~ Singing, Songwriting, Theory: Week 3 ~
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QUICK LINKS TO OVERVIEW PAGES
Special Gatherings | Distinctive Lectures | Literary/Performance Arts, Film | Music
Dance | Human Arts | Youth Program | Visual Arts
View the Common Ground on the Hill Catalog as a PDF HERE.
QUICK LINKS TO OVERVIEW PAGES
Special Gatherings | Distinctive Lectures | Literary/Performance Arts, Film | Music
Dance | Human Arts | Youth Program | Visual Arts
View the Common Ground on the Hill Catalog as a PDF HERE.
African & Jamaican Songs
Come learn songs from West and South Africa and the Caribbean with scholar, performer and music director Kathy Bullock from Berea College. The songs will include games, songs for fun, and songs for liberation and freedom. Period 4 ~ Kathy Bullock
Come learn songs from West and South Africa and the Caribbean with scholar, performer and music director Kathy Bullock from Berea College. The songs will include games, songs for fun, and songs for liberation and freedom. Period 4 ~ Kathy Bullock
America Singing
In this repertoire-building class, we’ll explore the American folk music tradition, from union and work songs to mountain music, from spirituals and love songs to protest music. Come ready to sing, play, and participate. By the end of the week, you'll be convinced that this unique country, which was founded on the idea of equality, has produced some of the most beautiful and inspiring songs and stories in history. Period 4 ~ Sparky & Rhonda Rucker
In this repertoire-building class, we’ll explore the American folk music tradition, from union and work songs to mountain music, from spirituals and love songs to protest music. Come ready to sing, play, and participate. By the end of the week, you'll be convinced that this unique country, which was founded on the idea of equality, has produced some of the most beautiful and inspiring songs and stories in history. Period 4 ~ Sparky & Rhonda Rucker
Big Song Swap
Faculty and students come together in a feast of good songs: traditional, original, old and new. In an era of musical hype and performance overload, this is a rare opportunity to sing, play and even just listen. Faculty will facilitate to make sure that all those who care to do so will share or lead a song. Period 5 ~ Sparky & Rhonda Rucker, David Morris, Gordon Roberts, Bill & Livia Vanaver
Faculty and students come together in a feast of good songs: traditional, original, old and new. In an era of musical hype and performance overload, this is a rare opportunity to sing, play and even just listen. Faculty will facilitate to make sure that all those who care to do so will share or lead a song. Period 5 ~ Sparky & Rhonda Rucker, David Morris, Gordon Roberts, Bill & Livia Vanaver
Creating Melody
Create unique compositions. Melodic development, structure, and defining memorable melodies, including “ear-worms.” Learn notation and recording. Ability to read standard musical notation is helpful but not necessary. Period 3 ~ Bill Troxler
Create unique compositions. Melodic development, structure, and defining memorable melodies, including “ear-worms.” Learn notation and recording. Ability to read standard musical notation is helpful but not necessary. Period 3 ~ Bill Troxler
Gospel Music with Shelley Ensor
Join with Shelley Ensor as she leads a singing and film history of black gospel music. Starting with spirituals as popularized by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, moving into early gospel music personified by Thomas Dorsey, focusing on great gospel singers of the civil rights era such as Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples and finally highlighting contemporary icons such as Walter Hawkins, Hezekiah Walker and Fred Hammond, this class will be both informative and inspiring. Period 2 ~ Shelley Ensor, Alice Dorsey
Join with Shelley Ensor as she leads a singing and film history of black gospel music. Starting with spirituals as popularized by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, moving into early gospel music personified by Thomas Dorsey, focusing on great gospel singers of the civil rights era such as Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples and finally highlighting contemporary icons such as Walter Hawkins, Hezekiah Walker and Fred Hammond, this class will be both informative and inspiring. Period 2 ~ Shelley Ensor, Alice Dorsey
How to Use and Understand the Modes
This course is aimed at instrumentalists and composers who want to understand how to make good use of the modes of music. The class will explore the theory of modes and spend one day on each of these modes: Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian. The scales and chords of each mode will be explored. A tune in each mode will be studied. The class will examine the topic of intermodal exchange to see how this important technique has been used to create energy and excitement in traditional and contemporary music. To benefit from this course, students must be able to play the Ionian scale (do re me fa so la ti do) in the keys of D and G. All instruments and all levels of musicianship are welcome. Period 2 ~ Bill Troxler
This course is aimed at instrumentalists and composers who want to understand how to make good use of the modes of music. The class will explore the theory of modes and spend one day on each of these modes: Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian and Mixolydian. The scales and chords of each mode will be explored. A tune in each mode will be studied. The class will examine the topic of intermodal exchange to see how this important technique has been used to create energy and excitement in traditional and contemporary music. To benefit from this course, students must be able to play the Ionian scale (do re me fa so la ti do) in the keys of D and G. All instruments and all levels of musicianship are welcome. Period 2 ~ Bill Troxler
Irish Song
Irish song is a rich, uninterrupted, direct line of song tradition. Come and learn some of the gems! Drawing on the traditional and the modern, from originals to Dublin street songs, this is sure to be a fun experience and include songs that are sure to provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Period 4 ~ Ciara McCafferty, Paul Starrett (Connla)
Irish song is a rich, uninterrupted, direct line of song tradition. Come and learn some of the gems! Drawing on the traditional and the modern, from originals to Dublin street songs, this is sure to be a fun experience and include songs that are sure to provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Period 4 ~ Ciara McCafferty, Paul Starrett (Connla)
Just Enough Music Theory
Learn about scales, chords and harmonic progression, and supporting a melody. Especially good for guitar players and songwriters. Reading music is very helpful, but not essential. This is a demonstration, and discussion course. Instruments are NOT required. Period 4 ~ Bill Troxler
Learn about scales, chords and harmonic progression, and supporting a melody. Especially good for guitar players and songwriters. Reading music is very helpful, but not essential. This is a demonstration, and discussion course. Instruments are NOT required. Period 4 ~ Bill Troxler
Look & Listen: The Beauty of the Blues
Blues is the underpinning of much of our best popular music: folk, jazz, rock, soul, R&B. Using classic and rare recordings and film, this multi-media course is guaranteed to open your ears and eyes to the blues and its mammoth impact on American culture. If you thought the blues was a bummer, think again! Period 5 ~ Cary Wolfson
Blues is the underpinning of much of our best popular music: folk, jazz, rock, soul, R&B. Using classic and rare recordings and film, this multi-media course is guaranteed to open your ears and eyes to the blues and its mammoth impact on American culture. If you thought the blues was a bummer, think again! Period 5 ~ Cary Wolfson
Rise Up Singing
Liza & A.J. will prime you for your day of singing at Common Ground on the Hill. In the first half of the class, Liza will coax your larynx out of bed with her thirty years of music-teaching experience and extensive knowledge of vocalizing exercises. A.J. will then playfully take over the second-half by plugging your newly awakened voice into fun songs worth adding to any repertoire. Everything from warbling out the morning’s first notes to the joy of vocal improvising will be covered. This class is perfect for teachers who would like to use singing in their classrooms or who would like to learn about good vocal health in relation to their teaching. Singers of every level are welcome! Period 1 ~ A.J. Bodnar, Liza DiSavino
Liza & A.J. will prime you for your day of singing at Common Ground on the Hill. In the first half of the class, Liza will coax your larynx out of bed with her thirty years of music-teaching experience and extensive knowledge of vocalizing exercises. A.J. will then playfully take over the second-half by plugging your newly awakened voice into fun songs worth adding to any repertoire. Everything from warbling out the morning’s first notes to the joy of vocal improvising will be covered. This class is perfect for teachers who would like to use singing in their classrooms or who would like to learn about good vocal health in relation to their teaching. Singers of every level are welcome! Period 1 ~ A.J. Bodnar, Liza DiSavino
Scottish Song
Scottish music is known all over the world. We are going to explore some of the songs, some of the themes and some of the prolific song writers who have spread the beauty of Scotland and its people across the globe. We will learn about Robert Burns and how the messages within his songs are remembered over 200 years after his death. We will also look at songs of love, freedom, protest, emigration, children's' songs, music hall songs and look at the very close links between the songs of Scotland and Ireland. Every class will be a concert and everyone who comes will be part of that concert, so bring your voice, your ears and whatever instrument you want. As they say in Scotland, we'll be 'gi'en it laldy'! Period 3 ~ Paul Creighton, Pete Clark
Scottish music is known all over the world. We are going to explore some of the songs, some of the themes and some of the prolific song writers who have spread the beauty of Scotland and its people across the globe. We will learn about Robert Burns and how the messages within his songs are remembered over 200 years after his death. We will also look at songs of love, freedom, protest, emigration, children's' songs, music hall songs and look at the very close links between the songs of Scotland and Ireland. Every class will be a concert and everyone who comes will be part of that concert, so bring your voice, your ears and whatever instrument you want. As they say in Scotland, we'll be 'gi'en it laldy'! Period 3 ~ Paul Creighton, Pete Clark
Sheaves of Grain: 15 Seasonal Songs from Around the World
In this class we will learn selections from The Vanaver Caravan recording, Sheaves of Grain: 15 Seasonal Songs from Around the World. Songs for all ages from Brazil, India, England, Sweden, Native American, Israel, Pennsylvania Dutch, France. This course will include some simple movement to accompany some songs. Period 2 ~ Bill & Livia Vanaver
In this class we will learn selections from The Vanaver Caravan recording, Sheaves of Grain: 15 Seasonal Songs from Around the World. Songs for all ages from Brazil, India, England, Sweden, Native American, Israel, Pennsylvania Dutch, France. This course will include some simple movement to accompany some songs. Period 2 ~ Bill & Livia Vanaver
Singing with Shelley Ensor
Take this rare opportunity to sing with vocalist and choral director Shelley Ensor. This will be a freewheeling, fun-loving class including gospel, blues, jazz, musicals, Motown and more. Pianist Alice Dorsey will accompany. Period 3 ~ Shelley Ensor, Alice Dorsey
Take this rare opportunity to sing with vocalist and choral director Shelley Ensor. This will be a freewheeling, fun-loving class including gospel, blues, jazz, musicals, Motown and more. Pianist Alice Dorsey will accompany. Period 3 ~ Shelley Ensor, Alice Dorsey
Writing Songs with a Point
This class will focus on writing protest songs about environmental issues, political events and social causes. We’ll use traditional and original examples to help you channel your inner-Pete Seeger. Students will have opportunities to perform their works in class. Bring an instrument and/or your voice, a notebook and your conscience. Period 3 ~ David Morris
This class will focus on writing protest songs about environmental issues, political events and social causes. We’ll use traditional and original examples to help you channel your inner-Pete Seeger. Students will have opportunities to perform their works in class. Bring an instrument and/or your voice, a notebook and your conscience. Period 3 ~ David Morris