What a Wonderful World

Transcription

1 What a Wonderful World Introduction. This is the first time I have programed a non-religious piece for OC, and I would like to give it context. I want to be careful in programming that I don't alienate our support base, or program something that is inappropriate for the worship focus we intend to nurture. Yet in concert, the program up to this point will have had some pretty intense moments, and I was looking for a song that looks at the other side of life the delight, the simple wonder and joy that we periodically glimpse without particular reference to religious experience. Something lighter a feel-good piece, yet with musical and intellectual integrity. This song seemed to fit the bill. The program notes for this piece may read something like this: This song is unusual in a sacred program. We have sung grief over sin and death, and over a Fall which permeates every facet of our lives. But we also have sung with gratitude about redemption, which likewise permeates every area of our lives, so we may say truly, "It is well with my soul." This song delights in the ordinary wonders of our daily lives. I see this piece as not unlike an anecdote from daily life that a preacher would use in a sermon to illustrate a point from the text hardly material to make an entire sermon, but useful in context. Furthermore, I really do see what we are doing as being a concert with a focus on worship, indeed, but a concert nonetheless. (Now that is a long discussion!) So this is an experiment, and I welcome your feedback as we learn and present this piece. The more I work with this piece, the more I find it charming. Therein lies a major trap. It must be charming without becoming sappy and sentimental. The difficulties of this piece lie chiefly in our unfamiliarity with this genre, which is of jazz origins. The harmonies do not fall naturally on our ear, and the rhythms do not fall naturally into our bodies. Let s look at a few specific ideas for bringing this piece alive. Rhythms. Note the note Clausen has put at the very top of the music indicating that two eighth notes = a triplet s quarter+eighth. Called swing, it gives an easy, laid-back sense to a rhythm. It simply means that when two eighth notes are sung, the first one is a little longer and the second is a little shorter. Their total time together is still a quarter note value. If you purchase the track (see below) you will quickly hear this, and will quickly find it quite easy to sing. But because of all the swing and triplets in here, don t bother to try to count it. I m not sure it would be that helpful anyway. Pitches. If anything is going to defeat us in this song, I believe it will be the pitches. The jazz harmonies are really, really tight. So, determine in your heart that you will go for the full 100% on these pitches. Take the challenge by the teeth and give it your best OC shake. Please do the following: Be able to sing your line by yourself, without the support of the other lines. A cappella. Really. If you can t sing your line alone and accurately a cappella, you won t do it in context. As with all the songs, learn to solf this. When you have a soprano wailing a half step above you, and a tenor hooting a step below you, and you are trying to sing between a hoot and a wail the solfege will prove invaluable.

2 Obviously, it will be important to sing your lines in context as well. But be able to sing your line by yourself. Text. Implode final consonants. The nonsense syllables vary greatly. Be deliberate about memorizing these. Women. Please find a chest voice on this piece. I think this style really needs that huskier quality. An English boy choir sound at middle C just doesn t cut it. If you are not sure how to access your chest voice, check with your section leader. Better yet, go for those voice lessons you ve been threatening to do. Misc. This piece is fairly seamless, so plan to stagger breathing except as noted. I would like the solo to be baritone, as it will give contrast with the last half of the song. Bari s please step up to the plate and take a good... swing. I suggest you purchase a recording of this track from Amazon. The $1 will be worth it.

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