Features of Kenyan Choral art Music
》They have a confident soloist and back up singers.
》They use traditional music instruments
》Their artists wear traditional costumes
》They employ funky beats
》They employ symbolic traditional items to their ensemble eg feathers, spears
》They employ traditional dances like the jumping for maasai
》They are repetitive and have simple melodic structures
》The lyrical stories convey tell stories and have both general and a hidden meaning.
》They have a moral lesson
》There are songs for every occassion eg birth songs, war songs, and circumcision songs.
》They are short and direct to the point in accordance to different elements of a particular culture.
》The song is distinct and heard while instruments are accompanying and shouldn't be loder than the singers.
》Some of the songs are the same in every culture differing only in language.
Messages and Values in kenyan choral art music
》These songs communicate time to everyone in they community. They mark the beginning of one season and the end of another.
For example
》Birth of a child,
》Start of the year and end of the other
》Start of the circumcision ceremonial month
》Start of harvest ceremony and planting ceremony
》Start of rainy season
》Naming ceremony
》Marriage and funeral
》These songs also provide different communities with the social and economic contributions for their betterment
For example
》Training choirs at a fee
》Paying to record in a studio
》Being hired as singers and dancers
》Renting out traditional costumes at a fee
》Designing and knitting dufferent costumes and making traditional amulets like spears
》Musicians can also compose music and sell to other artists
Performing Kenyan Choral art Music with appropriate techniques
Rehearsal simply mean practise. To be good, learners should practice their choral songs multiple times.
The following techniques must be perfected to achieve the desired outcomes.
Techniques used in Performing Kenyan choral art music
》Posture
》poise
》diction
》Voice projection
》Balance
》Tempo
》Phrasing
》Tone
》Dynamics
》Movement
》Intensity
》Mood
》Expression
》Interpretation
Importance of Rehearsal of Kenyan Choral art Music
》This will boost unity and cooperation among the learners.
》Learners will identify their leader and will all look up to them during the performance.
》This will also promote mastery of the music piece and understanding.
》Learners will boost their self efficacy as they learn melodies and harmonies.
》This will also create a musical bond among the learners and this way, they can help each other to grow and be better both inside and outside the classroom.
》Learners use this tome to improve the different techniques required.
Rehearsal and performance etiquette
》Always come to the rehearsals hall ready to sing.
》Always come in time, those who come late may be replaced.
》You should also have already mastered and done the specified preparations of the material to be rehearsed.
》Do not leave the rehearsal stage until your teacher or instructor dismisses you
》Do not sit around and gossip when it's not your set. Step aside and continue with your preparations for the material.
》Cooparate with all your teammates.
》Take directions only from your techer/instructor or team leader.
》Do not wear your costumes and art anywhere else except on stage and changing room.
》Do not appear on stage with personal items. The costumes are an ensemble and should not be mixed with other ornaments. Do not confuse acting with living.
》Do not use drugs or alcohol during performance unless as props. Kenyan choral art demands respect and moral values.
》Keep a detailed timetable of all rehearsal dates and times so as not to miss any rehearsals.
》Take good care of your costumes as they are masterpieces of our culture.
》Rehearse over and over until the piece is presented before an audience.
