Here is a quick crash course in western music history. I am not just aimlessly providing a two minute dissertation for my health. I do have a point- I promise.
500 AD: The main purpose of music was to drive church liturgy . Pope Gregory assumed his role as the big man on campus and declared that it would be named after him. Music wasn't viewed as art, and had a medieval Weird Al existed, he would have undoubtedly been excommunicated for piddling with the chant.
Around 800 some bigwig at a meeting of bigwigs decided that they needed to assert a little more control over things because they had self-esteem issues (my own speculation). They decided that having things written down might be a good idea. A few rebels (Frenchies) started getting antsy over having to listen to the same music for several hundred years and opted to throw in a line of harmony, and BAM! Polyphony became the new girl in town.
Polyphony was, understandably a great deal more attractive than the preexisting monkish music, and several schools popped up to develop this emerging genre. At some point, non-churchies wanted in on the action and realized that not only was it pretty swell to listen to, but a skilled composer could win the affection of the ladies. Enter: Wandering, perverted minstrels.
Contrasting to the religion-centric times of the Medieval period, Renaissance music marked the first serious outbreak of expressive, passionate music that no longer was confined to church ideals. Music was still fairly restricted to simplicity in the sacred setting (paranoid of a half cadence corrupting young, impressionable minds) but the invention of various secular music genres went absolutely bananas.
After about two hundred years, all of the cool kids reverted to sitting around the lunch table talking about the olden days (Ancient Greece) and how they'd really had it goin' on. The loosy-goosy Renaissance tunes were for backward thinkers- form and order were much more liberating and fashionable, and thus, we had the Baroque period... Which would have been perfect for the OCD composer. The Classical era followed, but began to add complexity to the Baroque form because people started melting and bending brass in new ways because they were tired of the harpsichord and violin. Who could blame them?
Jumping into the historical arena next was the cocky, older brother who was a little experimental and not afraid to be passionate- and helloooooo Romanticism. Music was bigger, badder, and certainly louder than ever before (Berlioz's 1000+ piece orchestra had to be SOME kind of fire hazard). That brought us into the twentieth century: much of whose music I would prefer not to acknowledge as being musical.
Over the past hundred years, we have transitioned away from trained musicians creating the bulk of music. Today, in 2012, much of the musical output is being created and spread by unskilled, inexperienced, often self-taught people who settle for mediocre music. As we look back at the history of music, it strikes me how much music reflects the culture it was a product of, and conversely, how the values of a culture can be seen in the music of a given period.
What will musicologists 100 years from now deduce of our society on the representative music of our time? We have had more participants and variety in our music than ever before thanks to technology, and with a greater production offers a clearer window into the soul of our society. Frankly, I am scared.
1.11.2012
Class Offerings
In case you haven't visited the main website, check out www.SoliDeoGloriaMusic.com
Since you are here, Soli Deo Gloria Music is offering three group classes as well as individual lessons. Here is a brief outline of what each class entails:
General Music: Presently, this class is for any children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades and will include singing games, instrument playing, basic music reading skills and introductory composition!, and world music. There will also be elements of music history and music appreciation, but the bulk of the class will be focused on creating and enjoying music.
Vocal Music: The voice is the most basic and natural instrument of all, and everyone has has one at their disposal! The vocal music ensemble will provide singing techniques to protect this precious instrument, and learn how to use it within the context of a group of other singers. Learning how to balance one's own voice in with a group of other unique voices is a valuable skill that any musician should possess. This class is currently offered for students in 5th-8th grade and will culminate in a performance.
Instrumental Music: This is the class that makes the SDG Music program unique from other non-traditional music programs! We do offer private instrumental lessons, but recognize that there are many wonderful and skilled instrumental teachers in the area. Many of these instruments are best suited within the context of an instrumental ensemble, however. Playing trumpet in your bedroom by yourself is a wonderful place to start honing techniques, but absolutely nothing can match the personal experience of learning to sensitively play in respect to other musicians... Or the sensation of goosebumps as you hear how your harmony blends perfectly with the other brass to complement the woodwind and percussion sections. The ensemble and private lessons are offered for any student in 4th-12th grade on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, or percussion.
For more information or to register, check out the website above.
Since you are here, Soli Deo Gloria Music is offering three group classes as well as individual lessons. Here is a brief outline of what each class entails:
General Music: Presently, this class is for any children in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades and will include singing games, instrument playing, basic music reading skills and introductory composition!, and world music. There will also be elements of music history and music appreciation, but the bulk of the class will be focused on creating and enjoying music.
Vocal Music: The voice is the most basic and natural instrument of all, and everyone has has one at their disposal! The vocal music ensemble will provide singing techniques to protect this precious instrument, and learn how to use it within the context of a group of other singers. Learning how to balance one's own voice in with a group of other unique voices is a valuable skill that any musician should possess. This class is currently offered for students in 5th-8th grade and will culminate in a performance.
Instrumental Music: This is the class that makes the SDG Music program unique from other non-traditional music programs! We do offer private instrumental lessons, but recognize that there are many wonderful and skilled instrumental teachers in the area. Many of these instruments are best suited within the context of an instrumental ensemble, however. Playing trumpet in your bedroom by yourself is a wonderful place to start honing techniques, but absolutely nothing can match the personal experience of learning to sensitively play in respect to other musicians... Or the sensation of goosebumps as you hear how your harmony blends perfectly with the other brass to complement the woodwind and percussion sections. The ensemble and private lessons are offered for any student in 4th-12th grade on flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, French horn, baritone, or percussion.
For more information or to register, check out the website above.
1.04.2012
Unleashing the Power of the Fun
I could cite countless research that prove why music helps develop the brain. I could point to the myriads of case studies that explore how musical training will build skills used in writing and math. I could prove how making music with others fosters communication, teamwork, and flexibility.
But kids don't care about developing their brain, using music study to get achieve higher standardized test scores, or improving communication with others. What motivates a child to do anything? Kids care about fun.
Several years ago, I taught preschool, and during my training the school director told me, "Make everything a game. Lining up is a game. The lesson is a game. Handwashing is a game. Cleaning is a game. Everything." Children are motivated by enjoyment. The greatest compliment I ever received was from a fifth grade boy who exclaimed during class, "This is better than gym class!" (In case you missed the memo concerning school specials hierarchy, this is the ultimate honor). He didn't care that the lesson's goals included connecting with cross-cultural values or aurally discerning complex rhythmic patterns through call and response. He cared about the fact that he got to bang on a drum for forty minutes and it was fun!
Making music is inherently enjoyable. Rather than to reduce it to its cerebral benefits, it is absolutely essential to allow students to have fun creating music together. That is the main reason for the Soli Deo Gloria Music classes. Allowing children to have the opportunity to make music together is an experience unparalleled by any other activity. And because it's fun and kids care about fun.
But kids don't care about developing their brain, using music study to get achieve higher standardized test scores, or improving communication with others. What motivates a child to do anything? Kids care about fun.
Several years ago, I taught preschool, and during my training the school director told me, "Make everything a game. Lining up is a game. The lesson is a game. Handwashing is a game. Cleaning is a game. Everything." Children are motivated by enjoyment. The greatest compliment I ever received was from a fifth grade boy who exclaimed during class, "This is better than gym class!" (In case you missed the memo concerning school specials hierarchy, this is the ultimate honor). He didn't care that the lesson's goals included connecting with cross-cultural values or aurally discerning complex rhythmic patterns through call and response. He cared about the fact that he got to bang on a drum for forty minutes and it was fun!
Making music is inherently enjoyable. Rather than to reduce it to its cerebral benefits, it is absolutely essential to allow students to have fun creating music together. That is the main reason for the Soli Deo Gloria Music classes. Allowing children to have the opportunity to make music together is an experience unparalleled by any other activity. And because it's fun and kids care about fun.
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