Music Notes: April 19

First of all...

WOO-HOOOOOOO!!!!!
Excellent job on Thursday!  I am SO proud of each and every one of you.  It's truly a privilege to work with such talented and hard-working young people as yourselves.  Awesome.  You make my "job" so fun.  = )

You are 90% there with singing & dancing!  (These comments are only picky little things.)

"Jitterbug Saturday Night"

• "Cut-a-rug" still isn't right.  Please practice with your Vocal CD.  
• Everyone, enunciate those verses!  We're getting more comfortable with the songs and relaxing our diction somewhat as a result.

"Kilroy Was Here"

• When the guys help the girls "jump" on "When you least expect it, he'll appear..." it's not all together.  Watch the clip (at the 6:35 mark) from Act 1 ~ The Whole Enchilada.  I'll let you correct that amongst yourselves.
• Hannah & Jordan, I was worried you were going to kick the lunchboxes today.  Start a step or two further back maybe?
• Nick, great timing on the last line.  You nailed it!

"Spies"

• I'll make a separate post for the Government Agents which will help you get that tricky spot better.  Stay tuned!

"Together We Must Stand"

• Please remember to put your hand on your heart or salute when it splits into Chorus 1 (We are one!) and Chorus 2 (My country...).  If you point upwards here, it will be very obvious.  Practice and think.   Practice and think.  Use your music CD (start with the vocal one, then do it with the instrumental).

"Slap That Jukebox"

• A couple fellas started "Oh my good golly..." a little early again.  I think I'll make a practice video for this tricky spot too.  Some of you have got it, but *all* of you need to start at the same time.
• Girls, you did a great job in following Bailey, and we got back on track quickly.

"Never Gonna Give Up"

• I wrote some incorrect instructions for your arm movements in the "Song Notes for Act 2" post.  I was right about when your fists should be at your shoulders, but I had "this" and "to" mixed up.  You should go DOWN on "this" and UP on "to".  Sorry!  You must've known what I meant though, since your arms were much more together today.  It was almost perfect!  Well done.

"Hey America, What's Cookin'?"

I know we went over the following things yesterday, but I want for you to have these reminders in writing:

• Snap on 1..3..1..3..1..3... at the start.
• Slap your hands on your knees on "doo daht", so you can do the "Bah-dahps" right.  If it helps, "doo" is on beat 3.  Instead of snapping there, you slap instead.
• When you switch lines on the verses, it's okay to swing your arms slightly forward & back, but keep them close to your body (not out to the side) so it's easier to pass each other to a different line.
• As you're singing, "Now thanks to you there's a ship afloat," I want you to start thinking about crossing your left foot over your right on "mer".  Anticipate.  Think ahead.

And now for the video of the Finale...hopefully the Final Finale!  = )

• Great job with parting after "G.I. Joe" and then coming back together as Ruth invites the audience to sing "America the Beautiful".  It looked nice and smooth--especially for our first time.  
• Sloane, we gave you far too many words to fit between "...good ol' USO---" and the Army theme song.  You could try something like this..."And now ladies and gentlemen, we present a tribute to our American armed forces!  Veterans, as we announce your branch's theme song, would you please stand--and if possible, remain standing?....Army!....(and so on)."
• Watch the tempo on the verses of "Battle Hymn".  Don't rush.  Put a hopeful look on your face on the last chorus.  

Something cute ~ The other night I told Samuel (4) to go up and start getting ready for bed and I'd be up in a minute.  He started climbing the stairs singing, "I'll be waiting for youuuuuuuuuu."  ; )  Do all of your families know these songs as well as mine does?