| Forum message: What choral music moves you deeply? | Susan Nace | January 17, 2012 |
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Dear colleagues,
I am working on a long term project of a series of articles about choral music. I have an online survey up at survey monkey. Please click link OR you may also post your answers here!
The online survey is anonymous unless you wish to sh... |
| Comment: Re: Movies to show in choir | Susan Nace | December 28, 2011 |
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More Online Resources:
Evelyn Glennie, the deaf percussionist, on How to Listen
Bobby McFerrin and the power of the pentatonic scale
Pamelia Kursten and The theremin
Rowan Atkinson and the invisible drum kit
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| Comment: Re: Healthy straight tone vs. "shimmering" vibrato | Susan Nace | December 18, 2011 |
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Ragnar Bohlin, choir master of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, uses the term "shimmer" meaning to add a little vibrato at the end of phrases or towards the end of an extended note, "to keep the tone alive and the phrase vibrant." He studied with Eric Ericson. I'm wondering if this is a "Nordic"... |
| Comment: Re: American Women Feature Vocal Fry Frequently | Susan Nace | December 18, 2011 |
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I wonder if it is limited to young women? Afterall, women who speak American English have been lowering their speaking pitch for several years. I read the article aloud and found that even I put a slight fry on final vowels and voiced consonants at the end of sentences. It will be interesting to l... |
| Comment: Re: voice videos? | Susan Nace | November 28, 2011 |
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Here are a few links I have from Online
Real Time MRI of Vocal Performance
Voice Videos Larynx Photos
Please review the videos first before showing to Middle Schoolers. Sometimes they do not have the maturity to appreciate what they are seeing. Sometimes drawings are a little less "grap... |
| Comment: Re: University level, but beginning SSAA repertoire | Susan Nace | July 31, 2011 |
| Durufle - Tota pulchra set
Holst - Choral Hymns from the Rig Veda
Arr. Patriquin - J'entends le moulin
Vaughan Williams - In Windsor Forest ( gorgeous set!)
Alice Parker - Women on the Plains set
Mark Sirett - Watane
Montoya- African Processional
Elgar - The Snow
Tormis - Lauliku lapsepoli
Ogura - H... |
| Comment: Re: Class Voice and Private Voice Textbooks | Susan Nace | June 27, 2011 |
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I use Power Performance for Singers: Transcending the Barriers by Shirlee Emmons and Alma Thomas.
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| Comment: Re: Music for very small Women's Ensemble | Susan Nace | June 1, 2011 |
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Thanks to all of you for generously sharing your wisdom, expertise, and talent. I will contact those of you who have offered your work in the next couple of weeks.
Trying to close out the year at school!
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| Forum message: Feedback on Perillo Tours? | Susan Nace | May 25, 2011 |
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Hi,
I'm looking at taking a very small group to Italy. Most tour companies have a minimum group of 10 - 20. My group is 6 this year.
However, a couple companies will work with smaller ensembles. Perillo Tours is one of those companies.
If you have worked with this company, please let m... |
| Comment: Re: Music for very small Women's Ensemble | Susan Nace | May 18, 2011 |
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Thank you! I will check those out!
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| Forum message: Music for very small Women's Ensemble | Susan Nace | May 17, 2011 |
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Hi,
My small women's ensemble (usually 13 - 18) is becoming very small next year (6).
This is a very talented ensemble; each can carry their part independently. They have excellent intonation and music reading abilities as well as musical sophistication.
Yes, Dana Taylor, I've scoped ou... |
| Comment: Re: Quips for the Choral Rehearsal | Susan Nace | March 26, 2011 |
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A Nadia Boulanger quotation:
"Nothing in music is difficult, just unexpected!"
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| Comment: Re: Pitch at which vowel modification begins for female singers | Susan Nace | March 6, 2011 |
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Lorraine,
Doscher's teacher was Bert Coffin. You might want to check out his writings, too. In addition, his vowel chart is available now, separate from his books. It has been my staple resource for vowel modification as a voice/choral teacher. Since you are talking pedagogy, I'm assuming th... |
| News: Bernstein conducting without his arms . . . NPR article | Susan Nace | December 26, 2010 |
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In this delightful article, Robert Krulwich explores conducting: Bernstein without arms and Gergiev with a toothpick.
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| Comment: Re: Naming a Choir | Susan Nace | December 19, 2010 |
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Hi, Matthew,
Does it have to be in Italian or Latin?
The names of my ensembles have come from the ideas of the group itself. If it is "student led," then they should perhaps choose their name. Consider it as an option.
Names come about in crazy ways.
One group (a women's ensemble... |
| Comment: Re: Emotional Manipulation | Susan Nace | December 13, 2010 |
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I have a similar story. In the 70s, I was a musician at a fundamentalist college that was associated with a church. Often the musicians would be in the back-up band for big time Nashville Gospel artists.
The guy who was playing timpani said that he could control the crowd by how he played th... |
| Comment: Re: What's on your large-scale standard rep list? | Susan Nace | December 13, 2010 |
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Hi, Daniel,
The "canon" of German/Austrian Classical/Romantic literature really needs some updating!
I also have to confess my ignorance of Scandinavian, South American, and Asian choral music.
Here's some 20th c. composers & works that bear inclusion into the "canon" of st... |
| Comment: Re: Need for Beat Patterns? | Susan Nace | December 5, 2010 |
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Hi!
Thanks to everyone for these thoughtful responses and excellent resources!
Use of patterns depends on the conductor's preparation (training, score study prep, rehearsal practices. and experience.)
The music determines the gesture. By music, I don't mean the printed page. Like othe... |
| Comment: Re: Could this be blasphemy in this forum? | Susan Nace | December 4, 2010 |
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Thank you for speaking.
Speaking your truth and sharing it in a powerful community as this results in all these heartfelt, empathetic replies!
You have the wisdom of the world here, Kevin, from some of the most respected people in the musical profession (and not just the U.S.!)
W... |
| Comment: Re: Must Have Texts For The Choral Director | Susan Nace | December 4, 2010 |
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James Jordan's books: Evoking Sound: The Choral Rehearsal vol I & 2
Shirlee Emmons' and Constance Chase's book: Prescriptions for Choral Excellence
Howard Swan's book: Conscience of a Profession |
| Community Forum Post: Women's choral festivals | Susan Nace | November 17, 2010 |
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Hi, All!
I am looking for choral festivals that are for SSA/SSAA choirs. Thanks to Jim Yowell at Saratoga High Schoo, we have a local festival. Even so, I would love to see a festival for women.
Any suggestions?
With gratitude!
Susan Nace
San Jose, CA
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| Comment: Re: New rehearsal software | Susan Nace | November 4, 2010 |
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Daniel, I would be interested in taking a look at it and trying it with my kids! I'll send you my contact info privately.
BTW, I'm in Silicon Valley with Apple headquarters just down the street . . . and most of us in my department use PCs.
Although I have a "back up MAC," it i... |
| Comment: Re: Rehearsal Self-Assessment | Susan Nace | November 2, 2010 |
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I have a weekly practice journal that could be made into a rubric.
It is in a grid by day (Mon - Sun)
Column one is the day
Column two is What I practiced (Name of piece, composer, sections or measure numbers)
Column three is Reflections (What went well, what was difficult, what I need to ... |
| Comment: Re: Garage Band and Choral Assessment | Susan Nace | October 23, 2010 |
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Also can be done with Audacity. Free ware usable on MACs and PCs.
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| Comment: Re: Your all time favorite SSA piece | Susan Nace | September 17, 2010 |
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Some easier yet engaging pieces that sound gorgeous with almost any level of group.
My absolute must do is "Cuckoo is a Pretty Bird." See below. It is so charming and well arranged.
These are favorites of my gals:
Cuckoo Is a Pretty Bird, arr. James Clemens, Treble Clef Mus... |
| Comment: Re: Progressive lenses and conducting? HELP! | Susan Nace | September 15, 2010 |
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I also use bifocals made especially for conducting. My progressives, though I wear them for every day (and have for several years), just weren't satisfactory for conducting.
Wishing you "insight" into what might work best for you!
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| Comment: Re: Why there are no great Iranian choirs . . . | Susan Nace | September 11, 2010 |
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Thank you, Karen, for the link! It brings balance to the discussion!
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| Comment: Re: Why there are no great Iranian choirs . . . | Susan Nace | September 11, 2010 |
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I don't believe, Karen, that this is stirring up anti-Iranian feelings, it is part of a larger picture of trying to understand other cultures, and to make sense of cultures in comparison to our own.
I have Iranian students in my choral groups. They are uncomfortable about talking about thei... |
| Comment: Re: Madrigal Sets for Christmas | Susan Nace | June 10, 2010 |
| Songs that "sound" renaissance-like might fit your bill.
Many carols would work such as the Sussex Carol.
Holst's Lullay, my Liking.
Vaughan Williams' Wassail
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| Comment: Re: Developing a Choral Curriculum | Susan Nace | June 5, 2010 |
| As you're thinking through this, check out Doreen Rao's "We Sing" for 5th - 6th grade.
Also check out her graded repertoire lists on Boosey & Hawkes, Doreen Rao's Choral Music Experience.
In addition, I've used a synthesis of Kenneth Phillips' Teaching Kids to Sing and Emmons & Chase's ... |
| Comment: Re: High School Honor's Choir (UC approved) | Susan Nace | June 3, 2010 |
| Hi, Tina,
Yes, I have a University of California approved "advanced" (State of California "terminology") choir and I think I still have my application form.
For those of you outside the UC system, our curriculum is dictated by the UC. Unless the University approves our courses, kids cannot g... |
| Comment: Re: Looking for music for a program about our country | Susan Nace | June 2, 2010 |
| SATB or orther voicings?
Most songs that come to mind are "pop" songs. Here' a few:
Emma Lou Diemer's Prairie Spring SSAA, piano acc.
Plymouth Music - PCS-250
Very Gentle, flowing, song, modal with some challenging harmonic changes
Lerner/Loewe (arr. Michael G. Martin) - "They Cal... |
| Comment: Re: Your Top 10 favorite living composers (someone commission-able) | Susan Nace | May 18, 2010 |
| Please add to these fabulous lists:
Abbie Betinis
Michelle Weir
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| Comment: Re: Strong Female Conductors | Susan Nace | May 16, 2010 |
| Kathleen,
Can you get a double major in music education and vocal performance at the Baccalaureate level and Masters' level? It can be done.
I found the voice training in the studio and vocal pedagogy classes have been the MOST useful as a conductor. Music education classes tend to be geare... |
| Comment: Re: Multi-cultural music - Turkish & Persian music | Susan Nace | April 30, 2010 |
| Thanks to all! |
| Forum message: Multi-cultural music - Turkish & Persian music | Susan Nace | April 29, 2010 |
| Hi, Colleagues,
I have a diverse population in my choruses and I try to include music from all the countries represented in my groups at some time during their study with me. (Czech, Russian, Indian, Chinese, Taiwanese, British, French). Most are first generation in the U.S.
Next year, I will h... |
| Comment: Re: Arrangements of Copyrighted Material | Susan Nace | April 21, 2010 |
| Practical modifications to an existing score (baritones, you take the second tenor note) and arranging are two different things.
Yes, arrangers should place in their folders their permission letters. Also, publishers require specific copyright information to be placed on the arrangement as well. ... |
| Comment: Re: Undergrad Choral Conducting programs - California & Overall | Susan Nace | April 12, 2010 |
| Thank you for all your suggestions, even those that were sent privately!
I appreciate you taking the time to give your input and to promote your programs!
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| Comment: Re: How do you respond to this statement? | Susan Nace | April 12, 2010 |
| I respond with,
"I've felt that way, too, many times. But, if you really think about it, how can I dislike something I don't know? Not all music reveals itself in the first hearing. Sometimes you have to have conversations with it to discover what it has to say to you. Sometimes, it takes n... |
| Forum message: Undergrad Choral Conducting programs - California & Overall | Susan Nace | April 10, 2010 |
| Hi,
I have a student who is thinking that choral conducting may be her career path. She is a fine pianist and is taking voice lessons. She is in my advanced choir and is starting the college application process.
I am not too familiar with California programs, which is her preference. Can you ... |
| Comment: Re: Working with Asian Students in America | Susan Nace | April 1, 2010 |
| Hi, Aubrey,
I too work with a predominantly Asian demographic in my school. The gems from previous posters are:
Find out what each student is really (secretly, perhaps) passionate about
give them only the best music and challenge them to be outstanding performers in order to bring great p... |
| Comment: Re: Special concessions for belters | Susan Nace | January 10, 2010 |
| It is important to keep lines of communication open with the private teacher/coach.
Part of the discussion with her is talking about using light mechanism with all students to give them another tool for their tool kits, thereby making them more marketable. Singers need to be versatile. Sympho... |
| Comment: Re: Bobby McFerrin = OMG | Susan Nace | December 29, 2009 |
| I've seen McFerrin do this with untrained, completely unprepped audiences.
He understands that music is an organic community expression in which EVERYONE can participate.
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| Comment: Re: Music History Unit Ideas - Please Help! | Susan Nace | December 27, 2009 |
| Projects do take time.
How about "Six - Ten classical pieces you should know" and choose one or two from each era. Start with modern and work backwards. With contemporary modern pieces (since 1970), play pieces from several composers (Penderecki, Torke, Higdon, Adams, Piazzolla, Glass, etc... |
| Comment: Re: Best Choral Performance Nominees - Grammy | Susan Nace | December 13, 2009 |
| Before you make your vote, have you heard the recordings?
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| Comment: Re: Perfection vs. Good Enough | Susan Nace | November 29, 2009 |
| I tell my kids, "There is no such thing as 'practice makes perfect.' However, 'practice makes better.' As long as you are learning and growing, then I am content."
I think I learned this unconsciously from my favorite pianist in high school: Vladimir Horowitz. He was never perfect, but the ... |
| Forum message: SSA or SSAA melismatic music | Susan Nace | November 24, 2009 |
| Hi,
I want to work on some flexibility with my women's chorus and am looking for pieces (any period) with lots of melismas or florid writing.
What suggestions do you have?
Susan Nace
The Harker School
San Jose, CA |
| Comment: Re: Top 100 Tools for Learning | Susan Nace | November 22, 2009 |
| Thanks, Phil!
Although some of the tools are duplicate tools (blogging, for example), I use 28 of these.
A new tool not included is another non-linear presentation tool called VUE from Tufts University.
I'm still trying to master that one! |
| Comment: Re: props in choral rehearsal | Susan Nace | November 22, 2009 |
| I use:
balloons for showing breath support (the kids get the balloons)
(from Burch and Vaughn The Singing Book, p. 257)
"Imagine that a blown-up balloon represents your whole abdominal area. . . .The top of the balloon represents the diaphragm and the lowest part for the pelvic floor ... |
| Comment: Re: UNT's Streaming Concert - How do rights work for this? | Susan Nace | November 19, 2009 |
| Dr. Sparks,
I agree, it is a fabulous possibility/opportunity. Thanks for your reply!
Susan Nace
The Harker School
San Jose |
