Vol. 3 Issue No. 5
January, 2017
Lifelong Listeners Newsletter

Happy New Year! The new year is a good time to reflect on the past and look forward to the present. This month, we will be taking a look back at music from the medieval and renaissance eras. This music is beautiful and interesting, and it also laid the groundwork for music to come in the future. We hope you enjoy learning about these important eras in music history.  Happy Listening!     

 

Music 101        
Music 101 News!
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Enrichment Classes! Have you heard? Music 101 is offering several new enrichment classes this year along with our popular performance classes. Best of all, certain classes are FREE of charge, while others remain at a low cost. Meet other kids who are interested in music and enhance what you learn in your private lessons. Classes meet periodically with no long-term commitment required, so they are easy to fit into busy schedules! 
Live Concerts!
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(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #1 and Listener Worksheet #2) 
*This symbol indicates that Music 101 faculty will perform in this event 
  
*1/21 (Sat.), 8 P.M. - Symphony New Hampshire (Nashua)  Come support Music 101's Jenny Herzig as she performs with the orchestra. This multi-faceted concert will include a chance to see a smaller strings-only ensemble as well as the full orchestra performing with a choir and a piano soloist!
 
*1/21 (Sat.), 8 P.M. or 1/22 (Sun.), 3 P.M. - Josh and Sylvia in Juditha Triumphans (Cambridge) Don't miss the chance to see two Music 101 faculty members perform!  Josh Garvey will be singing and Sylvia Schwartz will be playing in the orchestra in this performance of a Vivaldi oratorio.  In addition to hearing our faculty, you'll also be supporting some great causes in our community with your ticket purchase!  This concert is in collaboration with Eudaimonia; an early music ensemble which supports humanitarian organizations in our community. Please note: Students of Josh Garvey may wish to attend on Sunday, as Josh will have a more prominant role in that performance.    
  
*1/29 (Sun.), 10:50 A.M. - Josh Sings at First Church (Boston) Another chance to see Music 101's Josh Garvey in action! Josh will perform a Bach aria as part of the prelude to the Sunday service at First Church in Boston. 
Listen Online!
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(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #1 and Listener Worksheet #2)
  
Medieval Music:
 
Gregorian Chant: "Salve Regina" (Monks of the Abbey of Notre Dame) During medieval times, the Roman Catholic church was a very important center for the development of music. This is an example of Gregorian chant; which is a prayer or part of a church service which is sung without any accompaniment or harmony. Gregorian chant later evolved and laid the groundwork for much of the music we know today.
  
"Songs of the Troubadours" (Ensemble Celadon) Most medieval music came from the church, but there were some secular music traditions. The troubadors were traveling poets/musicians who sang songs mostly about love (much like our pop musicians today!).  It could be just one musician singing alone or a whole group like in this video. Here you will also see a collection of cool instruments from the time period. Click here to learn more about the instruments.
 
Renaissance Music:
 
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina "Assumpta est Maria" (Stile Antico Ensemble) By the renaissance, church music was more sophisticated and used harmonies (called "counterpoint"). This is an example of a motet (a religious vocal piece). The singers of this motet have to work very hard to sing these harmonies without the help of an instrument to accompany them.
  
Pierre Passereau "Il est bel et bon" (The King's Singers ) Renaissance music wasn't always serious. This song is an example of a madrigal, which is a secular song for unaccompanied singers. Madrigals are very descriptive and emotional, and try to sound like what they are describing. In this case, the song is about two women bragging about their husbands. There are chickens clucking in the background or possibly the chicken sounds are meant to poke fun at the gossiping women. Can you hear the chicken sounds?
  
Claudio Monteverdi "Vi ricorda, o boschi ombrosi" from L'Orfeo (Furio Zanasi, baritone)  Near the end of the Renaissance, composer Claudio Monteverdi wrote one of the very first (if not the first) operas called "L'Orfeo".  The story is based on the Greek legend of Orpheus. The tradition of writing operas which started here in the renaissance era is still going on today! While you watch, look for the interesting instruments in the renaissance orchestra.
In This Issue
Composers & Artists
(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #3)
  
  
 

Other Links
(Use this section with Listener Worksheet #4)
  
  
  
How to Earn Listener Points!
You can earn Listener Points by exploring this newsletter! Here is how:

 

1) Download Listener Worksheets from our website or pick up copies at the studio. 

 

2) Go to a concert!  See our "Live Concerts" section for ideas. Turn in your program for 10 points.  Turn in Listener Worksheet #1 or Listener Worksheet #2
about something you heard for 10 additional points. 

 

3) Listen online!  Listen to one of the videos in the "Listen Online" section and turn in Listener Worksheet #1 or Listener Worksheet #2 for 10 points.

4) Click on a link in the "Composers & Artists" section. Turn in Listener Worksheet #3   for 10 points.
  
5) Click on a link in the "Other Links" section.  Turn in Listener Worksheet #4 for 10 points.
 
6) Look up any music topic that interests you.  Turn in Listener Worksheet #5 for 10 points.

 Have a question? Email Jenny Herzig at [email protected]