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My favorite thing about returning to in-person instruction is realizing that there is something intangibly wonderful about singing together in the same space. The musical electricity in the air when a choir sings a locked-in chord or the power of a group collectively being moved by a meaningful text is something that I’ll appreciate every time I step in front of a group of singers. My high school women’s choir is singing “Bright Morning Stars are Rising”, arr. by Jay Althouse. The music is an American folk tune that is very singable and was easily learned by the choir. Since they didn’t have to concentrate so much on learning their parts, they’ve been able to sing this with expression and musicality early on. This is my reminder as a conductor to be sure to program some music that is easily learned—sometimes simple pieces are the most effective—and some days students just need to make effortless, beautiful music together. 
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At our last concert, I wanted to feature more Eastern music, so I challenged myself by programing an Arabic piece and a Polynesian piece among others. The Arabic Piece, El Helwa-Di, was daunting because it has multiple stanzas in Arabic. I contacted a former student who is Egyptian and fluent in that particular dialect of Arabic to help us with the text by making audio recordings of the pronunciation.  |
Molly PetersChoral Director, Rancho Pico Junior High & West Ranch High School Archives
November 2023
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