Hi BCD Families-

We are hoping to gather various world music instruments to spice up the visual environment of the music room. If you have an instrument or instruments (not too precious!) that you would like to lend us, we would like to display it in the music room.

In addition, if you have any great photos from recent BCD concerts, I would love to have a copy.

Thank you!

Ms. Fishman

Hi MS Chorus-

If you are planning on leading a warm-up in Chorus, please be sure to choose music that is appropriate for school. To be sure it is okay, e-mail me lyrics or the song you plan to use by Wednesday so that I can give you the go ahead. Thanks to everyone who has led a warm-up so far!

These are the audio only podcasts. To get these on your iPod, click here The images are just pictures; they are not supposed to move.

These are the videos of the concert. These are large files and may require a bit of time to load, so please be patient.
If you would like these on your ipod click here. If you have iTunes installed and the first link doesn't work for you, you can try either of these, click here or this link for iTunes subscription but *note* this is the entire show page, which includes many other BCD videos, which may or may not interest you.

Christmas in the trenches by John McCutcheon

Middle School Chorus Members: Please memorize lyrics by Thursday, December 3rd.

Christmas in the Trenches
words & music by John McCutcheon

Inspired by a back-stage conversation with an old woman in Birmingham, AL, this song tells a story that is not only true, but well-known throughout Europe. For some of the history behind the 1914 WWI Christmas Truce, click here. 

My name is Francis Tolliver, I come from Liverpool,
Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school.
To Belgium and to Flanders to Germany to here
I fought for King and country I love dear.
‘Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost so bitter hung,
The frozen fields of France were still, no Christmas song was sung,
Our families back in England were toasting us that day,
Their brave and glorious lads so far away.

I was lying with my messmate on the cold and rocky ground
When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound
Says I, “Now listen up, me boys!” each soldier strained to hear
As one young German voice sang out so clear.
“He’s singing bloody well, you know!” my partner says to me
Soon one by one each German voice joined in in harmony
The cannons rested silent, the gas clouds rolled no more
As Christmas brought us respite from the war.

As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” struck up some lads from Kent
The next they sang was “Stille Nacht,” “Tis ‘Silent Night’,” says I
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky.
“There’s someone coming towards us!” the front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one lone figure coming from their side
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shone on that plain so bright
As he bravely strode unarmed into the night.

Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man’s land
With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave ‘em hell.
We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played his squeeze box and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men.

Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each began to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wondrous night
“Whose family have I fixed within my sights?”
‘Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung
For the walls they’d kept between us to exact the work of war
Had been crumbled and were gone for evermore.

My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas come since World War I I’ve learned its lessons well
That the ones who call the shots won’t be among the dead and lame
And on each end of the rifle we’re the same.

©1984 John McCutcheon/Appalsongs (ASCAP)

Facts about Johann Sebastian Bach:

• Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685
• He died in Leipzig, Germany in 1750
• Bach wrote over 1,200 compositions during his life
• Bach played many instruments including violin, viola, cello, harpsichord, and organ
• Bach made his living as a teacher, court composer and musician,  and church organist
• When Bach was 10 years old, his parents died and he was sent to live with his older brother
• Bach was married twice. His second wife was Anna Magdelena, who was an accomplished singer and keyboard player.
• Bach had twenty children, but only ten of them survived past childhood.
• Bach had difficulty with employers and was once thrown in jail for a month after arguing with the Duke he worked for. He wrote 40 compositions while he was in jail.
• Bach is so highly regarded that an entire musical era-the Baroque-is said to end with his death in 1750.

Please watch and listen to the following selections:

J.S. Bach: Organ Toccata and Fugue in d minor

J.S. Bach: Brandenberg Concert No. 5