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Showing posts with label groove. Show all posts
Showing posts with label groove. Show all posts

Monday, January 23, 2012

Pop Week: A Capella Style Macarena

This week I'll be featuring Pop Songs--I use the term loosely here. I'm talking about songs that we hear over the radio or tunes that we dance to. But I won't be featuring the group or singer that popularized it. What I'll be presenting instead are choral groups singing these pop songs.

I guess the reason is obvious. Choral groups also get into the grove of contemporary and modern times and sing in a capella style songs that the modern generation has come to recognize and love. When these songs are sung, the impact on the audience is one of amazement--as long as the rendition was executed beautifully. You could say that it's better to watch these performances live rather than on video. As with any type of choral music, watching a live concert is always the best way to appreciate a choir's performance. Here, I hope to give you what we in the world of choral performers, composers and arrangers have to offer to you, our beloved audience.

Do you remember Macarena? I remember it quite well because a lot of youngsters seem to just want to dance to this music. I'm not a good dancer really, so I love it when I see dancers just sway and shake their bodies to the tune of this song. Have you seen a choir perform this song? If not, then here is the University of Visayas Chorale performing Macarena.


Incidentally, show choirs have blossomed over the years. Some of them would sing pop music with choreography and instruments. I'd prefer those who sing it a capella style--and some little choreography if possible.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Sing, Dance, Move and Groove

It's kinda late. I got home late. I start work early and I realize...I haven't written my blog for the day! I don't even have a draft, a definite plan. Here I am trying to figure out what to share with you today. I think of a song that I used to sing with Novo...or what about songs from the other choirs we've met on tours...but what song will I feature today? What choir?

And then while browsing on Youtube, I remember another favorite Filipino choral group. This one of many groups I've come to know and grow fond of when I joined Novo: the University of the East Chorale.

Now, next question: What song? Hmm...there are a lot of choices. I figured it should be a song in which they sang beautifully...and grove to the beat...what could that be? Ah, Mas Que Nada!



O aria aio opa opa opa
O OOOO aria aio opa opa

Mais que nada
Sai da minha frente
Que eu quero passar

Pois o samba esta animado
A que eu quero e samba
 
Este samba que a mistura de maracatu
E smaba de preto velho, samba de preto du

Mais que nada
Um samba come este tao legal
Voce nao vai querer que eu cheque no final

O aria aio opa opa
O OOOO aria ail opa opa opa


I like this video because I get to see their choirmaster sway and dance while conducting. Really! It's one of the reasons why I like watching this choir.