Partners in Peace Concert

At the Concert

Presented by:

The Master Chorale of Washington District of Columbia Public Schools The Kennedy Center Stephen A. Schwarzman Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President

The Building Blocks of Music

Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education

Music is made up of three core elements or building blocks:

Partners in Peace Cuesheet Editing and design by ArtsEdge

Melody Harmony Rhythm Melody is the tune of the song. In songs with words, or lyrics, the part that people typically sing or hum is the melody. All of the notes sounding along with the melody, often by instruments or back-up singers, make up the harmony. The harmony consists of two or more different notes sounding at the same time. Rhythm is the pattern of musical notes that one can hear, often the result of melody and background music being played together. Music that makes the listener want to move or dance usually has an engaging rhythm. Melody, harmony, and rhythm are an important part of the concert. During the concert, listen for: • The main “tune” of each song • The music played by the piano during the singing • Music that makes you want to move, clap, or dance

Special thanks to The Master Chorale of Washington for providing images and program information.

The Partners in Peace All-City Honors Chorus will perform in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. More than 2,000 people can watch a performance there.

You, The Audience The performers in the All-City Honors Chorus need help from you, the audience.

You are an important part of the concert.

Being a member of an audience at a concert is different from listening to the radio or even watching a music video.

The performers are in the same room with you and are affected by what you do. To do their best, the performers need you to watch and listen closely.

The other members of the audience also depend on your quiet attention during the performance so they can listen and watch, too. If you like the music you hear, clap when it ends.

Resources

Read:

You may want to...

Mees, Arthur. Choirs and Choral Music. University

Listen: Amazing Grace: American Hymns and Spirituals.

Telarc #80325, 1993.

Explorer: East Africa—Ceremonial & Folk. Nonesuch #79707, 2002.

Press of the Pacific, 2004.

Go online: The Master Chorale of Washington www.masterchorale.org ARTSEDGE www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org

Cuesheets are produced by ArtsEdge, a program of the Kennedy Center Education Department.

For more information about the performing arts and arts education, visit our Web sites: www.kennedy-center.org/education

Welcome to Cuesheet, a performance guide

A

t the Kennedy Center, you will hear a concert sung by a large choir. During the concert, you might recognize some of the singers on stage. They may be from your neighborhood or school. Some of the performers may even be your close friends!

The choral singers are middle and junior high school students from 26 schools in Washington, D.C. Each year, hundreds of students audition to sing in the All-City

Honors Chorus. The students selected to perform must commit to a schedule of ten weekend workshops in preparation for the concert. While many of their friends hang out in the neighborhood on Saturday mornings, these students have been preparing a program of music from around the world that celebrates many cultural traditions. In addition to learning the music, the singers are learning about the history, culture, and everyday life of the people from which the music came.

published by the Education Department of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. This Cuesheet is designed to help you enjoy the Partners in Peace concert.

This symbol marks topics for discussion or activities you may want to do with other students, friends, or family.

www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org Questions, comments? Write us at cuesheets@artsedge.kennedycenter.org. © 2008, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The U.S. Department of Education supports approximately one-third of the budget for the Kennedy Center Education Department.

The contents of this Cuesheet do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

These students from the District of Columbia Public Schools were part of the 2004 All-City Honors Chorus. Like the concerts in years past, the 2008 concert will be presented in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

Getting Ready for the Concert With teamwork and dedication to learning the music, the student performers have prepared the following songs for the concert:

The Songs “Now Sing We Joyfully Unto God” was written by Gordon Young, a musician and composer whose works for organ were wellknown throughout the 20th century. Many of Young’s nearly 1,000 compositions are still performed in churches and concert halls today.

“Sheep May Safely Graze” is a well-known German aria (or song) from the Hunting Cantata (a multi-part piece of music for voice and instruments) by Johann Sebastian Bach. Known in his lifetime as a talented church organist, Bach is now considered to be the composer who best defines the Baroque era of music.

“Now is the Month of Maying” is a madrigal, a kind of a cappella (unaccompanied by instruments) song for multiple voices that was popular during the Elizabethan period in England. It was written by composer Thomas Morley, who was a contemporary of playwright William Shakespeare.

“Durme, Durme” is based on a traditional lullaby sung by Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula (which includes the countries of Spain and Portugal). This folk song originated in Ladino, a language that fuses elements of Castilian Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish, French and Greek.

“Durme” is similar to the Spanish word “duerme” which means “sleeps.” Listen for the soothing tones that might help a child to sleep.

Long-Lasting Music

“Soon Ah Will Be Done” is a traditional AfricanAmerican spiritual. Sung by 19th century slaves in the southern United States, spirituals are expressions of faith, hope and a yearning for freedom. One of the most familiar arrangements is by William L. Dawson, director of the Tuskegee Institute Choir from 1931-1956.

You may notice that some of the songs on the concert program are hundreds of years old. Why do you think these songs have survived to be sung today? With a partner, make a list of your six favorite songs from the radio. Discuss whether people living 250 years from now will likely be singing or listening to any of the songs on your list. What do you and your partner think makes a song popular for centuries?

“It Takes a Village” was written in 1999

by Joan Szymko, and is based on the African saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Szymko writes, “I sought to embody the cultural concept behind this proverb—that it is truly ALL the individual parts linked and working together that create and support the whole.

Only when they are sung together does a truly joyful spirit arise.”

“I Am His Child” was written by Moses Hogan, a talented concert pianist from New Orleans who studied music at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio and the Juilliard School of Music in New York. In the late 20th century, Hogan became an important choral arranger by modernizing many African-American spirituals for modern An arranger adapts a muscal composition choirs.

for a different performance style.

To participate in the Partners in Peace All-City Honors Chorus, students must audition and be chosen to sing.

Two More Important Performers You already know about the student singers to be featured on stage at the Partners in Peace concert. However, there are two more important performers you will see:

Although preparing for a concert can be hard work, these student performers had fun during the process.

Conductor Gregory Lewis is responsible for making sure all the singers know their notes and lyrics and for keeping the music together. He knows all the parts of the music, makes sure all the singers come in at the right time, and controls the speed and volume of the music. Mr. Lewis has more than 20 years of experience conducting choirs and he is an accomplished singer, too—he was recently selected to sing at the White House.

Pianist Marva Cooper has played the piano for audiences around the world. Her role at the Partners in Peace concert is to play the piano for the students as they sing. Playing the piano for a choir is different than playing a piano solo. When Ms. Cooper plays for the choir, she must read her music, play all the correct notes, listen to the singers, and watch the conductor—all at the same time!

At the concert, watch as the conductor and pianist work together to support the singers.

Getting Ready for the Concert With teamwork and dedication to learning the music, the student performers have prepared the following songs for the concert:

The Songs “Now Sing We Joyfully Unto God” was written by Gordon Young, a musician and composer whose works for organ were wellknown throughout the 20th century. Many of Young’s nearly 1,000 compositions are still performed in churches and concert halls today.

“Sheep May Safely Graze” is a well-known German aria (or song) from the Hunting Cantata (a multi-part piece of music for voice and instruments) by Johann Sebastian Bach. Known in his lifetime as a talented church organist, Bach is now considered to be the composer who best defines the Baroque era of music.

“Now is the Month of Maying” is a madrigal, a kind of a cappella (unaccompanied by instruments) song for multiple voices that was popular during the Elizabethan period in England. It was written by composer Thomas Morley, who was a contemporary of playwright William Shakespeare.

“Durme, Durme” is based on a traditional lullaby sung by Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula (which includes the countries of Spain and Portugal). This folk song originated in Ladino, a language that fuses elements of Castilian Spanish, Hebrew, Turkish, French and Greek.

“Durme” is similar to the Spanish word “duerme” which means “sleeps.” Listen for the soothing tones that might help a child to sleep.

Long-Lasting Music

“Soon Ah Will Be Done” is a traditional AfricanAmerican spiritual. Sung by 19th century slaves in the southern United States, spirituals are expressions of faith, hope and a yearning for freedom. One of the most familiar arrangements is by William L. Dawson, director of the Tuskegee Institute Choir from 1931-1956.

You may notice that some of the songs on the concert program are hundreds of years old. Why do you think these songs have survived to be sung today? With a partner, make a list of your six favorite songs from the radio. Discuss whether people living 250 years from now will likely be singing or listening to any of the songs on your list. What do you and your partner think makes a song popular for centuries?

“It Takes a Village” was written in 1999

by Joan Szymko, and is based on the African saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Szymko writes, “I sought to embody the cultural concept behind this proverb—that it is truly ALL the individual parts linked and working together that create and support the whole.

Only when they are sung together does a truly joyful spirit arise.”

“I Am His Child” was written by Moses Hogan, a talented concert pianist from New Orleans who studied music at Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio and the Juilliard School of Music in New York. In the late 20th century, Hogan became an important choral arranger by modernizing many African-American spirituals for modern An arranger adapts a muscal composition choirs.

for a different performance style.

To participate in the Partners in Peace All-City Honors Chorus, students must audition and be chosen to sing.

Two More Important Performers You already know about the student singers to be featured on stage at the Partners in Peace concert. However, there are two more important performers you will see:

Although preparing for a concert can be hard work, these student performers had fun during the process.

Conductor Gregory Lewis is responsible for making sure all the singers know their notes and lyrics and for keeping the music together. He knows all the parts of the music, makes sure all the singers come in at the right time, and controls the speed and volume of the music. Mr. Lewis has more than 20 years of experience conducting choirs and he is an accomplished singer, too—he was recently selected to sing at the White House.

Pianist Marva Cooper has played the piano for audiences around the world. Her role at the Partners in Peace concert is to play the piano for the students as they sing. Playing the piano for a choir is different than playing a piano solo. When Ms. Cooper plays for the choir, she must read her music, play all the correct notes, listen to the singers, and watch the conductor—all at the same time!

At the concert, watch as the conductor and pianist work together to support the singers.

At the Concert

Presented by:

The Master Chorale of Washington District of Columbia Public Schools The Kennedy Center Stephen A. Schwarzman Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President

The Building Blocks of Music

Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education

Music is made up of three core elements or building blocks:

Partners in Peace Cuesheet Editing and design by ArtsEdge

Melody Harmony Rhythm Melody is the tune of the song. In songs with words, or lyrics, the part that people typically sing or hum is the melody. All of the notes sounding along with the melody, often by instruments or back-up singers, make up the harmony. The harmony consists of two or more different notes sounding at the same time. Rhythm is the pattern of musical notes that one can hear, often the result of melody and background music being played together. Music that makes the listener want to move or dance usually has an engaging rhythm. Melody, harmony, and rhythm are an important part of the concert. During the concert, listen for: • The main “tune” of each song • The music played by the piano during the singing • Music that makes you want to move, clap, or dance

Special thanks to The Master Chorale of Washington for providing images and program information.

The Partners in Peace All-City Honors Chorus will perform in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. More than 2,000 people can watch a performance there.

You, The Audience The performers in the All-City Honors Chorus need help from you, the audience.

You are an important part of the concert.

Being a member of an audience at a concert is different from listening to the radio or even watching a music video.

The performers are in the same room with you and are affected by what you do. To do their best, the performers need you to watch and listen closely.

The other members of the audience also depend on your quiet attention during the performance so they can listen and watch, too. If you like the music you hear, clap when it ends.

Resources

Read:

You may want to...

Mees, Arthur. Choirs and Choral Music. University

Listen: Amazing Grace: American Hymns and Spirituals.

Telarc #80325, 1993.

Explorer: East Africa—Ceremonial & Folk. Nonesuch #79707, 2002.

Press of the Pacific, 2004.

Go online: The Master Chorale of Washington www.masterchorale.org ARTSEDGE www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org

Cuesheets are produced by ArtsEdge, a program of the Kennedy Center Education Department.

For more information about the performing arts and arts education, visit our Web sites: www.kennedy-center.org/education

Welcome to Cuesheet, a performance guide

A

t the Kennedy Center, you will hear a concert sung by a large choir. During the concert, you might recognize some of the singers on stage. They may be from your neighborhood or school. Some of the performers may even be your close friends!

The choral singers are middle and junior high school students from 26 schools in Washington, D.C. Each year, hundreds of students audition to sing in the All-City

Honors Chorus. The students selected to perform must commit to a schedule of ten weekend workshops in preparation for the concert. While many of their friends hang out in the neighborhood on Saturday mornings, these students have been preparing a program of music from around the world that celebrates many cultural traditions. In addition to learning the music, the singers are learning about the history, culture, and everyday life of the people from which the music came.

published by the Education Department of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. This Cuesheet is designed to help you enjoy the Partners in Peace concert.

This symbol marks topics for discussion or activities you may want to do with other students, friends, or family.

www.artsedge.kennedy-center.org Questions, comments? Write us at cuesheets@artsedge.kennedycenter.org. © 2008, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The U.S. Department of Education supports approximately one-third of the budget for the Kennedy Center Education Department.

The contents of this Cuesheet do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

These students from the District of Columbia Public Schools were part of the 2004 All-City Honors Chorus. Like the concerts in years past, the 2008 concert will be presented in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.