A Celebration of Canons
Vivian Murray Caputo has written many canons that have had a life of their own in Level Courses and Workshops for the past 40 years. At long last they are here in one brand new collection. There are speech canons, canons with movement, instrumental canons, and canons for singers. Vivian has also included excellent instructions for teaching canons as well as a classic Orff process lesson plan for each canon.
All of these canons have proven the test of time both in the classroom and in Level courses and workshops around the country. The title song, Earth Dance, is already a classic in the Orff world.
People have enjoyed canons for at least 800 years as evidenced by the thirteenth century manuscript of Sumer Is Icumen In. The enchantment continues today. Canons are accessible, fun, simple, or complex. They can be a warm-up, a main focus, a vehicle for instant involvement in a musical experience, a platform for creativity, or an easy way to develop the ability to hold one’s own in an ensemble. They can be joyous, somber, amusing, topical, and they can stand on their own or set the tone for something which will follow. They can be sung, spoken, played, or moved. They are relished by adults and children alike, with limitless possibilities.
Earth Dance, A Celebration of Canons, includes verbal canons allowing students to focus on rhythmic accuracy and expressive speech; a traditional song using canonic technique for a coda; vocal canons, some unaccompanied and some with Orff instrument accompaniments; and instrumental canons for recorders and/or Orff instruments. Several songs include suggestions for canonic movement.
Work with your students on these pieces by experimenting, adapting, enhancing, and considering them as models for brand new compositions.
I am forever grateful to the teachers and mentors I have had through the years as well as the many students who have taught me so much.
I dedicate this book to them and to my husband, Gregory, who has supported me in my dance with the muse. Join me in a celebration of the canon!
