This year, some of my students and I embarked on a Christmas MP3 project to share with our families and friends.

Crave You - HA

Mad World - HA

Viva La Vida - HA

Silver Bells - CA

A set I started working on in 2007, interpreting the Seitei Iaido kata that I have learned. I recently found my scribbles and will try to add more to it when I have time.

Ippon Me - Mae - 2017 Improv

Ippon Me - Mae (First Form - Teki Forward)

Mokuso (Meditation)

→Pia no Jac's← Typhoon (short version) performed by Registered Music Teachers Rhona-Mae Arca (piano) and Jay-Arnel Arca (cajón) at High River United Church.

Typhoon (short version)

Things were pretty laid back for the 10:45 AM Choir at St. Patrick's Church. With Eugenia away, I was put in charge, so I picked songs that we've done before (and go with the readings). Nice and easy ones. I introduced the gang to the "Meow Meow" warm-up.

My brother Jay, who normally plays piano and cajon at St. Francis de Sales parish,  joined us on piano (hymns) and cajon (Mass parts). I was either on conducting or on piano (and cajon at the end). It was really neat to have the cajon on the Mass parts! Curtis Stephan's Mass setting really calls out for percussion.

Agilde did well cantoring her first  Kyrie (her request for a lower key was the best I have ever heard!). Linda rocked the Psalm. Gerry held his own with the Alleluia.

As you'll notice, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" had to be stretched out and "Hail Mary/Gentle Woman" cut short to sync up with when Father Andrew needed us to sing or stop.

We had fun with "Go Tell it on the Mountain". There were certainly some confused reactions from the congregation when we started singing slow gospel and chuckles when we picked up the pace. Christine and Nicholas had fun with the hand percussion.

I was experimenting with a new recording position, which worked better than Christmas Day 2011 or 2012. This time, I placed the H2 Handy Zoom recorder on the floor, to the left of the conductor's music stand. I changed the settings to 2-ch surround sound, high gain, from the performers' perspective. Enjoy!

Mass of Renewal - Holy, Holy

Rhona-Mae Arca is a multi-instrumentalist, presenter, and freelance writer.  In 2013, she was named Tech Teacher of the Year by Roland Canada, Conservatory Canada, and Music for Young Children. She teaches piano and music theory at Musespeak Studio in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Musespeak Studio

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