Late August Updates!

Vocal Music Students:

We are now just over a week away from our first rehearsal together!
I hope you all have had a wonderful summer so far!
I wanted to email you with a few updates as we get closer and closer to the start of our year together.

-  The Vocal Music Dropbox has been updated, and recordings and part tracks are ready to be downloaded.  You can get Dropbox as an app for your phone and access the files that way.  You should create a "playlist" with the recordings, and eventually use the part tracks to help you learn your parts.  For those of you new to Dropbox, it is an app/website that allows me to upload recordings and documents that you can then open/download via a phone, computer, or tablet.

-  For new students, if you would like access to the Dropbox now (before school starts) simply send me a quick email (foxborochoir@gmail.com or raymondb@foxborough.k12.ma.us) and I will add you.  Otherwise I will be registering each of you with Dropbox on the first day of school.  It's very easy to use.

-  This website has been updated to include information for this year.  You can see a list of performance/event dates on the Calendar Tab.  You can also get general choir information by clicking on the "Concert Choir" Tab.  There is also a tentative list of songs that we will sing found on the Curriculum Tabs.  You can "subscribe" to the website by entering in your email address on the right-hand side.  That way you will receive an email every time a new post is created.

I hope you have a wonderful final week of summer vacation, and I look forward to seeing all of you soon!  We have an awesome year ahead.  If you need any help with anything before the school year starts, let me know.

Mr. Raymond
Foxboro High School Vocal Music Director

Reference Recordings Now Up On Dropbox

Vocal Music Students:

Reference Recordings and Curriculum Lists for All Vocal Ensembles Are Now Posted On Dropbox!  Curriculum lists on this website have also been updated to reflect the most recent updates.

Please download recordings and start creating playlists for yourself.  Listen through the music routinely before the start of the school year to start familiarizing yourself with each piece.

If you need access to the Vocal Music Dropbox please email me: raymondb@foxborough.k12.ma.us or at foxborochoir@gmail.com

Thank you!  Happy Listening! 

Mr. Raymond

Magnificat Details

Singers:

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

I want to send you a quick email with information regarding the Vivaldi Magnificat.  The Magnificat is a multi-movement work that we will perform in October with the King Philip Regional Choir and FHS String Orchestra! If you have a little free time over the next few weeks, please listen through the piece and follow along in the score.  In the concert, we will also perform 2-3 acapella pieces before we sing the Magnificat.  These pieces can be found on the curriculum list posted on the website.

Some quick notes about the Magnificat:

- The entire work is just under 15 minutes long

- There are two versions, RV 610 and RV 611 -- we will perform the RV 610 version

- The piece has two movements that involve soloists -- we will hire professional soloists to join us

- The digital music can also be found on this website: http://imslp.org/wiki/Magnificat,_RV_610_(Vivaldi,_Antonio) (we will use the Rein De Vries Edition)

- The tenor part will be made up of 2-3 Men and some low Altos

There is a really good reference video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWoKahU0zGs

Movement by Movement Breakdown:

I) Magnificat - Choir/Strings
II) Et Exultavit - Soprano Solo, Alto Solo, Tenor Solo (choir backgrounds)/Strings
III) Et Misercordia Eius - Choir/Strings
IV) Fecit Potentiam - Choir/Strings
V) Deposuit Potentes - Choir Strings
VI) Esurientes - 2 Female Soloists Duet/Strings
VII) Suscepit Israel - Choir/Strings

VIII) Sicut Locutus Est - Choir/Strings (this movement was originally meant to be a solo trio, we will perform it with full choir SAB)

IX) Gloria Patri - Choir/Strings

I hope this helps!  This is going to be an awesome first concert!

-Mr. Raymond

Summer Updates!

Vocal Music Students:

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!  In just over a month we'll be making music together, I hope you are getting as excited as I am.  We have an awesome year ahead, and so much to look forward to!  While I hope you are all enjoying a restful, relaxing, fun summer vacation, I want to update you and pass along some information related to the upcoming school year.

-  You can find a Concert/Performance Schedule on this website at the tab above

-  If you have not subscribed to the website yet please do so: www.foxborochoir.blogspot.com 

-  Also follow the vocal music twitter account @foxborochoir 

-  We will discuss E-Board Positions on the first day of school if you are interested in holding a leadership position.

-  I'm working on a End Of Summer Get-Together Tentatively Scheduled for August 26th--more details to come!  It would feature snacks/drinks, we will talk about the upcoming school year, listen through some of the music, and join the Orchestra students in watching the Marching Band Show Preview!

-  It is not too late to sign up for Jazz Choir, we can get you signed up on the first day of school if you are interested!

-  Finally, I am excited to announce the tentative Concert Choir Curriculum for the Fall and Winter Term.  The Vocal Jazz Curriculum will be finished very soon.

Note: These songs are definitely subject to change, but this is what we will start with.  Dropbox will be updated soon with recordings and part tracks!

FALL TERM (Voices and Strings Concert)

If Ye Love Me - Thomas Tallis  Youtube Link

Esto Les Digo - Kinley Lange  Youtube Link

Bright Morning Stars - Jay Althouse Youtube Link

Magnificat, Vivaldi -- We Will Perform This Alongside The King Philip HS Concert Choir and Full Orchestra! Youtube Link

WINTER TERM (Winter Concert)

Hallelujah, Amen (from Judas Maccabeus) - Handel Youtube Link

Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light - Bach Youtube Link

What Sweeter Music (either Leavitt or Rutter version still TBD)

Feller From Fortune - Somers (possibly...still TBD)

1-2 Holiday Songs - Possibly Pentatonix?

SPRING

In the Spring, along with many new pieces, we will be taking a look at the music of Daniel Elder.  Daniel is a rising star in the choral music world, and many of his works at starting to be performed at colleges, high schools, and All-State festivals around the country.  There are two pieces in particular that we will be looking at.  These pieces are some of the most challenging music we will learn all year, so it is best to at least start listening.  The first piece is entitled "Fresh and Fearless" based on the poem "May Night" by Sara Teasdale.  The video link is here: Youtube Link   The Second Piece by Elder is entitled, "Ballade of the Moon".  An absolutely beautiful original by Elder--part of a 3 song set of Nocturnes.  The link is here: Youtube Link

Many more pieces to come--including MICCA sets for Concert Choir/Women's Choir.  Women's Choir will be working on a Kevin Memley Piece this year, "There Will Come Soft Rains" Youtube Link

Again, have a wonderful rest of your summer!  Make sure to keep singing--even if it's just a few vocal exercises and warmups here and there.  We have an awesome year coming up with guest high school and college choir collaborations, guest artists and clinicians, and of course Tour 2017!  If you have any questions about the upcoming school year, don't hesitate to contact me, and I will respond.  I'll touch base with you all again soon.  

-Mr. Raymond

Foxboro High School Vocal Music Director