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June 5, 2020: Week 12, Volume 5

6/5/2020

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Current Assignment

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of June 1 (due Monday, 6/8).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

End-of-year: all Chorus work for Term 4 will be due on Monday, June 15 (the last new assignment will come out on June 8). Please make sure you are aware of any Term 4 work that hasn't been submitted, and reach out to Ms. Simmonds with any questions!

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 6/1/2020).

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

​Click here to see the videos from Senior Music Night.

Weekly Feature: Musicals

Broadway Records

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Several years ago, in honor of the Summer Olympics in Brazil, Playbill released a list of Broadway-themed awards, including: High-note Jump, 100-meter Quick-Change Dash, and Long Distance Run ... of a Show.
Click here to see the full event list and all of the winners!
Interested in learning more? Here are some additional articles/websites that highlight major moments in Broadway's history.
9 Theatre Milestones We're Grateful For
Spotlight on Broadway

Just for Fun: Broadway Slang

Learn the ins-and-outs of musical theater slang with Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Happy Friday!
Please enjoy this picture of my cat, Scout, sleeping in a box (which does not seem comfortable. but to each her own).
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It's hard to believe we're almost to the end of year ... or maybe it's great that we're finally to the end of the year ...

In either case - I'm here one last time (I promise) to ask you for contributions! Send me pictures, stories, song recommendations, whatever, so I can include them during these last 2 weeks of blog posts! Click here to email me.
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June 4, 2020: Week 12, Volume 4

6/4/2020

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Current Assignment

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of June 1 (due Monday, 6/8).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

End-of-year: all Chorus work for Term 4 will be due on Monday, June 15 (the last new assignment will come out on June 8). Please make sure you are aware of any Term 4 work that hasn't been submitted, and reach out to Ms. Simmonds with any questions!

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 6/1/2020).

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

​Click here to see the videos from Senior Music Night.
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Weekly Feature: Musicals

Broadway Dance Numbers

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Quoted from this article:
"Acting, singing, dancing! Somehow movement has been demoted to third billing in the triple threat universe of Broadway. Heck, some musicals today don't have any choreography at all. The opposite used to be the norm. The dancing was the thing you came for — the cliché being that tired businessmen wanted a night out to look at leggy girls. And of course, going back a few eons further, you can trace all of theatre back to tribal dance rituals. I don't particularly long for either of those eras, but so much of what defined the Golden Age of Broadway was the integration of music, lyrics and dance into storytelling.
Thankfully, the ever-expanding modern definition of musical theatre has room for all kinds of expression, including some that are very movement-based. Indeed, the 1996 hit Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk was most recognizable for its trailblazing choreography, and many newer shows such as Spring Awakening and Movin' Out have continued to broaden the definition of the form. It's safe to say that, regardless of how Broadway dancing evolves (or perhaps, because of how Broadway dancing evolves), it will continue to be a hallmark of musical theatre for the ages."
​
Click here for the full article, including a list of 10 amazing Broadway dance numbers, with video of each.

Recommended Resource:
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The Lincoln Center at Home website (click here) has new content DAILY, including jazz performance, dance workshops, livestream performances, and archive performances. 
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June 3, 2020: Week 12, Volume 3

6/3/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of June 1 (due Monday, 6/8).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

End-of-year Update: all Chorus work for Term 4 will be due on Monday, June 15 (the last new assignment will come out on June 8). Please make sure you are aware of any Term 4 work that hasn't been submitted, and reach out to Ms. Simmonds with any questions!

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 6/1/2020).

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

​Click here to see the videos from Senior Music Night.

Senior Banners

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Another round of Congratulations goes out to all of our Senior Musicians! And a huge thank you to the Music Boosters for organizing this year's Senior Banners. Due to a generous donation, all seniors will receive a banner this year! The banners were on display at Nipmuc on Monday when seniors arrived for their senior check-out and materials return, and then were delivered to each of the seniors by Mr. Harding and Ms. Simmonds.

Weekly Feature: Musicals

Movie Musicals
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Whether it's stage-to-screen adaptations or made-for-film musicals, there are no shortage of movie musicals out there! Check out this Playbill article, "27 Modern Movie Musicals to Watch While Quarantined," which includes summaries and links for where to find each one.

Recommended Resource:
​Playbill Live Stream Calendar

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Playbill and The Broadway Podcast Network have teamed up to keep a running calendar of theatre live stream events. Click here.
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June 2, 2020: Week 12, Volume 2

6/2/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of June 1 (due Monday, 6/8).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 6/1/2020).

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

​Click here to see the videos from Senior Music Night.

​Weekly Feature: Musicals

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Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (Rodgers and Hammerstein) were a successful musical theatre writing duo in the 1940s and 50s. And their Broadway shows brought in a whopping thirty four Tony Awards. They're known for titles such as Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, The Sound of Music, and Cinderella. Their musicals are still widely performed, and many have been turned into movies.
​Click here to learn more.

You can also check out the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization's youtube channel for performances and movie clips.

Listening Recommendation

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Coincidentally, this week's Boston Pops at Home Listening Playlist is entitled "My Favorite Things: A Richard Rodgers Celebration." Click here to listen.
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June 1, 2020: Week 12, Volume 1

6/1/2020

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Current Assignment(s)

Students should be working on the Remote Learning Assignment for the week of June 1 (due Monday, 6/8).
​Details can be found in Google Classroom.

Updates

Click here for parent information about the current Remote Learning Assignment (sent 6/1/2020).

​Click here for the Nipmuc Virtual Chorus Concert. Click here for the Boston Globe article. Click here for the Town Crier article.
​
NEW: Click here to see the videos from Senior Music Night.

We made it to JUNE! 
(sometimes it seemed like we'd never get here)

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As it turns out, June 1 was the opening date for 3 famous Broadway Musicals:
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" opened on June 1, 1971 at the Golden Theater, "Chicago" opened on June 1, 1975 at the 46th St. Theater, and "Les Miserables" opened on June 1, 1988 at the Schubert Theater Los Angeles. It therefore seems appropriate that we feature musicals this week!

Weekly Feature: Musicals

Watch a clip from the 1999 Tony Awards, featuring a performance from the revival cast of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and the award for "Best Featured Actress in a Musical."
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20 Benchmark Musicals in Broadway History 
by Mark A. Robinson

"What is it about Broadway musicals that we love so much? What keeps us coming back for more? What entices us to get lost in a world of song, dance, escapism, and heightened emotion? So many musicals have resonated with audiences in the roughly 150 years since the Broadway musical became one of New York City’s most popular forms of entertainment. Let’s take a look at the Broadway musical throughout history and examine 20 of the benchmark titles that have evolved the form, impacted audiences, and demonstrated that extra something special."

Click here for the full article, which contains information and clips from 20 important Broadway Musicals.
​Interested in learning more? Click here for an article with a more extensive history of Broadway's early days.

Recommended Resource:
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Free Online Learning

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The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website has a ton of resources you can access for free - click here.
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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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    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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