Show Choirs
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Transcript of Show Choirs
ICDA SUMMER CONFERENCEJune 10th, 2010
presented by:
John Wenning, Huntington North High SchoolPat Wiehe, North Central High School
Christopher Brush, Chesterton High School
SEGMENT ONE: reading session
“I Have a Dream” – arr. Mac Huff(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08202452)
“That’s When the Music Takes Me” – arr. Kirby Shaw(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08202678)
“Rock With You- A Tribute to Michael Jackson” – arr. Mac Huff(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08202501)
“Girls Sing the Fifties” – arr. Kirby Shaw(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08202501)
“Hey Mambo” – arr. Kirby Shaw(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08202501)
SEGMENT ONE: reading session
“Manhattan Transfer Swings!” – arr. Mark Brymer(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08751142)
“The Princess and the Frog” – arr. Mac Huff(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08751553)
“In The Heights- Choral Medley” – arr. Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08621637)
“Mary Poppins: Choral Highlights” – arr. Mac Huff(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08746990)
SEGMENT TWO: show design
OVERVIEW…
origins of pop/commercial music in school music setting
“What is a Show Choir?”- Father Fred Link, 1975
function/role of popular music in education
benefits of offering show choir ensembles
SEGMENT TWO: show design
COMMON FORMATS…
musical revue/variety show formatlook for opportunities to highlight individual talent… great soloists, tap dancers, hot hornline, etc.
underlying theme/messagechoose programming based on song content, not song titles, to create greater impact!
strong conceptualization/thematic elementsunderstand the strengths of your performers and design to their level of ability and sophistication
avant gardeshoot for the stars, make choices which push the envelope, and be prepared to strongly defend your choices to students, parents, and consumers of your product who may not “get it”
SEGMENT TWO: show design
NON COMPETITIVE SETS SHOULD…
be appealing and engaging for audience members
help the audience develop a rapport with the performers
concentrate on showcasing the vocal ability of the ensemble
demonstrate differing styles and techniques in both music and dance
utilize costuming which complements the music and dance
contain “wow” factor/surprises/hooks
SEGMENT TWO: show design
COMPETITIVE SETS SHOULD…
demonstrate all the characteristics of non-competitive sets
result from strong collaboration between director(s), choreographer/show designer(s), and arranger(s)
be designed to highlight the ensemble’s strengths and unique abilities while minimizing the impact of weaker areas of music, dance, and or/performance technique
focus upon strong integration of live instrumentals
SEGMENT TWO: show design
STOCK ARRANGEMENTS…
first and foremost, consider the musical aspects of the arrangement (ranges, beauty of vocal lines, harmonic structure)
look for charts with key changes, alternation of melodic material, inverted harmonies, etc. for variety
depending on your needs, many stock arrangements have instrumental packs, ShowTrax, or both
ask yourself, does this piece highlight the strengths of my ensemble?
SEGMENT TWO: show design
SAMPLE “SET” USING STOCK ARRANGEMENTS…
“That’s When the Music Takes Me”- arr. Kirby Shaw(from reading session packet)
“Hey Mambo” - arr. Kirby Shaw(from reading session packet)
“Ordinary Miracles” - arr. Mac Huff(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08730276)
“Knock On Wood” - arr. Kirby Shaw(Hal Leonard Corporation, catalog number 08201806)
“Dance to the Music” - arr. Anita Cracauer(www.customarrangements.net)
SEGMENT TWO: show design
CUSTOM ARRANGEMENTS…
choose an arranger who is experienced at writing for voices as well as instruments (this is very important!)
identify your ensemble’s areas of strength and weakness for the arranger when commissioning the piece
be VERY CLEAR if there are specific elements you wish to have included in the finished product
for choreographed selections, be sure to engage the choreographer/show designer for input before the chart is written
SEGMENT TWO: show design
COPYRIGHT COMPLIANCE…
appropriate rights must be secured for all unpublished arrangements prior to performance
proof of permission to arrange and perform each piece of custom music is required for participation in ISSMA events
ISSMA is now offering a service which assists directors in obtaining rights for their show selections
obtaining permission to arrange a piece does not grant you mechanical rights to record and reproduce it, other than for archival purposes… these must be obtained separately!
SEGMENT TWO: show design
PROGRAMMING/SHOW DESIGN Q & A…
please feel free to pose your questionsto any or all of today’s moderators!
ICDA SUMMER CONFERENCEJune 10th, 2010
presented by:
John Wenning, Huntington North High SchoolPat Wiehe, North Central High School
Christopher Brush, Chesterton High School
