Every year, Calla and her family participate in the town's showcase, but this year, she is determined to create a song garden without the help of her parents. Her friends all have great ideas, but writing a song doesn't come as easily to Calla. There are so many choices...what if she gets it wrong? Will Calla be able to conquer her worries and let her creativity shine through? Written by an elementary music teacher to spark composition in young readers, The Song Garden teaches children that their creations are truly their own.
The American Song Book, Volume I: The Tin Pan Alley Era is the first in a projected five-volume series of books that will reprint original sheet music, including covers, of songs that constitute the enduring standards of Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, the Gershwins, and other lyricists and composers of what has been called the "Golden Age" of American popular music. These songs have done what popular songs are not supposed to do-stayed popular. They have been reinterpreted year after year, generation after generation, by jazz artists such as Charlie Parker and Art Tatum, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. In the 1950s, Frank Sinatra began recording albums of these standards and was soon followed by such singers as Tony Bennet, Doris Day, Willie Nelson, and Linda Ronstadt. In more recent years, these songs have been reinterpreted by Rod Stewart, Harry Connick, Jr., Carly Simon, Lady GaGa, K.D. Laing, Paul McCartney, and, most recently, Bob Dylan. As such, these songs constitute the closest thing America has to a repertory of enduring classical music. In addition to reprinting the sheet music for these classic songs, authors Philip Furia and Laurie Patterson place these songs in historical context with essays about the sheet-music publishing industry known as Tin Pan Alley, the emergence of American musical comedy on Broadway, and the "talkie" revolution that made possible the Hollywood musical. The authors also provide biographical sketches of songwriters, performers, and impresarios such as Florenz Ziegfeld. In addition, they analyze the lyrical and musical artistry of each song and relate anecdotes, sometimes amusing, sometimes poignant, about how the songs were created. The American Songbook is a book that can be read for enjoyment on its own or be propped on the piano to be played and sung.
'Meticulously researched... Every Swiftie will want this' -THE SUN The full story behind every single song Taylor Swift has ever released. Covering eleven albums, more than 250 songs, hidden gems, cover versions, vault tracks and more besides, this is the definitive guide to Taylor Swift's incredible songbook and a celebration of one of music's greatest ever talents - from her self-titled debut to The Tortured Poets Department. Award-winning music writer Annie Zaleski (Rolling Stone, Billboard, the Guardian) leaves no stone unturned as she explores the inspiration, production and legacy of pop's greatest back catalogue, delving into every era to tell the story of Taylor Swift's entire career through her music. A journey through country, pop, indie and folk, this is the ultimate guide to the musical and storytelling genius of Taylor Swift.
Two Native American brothers serve as soldiers in World War I in this “emotionally wrought, finely crafted historical novel” (Karl Helicher, ForeWord). Blue Ravens is set at the start of the twentieth century in the days leading up to the Great War in France. It moves from the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota into the bitter and bloody fighting at Château-Thierry, Montbréhain, and Bois de Fays. Through this journey, author and poet Gerald Vizenor returns to the cultural themes central to his writing—the power and irony of trickster stories, the privilege of survivance over victimry, natural reason and resistance. After serving in the American Expeditionary Forces, two brothers from the Anishinaabe culture return home. They eventually leave for a second time to live in Paris where they lead successful and creative lives. With a spirited sense of “chance, totemic connections, and the tricky stories of our natural transience in the world,” Vizenor creates an expression of presence commonly denied Native Americans. Blue Ravens is a story of courage in poverty and war, a human story of art and literature from a recognized master of the postwar American novel and one of the most original and outspoken Native voices writing today.
Collection of essays written by early Pomona College graduates about the early history of Pomona College and their accomplishments in the years after college.
Acting the Song offers a contemporary, integrated approach to singing in musicals that results in better-trained, smarter performers everyone wants to work with. Directors, teachers of musical theater, and students-including actors, singers, or dancers-will find time-tested advice, exercises, and worksheets for all skill levels. This book guides readers through musical theater elements, classroom workshops, and the world of professional auditions and performances. Chapters cover: --Singing and acting terminology --Modern microphone use --"Legit" singing and belting --Vocal and physical warm-ups --Body movement and gesture --Finding subtext --Creating a character --Personalization --Song structure --Interpreting music and lyrics --Risks and spontaneity --Collaborating with other actors --Keeping a performance fresh and new Teachers and students alike will appreciate the sections for beginning, intermediate, and advanced performers. Everyone involved in musical theater, from new students to working professionals, will benefit from this rich resource. Additional teaching materials and downloadable worksheets are available at www.actingthesong.com.
