Group 1
Welcome!
Welcome to the tonebase Two Week Intensive: Folk Song Settings of Steven Mark Kohn! I’m
Andy Garland, Associate Professor of Voice at CU Boulder, and Steven Mark Kohn superfan.
I’m so pleased that you’re here to sing some of Steven Mark Kohn’s iconic folk song settings
with me.
Day 1 “Show us your songs!”
Today just send in a video of you singing your song, or even part of your song. If you want,
please feel free to introduce yourself: tell us your name, where you’re from, where you sing
or would like to sing and/or something unique about yourself!!!
Video: Garland invites you to submit first recording of your song
You can study and sing any Steven Mark Kohn Folk Song except “Ten Thousand Miles Away.” Each participant should choose just one. Every day’s materials and activities apply to any song. Recommended pieces are as follows:
On the Other Shore
The Farmer’s Curst Wife
Wanderin’
Red Iron Ore
Down, Down, Down
The Ocean Burial
California
The Gallows Tree
Poor Wayfaring Stranger
Hell in Texas
Note:
You can purchase downloadable scores here.
Accompaniment tracks for the intensive can be purchased through Appcompanist.
Day 2 “What is a folk song?”
Definition
PDF & PowerPoint See Links
Further Reading/Listening
Video: Folk Song Lecture
Links to resources
Song of America Radio Series: Songs We’ve Always Sung
Song of America Radio Series: Places that Sing to us
(More links at end of course listed under Day 14, you can peek ahead if you want)
Day 3 “Show us their songs!”
Post youtube links in the the comment section of recordings you liked. We are looking for “original” folk singers and/or performances of SMK arrangements. Let us know what you liked/noticed about these performances and recordings. Let's talk about them!
*Garland n/a for feedback today
Day 4 “To dialect or not to dialect…”
… that is the question
Will you sing with mid-atlantic lyric diction or with a dialect from the song’s region?
Discussion: What did you find in recordings from days 2,3?
PDF (See Attachments)
Video: “ACCENTuate the positive"
*Garland n/a for feedback on day
Day 5 “You’re such a Character”
Examples of multiple character songs throughout Art Song history
“Erlkönig”
“Waldesgesprach”
(American Examples)
Sing the “quotation marks”
PDF on above
Video: “You’re Such a Character”
*Garland n/a for feedback on the day
Day 6-7 "Practice, practice, practice!"
Questions for Andrew Garland or Steven Mark Kohn? Share them in the chat, so we can discuss them on the livestream!!
*Garland n/a for feedback on the day
Day 8 Livestream!
tune into the tonebase livestream WITH Andrew Garland AND Steven Mark Kohn
Connect with both Andrew Garland and Steven Mark Kohn as they discuss his work, his inspiration and give you insights that only a composer and his "superfan" can offer! Of course, the Q&A will be open to you, so come prepared with questions and comments!! As always, singer interaction is highly encouraged!! If you can't make it to the LIVE event, feel free to post a question here before the LIVE and be sure to check it out on the tonebase voice livestream page after the stream.
11am PST
Day 9 "Show us your first verse!"
Record the first verse of your song [and second verse for longer songs]
Day 10 "Show us your first verse” (round 2)
Second day for singers to record and for Garland to respond
Day 11 "Show us your second verse”
Record the remainder of your song
Day 12 "Show us your second verse" (round 2)
Second day for singers to record and for Garland to respond
Day 13 “Where do you want these folk songs?”
Programming ideas
PDF of programs (See Attachments)
Video "Get Your Programs"
Day 14 "The Grand Finale"
Everybody submits their song one more time
We will incorporate them into our very first tonebase voice listening party/recital!!!
Upload your final performance videos here
August 28th at 11am PST
tonebase is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: tonebase voice August Listening Party/Recital!!
Time: Aug 28, 2024 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84238022117?pwd=5iKJGzp4PbJHkxKXPGhhIb8BataKzY.1
Meeting ID: 842 3802 2117
Passcode: 368455
---
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,84238022117#,,,,*368455# US
+17193594580,,84238022117#,,,,*368455# US
---
Dial by your location
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 842 3802 2117
Passcode: 368455
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kcX9SszUxn
Further, Further Reading/Listening
What is a Folk Song? – Stuart Hendrickson
What is a Folk Song? An Exploration through collection – Gregory Conway
Why Folk Songs Still Mean Something – John Mitchinson
“Appalachian Journey”, Alan Lomax
Schickele Mix #107 – Folk Music, Schmolk Music
14 replies
-
Hi there!
I am an Italian woman and I can sing all the female register. I don't know anything about the American folk song tradition. I am happy to be able to discover new things from scratch with this TWI. Which song should I choose to start with?
Ciao! 🌞😎✌🏻
-
Hi there!
Some questions for the livestream:
1. Is blues and swing to be considered "folk music"?
2. What distinguishes "Summertime" from a folk song?
3. They all must be sung within a lyric voice or it's ok also to sing with a musical theatre/not lyric voice?
4. Why most folk songs are sung by baritones?
Ciao! 🌞😎✌🏻
-
Hi there!
In the next few days, I will post a video of I'm a Stranger.
Now I have a question: what happens if a singer presents a program in which he sings both lyrical and non-lyrical songs (ex. Kohn and Dylan)? can you sing different styles in the same recital?
Thanks!
Ciao! 🌞😎✌🏻
-
Hi there! This is my first attempt of "I'm a stranger here" without accompaniment: I'm still getting organized.
https://youtu.be/TE-FEpr51-k?si=hcqQxk2e9cM_I-Uh
I missed a note. I would like suggestions!
Ciao! 🌞😎✌🏻
-
Look, I was sitting and reading the score in a half voice... I missed a note and I was calante in the descending thirds. 😅 Today I should be able to record some more videos... In more decent conditions. I'll try to do it in other styles too, just for fun.
But I'm still having a problem with the arrangement because I don't understand if I can buy the "low price offer" of Appcompanist also with Android... otherwise, I need time to understand how to edit the videos where I play the piano sitting and at the same time sing standing! 🤦🏻♀️
I ask you for a few more days, if possible!
Ciao! 🌞😎✌🏻