Sunday, February 28, 2016

Musical Monday - Rather Be - Pentatonix

We love this wonderful group of singers.  Rather Be is one of our new musical numbers.  We are really enjoying learning it. The words are really wonderful.  Listen carefully.  They are meaningful to wherever you are in life.  
 It is hard to believe that Pentatonix can make all these marvellous sounds themselves. Enjoy!

Friday, February 26, 2016

Fun Friday - MusiCorps Band with Yo-Yo Ma - Wide River To Cross

Yo Yo Ma has always been a favourite of mine because he truly shares music with so many.  This is a very moving piece of music made more so by the people who are playing and singing.  It makes me count my blessings!

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Wonderful Wednesday - Giant Xylophone in Forest

This is really quite beautiful especially for those of us still working our way to the end of winter.  Do you recognize the piece of music?

Monday, February 22, 2016

Musical Monday - Dark Horse | Ten Second Songs 20 Style Cover

I love when people can take a song and put it in many styles.  We used to do this with simple songs like Row, Row, Row Your Boat as recitative, or aria or rock or folk.  It is really fun.  Maybe you can try this as a fun exercise at your next choir practice.  

Friday, February 19, 2016

Fun Friday - The String Family as Seen by the Wind Players

Here is a very simple explanation of the string family for the orchestra.  Sorry Karen.  It had to be done.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Wonderful Wednesday - Funniest Classical Orchestra Ever... - Rainer Hersch

Now this is an orchestra who has fun for sure.  Any person who says that orchestra music is dry needs to see this one. This has Spit Instruments and those fun String Instruments (check out Fun Friday) in all their sizes.  

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Musical Monday - The Spit Instruments Explained - Tee, hee!!!

Thanks to our friend Karen Boyce for sharing this one.  Okay now tell me if you don't play one of these, it pretty much covers what we do know.  

Friday, February 12, 2016

Fun Friday - The Tokens-The Lion Sleeps Tonight

We love singing The Lion Sleeps Tonight.  This is so much fun to watch this performance in the early '60's.  Check out the hair and clothes.  Neil Sedaka was an original member of the Tokens.  Imagine.  Enjoy this blast from the past.  

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Wonderful Wednesday - Stompin' Tom Sings The Hockey Song

Nobody is more Canadian than our own Stompin' Tom Connors.  It is getting close to the playoffs for hockey here.  If you think  the Super Bowl is a big deal, well then wait until there are Canadian teams in the finals for the Stanley Cup.  This is just for fun.

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Musical Monday - Celine Dion Surprises the Canadian Tenors and Sings Hallelujah With Them

I was so disappointed when the Canadian Tenors changed their name to The Tenors.  Apparently, they had a new distribution contract with an American company that year as well.  Perhaps, they felt they would be better received in the United States minus the "Canadian" name.  
Even the writer of our Canadian National Anthem, Calixa Lavallee, had to go to the States to make a living.  So many times our Canadian talent feel they must leave Canada to be a bigger star south of the border.  Maybe that is why we love Stompin' Tom Connors who was Canadian to the core and never felt the need to leave.  
Nevertheless, here we have 2 of our fine Canadian talents together making a rather lovely sound of another of our favourites to sing. 

Friday, February 5, 2016

Fun Friday - My Younger Self Dance Moves

I want a magical mirror to see my younger self dancing to this music.  Yes it is a commercial but my what fun it is.  Now, I challenge you to try this out.  Imagine.  

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Wonderful Wednesday - Axis of Awesome - 4 Chords Pop Song

Last Friday we had the Pachelbel Rant where a cellist complained about the 4 notes he plays during the Pachelbel's Canon.  He also talked about how there are so many songs that reflect the sound of Pachelbel and his one hit wonder.  
Here is a fun study of the the 4 chord rock/pop music.  When I taught a rock unit to young people I would have them at the piano playing the 4 chords as we sang along with various songs much like this fun Axis of Awesome does.  Smart guys who can really sing.