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SCIS students make beautiful choral music
By Alberto Martinez |
November 28, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHOIRS are among the world's oldest music ensembles. The reason is simple: All you need to make music is a group of enthusiastic singers.
Choral music, as we know it today, had its origins in Gregorian chants, the liturgical music sung by monks in the early 7th century. These chants were fundamental in the evolution of Western music, mostly because it used an early form of music notation.
Before that, all music was learned by memory and passed along through oral tradition. Choirs started as a male-only activity, included children a couple of centuries later, and eventually brought in women. Much has changed since then.
In education today, choirs are an exciting opportunity for students to learn music. Choirs provide immediate feedback and satisfaction to students, since most can sing without a great deal of previous practice.
At Shanghai Community International School, we have put together an ambitious choir program. With three choir options, our students learn traditional music, theory and ear training. Students receive coaching through individual, ensemble and group singing, and build toward performances.
Choir students also learn the latest techniques in music composition and production by using the latest technology software. I love to see how students discover that music has a deep intellectual and scientific foundation, comparable to that of math.
Good music is great, and good choir music is a great way to enjoy it. Furthermore, a choir is a beautiful analogy to life and gives our students a deep message: If we work as a team, and we put together our strengths in an organized way, we will all reap the joy and satisfaction of success.
Alberto Martinez is a choir teacher of Shanghai Community International School.
Choral music, as we know it today, had its origins in Gregorian chants, the liturgical music sung by monks in the early 7th century. These chants were fundamental in the evolution of Western music, mostly because it used an early form of music notation.
Before that, all music was learned by memory and passed along through oral tradition. Choirs started as a male-only activity, included children a couple of centuries later, and eventually brought in women. Much has changed since then.
In education today, choirs are an exciting opportunity for students to learn music. Choirs provide immediate feedback and satisfaction to students, since most can sing without a great deal of previous practice.
At Shanghai Community International School, we have put together an ambitious choir program. With three choir options, our students learn traditional music, theory and ear training. Students receive coaching through individual, ensemble and group singing, and build toward performances.
Choir students also learn the latest techniques in music composition and production by using the latest technology software. I love to see how students discover that music has a deep intellectual and scientific foundation, comparable to that of math.
Good music is great, and good choir music is a great way to enjoy it. Furthermore, a choir is a beautiful analogy to life and gives our students a deep message: If we work as a team, and we put together our strengths in an organized way, we will all reap the joy and satisfaction of success.
Alberto Martinez is a choir teacher of Shanghai Community International School.
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