Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Vista/WebCT Gradebook note

Had a question about all the grades in the gradebook because someone was concerned about all the "missing grades" that show up there.

When you go into your gradebook, you'll see this list of grades:
Midterm
Final
Stupid Sample Test
ElMedRen
BarClass
Rom
Final F09
Presentation
Concert 1
Concert 2
Absences
Spr2010 ElMedREn
BarClassSp
Rom20th
Spr2010Final
F10 E-M-R
BaroClass-Fall2010



What's happening here is that there are several columns from previous semesters that Vista will not let me delete. The only grades that will count are highlighted above in red - there will be one more column for the Romantic/20th century test, of course.

Monday, October 18, 2010

A few comments about class stuff......

1) We're just past mid-term, and I have seen a grand total of 4 concert reports. Remember when I kept hounding you about not waiting until the last minute? There's a real good reason why I said that.

Your report is due by the second class after the concert, and they MUST be completed by the last day of the semester (Friday 12/3).

The only exception is if you attend the Macon State Chamber Choir concert on Friday, Dec. 3 down at First Prebyterian church downtown. If you do, your writeup is due at the final exam.

These concert reports count 15% of your final grade - so if you don't do ANY, the maximum possible grade for the class is automatically an 85.

2) A few notes about the in-class presentations: At mid-term I begin grading them more stringently because you have seen half the class do them already, and know what works and what doesn't as an audience member.

  1. Make CERTAIN you understand what you are about to say - don't just pull a definition off the web and read it.
  2. Know your material well enough so you can TALK to your audience, not read to them!
  3. LOOK at your audience - they'd much rather see your face than your backside, which is what everyone sitting near the door gets to see when you face the computer screen.
  4. SPEAK UP. SPEAK SLOWER than you think. ENUNCIATE.
  5. Make sure you cover ALL the parts listed in the syllabus. If you're not sure - about the form, for example - give it your best shot, tell everyone what you think, and then say "This is my best guess". We can have a conversation about it, which helps everybody in the class!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Concerts......

Don't forget that Mercer has several concerts a month - many are free. CHECK THE CALENDAR HERE.

Also coming:
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
presents the
Credo Vocal Quartet
in a concert
Saturday, October 23rd at 7:00pm.

The Russian quartet will enterain with a program of Russian sacred songs, Russian folk songs, and contemporary songs.

Founded just four years ago, Credo Quartet was formed with a desire to sing choral music of many countries, musical styles and traditions. This esteemed vocal ensemble produces fresh interpretations of many well-known choral works that are customarily sung by larger choirs. Though the group is very young, each of its members has great working experiences in leading choirs of Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
The ensemble’s name “Credo” is of Latin origin and means “I believe”. All members perform for Orthodox churches during the many beautiful liturgies of the Eastern tradition. Each of the singers professes a deep belief in the ministry of their musical works and they demonstrate a great understanding of the substance of the Divine Liturgies. Indeed, they are believers in the grace, beauty and divine nature of the gift of singing.
The Russian Orthodox musical heritage comprises the heart of Credo’s repertoire. However, the quartet also engages the listener with an array of Russian folk songs, western classical music styles, contemporary works by Russian and international composers.

Tickets $10 in advance [call 478-405-5128], $15 at the door
Kids 12 & under free
859 First Street, Downtown Macon
(A few blocks west & down the hill from the Medical Center)

Participants -
Irina Grinberg — soprano, director

Born in Nizhniy Novgorod. Musical training at the Nizhniy Novgorod Musical College. Later she studied choral conducting under professor D. N. Ardentov at the Academy of Arts in Saint-Petersburg. While a student in the Academy, Irina started performing choral works with the Saint-Petersburg Chamber chorus under N. N. Kornev’s management. In 2000 she organized the vocal ensemble “Credo” which she directs to this day.
Alexey Barashev — tenor

Born in Saint-Petersburg. He graguated from Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov’s Conservatory with major in coral conducting. He began serious vocal training and concert activity in 1997. To date Alexey has worked with many choral groups of Saint-Petersburg. He has been in the ensemble since 2007

Marina Chihacheva — mezzo-soprano

Born in Saint-Petersburg. Marina finished college at the Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory. She started her concert career as a soloist with one of city ensembles. Marina first encountered the art of choral singing in chamber chorus “Rossika”. At the present time she sings in the chorus of the Fiodorovskiy Cathedral in Tsarskoe Selo. Since the organization of “Credo” she has been the unchanging mezzo-soprano of the ensemble.
Yan Largin — bass

Born in Saint-Petersburg. He is a graduate of the Glinka Choral Academy and Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov’s Conservatory with major in coral conducting. He has sung in numerous chamber choirs, including the Saint-Petersburg Chamber Choir and has performed with well-known directors internationally. He has been in the ensemble since 2003.


Thursday, October 07, 2010

Ever heard of a Bowafridgeaphone ???????

You can see it AND hear it here: 
the Bowafridgeaphone



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