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May 29, 2020: Week 11, Volume 4

5/29/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 26 (due Monday, 6/1).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/26/2020).

​Click 
here for the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert. Click here for the Boston Globe article. Click here for the Town Crier article.

Do you know what today is?

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On May 29 put a pillow on your fridge to bring good luck and wealth to your home because it is Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day. The origins of Put a Pillow on Your Fridge Day are unknown, but common wisdom is that the holiday gives a modern day twist to the old tradition of putting linens in the pantry to bring luck.

Happy Birthday: SEPTEMBER!

Since the Chorus Bulletin Board didn't officially get going until October, we missed celebrating all of the September birthdays! So in our last official Birthday post of the year, we wish you either a very early or very late Happy Birthday!
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Weekly Feature: Unique Instruments 2

Several weeks ago, I featured a new unique instrument every day. Because there are no shortage of interesting instruments in this world, here's part 2!

Wintergatan Marble Machine

The Marble Machine was created in 2014 by the Swedish Band Wintergatan. The group describes their musical style as "folktronica" - a hybrid of folk and electronica. The Marble Machine is essentially a music box that uses marbles to play instruments. The machine is powered by a hand-crank, and works by raising steel marbles through the machine into multiple feeder tubes, where they are then released from height via programmable release gates, falling and striking a musical instrument below. Instruments played by marbles striking them include a vibraphone, bass guitar, cymbal (the folk part), and emulated kick drum, high hat and snare drum sounds using contact microphones (the electronica part). The music score is stored on two programmable wheels that utilize Lego Technic beams and stud connectors to trigger armatures to release the marbles.

In 2016, the band disassembled The Marble Machine and announced their plans to make a new one for the purpose of touring. The new machine, to be called "Marble Machine X", would solve a multitude of mechanical functionality problems with the original Marble Machine. The project is still ongoing (the picture below shows the work in progress), but you can click here to see a playlist featuring videos that document the creation of Marble Machine X, and check out Wintergatan's youtube channel for more.
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May 28, 2020: Week 11, Volume 3

5/28/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 26 (due Monday, 6/1).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/26/2020).

​Click 
here for the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert. Click here for the Boston Globe article. Click here for the Town Crier article.

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Senior Music Night yesterday, and to the Seniors for sending pictures and recording performances! If you missed it - here's one of the slideshow presentations we showed:

Weekly Feature: Unique Instruments 2

Several weeks ago, I featured a new unique instrument every day. Because there are no shortage of interesting instruments in this world, here's part 2!

Hydrolauphone

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As the name suggest, these instruments produces sound hydraulically. The term actually classifies an entire category of instruments just like strings, woodwinds or percussion. It provides a sensory experience as music is played by covering different water jets to produce different pitches. You can think of the hydrolauphone as a hybrid, an underwater flute meets a pipe organ. Some hydrolauphones use reeds much in the same way woodwind instruments do, such as the H2Oboe.

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May 27, 2020: Week 11, Volume 2

5/27/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 26 (due Monday, 6/1).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/26/2020).

​Click 
here for the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert. Click here for the Boston Globe article. Click here for the Town Crier article.

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You're Invited: SENIOR MUSIC NIGHT

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You are all invited to our Virtual Senior Music Night, happening TONIGHT: Wednesday, May 27, at 7:00pm. All Chorus and Drama students/families are invited to join us along with our Senior Musicians and Drama Guild members and their families. Check your email for the Zoom link!

Weekly Feature: Unique Instruments 2

Several weeks ago, I featured a new unique instrument every day. Because there are no shortage of interesting instruments in this world, here's part 2!

Gameleste

A relatively new instrument, the Gameleste was created when Icelandic artist Bjork commissioned the creation of new instruments to complement her music style and 2011 album. A modified celesta (similar to a piano) with tone bars from a gamelan (an ensemble of kettle-shaped tuned gongs prevalent in Java, Bali, and Indonesia), the gameleste produces unique chime-like sounds.

Listen to one of the songs from Bjork's albumn that features the instrument: Crystalline. Then watch a video about the making of the Gameleste.


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May 26, 2020: Week 11, Volume 1

5/26/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 26 (due Monday, 6/1).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/26/2020).

​Click 
here for the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert. Click here for the Boston Globe article. Click here for the Town Crier article.

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You're Invited: SENIOR MUSIC NIGHT

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You are all invited to our Virtual Senior Music Night, happening this Wednesday, May 27, at 7:00pm. All Chorus and Drama students/families are invited to join us along with our Senior Musicians and Drama Guild members and their families. Check your email for the Zoom link!

Weekly Feature: Unique Instruments 2

Several weeks ago, I featured a new unique instrument every day. Because there are no shortage of interesting instruments in this world, here's part 2!

Hurdy-Gurdy

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Hurdy-Gurdy is quite a term for this 12th century Medieval stringed instrument, but despite its unusual name, it became pretty popular in France and in folk tunes. It has changed throughout time like many of its string counterparts, but has retained a distinct look. Played by manually cranking the instrument’s wheel, the musician simultaneously pushes on keys attached to the strings. The wheel takes the place of a bow, rubbing the strings for a drone-like effect almost reminiscent of a stringed version of the humming sound of bagpipes.
Click here to learn more.

Recommended Resource: Pops at Home

Check out the Boston Pops at Home website for weekly recordings and interviews with conductor Keith Lockhart and rotating special guests.
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May 22, 2020: Week 10, Volume 5

5/22/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 18 (due Monday, 5/25).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/18/2020).

​Click 
here to access the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert.
Click here to read the Boston Globe article. 
​
Click here to read the Town Crier article.

SENIORS!

We're excited to celebrate with you at next week's Virtual Senior Music Night!
Click here for more information, and to access to Senior Bio Form, which was due yesterday - if you haven't already, fill it out asap!
Click here for information about auditioning to sing at Graduation.
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Happy Birthday: AUGUST

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Weekly Feature: Graduation

This week, we celebrate all of our graduating seniors! I know it's not how you expected this year to go - and so while we eagerly look forward to the day when we can celebrate together in person, hopefully you can also take some time over the next few weeks to celebrate all of your accomplishments.

​Today's Happy Graduation Theme: Animals Graduating!
(I know I already did Dogs on Monday, but there's just too many other good animal pictures to not include!)
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May 21, 2020: Week 10, Volume 4

5/21/2020

0 Comments

 

Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 18 (due Monday, 5/25).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.
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Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/18/2020).

​Click 
here to access the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert.
Click here to read the Boston Globe article. 
​

NEW: Click here to read an article in the May 15 issues of the Mendon-Upton Town Crier (and make sure you scroll down to page 12 to see an article about Nipmuc's Class of 2020 Sign Delivery!)

SENIORS!

We're excited to celebrate with you at next week's Virtual Senior Music Night!
Click here for more information, and to access to Senior Bio Form, which was due yesterday - if you haven't already, fill it out asap!
Click here for information about auditioning to sing at Graduation.
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Listening Recommendation

Click here to hear more on the VOCES8 youtube channel.

Weekly Feature: Graduation

This week, we celebrate all of our graduating seniors! I know it's not how you expected this year to go - and so while we eagerly look forward to the day when we can celebrate together in person, hopefully you can also take some time over the next few weeks to celebrate all of your accomplishments.

​Today's Happy Graduation Theme: Big Decisions, meme edition
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​And you've got no shortage of people offering you advice, I'm sure. But since we all know the best advice comes from the internet, let's dive in.
Congratulations! You've made it through high school, and now you've got some big decisions to make. College? Work? Military?
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If you're going into the workforce, there's no sugar-coating it - the job market can sometimes be rough.
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And it's never to early to start looking
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So remember, really sell yourself at the interview
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If you're going to college, choosing a major can also be challenging. Here to outline your options, ​The Emperor's New Groove
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May 20, 2020: Week 10, Volume 3

5/20/2020

0 Comments

 

Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 18 (due Monday, 5/25).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/18/2020).

​Click 
here to access the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert.
Click here to read the Boston Globe article. 
​

SENIORS!

We're excited to celebrate with you at next week's Virtual Senior Music Night!
Click here for more information, and to access to Senior Bio Form, which is due TODAY!
Click here for information about auditioning to sing at Graduation.
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Recommended Resource: 
Los Angeles Philharmonic

The L.A. Phil website has a ton of great resources to explore, including concerts, interviews, and behind the scenes info. Click here.
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Weekly Feature: Graduation

This week, we celebrate all of our graduating seniors! I know it's not how you expected this year to go - and so while we eagerly look forward to the day when we can celebrate together in person, hopefully you can also take some time over the next few weeks to celebrate all of your accomplishments.

​Today's Happy Graduation Theme: Profound Graduation Advice
These are the lessons that will prepare you for the real world.
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May 19, 2020: Week 10, Volume 2

5/19/2020

0 Comments

 

Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 18 (due Monday, 5/25).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/18/2020).

​Click 
here to access the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert.
Click here to read the Boston Globe article. 
​

SENIORS!

We're excited to celebrate with you at next week's Virtual Senior Music Night!
Click here for more information, and to access to Senior Bio Form, which is due on Wednesday 5/20. 
Click here for information about auditioning to sing at Graduation.
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Recommended Resource 
BSO at Home: Heroic Performances Series

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The Boston Symphony Orchestra has been releasing new material each week as part of their BSO at Home programming. Currently, you can stream the inaugural concert with current music director Andris Nelsons, which features opera vocalists Jonas Kaufmann and Kristine Opolais. A great way to get an intro to operatic singing if you're not quite ready to watch a full opera! Click here. 

Weekly Feature: Graduation

This week, we celebrate all of our graduating seniors! I know it's not how you expected this year to go - and so while we eagerly look forward to the day when we can celebrate together in person, hopefully you can also take some time over the next few weeks to celebrate all of your accomplishments.
Today's Happy Graduation Theme: Caps! 
Deciding how to decorate your cap is serious business. Here are some ideas to get you inspired:
Some people like to include inspirational quotations
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Pop culture references are always popular
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Or you could go the beautifully decorated route
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Even better, music puns!
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I'm partial to these music themed designs
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If all else fails, don't forget to thank everyone who's gotten you this far
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May 18, 2020: Week 10, Volume 1

5/18/2020

0 Comments

 

Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 18 (due Monday, 5/25).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/18/2020).

​Click 
here to access the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert.
Click here to read the Boston Globe article. 


SENIORS!

We're excited to celebrate with you at next week's Virtual Senior Music Night!
Click here for more information, and to access to Senior Bio Form, which is due on Wednesday 5/20. 
Click here for information about auditioning to sing at Graduation.
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Weekly Feature: Graduation!

This week, we celebrate all of our graduating seniors! I know it's not how you expected this year to go - and so while we eagerly look forward to the day when we can celebrate together in person, hopefully you can also take some time over the next few weeks to celebrate all of your accomplishments.
Today's Happy Graduation Theme: Dogs! 
These dogs can teach us all a thing or two about graduating with style. And they probably have great advice, too.
So remember, smile pretty for the camera!
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And try keep your eyes open ...
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We know how hard you've worked
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So now it's time to relax and celebrate
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Because you made it!
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Listening Recommendation: 

Graduation Medley
performed by The Platt Brothers - Graduate Together 2020

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May 15, 2020: Week 9, Volume 5

5/15/2020

0 Comments

 

Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of May 11 (due Monday, 5/18).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 5/11/2020).
​

​Click here to access the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert.
Click here to read the Boston Globe article. 
​

This Week in Music

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May 11,1812: A new dance called the Waltz is introduced in English ballrooms. Many observers considered it to be "disgusting and immoral." No wonder it caught on!
May 12, 1845: Gabriel Urbain Fauré is born in Pamiers, France. Fauré was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher, and one of the foremost French composers of his generation. His musical style influenced many 20th-century composers. He is known for his Requiem, chamber music works, and songs, including Cantique de Jean Racine​:
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May 13, 1767: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's first opera "Apollo et Hyacinthus," written when he was just 11 years old, premieres in Salzburg. 
May 14, 1972: The 14th Annual GRAMMY Awards are held at New York’s Felt Forum (now The Theater at Madison Square Garden). Honoring music released during the year 1971, the 14th GRAMMYs were dominated by Carole King, who won Record Of The Year (“It’s Too Late”), Album Of The Year (Tapestry), Song Of The Year (“You’ve Got A Friend”) and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female (Tapestry). And as if that wasn’t impressive enough, King’s “You’ve Got A Friend” also helped her friend James Taylor win Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, while Quincy Jones won Best Pop Instrumental Performance for Smackwater Jack, named after another great song King co-wrote with early Brill Building partner and former husband Gerry Goffin.
May 15, 1567: Claudio Monteverdi, Italian composer and pioneer in development of opera, is born in Cremona, Italy. 
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Happy Birthday: JULY (The best month. I'm not biased. You're biased)

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    Ms. Simmonds and Scout the Kitteh (whose hobbies include: napping on your face and crawling across your lap at inconvenient times - like while I'm recording video posts :)

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