It was difficult for me to sing in Russian language and memorizing the lines because I have been talking and thinking in English and when I was singing I had to think it Russian. I thought I did well on that even if it was hard. I also found confident in myself to sing in front of people I know .Singing in Russian is more difficult then it seems , its so different from English ( the tone , the way you sing out the words) and because of that I practiced a lot , while I had my IB exams.
2) const. crit. :/
I was shaking a lot and one could hear that from my singing. My biggest critic is that I was moving around and that didn't look professional and it was distracting. I was also looking back ( I do not know why ). Next time I need to acknowledge that.
3) what did you learn? :D
I thought after I had preformed my song is that I have improved in my singing skills. Listening to myself from last year recordings and this years, I have become more confident in myself and comfortable to sing out in front of people. I have also learned how sining in front of a small crowed compared to a big one is very different. I feel more comfortable on stage then in front of a small group of people that I know. But overall I had fun and it was very meaningful for me.
This song is kind is mix between carrel choir music, church music and celtic. I thought of winter and christmas, the hot chocolate and children waiting for presents.
b.) Did you like the music? Why or why not?
This piece of music is fantastic. This is the first time I hear a mix between the two types of music. I always listen carefully for soprano because I am one in choir to help me improve my singing techniques and they are just beautiful!
c.) What does the music do (discuss dynamics, tempos, articulation, etc.)?
The dynamics are wavy and smooth like the waves. The tempo is not fast and not slow , it is in between but it is still energetic.
d.) What instruments/voices do you hear? How are these sounds employed to create the mood of the piece?
The men are very powerful hear they really uplift the dynamics, help the sopranos help to reach the high and help all the voices of the choir.
TITLE: What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor? from Sea Shanties
ARRANGED BY: Robert Shaw & Alice Parker
PERFORMERS: The Men of the Robert Shaw Chorale
a.) What did the music make you think of?
This song makes me feel very jolly and I automatically thought about the blue salty sea , the warm breeze and the sound of seagulls shouting.
b.) Did you like the music? Why or why not?
I loved this song! Because I already knew this song from one of my favorite video games "Assassins Creed: The Black Flag" I played and it was stuck in my head for a month last year.
c.) What does the music do (discuss dynamics, tempos, articulation, etc.)?
In the beginning of the song the voices of the are soft and the volume is low. Then it grows loader and loader and more and more people join in singing. The tempo is steady, calm but at the same time bouncy.
d.) What instruments/voices do you hear? How are these sounds employed to create the mood of the piece?
There are no instruments in this music only voices as because the sea shanties are sang by the sailors/pirates on the boat. And their voices are their instruments. This helps them to lift up their spirit for long sails and adventures ahead :)
This scene really reminded me the scene from Romeo and Juliet after the ball when Romeo comes to the balcony and sees Juliet.
The similarities between Maria is that both of the song start soft and calm , but in the middle both of them get loader and exited! The difference however is that after the exiting middle it goes calm again and Maria doesn't have that.
West Side Story-I Feel Pretty
The music in this song underlines all the ending of her lines and adds big dynamics plus the rhythm changes when her friends start to sing with her . When Maria sings alone the rhythm changes faster. This gives a feeling that her feelings are bouncy and fast. She is in love :) When you are in love you feel pretty <3
The girls think that she is crazy because of her unusual mood and way of talking. And because she looks different.
This song is sang by Anita that was played by Rita Moreno ( Puerto Rican actress and singer ). Anita is a friend of Maria that is her brothers girlfriend , Bernardo. She sings the song America in an Puerto Rican accent giving the spicy taste of their culture. The dancing really reminds me of Flamenco (Spanish dancing). By the Lyrics you can clearly see that she likes America and says if you don't like it here then you can leave or go back.
West Side Story-Maria
Tony while sining this song , after time he loves her more and more , like he is talking to himself. He is like explaining why he loves her , her name seems so beautiful to him . If he says it load its like music to him , if he says it softly its like he is praying.
1. Explain the roles of the gangs and how they felt about each other.
There are two gangs that want to take their place under the sun. The Jets that is a White American gang, doesn't want The Sharks that are immigrants from Puerto Rica to take control of their place. And they have a big tension between each other.
2. Why do you think it would have been difficult for Maria and Tony to be in love?
It was difficult to be in love for Maria and Tony because they belonged to two different gangs that were fighting with each other.
3. What differences between the groups creates problems between them?
The main difference was because of the American/Puerto Rican problem at that time of period..
PERFORMERS: Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly & Jules Munshin
a.) What did the music make you think of?
New York , New york! First when you think of the city New York you imagine America ,the Statue of Liberty , tall grey buildings that nearly touch the sky, busy place , a lot of people minding there own business and cool shops! Plus this music is very catchy and Its Jazz !
The I love the 1940s , the music the dancing the fashion , especially the fashion. And you instantly get this 1940s mood from the beginning of the song.
b.) Did you like the music? Why or why not?
I really liked , after listening to this song I want to watch the whole movie. I enjoy old movies and music. And this is like a history lesson for me , when studding old music and where it started ( like Jazz ) , who created it and when it became popular.
c.) What does the music do (discuss dynamics, tempos, articulation, etc.)?
Really nice start of the song . All of their voices fit perfectly together ! It is so nice listening to them sing . The tempo makes you want to clap , and move one foot like they did at that time of period.
d.) What instruments/voices do you hear? How are these sounds employed to create the mood of the piece?
I think the actors/singers are all tenors.
In the song I could hear Saxophones , Trumpets , Trombones , piano , Basses , and of course drums .
New York, New York Lyrics
GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE: New York, New York! It's a helluva town!
GABEY: We've got one day here and not another minute To see the famous sights!
OZZIE: We'll find the romance and danger waiting in it Beneath the Broadway lights; But we've hair on our chests So what we like the best are the nights Sights! Lights! Nights!
GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE: New York, New York, a helluva town. The Bronx is up, but the Battery's down. The people ride in a hole in the groun'. New York, New York, it's a helluva town!
CHIP: (points to Empire State Building) Hey, Gabey! Gabey, look.
(consulting his guidebook with reverence and excitement)
Gabey, it says here "There are 20,000 streets in New York, not counting MacDougal Alley the heart of Green-Witch Village, a charming thoroughfare filled with..."
OZZIE: Here we go again!
CHIP: The famous places to visit are so many, Or so the guidebooks say. I promised Daddy I wouldn't miss on any. And we have just one day. Got to see the whole town From Yonkers on down to the Bay.
GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE: In just one day!
New York, New York, a visitor's place, Where no one lives on account of the pace, But seven millions are screaming for space. New York, New York, it's a visitor's place!
(Two sailors enter, weaving and weary-looking - one happy, one very glum.)
GABEY: Hey! Look who's comin' back! It's Tom and Andy!
OZZIE: Hey, Tom, Andy! Hey, fellas, how are the New York dames?
ANDY: Wonderful - I don't remember a thing!
TOM: Awful! I remember everything!
(Tom and Andy exit.)
OZZIE:
Manhattan women are dressed in silk and satin, Or so the fellas say; There's just one thing that's important in Manhattan, When you have just one day; Gotta pick up a date...
CHIP: Maybe seven...
OZZIE: Or eight On your way.
GABEY, CHIP, OZZIE: In just one day!
New York, New York, a helluva town. The Bronx is up, but the Battery's down. The people ride in a hole in the groun'. New York, New York, it's a helluva town!!
