Excalibur in the Seattle Times!

Check this out!!! Very exciting... we are the second "rave" listed.
Rant%20%26amp%3B%20Rave

Practice CD Track Listing

Here's the listing for your practice CD:

1. Criome Mi Madre- all ladies
2. Criome Mi Madre- soprano
3. Criome Mi Madre- alto
4. Criome Mi Madre- piano only
5. El Aire Lloro- complete recording (Amabile Youth Chorus)
6. El Aire Lloro- all guys
7. El Aire Lloro- tenor
8. El Aire Lloro- bass
9. El Aire Lloro- piano only
10. We All Have a Right- full ensemble
11. We All Have a Right- tenor 1
12. We All Have a Right- tenor 2
13. We All Have a Right- baritone/ bass
14. We All Have a Right- piano only
15. Ave Maria- complete recording (From the Heart)
16. The Song I Sing- complete recording (Young People's Chorus of NYC)
17. Your Heart Goes With Me- complete recording (Elizabeth & Francisco Nunez)

I would like to encourage you to practice with the piano only recordings (where available) because they are the best indicator of whether or not you know your part. Please let me know if you did not receive a practice CD as soon as possible.

And the Winner Is...

Thank you to everyone for selling! I know it isn't easy. Here are the long-awaited results:

In 3rd place with 41% participation... Troubadors
In 2nd place with 48% participation... Excalibur
Which makes the big winners, with a total of 59% participation... Kennedy Singers!

Well done everyone! Ladies, feel free to leave your victory party ideas as comments, but remember that we are on a budget. Individual prizes will be distributed at the beginning of class on Friday! You guys rock!

All is calm...

What an improvement from Monday to Tuesday! Caroling at the Fairmont was just what Excalibur needed to refine some performing skills. Lots of firsts here: baby's first serenade of Silent Night, first time singing in small ensembles on the spot, first choir photo shoot, first videotaped post-concert reflection for graduating senior- same senior who (I hope) had his first time putting powdered garlic on his lunch instead of parmesean cheese. For our sake, hopefully his last:) Comment back with your favorite memory of caroling at the Fairmont by Saturday 12/5 and receive a holiday treat bag from Mrs. Brown!

I said we would demonstrate class and I saw class. I threw curve balls- strolling while caroling, small groups, songs we sight-read and performed simultaneously- and you all rose to the challenge. It speaks volumes for your integrity as a group. Can't wait to see the pics...

What stood out the most to me was the eyes of our audience members. This choir sang a baby from crying and made our audience's eyes sparkle with excitement. In our over-commercialized society, it is your wondeful, rare gift of song that brings people back to the heart of what really matters. Remember that.

Crazy Week

Excalibur's schedule for this week can be found here. Please consider joining us at any of the gigs! We love a supportive audience...

Christmas Caroling

Excalibur kicks off our season of Christmas caroling next Monday, November 30. We will leave JFK at 3:30 pm for the downtown Seattle Westin Hotel in our formal uniforms. Girls- I have red ribbon for you! We will arrive back to JFK between 6:45 pm- 7:00 pm. More information about the event can be found here. Invite friends and family!

Here's the set we practiced- please spend some time on pieces marked with an *.

With Gladness, Cheer and Song! *
Silent Night
The Blessing**
Candlelight Carol*
Angels We Have Heard on High
He, Watching Over Israel*
Carol of the Bells**
Earth Song
Joy to the World
Deck the Hall
Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy**

Magazine Drive Pt. 2 & Change

The Magazine Drive still has a few hours left to go (and I think online sales will actually stay open well into next week...). Here are the standings:

1st place- Kennedy Singers 55.5% participation
2nd place- Excalibur 38.4% participation
3rd place- Troubadors 36.6% participation

The official results will be posted here on the blog Monday afternoon...

If, for some reason, you have not been able to turn in an order, bring it to school on Monday and we will get it sent off for your customer. This is such an important fundraiser and I really appreciate your efforts to make it a success! It isn't too late to make your mark and show your comittment to the music program- order online now!

Also- a request for spare change... we need contributions for the figgy pudding caroling contest (Friday, Dec. 4 @ Westlake Center- plan now to attend!) and literally every dime counts. If you have change... or bills... that you are willing to donate, please bring it to class and we will put it to good work for the Pike Place Senior Center! Thanks.

Magazine Drive

The drive ends this Friday, November 20. Remember, the goal is at least one magazine sold per student and the class with the highest percentage of participation wins a class party! Currently the standings are:

1st place- Excalibur with 17% participation
2nd place- Kennedy Singers with 7% participation
3rd place- Troubadors with 5% participation

Keep at it! Times are tough, but together we can do this! Use the internet to your advantage! Click here for the link to the website. Our school code is 135967. While you're at it, take the video tour!

Carolers

YES!
Please... NO! Don't let this be you...

Get ready- learn your parts!

Fire

Here are a couple of pictures from our (awesome) retreat campfire! Thanks again to the council members for making it a fun, relaxing, bonding, meaningful experience.

MEN

I must confess... I did not get the registration form in on time for the MEN singing workshop this Saturday. That being said, I am willing to bet that if there are a few guys who want to spend the day in Puyallup learning from some serious singing masters, I might be willing to grovel our way in. Let me know ASAP- but guys only!

Good Recording...

... of Criome can be found here.

He Watching Over Israel

Not the most in tune piano, but if you need help with your part...
Soprano
Alto
Tenor
Bass

Also- any pictures from the retreat you would like to share? Feel free to send them my way...

The Song I Sing

Click on this link to check out our guest conductor, conducting his choir on The Song I Sing. I think that you will find it really helpful for practice... but keep an open mind!

All- State 2010

Information about the Washington All-State Honor Choirs can be found here. Remember that all recordings must be made in the presence of your choir teacher (me!)... Start practicing every day if you hope to be a participant; it is a fun experience and a great college resume builder! Audition/recording sign-up sheet should be coming soon...

Welcome!

Welcome back! This blog is an experiment by your not-so-tech-savvy choir director... so I guess that means it can only get better! It is designed to be a helpful tool for communication between you, me, parents, alumni, etc. It is my aim to save time, confusion, heartache, and really open up a dialogue about some of the music we sing. Sometimes, it might be your homework to look at this blog- to fill out paperwork (sent back only to me, no worries!), print permission slips, transfer rehearsal notes, listen to amazing versions of music we are working on, get the nuts & bolts for upcoming gigs, whatever. I intend to keep this blog informational, current, and celebratory. If you have pictures, quotes, links, etc. you wish to add, e-mail them to me and you just might see them here!

A new year means new music, new experiences, new sounds, and new friends. No two choirs are ever the same and that is part of the beauty we create. I can't wait for this year's journey!

I leave you with a quote from my mom's favorite Beatle:

I love to hear a choir. I love the humanity to see the faces of real people devoting themselves to a piece of music. I like the teamwork. It makes me feel optimistic about the human race when I see them cooperating like that.
-Paul McCartney b. 1942