High School general choir

[bandguy5686]

Hi everyone. I'm in the western US at a semi-rural High School. I have five boys and 24 girls in a non-auditioned choir-all willing kids! My boys are: 1 true tenor, three sort of "baritones" and 1 true bass !!!

I am interested in introducing them to the wonders of Renaissance motets at a level that won't blow them away. Do you have some "must do" suggestions?

[CHGiffen]

The following might work: Tallis: If ye love me-pdf (transposed up a fourth from the original)

[vaarky]

I suggest checking Sicut Cervus by Palestrina, and Byrd's Ave Verum Corpus (though you'll be the best judge of whether the ranges work).

[choralia]

I suggest checking Sicut Cervus by Palestrina, and Byrd's Ave Verum Corpus

For these works you can also find free choir training aids on my website, Choralia (http://www.choralia.net). Beginners find them quite useful.

Max

[Cdalitz]

When a French text is ok, I would suggest "Le content est riche" by Sermisy. Beside "Doulce memoire" it was the most popular piece of the 16th century. "Le content" has a very comfortable ambitus for all voices and has simple, easy to learn lines interwoven in perfect counterpoint.

If the text must be in English or Latin, I would suggest "Weepe o mine eyes" by Bennet (though the many suspensions and semitones can cause intonation problems) or "O magnum mysterium" by Victoria.

[vaarky]

Ooh, I don't know that Sermisy piece! Will try it, probably Thursday. Any chance you can add a translation to the works page or provide it otherwise so we can get it added?

[Cdalitz]

Any chance you can add a translation to the works page?

My French is not the best, so maybe someone with better knowledge of the French language should do it. I were interested in it too.

After having a look again at the Facsimile, I have noticed that I had changed the tenor at the beginning of the last repeat to sing three c's instead of only one. While I still consider this more satisfying to sing, others might prefer the original version where the tenor and alto simultanously start the repeat without an imitation.

Chris

[anaigeon]

Is there any problem with this translation ?
http://www1.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Le_content_est_riche

[carlos]

Is there any problem with this translation ?

Hi anaigeon, in fact this rough translation is brand new (was posted only yesterday) and our friend Claude Tallet is helping me with the subtleties of the text.

Regards,

[anaigeon]

Indeed this translation to English helps me to be sure of my understanding of the French text, which isn't quite modern, of course
Now that the meaning is clear, it should be possible for an English native speaker to change the translation to a more poetic/musical version.

[carlos]

...an English native speaker to change the translation to a more poetic/musical version.

That would be great!

[cjshawcj]

...an English naive speaker to change the translation to a more poetic/musical version.

That would be great!

Bish, bash, bosh. Sorted. (But I leave it here rather than on the lyrics page):
FRENCH
Le content est riche en ce monde et bien heureux en ce temps ci.
A cœur joyeux liberté monde vivre chez soi hors de souci.
Etre amoureux non point transi. Et à tous deuil clore les yeux.
Toujours, gaillards, faites ainsi Et vous vivrez cent ans et mieux.
ANGLO-FRENCH
The contented is rich in this world and happy in this time.
A merry heart, free world lives at home without concern.
Be in love but not lovesick. And to all mourning close your eyes.
Always, fellows, do so and you will live a hundred years and more.
ENGLISH DEMOTIC ARGOT
Right now the smug is well happy.
No worries innit.
Be up for it (in a good way)
No worries innit
Live life to the max age-wise.

To return to the original question as to recommendations for MOTETS, may I suggest Robert Carver's "O Bone Jesu" a 19 in an edition for S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.S.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A.A. thereby freeing up 5 girls to make the tea for the group, and all the boys for more manly pursuits.

[bobnotts]

ENGLISH DEMOTIC ARGOT
Right now the smug is well happy.
No worries innit.
Be up for it (in a good way)
No worries innit
Live life to the max age-wise.

[vaarky]

Love the Robert Carver suggestion.