Monday, April 18, 2011

Magical Eye

March 1999 Dickson J

The Expressivity of Language - and Synthesis with Choral Music

Today we begin a language unit - discovering the journey of textual-musical synthesis in great works of music.

Your tasks:

For Wednesday, April 20:  
Find, read, take notes, and annotate two articles by John Dickson in the ACDA Choral Journal (accessible online using your ACDA membership)

1.  September 1993:  Musical Pride and Textual Prejudice:  The Expressivity of Language in Choral Music
2.  March 1999:  Score Study:  A "Magical Eye" for Musical Blueprints


Be ready to discuss in class.

For Friday, April 22:  
Find a poem that means something to you.  Bring to the class, read it expressively.  Tell why this poem touches you.

For Wednesday, April 27:  Write a poem about something that is going on in your life right now.  Be prepared to read it to the class.

For Friday, April 29 and Monday, May 2:  Find and present a piece of choral music that you have analyzed from a musical and textual standpoint.
Sample questions to ponder:

  • How does the music support the text - or does it?
  • How should your conducting gesture reinforce the textual message from poet and composer?