Archive for the ‘Quotes of Note’ Category
Transcripted Segment from American Master’s Documentary AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: A HISTORY, to capture what it means to be human and elevate our existence
Posted on: June 5, 2015
This is a transcript of a segment from the American Master’s Documentary AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE: A HISTORY, in which Ballet Historian Jennifer Homans talks about the origins of ballet and the art form is has become. Please forgive typos. This segment starts at about 12 minutes from the beginning of the documentary:
Ballet grew out of the European Courts of the 17th c. Before dance was an art form, it was really an etiquette. It grew out of the social life of the people of the court. How do you move when you’re in relation to the king? How do you offer a hand? How do you pass down the street? How to you live in your skin in daily life? It starts to become codified in a way.
Really where this takes hold the strongest is in the court of Louise the XIV. And this is a court that is rule bound in the extreme. Because rules are a form of power. And that’s how Louis ordered his court and established his authority.
Think about “The Reverence.” You bend your knee and you bow. What is that? That’s a sign of humility to someone of a higher authority than you. That’s also a step in ballet. It’s also a bending of the knees, a plie. It’s a preparation to jump, but it’s also a humility.
And Louis himself was a terrific performer. He would be, he was king, right? Don’t forget, this is hte moment when MEN were the great dancers. This is before the ballerinas and so ballet was created in order to express masculinity, power, strength, physical precision, control. Because you don’t want to lose control if you are a nobleman and especially if you are a king.
The key thing that got codified in Louis’s court was the five positions.The basic ABCs or building blocks of the art form itself. They are the same five positions that dancers use today. And they really designed these positions as the measure of man. so that there’s a geometric and mathematical precision to the proportionality of the body related to the positions themselves.
All of this comes out of the European Renaissance and it’s the idea that we’re going to go back to antiquity, back to a sort of idealized version, and we’re going to create an art form that expresses the geometric beauty and proportionality of the human body. So, it’s not just a set of rules. It’s Leonardo. Its’ Michelangelo. It’s, “how do you measure man?” How can you mix these art forms: poetry, music, dance, into a single art form that’s going to somehow capture what it means to be human? And what’s interesting about all of this is that although it developed in this courtly and aristocratic context, ti’s actually a radical idea. Because anybody can do it.
If you’re willing to stand at the bar every day in order to stabilize yourself, in order to practice these steps and positions (and most couriers were), you, too, can become more noble. And not just more noble ina social class, but as a person. A more noble person. Someone who has raised him or herself UP toward the angels and God. You can leave some of your bestiality behind and transcend UP the great chain of being, IF you can control your physical and emotional and spiritual being.
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This passage caught me. It caught me because I take ART seriously. I am an artist and I live in my art and appreciate as much of all others as possible. And the reason I appreciate it all so much is because of the transcendence. The thought that if one can practice and art and share it, then one can explore (and share that exploration with others) what it means to be human. And, one can become more noble (and share that nobility). One can leave behind some of the baser aspects of our humanity and participate in transcendence, rising up the great chain of being (and bringing others with us). All by the practice and sharing of an art, where each art form is a practice (with the goal of mastery) of controlling (or harnessing, expressing, manipulating, creating) our physical, emotional, and spiritual begin. Which all rolled together molds our true, creative selves, our ART.
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Related Posts
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INFO AND THINKING ABOUT SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/resources-for-inspiration-and-information/
Singing with the groups of kids creates a bond. I adore every one of them and they seem to feel close to me, too. They give me lots of hugs (so wonderful!) and they feel free to tell me what they think. There is a gathering of kids at the end of almost every visit where they put in their requests for next time. Sometimes I get marvelous comments. On Thursday a little boy was pulling at his hair with GLEE saying “Oh, Mrs. G, all these books are so wonderful, I wish I had every one of them.” Yesterday I visited a doubled up class of 3rd graders. Since they are older kids, there are some more advanced songs that I save just for them. The last two songs we sang yesterday were illustrations of Joni Mitchell songs THE CIRCLE GAME and BOTH SIDES NOW (which are two of my personal all time favorites to sing). One of the girls came up to me and said, “You know those last two songs? They are too sad. I don’t like them. You should stick with the happy ones.” I appreciate very much that she felt free to articulate her feelings to me. I told her that she is completely entitled to her opinion and her feelings are just as valid as anyone else’s. But I still think it is good to challenge the kids with some more advanced ideas and a ballad or two!
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Even if my friend didn’t like ’em, I do so love these:
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The Circle Game
Words and Music by Joni Mitchell
Illustrated by Brian Deines
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Both Sides Now
Words and Music by Joni Mitchell
Illustrated by Alan Baker
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I think my friend was a fan of these happy songs, which really are full of delicious delightes:
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The Backwards Birthday Party
Music and Lyrics by Tom Chapin and John Forster
Illustrated by Chuck Groeninck
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Tomorrow
Words by Martin Charnin
Music by Charles Strouse
From the Musical ANNIE
For classroom use only.
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Related Posts
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INFO AND THINKING ABOUT SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/resources-for-inspiration-and-information/
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FUNNY SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
That’s Hilarious! A List of Singable Picture Books that’ll Crack You Up!
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/thats-hilarious-a-list-of-singable-picture-books-thatll-crack-you-up/
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PRAISE FOR SING BOOKS WITH EMILY
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/praise-for-sing-books-with-emily/
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JONI MITCHELL
SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS OF JONI MITCHELL
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/04/07/joni-mitchell-in-singable-picture-books/
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GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
Singable Picture Books of the Great American Songbook and Michael Feinstein’s Foundation for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/american-songbook-singable-picture-books-and-michael-feinsteins-foundation-for-the-preservation-of-the-great-american-songbook/
Using TWINKLE LITTLE STAR (and MANY SONGS, ONE TWINKLY TUNE) to Earn Girl Scout Musician Badge
Posted on: March 8, 2015
- In: Art of Singing a Song | Cabaret | Case for Singable Books | Expert Info - First Hand | Girl Scout Song | Heartfelt Musings | Nursery Rhymes and Mother Goose | Out of the Mouths of Babes | Poetry | Power of Music | Quotes of Note | SBWE in Person | Sing Along Tracks | Sing Books with Emily Sing-Along Materials | Singable Book Title | Singable Poem | Singable Poetry | Singable Sites Washington DC - Art | Singable Sites Washington DC - History | Song History | Songs We Sang | Written by ELEG
- Leave a Comment
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TWINKLE LITTLE STAR (and MANY SONGS, ONE TWINKLY TUNE) to Earn Girl Scout Junior Musician Badge
Activity Set Developed by Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus for SBWE
A set of activities for anyone, anywhere, of any age. Explore 300 years of TWINKLY history, then explore song performance techniques and activities singing TWINKLE LITTLE STAR to begin learning the art and craft of singing a song for performance or just for fun.
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My daughter is in Girl Scout Troop 2863 and we recently earned the Girl Scout Juniors Musician Badge.
I conducted the earning of this badge last year with Troop 2740 with a different set of activities singing songs of historical significance and visiting artifacts directly related to the songs in Washington, DC.
This group of activities specifically relates to the art and craft of singing a song for performance (or just for fun).
For anyone who is conducting a troop of Girl Scout Junior to earn this Musican Badge or for anyone who wants to take a beginner class on HOW TO SING A SONG FOR PERFORMANCE OR JUST FOR FUN, this post is for you.
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A FEW NOTES
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Participants were asked only to come prepared to sing TWINKLE LITTLE STAR.
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I conducted this class for a troop of Girl Scouts troop, but this technique works for anyone of any age to begin the journey of singing a song for performance or just for fun.
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Many of the girls were highly reluctant to sing on their own. Because I wanted the experience to be completely fun, empowering and uplifting, it was easy to adjust activities so all the girls sang together as a group instead of one at a time.
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Links below take you to posts with more information on the subjects, especially:
- MANY SONGS, ONE FAMOUS TWINKLY TUNE
- ENTRANCE COMPORTMENT, POSTURE, MICROPHONE TECHNIQUE, AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
- HOW TO SING A SONG FOR PERFORMANCE OR JUST FOR FUN
- SONG PERFORMANCE WORKSHEET FOR KIDS
- TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
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Twinkle Little Star Song Sheet with Guitar Chords by ELEG for SBWE
Words by Jane Taylor
Traditional Tune
Page Coordinated by Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus for SBWE
To view or print this song sheet, click here:
twinkle little star sheet w chords by ELEG for SBWE
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Introduction to TWINKLE LITTLE STAR
The badge requires exploring music around the world and/or through various periods of time. Seemingly a simple nursery tune, one can travel through nearly 400 years in France, England the the United States just by looking at the origins of TWINKLE LITTLE STAR. For links to more comprehensive study and the section “Context of Twinkly Tunes in a Nutshell” to explore this topic, visit the post MANY SONGS, ONE FAMOUS TWINKLY TUNE.
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Introduction to HOW TO SING A SONG FOR PERFORMANCE
There is a lot one can with what seems like a simple nursery rhyme that everyone knows. It can be a simple little song to sing to goof off or just for fun or it can be a song that means something to the singer with a story to tell which takes the audience on a sweet emotional journey. It just all depends on how one thinks about and approaches it and how one performs it with experience, knowledge, honesty and authenticity.
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Activity 1: BREAK THE ICE
- Stand in a circle and sing the song in unison as a group. Think about the words!
- Each girl get up one at a time and sing TWINKLE LITTLE STAR.
- Each girl can make a mental or written note for how she felt about it, what she’d like to work on, what felt good.
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Activity 2: THE ARTIST’S HOMEWORK
- Each girl fill out the SONG PERFORMANCE WORKSHEET FOR KIDS.
- Pass out the HOW TO SING A SONG FOR PERFORMANCE OR JUST FOR FUN primer, to look over at their leisure.
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Activity 3: ON YOUR FEET, TRY IT AGAIN
- Each girl sing the song again and note how knowing and discovering more about the song changes how she sings it.
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Activity 4: PRACTICAL AND MECHANICAL SKILLS
- Entrance comportment, posture and microphone technique
- Use the ENTRANCE COMPORTMENT, POSTURE, MICROPHONE TECHNIQUE, AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT notes.
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Activity 5: PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, KEEP TRYING
- Enter, adjust microphone, sing, bow, exit.
- Much more work is possible, more advanced activities and work can be done by using the HOW TO SING A SONG FOR PERFORMANCE OR JUST FOR FUN primer.
- For even more advance work, check out: The Art and Craft of Singing a Song: Tell Me a Story! Sing Me a Song!
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Random Thoughts on the Subject
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The activities here are geared toward the Girl Scout Juniors and their age group, but the work foundations are the same for anyone of any age. If a grownup you know is interested in learning how to sing a song, this info will get them started. I’ve studied and performed professionally (and non professionally) in many places for many years and the foundations for the art and craft of singing a song are the same: know your material inside and out, master your personal vocal technique (in other words, do the best with what you’ve got…a voice like Barbra Streisand is not necessarily required, though it doesn’t hurt, masterful communication trumps a great voice), connect personally, connect with the audience, keep it simple, be honest and authentic, fly free.
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Cut/Paste of “Context of Twinkly Tunes in a Nutshell”
From post: MANY SONGS, ONE FAMOUS TWINKLY TUNE
- Ah vous dirai-je maman is a nursery rhyme and tune that was written in France in the mid 1700’s. Sing Books with Emily has created a humorous English translation which includes a sing-along sheet and guitar chords.
- Baa Baa Black Sheep was also written in the mid 1700’s and is sung to a variant of the tune written for Ah vous dirai-je maman.
- To dispel idea that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed the original tune or that he wrote it for Twinkle Little Star, Mozart (born in Salzburg, Austria but lived and worked in many European cities) did famously compose 12 Variations on the Ah vous dirai-je maman tune in 1781 or 1782.
- Twinkle Little Star is a poem that was written by Jane Taylor in 1806. It was matched with the tune written in the 1700’s for the French nursery rhyme Ah vous dirai-je maman.
- ABC Song was copyrighted in 1835 by a music publisher in Boston. It was set to a variant of the tune originally written for the French Nursery Rhyme Ah vous dirai-je maman (you can sing the same tune with the ZYX Song)
- Twinkle Little Bat was written in 1865 by Lewis Carroll for his book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In the book, Twinkle Little Bat is sung by The Mad Hatter. Twinkle Little Bat is a parody of Twinkle Little Star. For a slightly more spooky version, Sing Books with Emily has created a minor key variant of the song with a sing-along sheet and guitar chords.
- Scintillate Scintillate is a humorous obfuscation of the poem Twinkle Little Star, which first appeared in the weekly magazine Household Words, published in England in 1883, edited by Charles Dickens.
- In 1886, French composer Camille Saint-Saëns used an allusion to Ah vous dirai-je maman in the Fossils section of his work Carnival of the Animals.
- In early 2014, Emily created a spooky, minor key variant of the Ah vous dirai-je maman tune for Twinkle Little Bat.
- Oh Mother Dear Please Listen Up is a humorous English translation of Ah vous dirai-je maman, written by Emily Gleichenhaus for Sing Books with Emily in 2014, the link includes printable sing-along sheet and guitar chords.
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Related Posts
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Troop 2740 Girl Scout Juniors Earn the MUSICIAN BADGE, March 2014
https://brownietroop2740.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/musician-badge-with-mrs-g/
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MANY SONGS, ONE TWINKLY TUNE
Twinkle, ABC, Baa are only 3 of the many songs that use the same familiar tune
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/abc-twinkle-star-baa-blacksheep-singable-books-and-all-the-fix-ins-and-a-youre-adorable-too/
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HOW TO SING A SONG FOR PERFORMANCE OR JUST FOR FUN
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/how-to-sing-a-song-for-performance-or-just-for-fun-a-primer-by-emily-gleichenhaus-mrs-g/
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GIRL SCOUT SONGBOOK WITH MRS. G AND FRIENDS
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/girl-scout-songbook-w-mrs-g-friends/
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Girl Scout Juniors Musician Badge: ENTRANCE COMPORTMENT, POSTURE, MICROPHONE TECHNIQUE, AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/performance-badge-entrance-comportment-posture-microphone-technique-audience-engagement/
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Using TWINKLE LITTLE STAR to Earn Girl Scout Performer Badge
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/using-twinkle-little-star-to-earn-girl-scout-performer-badge/
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SONG PERFORMANCE WORKSHEET FOR KIDS FOR SING BOOKS WITH EMILY
Song performance worksheet for kids
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The Art and Craft of Singing a Song: Tell Me a Story! Sing Me a Song!
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/the-art-and-craft-of-singing-a-song-tell-me-a-story-sing-me-a-song/
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USEFUL TUNES IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/useful-tunes-in-the-public-domain/
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Resources for Sheet Music (Online, in Print, Commercial and Free)
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/online-resources-for-sheet-music-commercial-and-free/
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MUSICIAN BADGE with Mrs. G for Girl Scout Juniors Troop 2740, Activity 2/2: the Singable Hike in Washington, DC
http://brownietroop2740.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/musician-badge-with-mrs-g-the-singable-hike-in-washington-dc/
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MUSICIAN BADGE with Mrs. G, for Girl Scout Juniors Troop 2740, Activities 1/2: HOW TO SING A SONG FOR PERFORMANCE OR JUST FOR FUN
http://brownietroop2740.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/musician-badge-with-mrs-g/
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Troop 2740 Girl Scout Juniors March (and Kazoo Patriotic Tunes) in the George Washington Birthday Parade 2014
http://brownietroop2740.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/troop-2740-marches-in-2014-george-washington-birthday-parade-in-alexandria-va/
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Girl Scouts Songs for Troop 2740 Songbook Resources Page
http://brownietroop2740.wordpress.com/girl-scouts-songs-troop-2740/
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SHEET MUSIC RESOURCES
Resources for Sheet Music (Online, in Print, Commercial and Free)
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/09/13/online-resources-for-sheet-music-commercial-and-free/
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SING-ALONG RESOURCES AND PRINTABLE MATERIALS
This is the place to find Print Materials Created by Emily, Service Providers, Vendors, Audio and Video to help you SING-ALONG!
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/sing-along-resources-2/
SOUP OF THE EVENING BEAUTIFUL SOUP is sung by Mock Turtle in last 5th or so of ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.
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BEAUTIFUL SOUP
Words by Lewis Carroll
From ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
Adaptation of the Poem “Star Of The Evening,” by James M. Sayle
Musical Settings by Various Artists
Illustration Adaptation of Andy Warhol’s Green Pea Soup Can from Campbell’s Soup I (1969)
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BEAUTIFUL SOUP
Words by Lewis Carroll
From ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND
Adaptation of the Poem “Star Of The Evening,” by James M. Sayle
Beautiful Soup, so rich and green,
Waiting in a hot tureen!
Who for such dainties would not stoop?
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!
Beau – ootiful Soo – oop!
Beau – ootiful Soo – oop!
Soo – oop of the e – e – evening,
Beautiful, beautiful Soup!
Beautiful Soup! Who cares for fish,
Game, or any other dish?
Who would not give all else for two
Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?
Pennyworth only of beautiful Soup?
Beau – ootiful Soo – oop!
Beau – ootiful Soo – oop!
Soo – oop of the e – e – evening,
Beautiful, beautiful Soup!
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Mock Turtle singing BEAUTIFUL SOUP as illustrated by John Tenniel (1866)
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Charles Folkard’s 1920’s illustration for BEAUTIFUL SOUP
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Charles Folkard’s 1920’s line drawing illustration for BEAUTIFUL SOUP
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Mock Turtle wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mock_Turtle
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Mama Lisa has a page of Alice in Wonderland songs with a midi for a musical setting of BEAUTIFUL SOUP
http://www.mamalisa.com/blog/songs-from-alice-in-wonderland/
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Gene Wilder as Mock Turtle sings BEAUTIFUL SOUP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDG73IAO5M8
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Printed music and illustration for BEAUTIFUL SOUP are featured in:
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Songs from Alice (Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass)
Poems by Lewis Carroll
Illustrated by Charles Folkard
(This book, ISBN 0-7136-1959-7, includes Carroll’s poem texts and Folkard’s Illustrations)
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Songs from Alice (Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass)
Poems by Lewis Carroll
Music by Don Harper
Illustrated by Charles Folkard
(This book, ISBN 0-8234-0358-0, includes Carroll’s poem texts, printed music composed by Don Harper and Folkard’s Illustrations)
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Related posts:
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FOOD
Food Glorious Food, a List of Singable Picture Books about Food
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/food-glorious-food-a-list-of-singable-picture-books-about-food/
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TWINKLE LITTLE STAR: The Song, The List
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/twinkle-little-star-the-song-the-list/
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Many Songs, One Famous Twinkly Tune
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/abc-twinkle-star-baa-blacksheep-singable-books-and-all-the-fix-ins-and-a-youre-adorable-too/
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SINGABLE, ILLUSTRATED POEMS IN THE 2 ALICE BOOKS
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/alices-adventures-in-wonderland-and-through-the-looking-glass-singable/
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I’M LATE, A SINGABLE PICTURE BOOK FOR THE WHITE RABBIT
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/11/06/im-late-a-singable-picture-book-for-the-white-rabbit/
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ALICE IN WONDERLAND AND THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
Illustrated Singable Poems by Lewis Carrol in the ALICE books are found in the original books and in many volumes of illustrated poems for children
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/alices-adventures-in-wonderland-and-through-the-looking-glass-singable/
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HOW DOTH THE LITTLE CROCODILE, A SINGABLE POEM (BY LEWIS CARROLL, FROM ALICE IN WONDERLAND)
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/how-doth-the-little-crocodile-a-singable-poem-from-wonderland/
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TWINKLE LITTLE BAT, A SINGABLE POEM (BY LEWIS CARROLL, FROM ALICE IN WONDERLAND)
https://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/01/04/twinkle-twinkle-little-bat-a-singable-poem-with-pictures-and-a-play-on-a-classic/
