Tootler
Well-known member
45th Season of the Ukulele: "Whilst Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night"
Welcome to the 45th Season of the Ukulele. My married daughter and family arrived this afternoon, so I've not had time to produce an intro video this time, I'm afraid.
So here's the challenge.
Background:
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night was written by Nahum Tate about 1700. For over 100 years, it was the only Christmas hymn approved by the Anglican Church to be sung in church. As result it many local musicians wrote or adapted tunes for it to be sung to so it has been sung to a variety of tunes over the years and, in fact, still is.
Today, the most usual tune used in Britain is “Winchester Old” taken from a late 16th century psalter (example here) and in America “Christmas” an adaptation by Lowell Mason of an aria from a Handel Opera (example here).
The Challenge
Sing "While Shepherds Watched" to a different tune from either of the two above, accompanying yourself on the ukulele. You can use an existing tune or you can write your own. If you use an existing tune, it doesn't have to be one already known as a hymn tune, it can be from anywhere. A tune from a pop song or a classical theme, for example, is fine. Be creative.
Words
If you're not sure of the full words you can find them here.
You don't have to sing the whole carol if you don't want but please include at least three verses.
Parameters
* Ukulele front and centre
* State in your video that the recording is for the "45th season of the ukulele" (at the beginning or end, either is fine)
* Give the name and/or source of your tune somewhere in your entry.
* Multi-tracking is permitted. Have fun and be creative with your entries. A common feature of church music writing in 18th Century England was fuguing – where each section of the choir would enter in turn with the same phrase so they overlapped and harmonised.
A bit like this:
If someone else chooses the tune you were going to use, no problem. Go ahead and use it anyway but try to give your version a distinctive flavour.
Bonus Tracks
Bonus tracks? Yes please. You can either post more tunes to “While Shepherds Watched” or alternatively, since it is the season of goodwill, post songs on a theme of Peace and Goodwill.
Prizes
As it's Christmas, no first, second and third prizes will be awarded this season but everyone who posts a worthy entry will be given a certificate. I will be the judge of what is a worthy entry and will adopt very generous criteria.
Deadline:
11:59 PM Hawaii time, Sunday December 30th. That's 10am Monday 31st December here in the UK.
Playlists.
Season 45 Entries playlist
Season 45 Bonus tracks playlist
I probably won't get time to comment on the entries early in the week but I will try to update the playlists daily. I expect that early on, most of you will be busy anyway (as I will). I will try to listen to entries later in the week and make appropriate comments.
Enjoy the challenge and Seasons Greetings to all of you Seasonistas.
Welcome to the 45th Season of the Ukulele. My married daughter and family arrived this afternoon, so I've not had time to produce an intro video this time, I'm afraid.
So here's the challenge.
Background:
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night was written by Nahum Tate about 1700. For over 100 years, it was the only Christmas hymn approved by the Anglican Church to be sung in church. As result it many local musicians wrote or adapted tunes for it to be sung to so it has been sung to a variety of tunes over the years and, in fact, still is.
Today, the most usual tune used in Britain is “Winchester Old” taken from a late 16th century psalter (example here) and in America “Christmas” an adaptation by Lowell Mason of an aria from a Handel Opera (example here).
The Challenge
Sing "While Shepherds Watched" to a different tune from either of the two above, accompanying yourself on the ukulele. You can use an existing tune or you can write your own. If you use an existing tune, it doesn't have to be one already known as a hymn tune, it can be from anywhere. A tune from a pop song or a classical theme, for example, is fine. Be creative.
Words
If you're not sure of the full words you can find them here.
You don't have to sing the whole carol if you don't want but please include at least three verses.
Parameters
* Ukulele front and centre
* State in your video that the recording is for the "45th season of the ukulele" (at the beginning or end, either is fine)
* Give the name and/or source of your tune somewhere in your entry.
* Multi-tracking is permitted. Have fun and be creative with your entries. A common feature of church music writing in 18th Century England was fuguing – where each section of the choir would enter in turn with the same phrase so they overlapped and harmonised.
A bit like this:
If someone else chooses the tune you were going to use, no problem. Go ahead and use it anyway but try to give your version a distinctive flavour.
Bonus Tracks
Bonus tracks? Yes please. You can either post more tunes to “While Shepherds Watched” or alternatively, since it is the season of goodwill, post songs on a theme of Peace and Goodwill.
Prizes
As it's Christmas, no first, second and third prizes will be awarded this season but everyone who posts a worthy entry will be given a certificate. I will be the judge of what is a worthy entry and will adopt very generous criteria.
Deadline:
11:59 PM Hawaii time, Sunday December 30th. That's 10am Monday 31st December here in the UK.
Playlists.
Season 45 Entries playlist
Season 45 Bonus tracks playlist
I probably won't get time to comment on the entries early in the week but I will try to update the playlists daily. I expect that early on, most of you will be busy anyway (as I will). I will try to listen to entries later in the week and make appropriate comments.
Enjoy the challenge and Seasons Greetings to all of you Seasonistas.
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