Notre Dame Marist Academy Middle Division students sing for and interview the composer of pieces they have performed in concert
Notre Dame's middle-school choir members and director Eric Taylor conduct a Skype interview with noted composer Dr. Andrea Ramsey.
The Notre Dame Marist Academy choruses, under the direction of Eric Taylor, had a rare opportunity this week to perform for and interview renowned composer Dr. Andrea Ramsey, choral conducting and music education professor from Ohio State University. Ramsey is one of the nation’s leading choral music composers, having written many sacred and secular pieces for middle school, high school, and college choirs. Composer Dr. Andrea Ramsey teaches choral music at Ohio State University.
According to Taylor, technology, collaboration and developing the voice can go hand-in-hand. “Even ten years ago, it was hard to imagine researching a composer of a piece you are performing in the next concert and inviting them to talk to your choir about the pieces they are working on," he said. "It’s like video-calling the author of the book you are reading for class and asking him/her anything you want about the book first-hand. It is so amazing that students and teachers have access to this information today. What we experienced was pretty unique in the middle school choir world!"
With the full implementation of 1:1 technology at NDPMA next year, Taylor says that Ramsey’s virtual visit to his classroom will be the first of many. "To be able to analyze a piece of music with the composer who wrote it brings musical understanding to a whole new level. In addition, to say that you got to meet the composer of the song that you are performing in a concert is pretty cool!”
The middle school choruses are currently rehearsing for their upcoming spring concert called “Songs of America – Past and Present.” It will take place on Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m. in the NDP cafetorium. The concert will feature songs from the great American songbook as well as Broadway and pop songs.
Follow Notre Dame at @NDPMA.
About Dr. Andrea Ramsey
Dr. Andrea Ramsey teaches choral music methods courses, undergraduate conducting, and conducts the University Chorus at The Ohio State University. She holds a Ph.D. in music education from Michigan State University, where she was a University Distinguished Fellow and conducted the MSU Chamber Choir and assisted with the Women’s Chamber Ensemble. Her conducting teachers included Dr. David Rayl, Dr. Sandra Snow, and Dr. Jonathan Reed. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University and a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas where she served as a graduate teaching assistant and conductor of the KU Men’s Glee Club, the first female to do so in the 120+ year history of the organization.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.