Singing

10/09/14

Today we had a singing class with the 2nd years. We learned a song in harmony called "oh freedom". This song was sung by the African-American slaves after the Civil War, when they were released from slavery & was made popular by Odetta, a famous singer, involved in musical theatre.

Oh freedom, Oh freedom, Oh freedom over me                                                                                 

And before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave

And go home to my Lord and be free

No more weeping, no more weeping, no more weeping over me

And before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave

And go home to my Lord and be free

There'll be singing, there'll be singing, there'll be singing over me

And before I'll be a slave, I'll be buried in my grave

And go home to my Lord, and be free                                                                                  

I was singing with the altos. I thought singing with the 2nd years was great, because they were confident, and having confident people around you helps you being more confident yourself. I started struggling with the notes at the end because I couldn't remember everything.

I think I can improve my focus to remember the notes more quickly so I don't get lost at the end of the song. 

Warm Ups

We have a few routine warm ups such as diaphragm kicks (e-e-eh e-e-a-a-a) ; tongue twisters (red leather yellow leather; unic new york; good blood bad blood) and our exercise to develop the belt "hey you, he-e-e-e-ey). I feel ok doing them but I wanna feel great so bring on the work!

We also have two short songs that we sing as a warm up "A Poor Bird" and "Sometimes What You're Looking For"

01/09/14

Today we've done some breathing exercises during the warm up. We worked on how to "stock" the air in our diaphragm, lungs and "any other available space" and how to let the air go regularly so it lasts longer. 
We also worked on posture, straight back and arms, knees slightly bent and head up

08/09/14

Today we learnt a new song, "Rose Will I Ever See Thee Wed" 

"Rose rose rose red

Will I ever see thee wed

I will marry at thy will sire

At thy will."

We also had a moment to stage it!

22/10/14

Andrew is a british composer of musical theatre. He was born on March 1948 in London, in a family of musicians. He started writing his own music at a young age (he's first published composition was in 1965 although it wasn't publicly played before 2005, it was "the likes of us" with Tim Rice). 

His most famous musicals include:

• Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968)
• Jesus Christ Superstar (1970)
• Eviota (1976)
• Tell Me On A Sunday (1979)
• Cats (1981)
• Song And Dance (1982)
• Starlight express (1984)
• The Phantom Of The Opera (1986)
• Aspects Of Love (1989)
• Sunset Boulevard (1993)
• Love Never Dies (2010)
• The Wizard Of Oz (2011)
• Stephen Ward (2013)

10/21/14

Today we started working on a few Christmas songs that we're gonna sing on Monday. We did "O come all ye faithful"

We also did "Let it Snow", "Winter Wonderland" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing". 

We are also gonna sing "Somebody To Love"