Archive for the ‘Choirmasters Corner’ Category
First Things First
October 18th, 2009 | 
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Learning music is a bit like learning a foreign language. Whilst it is not as complicated as Chinese or Welsh, music still requires practice and dedication. For those of you in the choir who do not read music, I have put this simple guide together to help you with the absolute basics. It is in no way a definitive guide, but it will help you get started and with a bit of perseverance, you should be able to recognise some of the notes you are asked to sing.
The great thing about a choir is that we work together, learn from each other and gain confidence from those around us whose experience of the choral environment is more defined. A good example is pitch. Recognising a note does not mean you can instantly call it to mind and sing it. Experience and confidence will however, allow you to find subsequent notes once you know the pitch of the starting point. We will learn some exercises exercises to help you with that.
To read the rest of the document, please download the following PDF file.
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Entry Exam
Somebody I know well, sent me this entry exam paper for A very well known Orchestra & Choir. He claims it to be a real document and is used for all new applicants. I think it is used, but more as a test of the applicants humour than anything else. I have visions of an earnest musician sitting down to answer this paper, on seeing it they palpitate at the fear of hidden meanings in the questions Or perhaps, some deep psychological interpretation of their answers. One last thing; As you see it here is exactly how it is written and laid out – Quite cruel really.
Whatever the truth, it is good fun. Enjoy…..!