Raising the Bar: A new multi-cultural resource book/teaching DVD series

Announcing the publication of the first three book/teaching DVDs—Traditional South African Choral Music, Volumes 1 & 2, and Music from the Republic of Georgia, Volume 1—in the new series, Raising the Bar: Multimedia Resources for Authentic World Music Performance.  Intended for mixed, youth and children’s choirs. Created by Patty Cuyler (co-director of Village Harmony) & Mollie Stone (conductor at Chicago Children’s Choir).  Full details and online ordering are at http://thechoralimperative.com

 

The Raising the Bar book/teaching DVD series aims to provide choir directors with all the resources needed to authentically perform exciting repertoire from great world music choral traditions. The DVD performances and practice tracks were filmed with groups of singers aged 8-18 from Chicago Children’s Choir in collaboration with choir director Matlakala Bopape of Limpopo Province, South Africa, and traditional singer Shergil Pirtskhelani of K’akheti, Republic of Georgia.

 

Each of the two South African book/DVDs provide you with full resources to allow you to teach six different great SATB songs, by ear, with confidence, authority and authenticity. Each of the teaching DVDs includes clear pronunciation video, individual voice parts with subtitles, dance instruction video and performance video. The accompanying resource books include teaching and performing tips, detailed pronunciation guides, full translations, IPA, and background information for each of the songs, plus a short history of South African choral music. The 4-part songs in Volume 1 were especially grouped together for their easy adaptability for 3-part treble choir.

 

The Georgian folk music volume includes twelve traditional three-part folk songs from the Caucasus Republic of Georgia which can be performed with mixed, youth or adult choirs, all-male or all-female ensembles, or children’s choirs.  Included in the book are scores, word sheets, full translations, a detailed pronunciation guide, a short history of Georgia and its musical genres, helpful rehearsal techniques and tips for authentic performance. The accompanying teaching DVD includes pronunciation and performance video.