and Harmony - Tuesdays, 5:00-6:00
Overview of Music History - Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00
The theory and history classes are intended for all ages. Many adults will find the Overview of Music History course very informative and enjoyable. There are no formal grades or tests given in class; success is based on the time and effort each student devotes to reading and homework outside of class time. Students may wish, however, to register for a Royal Conservatory examination, and these classes will prepare students to write these exams successfully.
The Royal Conservatory of Music has recently changed the names and levels of their theory and history classes - I have not included these names in this information. If you are unsure which course to enroll in, or what level would be best suited for you, please contact me.
Looking forward to a fantastic year of music!
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