READING SESSION #1: HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY/SEASONAL

Friday, July 22, 2016 Room 206Jo Scurlock-Dillard, Conductor Douglas Boldt, Accompanist

1. A Manger Carol, Arr. By Keith Christopher• Non-Varsity/Varsity SATB/ Church choir• Raise a half or whole step if the low F’s are too much for the basses• Use measure 5-38 for sight-reading exercise when introducing the piece• Good time to talk about the use of stress/unstressed syllables, especially at ends of

words.

2. Quem pastores laudavere, Arr. By Susan LaBarr• Varsity SATB/College/Church• Several solo opportunities• Try to conduct in one for a more plaintive/chant feel• Use opening solo as a processional (have soloist process in with a spot on him)• Several sections can be pulled out for sight-reading exercises• Teach everyone the solo chant line because it shows up over and over

3. God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, Arr. By Wesley D. Peters• Non-Varsity/Varsity/ Church Choirs• “B” section great for 4-part sight-reading• Chance to talk about alternating meters

4. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day by Bob Chilcott• SSA Non-Varsity/Varsity Women (a very good Middle School Choir or Children’s

choir might be able to handle it)• Very Good alternative to Rutter arrangement• Lots of Words!!!!!!• Suggest utilizing word test to help with memorization of piece.• Key changes represent the mood of different verses.

5. The Holly and the Ivy, Arr. by Mark Patterson• Non-Varsity/Varsity Men• Also available in SSA format• Utilize different sections for sight-reading• Worksheets on dotted rhythms

6. Song of the Crib by Kathy Gladen Johnson• Varsity/ Church Choir• Nice for drilling compound meter and rhythms (do worksheets)

7. Ain’t That-A-Rockin’, Arr. By Stacey Gibbs• Varsity/College/Church

• Lots of syncopated rhythms. Great time to do Rhythm worksheets• Have choir do rhythm challenges out loud.• History lesson on Gospel/Spirituals = teaching across the curriculum

8. Holy Night by Alexi Larin• Varsity/College• Needs some really low basses• Soloist(s) on Ahs=Angels• Unless you are proficient in Russian, you would need a Russian pronunciation

guide

9. In dulci Jubilo, by Matthew Culloton• Very good Varsity/College Glee Club• Also available in SSAATBB and SSSAA• Great translation at bottom of first page• Spend time working for a little swing in the rhythm. Don’t’ allow each note to

have the same weight• Has a little jazzy feel to it.• Several Key changes to talk about and how modulations work

10. Veni, Veni Emmanuel by Michael John Trotta• Varsity/Collegiate women (also available in Mixed choir format)• Lots of divisi• Great Program Notes to utilize• Has a tropical flare to it.• Optional percussion, however it adds a lot• Great for teaching syncopation and tied note Rhythms. Incorporate Rhythm

worksheets• Rhythm challenges out loud (make it a game between sections)

11. La Berceuse (French Lubllaby), Arr. By John Rutter• Varsity/College• Something different than traditional holiday music• Nice introduction into French diction (create a diction sheet)• Instrumental accompaniment also available• Measure 37-53-great for 4-part sight-reading• Could also be used as an off the list piece for UIL

12. The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, Arr. By Russell Robinson• Non-Varsity/Varsity Men (possibly Middle school)• Optional percussion gives it a nice tropical flare• Great for teaching syncopation (use worksheets)• Several key changes to discuss and how modulations work.

13. O come, O Come, Emmanuel, Arr. By Friedersdorf and Malvar-Keylock• Non-Varsity/Varsity appropriate• Could use the beginning as a processional using 2 aisles, bringing in the choir

with all singing the beginning section.• Talk about how to use alternating meters and the quarter note=the dotted quarter

note; count sing the rhythms.• Could also due a unit of 15th century French music. = teaching across the

curriculum

14. Lullay, my liking by Matthew Owens• Non-Varsity /Varsity/Madrigal groups (also church)• Verses could use lots of different soloist• Refrain – use as sightreading exercise to introduce the song• A different carol. Not the ordinary.

15. Deck the Hall, Arr. By Mack Wilberg• Varsity/Collegiate level• Four hands is optional. Orchestration available• Lots of Key changes and modulations to talk about.• YouTube post of Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a great way to introduce song

16. The Wexford Carol, Arr.by Matthew Culloton• Varsity/Madrigals/Collegiate/Church• Several Meter Changes to work on• This piece has a real jazz feel to it. Introduce jazz chords and discuss what makes

it a jazz chord.• Try not to so the “Irish” sound can happen.• Different triplet combinations to count out .• May want to lower half step if basses can handle it.

17. Christmas Time Is Here, Arr. By John Alexander• Varsity/Show Choir/Jazz Choir/Collegiate• Instrumental accompaniment available• Lots of Solo opportunities• Jazz arrangement, so jazz chord introduction a good way to introduce piece.

18. Jingle Bells, arr. By Philip Lawson• Varsity/Collegiate• Lots of Key changes to discover. Talk about moving from one key to another• Several Meter changes-great opportunity to count sing.• Syncopated Rhythms=worksheets=Rhythm challenges.• Introduction of tongue clicks = FUN!!!!

Remember, anytime you can bring in a little history to your introduction of pieces or mathematical equations to your rhythm counting, you are teaching across the curriculum and evaluators LOVE that!!!!!