Name: Charles Moe
Competency: A8
Artifact Title: Difficult Literature
Artifact Type: "O Gladsome Light" by Gretchaninoff, and example of choral literature at the difficult level.
Rationale for Inclusion: Standard A8 requires that a teacher of vocal music be able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of approaches to general music instruction materials, and literature for students of varying abilities. This selection, "O Gladsome Light" by Alexander Gretchaninoff, is an example of literature at the "Difficult Level" and it would therefore be best suited for a choir with singers of a more advanced musical ability. There are several factors that make this piece "difficult;" first of all it is 8 part SSAATTBB music meaning that to even attempt such a piece a choir must be large enough to accommodate all 8 parts and must have singers with enough ability to hold those parts with confidence and clarity. Another factor that contributes to the difficulty of the piece is the range. The lows for the basses and the highs for the sopranos can be quite extreme at times. By being able to recognize these factors and realize that this music is for students of a more advanced level of ability, I have shown that I fulfill the requirement of competency A8.
