Listening Guide to Your Orchestra CD.

Chris has provided you with a CD that features music that your kids have played, some that they will play and some that is, well, just fun to listen to. She has asked me to write a bit about each. I would encourage you to listen to these with your kids, chat about what they hear, and above all ENJOY THE MUSIC! - Pablo Plasencia


Pachelbel Canon in D and Gigue: This was played by Herbert VonKarajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. Listen to the Harpsichord and the way it doubles the cellos. The cellos provide a pulse, like a walking bass in jazz, that anchors the music and allows the higher voices to soar. Compare this to Here's That Rainy Day included below.

William Tell Overture: This is an excerpt from a much longer piece that was the overture to Rossini’s opera by the same name. Everybody has heard this and, as you may imagine, it is quite a challenging piece. You can feel the footfalls of horses in this heroic overture.

Appalachian Spring and Simple Gifts: Aaron Copeland set the Shaker melody as an orchestral piece commissioned by Martha Graham for the American Dance Theatre. His arrangement is anything but simple. He plays with the melody and the listener can feel the dance. Interestingly, the Worship Tune "Lord of the Dance" is set to this melody. Compare this to the version played, on cello, by Yo-Yo Ma and sung by Allison Krause. The beautiful modulation allows the cello to provide a pedal tone to Allison Krause as she sings the original lyric to this tune.

Arkansas Traveler: Two versions here; the first played by Jimmy Bryant and Harold Hensley is a more traditional fiddle tune. The second was played by the 70s rock band Seals and Crofts. Both are lots of fun.

Enter Sandman: The original version of this tune was done by Metallica. This version is played by four cellos (with no drums!) by the German group Apocalyptica. Listen closely, there are no electronic effects. This is pure red-blooded cello! They have maintained the intensity that Metallica created on their recording, but with acoustic instruments.

Hall of the Mountain King: Again by Apocalyptica, but with other instruments. You might want to watch for this tune in future programs. Now the cellos are using effects generally used by guitarists (such as distortion, flange, reverb, and the like). Edvard Grieg originally composed this as incidental music for Heinrich Ibsen's play "In the Hall of the Mountain King". Again, remaining very true to the original intent, Apocalyptica rocks the tune and makes Grieg into a heavy metal composer.

Julie-O: Mark Summer, of Turtle Island String Quartet, plays this solo piece on cello, using pizzicato, bow, and various percussive techniques. This is one player with no overdubs. Summer's technique is a marvel to behold. All stringed instruments are capable, in the right hands, of a great variety of sounds and serve as a nearly perfect vehicle for emotional expression. It only takes practice, practice, practice and then more practice.

Stolen Moments: A jazz masterpiece, composed by Oliver Nelson, here performed by the Turtle Island String Quartet. Turtle Island is highly regarded as innovators blending classical music and jazz, stressing improvisation and classic technique.

Here’s That Rainy Day: Stephane Grapelli and the Gary Burton Quartet doing the venerable jazz standard. Grapelli is the master of Gypsy Jazz, having played as Django Rheinhardt’s violinist. A master technician, here he plays beautifully and improvises freely. Listen for his use of harmonics (overtones) and slides. On a side note, the bassist, Steve Swallow, for Gary Burton is worth listening to. He maintains rhythm, establishes the chord while driving the band with a harmonically interesting line that never intrudes on the soloist. Jazz is such a beautiful thing.

A Mighty Fortress: The Lutheran Fight Song! Composed by Martin Luther, this was originally a German drinking song that Luther used – 16th century contemporary worship! – as a familiar tune to teach the laity God’s word. The original version was quite syncopated. The version that is performed here is the Bach arrangement. You might want to give this a listen as this version will be performed by the Orchestra in a concert to come soon.

Hard Times Come Again No More – sung by James Taylor, with Yo-Yo Ma on Cello, Edgar Meyer on Bass, and Mark O’Conner on Violin. This tune was composed by Stephen Foster in 1854 and was one of the first songs to be recorded (by Thomas Edison in 1905) and achieve popularity via recordings. Standing the test of time, it was the encore used by Bruce Springsteen in his 2009 tour. The song became very popular during the Civil War giving voice to those who suffered violence and hatred during this conflict. It still speaks gentle truth and is our supplication for "hard times (to) come again no more."

Great Job on the Christmas Concert!

The orchestra students did a wonderful job performing at their Christmas Concert! I was very proud of each and every student. I want to thank all the parents for their help with the students prior to the concert and during the concert. The reception was beautiful and the cookies and cupcakes were great! Thanks also for the help with setting up the chairs and music stands and putting them away afterwards. It is so important to have parental participation helping the students practice and giving them encouragement by attending concerts and bringing family and friends with them. I also want to say how well dressed the students were for the concert! Thank you for providing the appropriate concert attire.

I am sending home a CD with each student which has some of the pieces we performed on this concert as well as some other pieces. Please listen with your children to this music and enjoy! I have asked my husband to write a short listening guide to better inform you about what you are listening to. I hope that you will enjoy the music on the CD and that it will inspire your children to practice, practice, practice and then practice some more!

Happy Holidays and thank you for letting me work with your kids!

Chris Plasencia

Concert Dates

Dear Orchestra Parents,

First, I need to say how excited I am about the progress the kids are making this year. They sound great and I am looking forward to our next concert. I'm sure that you'll be pleased to hear them. They're playing harmonies and are sounding like an orchestra! On to business...

Chapel Concert Wednesday, November 18th: Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras will perform at chapel. Please arrive in church at 8:15 a.m. to tune instruments .We will perform around 8:35 a.m. Both groups will play “Lord, Be Glorified”. The advanced group will play “Simple Gifts”. Intermediate Orchestra needs to stay 10 minutes later on Thursday, Nov. 12th and Tuesday, Nov. 17th to practice with Advanced Orchestra.

Christmas Concert: Monday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Students should arrive at 6:30 p.m. in the nursery to tune instruments. Rehearsal time for this concert will be given soon.

Spring Concert: Monday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the church. Students should arrive at 6:30 p.m. in the nursery to tune instruments.

We should also be playing at the Carnival this year again. Details later.

Tuesday, December 15th we will have orchestra but Thursday, December 17th we will not have orchestra as I am going out of town for a wedding.

Concert Dress

For the Christmas and Spring Concerts there will be a specific concert dress required. Concert dress is a tradition in orchestras. It is a way of showing respect to the audience and to the music being performed.

Boys: Please wear a long sleeved white dress shirt tucked in. Black pants and dark shoes and socks should be worn. Black sweaters or a black sports coat are fine if it is cold.

Girls: Please wear a long sleeved white blouse. Black pants or skirts should be worn as well as dark shoes and socks. Black sweaters are fine if it is cold.

Please, no "hoodies" or other informal apparel. We want to look as good as we sound!

Thank you for participating in the orchestra this year. We are learning many new pieces and having a good time!

- Chris Plasencia

Welcome to Orchestra!

What: St. John’s Lutheran School is proud to be offering an orchestra class to its students for the 2009-2010 school year. There will be three different classes, a beginning, an intermediate and an advanced class. Students who have no experience, but would like to learn to play the violin, viola or cello can sign up for the beginning class. Those students who do have experience playing the violin, viola or cello can sign up for one of the other classes. Please contact Chris Plasencia to have your child play for her so we know which class is appropriate. This is a great opportunity for beginning students to learn to play a string instrument in a group setting, and provides those who are already studying a string instrument with valuable ensemble experience.

Who: Students in grades 3-8 are welcome to sign up for orchestra. Those younger than grade 3, with previous playing experience, will be considered by the teacher. Students are encouraged to sign up even if they are currently playing in the band or taking private lessons. This will not conflict, but will ENHANCE their musical experience. All students must keep up class work to participate.

When: After school on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting in September of 2009. Classes meet whenever school is in session. There are no classes during the breaks throughout the year.

Where: All classes will meet at St. John’s Lutheran School in the Church nursery.

Why: Recent studies have indicated increased benefits in learning ability when a child learns to play an instrument. Making music involves listening to and playing with others; organized thinking skills, and it enhances your child’s educational experience through creative self-expression, emotional release and satisfaction, discipline of achievement, and cooperating and performing with fellow students.

Instructor: The orchestra instructor, Chris Plasencia (Miss Chris), graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in violin performance. She has taught violin, viola, cello and piano lessons for the past 25 years. This is her second year teaching at St. John’s. She has taught privately at Musician’s Boulevard in Thousand Oaks for the past ten years. She has performed in symphonies and quartets for the past ten years. She also teaches violin at the Juvenile Facility in Oxnard. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for teaching music makes her classroom environment both educational and fun.

Instruments and Materials: Parents are responsible for providing instruments and books. In the fall Musicians Boulevard will be hosting a Rental Day where students can rent their instruments and purchase books and accessories.

Fees: Cost per student is $50.00 per month. Checks are made payable to Chris Plasencia. All payments can be turned into the school office.