"We are dancing in the forest"

Dear Families:

This week, we are continuing on singing "We are dancing in the forest" in text, then on solfege. Here is the solfege singing to the song:

Sol Sol La La Sol Sol Mi Mi
(we are dancing in the forest)
Sol Sol La La Sol Sol Mi
(while the wolf is far away)
Sol Sol La La Sol Sol Mi Mi
(who knows what will happen to us)
Sol Sol La La Sol Sol Mi
(if he finds us at our play)

Sol Mi Mi Sol
(wolf are you there?)
Mi Sol Sol Mi Mi Sol
(I'm putting on my shoes)

Mi Sol Mi Do
(I'm coming out)

*Please remind children that the wolf in this song is a nice wolf who is looking for a partner to play.


Happy Singing!

First Week of Spring

Dear Preparatory 1 Families:

It was great to see everyone at our first class of the term. A special hello to the new faces that are joining us in 2015 – welcome to the Cantabile family! For those of you who are new to the organization, this blog is reading for Preparatory 1 singers and families. It’s updated once a week, and contains class materials on your weekly practice, recordings and details on upcoming special events and performances. Please check the blog regularly, and email jina@cantabile.org if you are experiencing any technical difficulties.

Our theme of the semester is "Around the World." We will be exploring multicultural music and learning about different cultures and ethnicity. 

Please listen to the recordings below to find out what songs we have learned in our first week:

Traditional West African Call and Response Song

Che Che Koolay:

http://picosong.com/L5Bh/

(Children can work on echoing the leader on the recording)

Translation: 

Hands on your head

Hands on your shoulders

Hands on your waist

Hands on your knees

Hands on your ankles

Hands on your ankles

Hands on your ankles, hey! 

European Children's Game and Chant

We Are Dancing in the Forest:

http://picosong.com/L5BK/

(We will be singing this song in solfege next week!)

Review hand signs for "Sol," "Mi," "La," and low "Do"

Happy Singing!

Welcome to the 2015 spring semester!

Dear Preparatory Families:

Welcome to the 2015 spring semester with Cantabile Youth Singers. I hope each of you had a terrific winter break. I welcome each of our returning singers and I am very happy to see you continue with us this term. A special welcome also to our new Cantabile families- we are delighted to have you join us and look forward to a wonderful semester. 

Throughout our twenty year history, Cantabile has consistently offered children the opportunity to experience the joy of singing, to learn music reading and participate in one of the fastest growing and most important youth activities in the country: singing in a choir. What differentiates Cantabile is our attention to each singer’s musical, emotional and social development as a whole person: voice, body, mind, and heart. Every year we are thrilled and moved by the commitment each family shows in bringing their child to our classes to share the important value of a musical education. This choice will enhance and support your child’s development throughout their school years and beyond.

Our preparatory classes start on the week of January 26th. Please visit our website http://cantabile.org/ to find the yearly calendar, class time schedules and other important information including how to obtain a uniform for your singer and information about Cantabile’s history and mission as well as all of the events and concerts that will happen this semester for the upper choirs- we encourage you to join us!

We will hold parent orientation during the first week of preparatory classes, and we ask that all families participate. We ask that you come to the beginning of your child’s scheduled class time and stay for about 10 minutes to learn about the program and the logistics of your child’s class.

 FAQ document:

http://bit.ly/Cantabile-FAQ2014

Please feel free to e-mail me at [jina@cantabile.org] with questions or for more information.

Yours in song,

Jina Han  

Recital Potluck Sign-Up

Dear Preparatory 1 Families:

At the end of each term, Cantabile’s Prep classes all have their own recital to showcase what we have accomplished. Please come and support your young singers by enjoying a performance of our songs, games, and activities. This is a relaxed and fun event that you don’t want to miss!

Date: December 8-11

Time: Regular class time

Location: Parish Hall

Attire: Cantabile uniform (see here: http://cantabile.org/index.php/tickets-a-store/uniforms.html) with black dress shoes and black tights/socks.

POTLUCK: It is a Cantabile tradition to follow our holiday recital with a potluck! All preparatory families sign-up to contribute. Please visit the link below this week and place your child’s name in the appropriate column. The categories on the spreadsheet are helpful suggestions, but feel free to use the "other" column and specify what you'd like to bring. Please ensure that all food items are nut-free. If your child has a serious allergy to something besides nuts, please email me and let me know!

Tuesday Potluck Sign-Up

Wednesday Potluck Sign-Up
Thursday Potluck Sign-Up

Thank you for your continued dedication to Cantabile. We look forward to seeing you at the recital.

--

Jina Han

Cantabile Youth Singers

Director of Preparatory Division

Recital Information

Dear Preparatory 1 Families,

I want to share few important announcements regarding recital this semester:

Cantabile’s Prep classes all have their own recitals at the end of each term to showcase what we have accomplished. The recitals take place at our regular rehearsal location. Please come and support your young singers by enjoying a performance of our songs, games, and activities. This is a relaxed and fun event that you don’t want to miss! All singers must come in their Cantabile uniform.

Uniform

Please make sure that you have already ordered your singer’s Cantabile uniform! Here is a link to our uniform page: http://cantabile.org/index.php/tickets-a-store/uniforms.html 

The Cantabile Prep 1 uniform must include black socks (boys) or tights (girls), black dress shoes, and hair neatly combed/tied back and off the face (so we can see your beautiful facial expressions!) Please, no boots, noticeable jewellery (watches, dangling earrings, bracelets, etc.), or colourful hairbands/ties.

Summary:
1. All recitals are held on the last day of classes. (December 8-11)
2. All recitals are held at the Parish Hall, not at the Learning Center. (Parish Hall is where upper choir practices and some preparatory classes as well)
3. There will be potluck at the Learning Center after the recital. The potluck spreadsheet will be e-mailed to you.

Recital Potluck
It is a Cantabile tradition for us to follow our recitals with a potluck for singers and families. Instructions on what to bring will be coming soon!

Mouse Mousie

Dear Parents,

We have been learning many folk songs to apply the concept of solfege in our singing. This week, children are introduced to a solfege, "do" in the new song "Mouse Mousie."

Please listen to the recording below with your children:
http://picosong.com/fz2C

Text:

Mouse Mousie
In the housie
Hurry hurry do

Or the kitty
In the housie
Will be chasing you

RUN!

 

Halloween Special

Dear Parents,

We are doing various Halloween activities involving "The Letter" song, Halloween Tic-Tac-Toe game, and a circle song.  They are enjoying these special activities!

We are also now singing "Lucy Locket" on solfege.
(ss-ll-ss-mm)

*New Song*
Bounce High, Bounce Low

Text with solfege provided:

S           L        S           M
Bounce High, Bounce Low

S           S    L    L  S     M
Bounce the ball to (Shiloh)

-We can insert children's name on the parenthesis. Children have bouncy ball in front of their chest (Sol.) They can move the ball above their head on "La" and below their chest on "Mi." Then, bounce the ball back to you on the name.  


Please continue to sing "Lucy Locket" with your children at home.

I hope they all have safe Trick-Or-Treat on this Friday!