Saturday, March 14, 2009

Bridge Over Troubled Water - parts

Fellas,

Here're the individual parts as mp3 for Bridge Over Troubled Waters... as well as a PDF of the arrangement.
Be patient with my voice, I was doing this late on Friday night and tired after a heckuva week... good news is that I still have a job.

Download Download Download... Learn Learn Learn... Memorize Memorize Memorize
Headphones work best as your part will be in the left ear and the others in the right ear.
We're singing this, memorized and musical, the Friday after you get back from break... so this is a bit of musical "homework"... you did it for Kingdom in the Sky, you can do it for this.

Mikey

Friday, March 13, 2009

Sincere - parts

Guys,

Here're the mp3 files of the parts for Sincere. Not an easy piece, but brilliant when you nail it.
Go crazy... sing in the shower... get your blend on... enjoy The Music Man.

Mike

Monday, March 02, 2009

Parents Letter

To Parents of the 2009 Beachside Express:

We are all musical family in the 20+ year proud tradition of a cappella music-making and camaraderie known as The Beachers.

The group has been cranking all year long. From learning new music right off the bat, to welcoming new members in October, to holiday gigs, to premiering a great new piece at Harmony for the Homeless… the trajectory for this year arcs toward an impressive zenith.
This is a fine time to highlight a couple of important items about the Beachers' year just so we are all on the same page. If you ever have any questions, concerns or situations to discuss, feel free to drop me an email or give me a call. My goal is always, "No surprises"... and I will always keep a sensitive eye on the balance of the Beachers commitment with the many other priorities the students have at GFA.
For those of you who are new to Beachers, you should know that I am not a GFA teacher. I work in the city for AOL as an information architect. This means I am only at GFA on rehearsal/concert evenings. Reaching out via email/phone is the most practical way to reach me. Such is life.
Email: mikec@papageno.com | Mobile: 203-610-4576 | Home: 203-371-0636

1) The Beachers Blog
This is the information website I direct to the boys that contains:
> rehearsal and performance schedule updates
> PDF and MP3 versions of arrangements
> information on "outside" concerts that might be enjoyable and beneficial for the boys to attend.
For your reference: thebeachers.blogspot.com.
The boys are reminded to visit the website and show you important entries so that dates are understood and conflicts can be avoided where possible.

2) Beachers driving together
It commonly occurs that the Beachers go places together in their cars (to get to concerts, to get food before rehearsals, etc.). Sometimes we know about it and sometimes we do not. I share the concern that safety is the #1 priority… whether passenger or driver. Please take a few moments and discuss this with your son. As it happens, I am not in a position to be able to monitor or enforce these activities as I am not with the Beachers on most occasions. You must make it very clear to your son what he can and cannot do. I will support your decisions.

3) The Zombie Jamboree -June 6th, 2009
The Zombie Jam is the long-standing traditional end of the year performance at which The Beachside Express and The Harbor Blues perform in culmination of their year's musical journey.
Please make plans to attend the 2009 Zombie Jamboree on Saturday, June 6th at 7:30pm! @ GFA!
Let me emphasize how important this show is. It is an extremely enjoyable concert, surpassing many college a cappella shows I've seen, sporting stratospheric energy levels, musical excellence/commitment, and a hefty dose of comic intervention… a truly entertaining and surprising evening for all. This is the concert reward for the tremendous individual and team efforts.
Begin telling all your relatives and friends now; the bigger the audience the better!
Please be sure your son has no other major commitments from Friday, June 5th after 2:00pm through Sunday afternoon, June 7th around 4:00pm. We have very important final closing activities that conclude that Sunday afternoon.

4) BIG Dates in 2009 - Post in a prominent place
Please make sure that your Beacher is free from outside obligations on these dates.

Description

Date

Time

Location

GFA Art Exhibit Opening

Friday, March 6th

6:30pm

Westport Art Center

Beachers "Brainwashing" Day

Saturday, March 7th

10am – 4pm

GFA

GFA Jazz Festival

Thursday, March 12th

evening

GFA

Chris Waller Benefit Event

Thursday, April 2nd

7pm

GFA

Variety Show

Friday, April 3rd

evening

GFA

GFA Student Diversity Leadership

Saturday, April 4th

during day

GFA

Ivy League A Cappella Concert

Saturday, April 4th

evening

St. John's, Stamford

GFA World Religion Symposium

Monday, April 6th

during day

GFA

Alumni Reunion Concert

Saturday, May 16th

afternoon

GFA

?? Beachers & Blues Assembly

Tuesday, May 19th

during day

GFA

US Spring Concert

Tuesday, May 19th

evening

GFA

New Parents Reception

Thursday, May 28th

evening

GFA

?? Darien Sports Shoppe

May ??

??

Darien

?? Tokeneke Club Opening

May ??

??

Darien

?? Pequot Yacht Club Event

May ??

??

Southport

Sing-Around Day

Wednesday, June 3rd

during day

Fairfield, Darien, etc.

Zombie Jamboree

Saturday, June 6th

7:30pm

GFA

Final Activities

Sunday, June 7th

11am – 4pm

Angelina's, GFA



In closing, if you would like to discuss any of the above items, or any other Beachers-related issue, feel free to drop me an email or give me a call.

Michael Costantino
Email: mikec@papageno.com | Mobile: 203-610-4576 | Home: 203-371-0636
42 Newport Place Fairfield, CT 06825