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2008 / 2009
Gospel Choir Booklet
Mr. Napoleon Williams – Gospel Choir Instructor
CATHEDRALHIGH SCHOOL GOSPEL CHOIR
About the Gospel Choir at Cathedral
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The Cathedral High School Gospel Choir is a choral ensemble dedicated to African American sacred music traditions of the 20th Century. Participation in the choir is also an academic course taken for credit and is one of the most culturally diverse groups at CathedralHigh School. The choir’s common bond is its love for singing gospel music and the many performance opportunities afforded to its students through participation during the school year. Through singing in concerts and assisting in Cathedral’s worship services, students will learn vocal and aural skills needed to become a well-rounded signer, as well as skills needed for vocal performance.
Mr. Napoleon Williams became the gospel Choir Instructor at Cathedral in the 2003-04 school year. He has a rich background in gospel music specializing in vocal training. Mt.Williams is also an actor and has starred in local musical theater productions with the American Cabaret Theatre in Indianapolis. Currently, he is the founder of the awesome local gospel music ministry, Napoleon Williams & True Friends True Praise, and just finished his sophomore gospel project, entitled Made Anew, which was released in early 2008.
Because of his unfailing generosity and compassion for his fellowman, Mr. Williams received the Outstanding Service Award from Mayor Bart Peterson’s office in 2004, and has been recognized as a Distinguished Hoosier by Governor Mitch Daniels’s office in 2007.
Mr. Williams is glad to continue the long-standing Cathedral tradition of excellence in choral music as your gospel Choir Instructor!
Table of Contents
Purpose2
Syllabus & Course Description4 – 5
Choral Vocabulary6 – 7
Gospel Music Terminology8
Vocal Improvisation & Technique9 – 10
Taking Care of Your Voice10 – 11
A Brief History of Gospel Music12 – 14
Careers in Singing14
Worship Styles:
Catholic15 – 16
Baptist17
Pentecostal / Charismatic 18
Calendar19 – 20
Syllabus & Course Description
CathedralHigh School Gospel Choir
Objective:
To study and perform choral music in the gospel tradition, including works by contemporary artists. Also, and introduction to vocal technique, intonation, tonal quality, and projection, to promote a greater understanding and appreciation for gospel music, by learning about its history and singing songs that lift up the name of Jesus Christ.
Mission Statement
As members of the Cathedral High School Gospel Choir, it is our desire to see God’s Spirit of love, unity, and peace be multiplied on this campus. We hope that the hearts of all those who hear us perform be uplifted as we worship God through song.
The student will:
- Demonstrate warm-up techniques and mental preparation for singing.
- Develop basic knowledge and skills in the following areas: vocal control, the healthy voice, resonant tone production, diction, expression & performance, choral balance and blend, and basic music terminology.
- Respond to gospel and traditional conducting gestures.
- Attend all scheduled rehearsals and performances.
- Develop skills in performing gospel music.
Evaluation is based upon:
- Attendance & Participation Requirements for ALL (50% of grade)
Does the singer attend regularly? Is lateness a problem? Are there conflicts with home or other activities? Is the singer a willing learner? Is there enthusiasm? Does he / she offer suggestions and respond t questions?
- Attendance will be taken at every scheduled class session and
performance! If you are more than 10 minutes late for any class or
performance and do not have official documentation, it will be counted as
an absence (with 10 points subtracted from your grade).
- Please refrain from excessive and loud talking during class. Excessive
talkers will be dismissed from class and marked as absent.
- Please always offer suggestions and ask questions if you are uncertain about what we are doing. However, we don’t need help teaching the music.
- Bring enthusiasm and a desire to sing to each rehearsal.
- Vocal Performance (10% of grade)
Does the singer appear to be comfortable with the vocal part? Are there signs of tension? Is the singer a vocal leader (soloist), a good blender, or a detriment to the quality of his / her section?
- If it is determined that you are not adequately prepared for a performance, you will not be permitted to sing.
- Each song requiring a soloist will be assigned two soloists (by selection
and / or audition). Soloists may be rotated, at the Director’s discretion, during performances over the semester.
- All soloists are expected to have solos prepared by the designated date.
- Musicianship (10% of grade)
Are notes learned rapidly? Is the singer good at memorizing? Are interpretations understood and remembered? Good musicianship includes:
Demonstrated ability to used your voice properly (tone production)
Singing all warm-ups
Learning music from memory
Singing rhythms and pitches as taught
Use of proper expressions
Use of appropriate diction and enunciation
Proper breathing techniques
appropriate responses to conducting cues
- Written Assignments, Pop Quizzes and Final Exams (30% of grade)
Choral Vocabulary
A cappellasinging without accompaniment
Accompanimenta vocal or solo part that supports or is background for a solo
part
Accentemphasis on a note, word, or phrase
Articulationthe way a sound is started and ended
Attackthe beginning of a sound
Bara unit of music, such as 12-bar or 8-bar, denoting length
Beata unit of measure in rhythmic time
Breathone cycle of inspiration / expiration
Choral, choruschoral means a choir; a choral work is a work for choir, and a
chorus is a relatively large choir, or group of singers
Chordthree or more tones played simultaneously
Chromaticmoving in half-steps
Composeto create original music by organizing sound; usually written down for others to perform
Compositiona single, complete piece of music
Concerta program by a chamber ensemble, orchestra, band, chorus; there are also classical, rock, jazz, and pop concerts
Dynamicsvariation and contrast in force or intensity
Elements of Musicmelody, harmony, rhythm, and form and the expressive
elements of dynamics, tempo and timbre (tone color)
Embellishmentnotes that are added to ornament a melody (melodic embellishment) or rhythmic pattern (rhythmic embellishment)
Ensembleany group of performers, but usually referred to a smaller group of singers
Genrea type of musical work such as choral, jazz, mariachi, etc
HarmonyThe simultaneous sounding of two or more tones of relative tone
ImproviseTo spontaneously compose music
IntonationBeing in tune with accompaniment or others
MelodyA rhythmic succession of single tones or organized into a cohesive or aesthetic whole
NotationWritten documentation of musical notes indicating pitch and rhythm
for performance
PerformanceThe actual act of making music, referring to musical presentation
PitchThe location of a note in relation to its highness or lowness
PostureSitting/standing correctly and efficiently
ReleaseHow a sound is ended
RhythmCombinations of long and short, or even and uneven sounds that
establish a musical continuum and convey a sense of movement
ScoreThe organized notation of all of the instrumental and/or vocal parts
of a composition
Staff/StavesThe horizontal lines on and between which notes are written
TempoThe pace at which music moves according to the speed of the
underlying beat
TimbreThe color or quality of a musical tone
Time SignatureA Sign used to indicate meter; usually written as a fraction with the
bottom number indicating the kind of noted to be played as a unit of time and the top number indicating the number of units in each measure (i.e. 3 / 4 time)
Vocal/VocalistVocal means “of the voice;” vocalist is a synonym for singer
Gospel Music Terminology
Traditional Gospel – Participatory music designed specifically for the Sunday morning worship experience, lyrically denoting the message of Jesus Christ.
Contemporary Gospel – “Good news” music utilizing secular influences, but designed for worship both within and beyond the walls of the church
Urban Contemporary Gospel – Incorporating street beats and urban influences, this music has a place in our spiritual lives, but not usually used in the traditional church
Contemporary Christian – Pop-influenced Christian music
Inspirational – Songs that are spiritually uplifting but may not necessarily convey the message of Jesus Christ
Neo-Soul Gospel – Fuses classic R & B, jazz-inspired grooves, and soulful vocals with gospel
Praise & Worship – Participatory “call and response” music designed to provide worshippers with a mechanism for praise within the church experience
Vocal Improvisation & Technique
Breathing:
The most important aspect of good singing technique is AIR. Singers must control their breathing or they become fatigued quickly and their singing suffers.
Exercises to do at Home:
Start by taking a deep breath (inhale), filling your lungs all the way down to the abdomen (not just the top half of your lungs). Then let it out very slowly in a constant stream. Imagine that you’re exhaling through a very thin straw and the air is going out so slowing that you don’t appear to be breathing at all – “playing possum.” It may help to picture a candle out in front of you, and your breath is moving so slowly that the flame doesn’t flicker as you exhale. (Repeat 10 times)
Do five more. On these next five breaths, pick a nice comfortable note and hold it through the entire breath. Don’t let it change in pitch or volume – make it seem like a key being held down on an organ. Be sure that each note is a comfortable pitch – somewhere in your normal speaking register. Low notes are good because they help the throat relax. Use a different pitch for each breath. Don’t try to belt out high notes. That strains the vocal chords.
Now do five more of these, gradually CHANGING the volume for each note from zero up to a medium volume, and back to zero over the entire duration of the breath. Always choose a different pitch for each breath and NEVER let the pitch go flat or sharp. In the case of these last five breaths, all that is changing is the volume, and that should be changing at a rate that is undetectable.
For the last five breaths (this is not a total of 25 that you’ll be doing) do everything you just did in the previous five, but change the timbre of your voice at a faster rate than the volume is changing. This is done by “sweeping” through the vowels: A, E, I, O, U. Make the change gradual in any order you wish.
Diction:
Why is Diction Important?
When the listener hears a song, the words and music create an image, feeling, or emotion to which they can relate. When the song is heard repeatedly, it creates familiarity and the listener starts to understand the sentiments further, picking up words, even nonsensical ones that encourage participation.
Although both music and lyrics are important, in vocal music it is the text that provides an explanation for the musical accompaniment. If the words cannot be understood, the song can become meaningless.
Good diction requires the crisp, clear pronunciation of consonants, without which the audience would be incapable of understanding a word you were singing. Ask your signing teacher or consult a diction textbook for more information on consonants
Taking Care of Your Voice
What is voice?
We rely on our voices to inform, persuade, and connect with other people. Your voice is as unique as your fingerprint. Many people you know use their voices all day long, day in and day out. Singers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, sales people, and public speakers are among those who make great demands on their voices. Unfortunately, these individuals are most prone to experiencing voice problems. It is believed that 7.5 million people have diseases or disorders of voice. Some of these disorders can be avoided by taking care of your voice.
What are some causes of voice problems?
Causes of vocal problems may include upper respiratory infections, inflammation caused by acid reflux, vocal misuse and abuse, vocal nodules, or laryngealpapillomatosis (growths), laryngeal cancer, neuromuscular diseases (such as spasmodic dysphonia or vocal cord paralysis), and psychogenic conditions due to psychological trauma. Keep in mind that most voice problems are reversible and can be successfully treated when diagnosed early.
How do you know when your voice is not healthy?
Has your voice become hoarse or raspy?
Have you lost your ability to hit some high notes when singing?
Does your throat often feel raw, achy, or strained?
Has it become an effort to talk?
do you find yourself repeatedly clearing your throat?
If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may be experiencing a voice problem. You should consult a doctor. An Otholaryngologist (oh-toe-lar-in-GAH-luh-jist) is the physician or surgeon who specializes in diseases or disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. He / she can determine the underlying cause of your voice problem. The professional who can help you with improving the use of your voice and avoiding vocal abuse is a speech-language pathologist.
Tips to Prevent Voice Problems
Limit your intake of drinks that include alcohol or caffeine. These act as diuretics (substances that increase urination) and cause the body to loose water. This loss of fluids dries out the voice. Alcohol also irritates the mucous membranes that line the throat. (And you all are too young to be drinking, SO, DON’T DO IT!!)
Drink plenty of water. Six (6) to eight (8) glasses a day is recommended
Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke. Cancer of the vocal folds is seen most often in individuals who smoke.
Practice good breathing techniques when singing or talking. It is important to support your voice with deep breaths from the diaphragm, the wall that separates your chest and abdomen. Singers and speakers are often taught exercises that improve this breath control. Talking from the throat, without supporting breath, puts a great strain on the voice.
Avoid eating spicy foods. Spicy foods cause stomach acid to move into the throat or esophagus (reflux).
Use a humidifier in you home. This is especially important in winter or in dry climates. Thirty percent (30%) humidity is recommended.
Try not to overuse your voice. Avoid speaking or singing when your voice is hoarse.
Wash your hands often to prevent colds and flu.
Include plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables in your diet. These foods contain vitamins A, E, and C. They also help keep the mucus membranes that line the throat healthy.
Do not cradle the phone when talking. Cradling the phones between the head and shoulder for extended periods of time can cause muscle tensions in the neck.
Exercise regularly. Exercise increases stamina and muscle tone. This helps provide good posture and breathing, which are necessary for proper speaking.
Get enough rest. Physical fatigue has a negative effect on voice.
Avoid talking in noisy laces. Trying to talk above the noise causes strain on the voice.
Avoid mouthwash or gargles that contain alcohol or irritating chemicals. If you still wish use a mouthwash that contains alcohol, limit your use to oral rinsing. If gargling is necessary, use a salt water solution.
Avoid using mouthwash to treat persistent bad breath. Halitosis (bad breath) may be the result of a problem that mouthwash cannot cure, such as low grade infections in the nose, sinuses, tonsils, gums, or lungs, as well as from gastric reflux from the stomach.
Consider using a microphone. In relatively static environments such as exhibit areas, classrooms, or exercise rooms, a lightweight microphone and an amplifier-speaker system can be of great help.
Consider voice therapy. A speech-language pathologist who is experienced in treating voice problems can provide education on healthy use of the voice and instruction in proper voice techniques.
History of Gospel Music
The word “gospel” is an elision(in poetry, means dropping or slurring a syllable to keep close to the meter of the poem) of “God” and “spel” (old English for story).
Gospel music is considered to have begun in the United states sometime during the 19th century and is a term that encompasses several different styles of Christian music reflecting a variety of Christian traditions. Other terms, such as anthem, spirituals, and jubilees were more commonly used.
Before the abolition of slavery in 1865, African slaves, mostly from the African West Coast, began singing what we called “Negro Spirituals.” The blacks who stepped in chains from the slave ships were a musical people, used to expressing religious ideas in song. Sold into hard work, poverty and oppression in America, they turned to songs for solace, singing on every possible occasion in rhythms that had been long familiar to their ethnic groups and clans. They sang while picking cotton or shucking corn; they sang on the chain gangs and in prisons, and they sang in church – when allowed to attend.