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SUDBURY VALLEY
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Virtual Performance - winter/spring 2021
Look here when you need to find out info about one (all!) of the pieces you are planning on playing with us in our virtual season. Some info isn't here yet, but we will catch up by the time you need it (we hope!). Email if you have questions.
To download our recording soundfiles there is a way of getting to a menu that gives a list of things you can do with this link. Chose one that says something about saving or downloading the link:
- On an Mac computer, press and hold the control key while you click on the link.
- On a PC right click the link or press & hold ctrl while you click on the link.
- On a smart phone or table press and hold your finger down on the link.
(PC users, let me know if there are corrections or easier ways to do this!)
LINKS TO INFORMATION
Updated February 22,, 2021
STRINGS
BAND
WOODWIND CHOIR
SWING BAND
Special ensembles:
FIREWORKS
BOLERO ENSEMBLE
BRAHMS
SCHEDULE for REHEARSALS AND VIDEOS DUE
Winter/Spring 2021 now posted
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING YOUR RECORDING
(Revised instructions for Winter/Spring 2021)
(let me know if soundfiles don't work)
STRINGS
DO NOT RECORD WHILE LISTENING TO THE SOUNDFILE FROM THE INTERNET |
The strings will be working with Oliver and Dorcas on the 1st movement of Brandenburg 3 and Many Miles(DONE) and when those are finished, The Prayer and Flight.
Flight I love the way it comes in for a gentle landing at the end! Enjoy the view. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video.
Brandenburg3.1mm=100-Recording - this recording is at mm=100. This is the soundfile you must use for recording for our Virtual Performance. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video.
BAND
DO NOT RECORD WHILE LISTENING TO THE SOUNDFILE FROM THE INTERNET |
The band will be working with Diane and John on Marching Song, Bulldozer, Kelligrews and Air for Band will be coming.
Marching Song is "in the can!"
DO NOT RECORD WHILE LISTENING TO THE SOUNDFILE FROM THE INTERNET |
Bulldozer-FINAL: (ah, nothing like a quiet, sleeping bull!) This is a new soundfile, to replace the one that didn't have the intro or the measure numbers. SORRY!! Use this soundfile for recording for our Virtual Performance - Notice that it's full title is "Bulldozer-FINAL-Recording.mp3". You can't use any other (except the conducted version below), nor can you slow this one down for recording or it won't work for the video.
BulldozerConducted: here is John conducting Bulldozer so you can get more of the nuances. You may use this for your recording soundfile. (see the info above for how to download from links)
Kelligrews-Recording: A bit of fun from the country north of us! The town of Kelligrew is on the east shore of Newfoundland, not too far across the penisula from the capital, St. Johns. This is all about a big celebration that happens there each year. This is the soundfile you must use for recording for our Virtual Performance. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video.
Tricky rhythms in this piece! Practice speaking the patterns on this rhythm worksheet (revised Dec 11). Soundfile for Rhythm Worksheet.
Score for study to see how your part fits with others.
AirForBand-Recording - a band classic. I played this in high school and it has been recorded by University Bands, Military Bands and even the occasional middle school or high school group. This is the soundfile you must use for recording for our Virtual Performance. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video. Although, you will find it easier to get the rubato effect if you use the conducted version, below.
AirForBand-Conducted-Recording - you may (should) download this and use it for your recording so you can follow the tempo fluctuations.
WOODWIND CHOIR (8:00-8:30 every other week, throughout the session)
DO NOT RECORD WHILE LISTENING TO THE SOUNDFILE FROM THE INTERNET |
The woodwind choir will be working with Linda on Ripples (to be finished in late January). Coming later in February, a movement from Edvard Grieg's Holberg Suite!
Ripples-Recording: The other piece we will be working on this session (but most likely recorded in January) is this lovely pentatonic based piece! Find the peace in the piece...
HolbergGavotte-Recording: A classic piece originally for orchestra, here transcribe for WW choir. This is the soundfile you must use for recording for our Virtual Performance. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video.
SWING BAND (8:00-8:30 every other week, throughout the session)
The swing band will be working with Diane on Havana.
DO NOT RECORD WHILE LISTENING TO THE SOUNDFILE FROM THE INTERNET |
HavanaSolo4x-Recording: (This is the version with the solo section 4 times) This is the soundfile you must use for recording for our Virtual Performance. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video. Or, the other option is recording your part in BandLab. Email Diane if you are interested in doing that.
Click here to watch the score and listen to the music.
BANDLAB: Two helpful documents for getting started in BandLab. We will not be officially using BandLab this session, but the info is still here if you are interested in messing with it.
ENSEMBLES FOR JAN-MAY 2021
FIREWORKS ENSEMBLE (8:00-8:30 every other week, Jan 13-Feb 24)
FireworksMenuetto-Recording. This session, we will be doing another portion of Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks, this time, the Menuetto(s). There are as many ways to present these two movements as there are conductors! We will be using the New York Philharmonic version of 1924. For strings(violin, viola, cello, bass), oboes, English horn, bassoons, horns, trumpets, & percussion (two parts -- timpani & snare), starting Jan. 13th. This is the soundfile you must use for recording for our Virtual Performance. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video. Linda & Oliver directing.
DO NOT RECORD WHILE LISTENING TO THE SOUNDFILE FROM THE INTERNET |
BOLERO ENSEMBLE (8:00-8:30 every other week, Jan 13-Feb 24)
Bolero-Recording. This is not the Bolero by Maurice Ravel that you may have heard many times. Bolero is not a title, it is a type of dance. The Bolero we are doing is by David Marlatt and it is quite lively and challenging in some parts, easy in others. Flutes, clarinets, bass clarinet, saxophones, trombones, euphoniums, & percussion (one part – tambourine & castanets), starting Jan. 13th. This is the soundfile you must use for recording for our Virtual Performance. You can't use any other, or slow this one down or it won't work for the video. John directing - HOWEVER... you may use John's conducted version below and record to that one.
BoleroConducted-Recording - you may use John's conducted version and record to this one.
BRAHMS (8:00-8:30 every other week, March 10-April 14)
After we finish the Bolero and Fireworks, the next ensemble is probably going to be an orchestral work by Brahms for strings, winds and percussion (all winds). More details later. Dorcas & John directing.
HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE USE OF SOUNDFILES IN YOUR PRACTICE
There are several really good reasons for listening to the soundfiles of music you are playing:
- *To get a sense of how the music sounds, its style, its phrasing, its harmonies (Most important reason!)
- Following your music while listening to the soundfile (not playing) helps you learn how your part fits with the whole and helps you learn to keep your place
- Playing along with the music gives you more opportunities to "practice with the group" than you can get just in rehearsals. You will not be able to determine when to play the very first beat, so come in on the next measure.
- If it goes by too quickly, see the next bullet
- Purchase the software, Amazing Slow Downer (from http://ronimusic.com/) and you can practice with the soundfile slowed down to where you can play along. (Soundfiles must be on the same device where the Slow Downer resides; you can not use YouTube or soundfiles that are streamed from the web). For those of you cautious about what you download, this software site is safe according to Norton)
- You can also slow down YouTube by clicking the gear and adjusting the percentage. You don't have the minute control of the speed, but it is better than nothing!
If you are new to working with soundfiles, DO NOT try to play along right away. Your first task is to listen several times while just following along in your own music (not playing), perhaps even using your finger to keep your place in the music. See if you can stay with the music, whether or not you can hear your own part (sometimes it doesn't sound like your instrument because you are playing the same thing as some other instrument and your part adds to the overall, but isn't itself distinguishable). Watch for things like holds or sudden loud spots or a change from legato to staccato to see if you can hear those as you listen. Until you can reliably follow along & keep your place in your music while listening and looking at your part, you will never be able to successfully play along. Be sure to do the listening first or it is just frustrating! Once you get good at that, try listening and speaking your rhythms. Once you can do that, then try playing with it, although you may find that it is too fast for you to keep up. (See bullet #5 above)
