Christmas Time Is Here (from A Charlie Brown Christmas)
Goals
Sing a Christmas song from a musical.
Sing a song in triple meter.
Compose a soundscape to the bridge of the song.
Materials
Unpitched percussion instruments: finger cymbals, triangles and wind chimes
Instructions
"Christmas Time is Here" is a song from the musical A Charlie Brown Christmas. It is performed in a waltz meter where beats are in groups of three. As you listen to this song, move to the steady beat in groups of three: pat, clap, snap.
Practice singing the melody and Part I. Work on singing in a high, light head voice for the high D pitches. Try not to over-sing (sing too loudly) on the lowest pitches. Make sure to hold half notes for their full value.
Echo-sing the harmony notes and Part II. Add the piano to assist the pitches, if needed. Make sure to hold half notes for their full value.
Divide the class into two sections: Melody/Part I and Harmony/Part II. Once the parts are sung confidently, repeat the song and switch sections to be comfortable singing both melody and harmony.
Create a soundscape at the bridge of the song: Sleighbells in the air, beauty ev'rywhere. Yuletide by the fireside and joyful mem'ries there.
In Jazz terminology, the bridge is a section of music that reflects a change from the previous measures and the music that follows it.
Add triangles, finger cymbals, and wind chimes to the bridge. Play them gently allowing them to ring freely. Your playing should reflect the mood of the music.
Perform the song in two parts, observing the dynamics, using unpitched instruments with the accompaniment track or piano accompaniment.
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