Category Archives: Rehearsal

analytical

Posted on July 24, 2012 by mllama4

R – I was watching the symphonic band rehearsal at MSYM yesterday morning with an instrumental colleague of mine when he leaned over and asked if I teach concepts to my choirs with metaphors or with technical explanations… energy being … Continue reading →

Posted in Music is work, Rehearsal | 6 Comments

warmups: ear training

Posted on April 28, 2012 by mllama4

R – One of the underrated opportunities available to us as music teachers is to utilize warmups as much more than “warming up” (choral warmups). One of the biggies for me will always be training the ear. Two ideas… Constantly … Continue reading →

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talking shop

Posted on April 7, 2012 by mllama4

R – “Ostriches bury their heads in the sand.” No they don’t. Ostriches don’t bury their heads in the sand at all. I looked it up. When they feel threatened, they actually lay down on the ground and feign being … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Rehearsal | Leave a comment

melting pot

Posted on March 31, 2012 by mllama4

R – Scenario #1: An auditioned, balanced ensemble of like-minded, like-motivated singers with the same skill set, backgrounds, reference points and reasons for being in the ensemble. They share the same ideals and beliefs and those resonate through every minute … Continue reading →

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what does it take

Posted on February 11, 2012 by mllama4

R – I watched last night as a wonderful friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Sandra Howard of Keene State College, warmed up her own Chamber Singers along side those of York and Brunswick High Schools. She is on tour … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Rehearsal | 6 Comments

problems vs. symptoms

Posted on January 28, 2012 by mllama4

R – The tenors are flat. Is that a problem? No. The altos still miss the A sharp on measure 32. Is that a problem? No. The choir doesn’t watch very well. Is that a problem? No. None of these … Continue reading →

Posted in Rehearsal | 1 Comment

guido d’arezzo would have preferred a pc?

Posted on January 21, 2012 by mllama4

R – For any debate of solfege vs. numbers, let’s establish a few things. First, solfege 1) has easier, more singing friendly vowels for all notes including chromatics, 2) uses a maximium of 2 phonemes (units of sound), 3) works … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Rehearsal | 8 Comments

lessons learned

Posted on January 8, 2012 by mllama4

R – The reason I went into music education was less to do with music and more to do with the personal impact I saw a powerful music program make on my peers when I was in High School. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Etcetera, Rehearsal | 4 Comments

isolated disciplines

Posted on December 10, 2011 by mllama4

R – Robert Shaw used to have at the core of his philosophy that each of the choral disciplines must be mastered and they must be mastered independently in order for a choir to do the job of re-creating another … Continue reading →

Posted in Music is work, Rehearsal, Warmups | 3 Comments

a cappella listening – part 1

Posted on December 2, 2011 by mllama4

R – Jarika and I were talking about her rehearsal today and some breakthrough moments she and her students experienced. As a related sidebar, she commented how strange it was that she now prefers being her own accompanist in rehearsals … Continue reading →

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