High School general choir

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bandguy5686
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High School general choir

Post by 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 :shock: !!!

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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by CHGiffen »

The following might work: Tallis: If ye love me-pdf (transposed up a fourth from the original)
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vaarky
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Re: High School general choir

Post by 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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by choralia »

vaarky wrote: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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by 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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by 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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by 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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by anaigeon »

Is there any problem with this translation ?
http://www1.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Le_ ... _est_riche
carlos
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Re: High School general choir

Post by carlos »

anaigeon wrote: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. :wink:

Regards,
Carlos (talk)
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anaigeon
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Re: High School general choir

Post by 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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by carlos »

anaigeon wrote:...an English native speaker to change the translation to a more poetic/musical version.
That would be great!
cjshawcj
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Re: High School general choir

Post by cjshawcj »

carlos wrote:
anaigeon wrote:...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
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Re: High School general choir

Post by bobnotts »

cjshawcj wrote: 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.
:D :D :D
Rob Nottingham
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vaarky
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Re: High School general choir

Post by vaarky »

Love the Robert Carver suggestion. :)
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