Eagle Rock Dance Performance

The Eastern Idaho Children Choirs are performing at the Eagle Rock Dance Christmas Recital!!  We're very excited to be a part of this event - it is a great opportunity to sing in front of people and get our feet wet before our regular winter concert in January.

Each of the choirs - First Voices, Prelude Choir, and Lyrical Choir will be performing 2 of their pieces on stage.  The Prelude Choir and Lyrical Choir will be performing an additional piece together.  I'm really looking forward to having our first performance under our belt!!

Just as an update on how things are going.

The First Voices continues to work on the Kodaly method - these are symbols and syllables that many are familiar with, but may not know the full benefits of learning.  The Kodaly symbols are hand gestures that signify the placement and tendencies of each note and where they rest or resolve.  Our first songs emphasize the first intervals that young voices learn well.  You'll see in our second part of the year a dramatic change as they learn more about reading music and more complex unison singing.  Although, the Dr. Knickerbocker song has a couple of new intervals that sneak in - some of the kids are able to do it, some are still learning - which is great!!

Our Prelude Choir has been a wonderful experience - we have both new and veteran members on board.  Prelude Choir is the first experience with parts and the students are learning quickly how to listen and blend the parts together.  Rounds are a great way to create parts out of music and the Prelude Choir has a couple of rounds that are both rewarding and challenging.

Lyrical Choir is performing the more difficult music splitting into parts with harmony and counter melodies.  We have a couple of very challenging rhythmic tunes and I think we're stretching some abilities in great ways.  After our performance with Eagle Rock Dance, we'll be concentrating on learning a particular song with some real rhythmic tricks that can be both frustrating and enjoyable (we'll concentrate on making them enjoyable!!).

I am really enjoying each of the kids in all the choirs - seeing them open up with what I consider one of the best ways to express themselves is a great pleasure.  Thanks for having them in the group!!

-Roger