CMP Teaching Plan

NAME

Truth

Andrea Ramsey
MusicSpoke – 4/4min 10sec

Broad Description
• Truth is composed for a two-part treble choir with percussion. The percussion instrument is the djembe. In the notes, it
states that shakers, sandpaper blocks, and additional low or high hand drums may be added and can be improvised
within fitting the style.

Composer Biography
Andrea Ramsey is known as a composer along with being a conductor, music educator, and scholar. She has experience
working with adolescents all the way to collegiate voices. She has been involved in conducting all-state and divisional honor
choirs, and festival events at Carnegie Hall. Andrea often takes residency with ensembles and festival choirs. She also is the
principal conductor for the Pacifici International Young Women’s Choral Festival located in Oregon. Andrea has co-authored
articles that have been published in many places including the Choral Journal. Prior to all of this, Andrea was a music educator
and conductor at The Ohio State University and the University of Colorado. She is an ASCAPlus award winner.
Background Information
This piece is personal for the composer. Andrea Ramsey grew up in Arkansas which there are Southern references in this
piece. This song also shares memories of her mother who was always encouraging and always believed in Andrea. Her mom
would always tell her that she was strong and beautiful. Andrea believes that every woman should have a person like that in
their life, where they can encourage them that they too are strong and beautiful.

Elements of Music
Measur Meter and Form Melody Rhythm Harmony Timbre Texture Expression
e Tempo
Both There are F# minor. A dark but Both soprano Starting with
soprano quarter Vocalists light tone. and alto a MF
and alto notes, are singing Not heavy. voices are dynamic for
voices are whole in unison. Calming. singing in vocalists.
singing in notes, 8th Nurturing. unison. Crescendo
unison. notes, half Smooth Djembe plays through the
Singing in notes, and every other whole note
mainly a triplet measure in measure 3
4/4 step-wise figure. (1,3,5) to add with a
Confidentl Verse 1 + motion with texture. The decrescendo
y percussion a few leaps rhythm is the in measure
1-5
Quarter introductio and skips. same. 5. Singing
Note = 76- n Leaps and confidently
82 skips are not loudly.
found in Emphasis on
measures 1 “ri” beat 3 of
and 5. measure 4
Djembe is and “ho” for
presenting honey on the
a rhythmic downbeat of
introductio measure 5.
n before the

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 vocalists Calming
start. expression.
Both parts Quarter Soprano A little Heterophonic MF dynamic
are singing notes, voice is more stern . Soprano with more
the same whole being “my roots voice is crescendos
lyrics as notes, 8th supported are earth” singing a new and
measures 1- notes, by alto with rhythm in decrescendo
5. The alto quarter voice. Altos tension measures 8 s marks
voice is note are filling/ provided and 9 and the (measure 9).
singing triplets, 8th widening by a duple alto voice is Emphasis on
while note in the vs triple singing the “earth” in
presenting triplets, texture by rhythm in same rhythm measure 7
4/4
the same half notes. singing in m. 8. as before in from altos
Confidentl
rhythmic (16th notes octaves and measures 8 using
y
6-9 Verse 1 ideas as in including and 9. anticipation
Quarter
before percussion anticipation by delaying
Note = 76-
while the ) on notes. their note in
82
soprano has measure 7.
a new
rhythmic
idea in
measure 8.
There are a
few more
skips and
leaps than
before.
4/4 Same as Quarter Vocalists Same as m. Both soprano Starting with
Confidentl measures 1- notes, are singing 1-5, A dark and alto a MF
y 5. Both whole in unison. but light voices are dynamic for
10-13 Verse 1
Quarter soprano notes, 8th tone. Not singing in vocalists.
Note = 76- and alto notes, 8th heavy. unison. Crescendo
82 voices are note Djembe plays through the

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 singing in triplets, Calming. every other whole note
unison. half notes Nurturing measure (the in measure
Singing in (16th notes odd 11 with a
mainly in measures) to decrescendo
step-wise percussion add texture. in measure
motion with ) The rhythm 13. Singing
a few leaps is the same confidently
and skips. along with not loudly.
notes.
New lyrics Quarter Use of Confidently Homophonic. F dynamic.
are notes, 8th octaves and bold Vocalists are Decrescendo
presented notes, half between for singing the leading into
“Sturdy and notes, voices in measures same words a MP at 16
rigid, like whole measure 14-15. Still and the same with a
4/4 farm house note. (16th 14. Soprano providing a rhythm – decrescendo
Confidentl planks” notes in and Alto warm, different at 17.
y Both voices percussion voices rounded pitches.
14-17 Verse 1
Quarter are singing ) singing sound.
Note = 76- – soprano chords
82 with higher within the
notes. key, mainly
Measure 14, singing
they are withing 3rds
singing and 4ths
octave C.
New lyrics Quarter Soprano Whirling, Homophonic. MF dynamic
4/4 “I shared a notes, voices have moving Vocalists are with a
Confidentl sisterhood, whole dividing feeling singing the portato
y with the notes, 8th notes/parts from the same words articulation
18-21 Verse 2
Quarter amber notes, half in this crescendo and the same on beats 2
Note = 76- grasses”. notes (16th section and rhythm – and 3 of
82 Soprano notes in which ascending different measure 18.
voices are thicken the and pitches to Crescendo in

4
 taking a percussion texture and descending create a fuller 19-20 and
lead with a ) fill out 8th notes. sound. decrescendo
divided chords. Confidently in 21.
Soprano singing.
part
starting
beat 4 of
18-21.
New lyrics Quarter Use of Calming Homophonic. MP marking
“my dreams notes, 8th octaves and Vocalists are in 24. No
climbed notes, half between nurturing. singing the other
endlessly, notes, voices. Quieter same words dynamic
like the whole Soprano while still and the same markings
kudzu in note. (16th and Alto singing rhythm – notated.
July”. notes in voices confidently different Tenuto over
Kudzu is a percussion singing pitches. Echo beat 1 of
vine ) chords like figure measure 23.
4/4
(invasive) within the happens in
Confidentl
plant – key, mainly measures
y
22-25 Verse 2 known as singing 24/25
Quarter
“mile a withing 3rds starting with
Note = 76-
minute” and 4ths. Soprano
82
plant. The voices.
Imitation imitation –
starting soprano
with starts on a
Sopranos F and altos
beat 2 of 24. bring it
Altos down to a
imitate beat C.
2 or 25.
“I shared a Quarter Soprano Whirling, Homophonic. Portato on
26-29 4/4 Verse 2
sisterhood, notes, 8th voices have moving Vocalists are beat 2 of

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 Confidentl with the notes, half dividing feeling singing the measure 26.
y amber notes, notes/parts from the same words MF dynamic.
Quarter grasses”. whole in this crescendo and the same Crescendo in
Note = 76- Soprano note. (16th section and rhythm – 27-28 and
82 voices are notes in which ascending different decrescendo
taking a percussion thicken the and pitches. in 29. Tenuto
lead with a ) texture and descending on beat 1 of
divided fill out 8th notes. 29.
Soprano chords. Confidently
part like singing.
measures
18-21.
Lyrics – Quarter Starts in Sounds Homophonic. No dynamic
“my dreams notes, 8th unison. dream-like Vocalists are markings are
climbed notes, half Beat 4 of “my singing the notated in
endlessly, notes, 30, they are dreams same words this section.
no fear in whole in octaves climbed and the same Tenuto on
sight”. Both note. (16th and then fill endlessly” rhythm – beat 1 of 31
voices are notes in out chords – different and beat 3 of
4/4 singing this. percussion to create confidently pitches. 32. “end”
Confidentl Measures ) harmony. telling a and “fear”
y 30-31 are story. Still
30-33 Verse 2
Quarter the same providing a
Note = 76- notes as the dark (not
82 previous heavy)
statement tone.
of “my
dreams
climb
endlessly”
in both
parts.

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 New lyrics – Quarter Starts in Bold, Homophonic. P dynamic
“in nature, notes, 8th unison . pronounce Vocalists are marking. F
in naïve notes, Soprano d and singing the dynamic
youth” whole voices have confident. same words marking
Soprano note. (16th dividing Dark. and the same beat 4 of
4/4
voices notes in notes/parts Round. rhythm – measure 35.
Confidentl
divide notes percussion in this different Repeating
y
34-37 Verse 3 starting ) section pitches to the lyrics in
Quarter
beat 4 of which create a fuller 34-35.
Note = 76-
35-37. thicken the sound. Accent on
82
texture and words
fill out “nature” and
chords “youth”.
Decrescendo
in 37.
The altos 8th notes, This Light, Imitation is MP dynamic
start a call quarter section is round, happening marking. P
and note one part at dark, flowy starting with marking in
imitation triplets, a time. Alto – from the the alto measure 40.
bit, “all the half notes. voice starts quarter voices. The Call and
forest was starting of note triplet soprano response
4/4 possible” – F, then and voices follow action.
Confidentl Soprano moves imitation. starting on Tenuto on
y voices down. beat 2 after the start of
38-41 Verse 3
Quarter imitating Sopranos the call from the word
Note = 76- starting start on a F the altos. “possible”
82 beat 2 of and then
measure 39 ascend
and 41 with
lyrics of “all
the pasture
was my
own”

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 New lyrics Quarter Starts in Bright, Unison until Big and bold.
“my mother notes, 8th unison . bold, beat 3 of Very
told me I notes, Soprano confident. measure 43. expressive
was dotted voices have Separation Then it is and climax. F
4/4
beautiful” quarter dividing – homophonic. dynamic
Confidentl
The “I” is on notes, half notes/parts “beautiful” with
y
42-44 Verse 3 a fermata. notes. in this is smooth crescendo
Quarter
Soprano section leading to a
Note = 76-
voice which fermata on
82
divides thicken the beat 3 of
notes on texture and measure 43.
the “I” - 44 fill out
chords
Melody for Quarter Soprano Calming, Solo in the Very soft,
the Soprano notes, solo (opt reflective, soprano delicate, and
voice. This dotted solo) smooth, voice expressive.
is an opt. quarter, 8th and accompanied Opt. solo in
solo. notes, half connected. by the soprano
4/4
Majority of notes. Light but djembe when voice with
Confidentl
this section not bright. the vocalist is mp dynamic.
y
45-48 Verse 3 is moving not singing or “why
Quarter
with skips. holding out a shouldn’t I?”
Note = 76-
Lyrics “and long note. in measure
82
I believed 47-48 piano
her then, dynamic.
why
shouldn’t
I?”
Both voices Quarter All parts Full, dark, Split/divided Like a
4/4 have notes, 16th have separated, pitches in conversation
49-53 Confidentl Verse 4 divided notes, half dividing bold, both soprano . This is the
y notes. All notes, 8th notes/parts confident. and alto answer. F
parts are . Some Intense dynamic

8
 Quarter moving notes, half octaves, but from parts. with accents
Note = 76- primarily in notes. filling out percussion, Homophonic. on each
82 stepwise chords, playing quartet note.
motion with creating a throughout Crescendo
a few skips. thicker the whole through it.
“There is no texture. section.
doubt in a
pond, in
security
does not
grow in a
meadow”
New lyrics Quarter Starting in Calming, Unison until Hairpin <>
“It will not notes, unison, the reflective, measure 55. 55-57. With
sprout dotted altos smooth. Starts that,
4/4 beneath the quarter sustain Dark tone. homophonic emphasis
Confidentl southern notes, similar but moves to put on the
y pines”. whole notes while heterophonic word
54-57 Verse 4
Quarter Leaps found notes. soprano in measure “southern”
Note = 76- in m. 54 carries on 56. Back to as it is a
82 and 56. Step an homophonic whole
motion in extension in 57. measure.
55. Unison of a word.
until 56.
Lyrics “it is 8th notes, Soprano Very bold, Homophonic. MF dynamic.
planted by 16th notes, voice has demanding, Vocalists are Tenuto on
4/4
the boys on quarter dividing dark, and singing the beat 1 of
Confidentl
the school notes, notes and confident. same words measure 59
y
58-61 Verse 4 bus, tended dotted altos have Round and and the same “boys”. Mp
Quarter
by the quarter one line. dark sound. rhythm – dynamic in
Note = 76-
words of notes. Filling out Separation different measure 60.
82
small chords. in the pitches to
minds.” notes, but create a fuller

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 Mainly Beat two, still sound. Split
moving in C#, F#, A smooth. parts in
steps. Soprano
Sopranos voice. Split
have vocal parts in
divided measure 60
notes in for altos.
m.59. Altos
have
divided
notes in 60-
61.
“And words Quarter Soprano Calming, Soprano only Very
may wound notes, 8th only reflective, in 62-63. expressive
you, but are notes, half smooth, Homophonic and
they true?” notes, and in 64-65 heartfelt.
4/4 Sopranos whole connected. Saying
Confidentl have the notes Light but words may
y most not bright. wound you.
62-65 Verse 4
Quarter moving Then a
Note = 76- notes. Altos question,
82 sustain. “but are they
true?” the
question is
at a P
dynamic.
“You are Quarter Soprano Calming, Homophonic. The answer
4/4
beautiful, notes, has divided bold, Split parts in to the
Confidentl
you are dotted parts confident, soprano 66- question is
y
66-69 Verse 5 enough” quarter throughout round and 67 and 69. bold and F
Quarter
Very bold notes, 8th the whole uplifting. Split parts for dynamic.
Note = 76-
with notes, section. altos in 68- Accents on
82
divided Alto starts 69.

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 notes in whole having the first
Soprano the note. divided three words.
whole notes
section. starting in
Altos have measure
divided 68. Filling
notes 68-69 out texture
and
harmony
“You must Quarter Unison to Calming, Homophonic. Still the
believe in notes, start, bold, Vocalists are answer but
that, believe dotted moving to confident, singing the MF dynamic.
4/4
the truth” quarter octaves and round and same words Expressive.
Confidentl
Notable notes, 8th both parts uplifting. and the same Saying that
y
70-73 Verse 5 leaps in notes, half moving to rhythm – you need to
Quarter
measure 70 notes, have closer different believe in
Note = 76-
for both whole intervals. pitches to the truth.
82
parts – 4th note. create a fuller
in both sound.
parts.
Same as Quarter Vocalists A dark but Homophonic. Opening
measures 1- notes, are singing light tone. Vocalists are lyrics from
5. Both whole in unison. Not heavy. singing the verse 1.
4/4 soprano note, 8th Calming. same words Crescendo
Confidentl and alto notes, 8th Nurturing. and the same building
Verse 1
y voices are note Smooth rhythm – from 74-76.
74-77 (conclusion
Quarter singing in triplet, half different Decrescendo
)
Note = 76- unison. note. pitches to in 77.
82 Singing in create a fuller
mainly sound.
step-wise
motion with

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 a few leaps
and skips.
Measure 78, Quarter Singing in Calming, Starting Slightly
voices are notes, 8th octaves reflective, homophonic. different
in octaves – notes, measure smooth. Measure 80- lyrics from
C. measure dotted half 78. Altos Dark tone. 81 is either verse 1
79, note, moving in solo or saying that
Sopranos whole an soprano my roots are
sing in a notes. ascending voices only. beautiful and
descending Repetitive direction, The last then that my
motion and rhythms sopranos measure is roots are
4/4
altos move throughout descending both parts strong. Rit.
Confidentl
Verse 1 in an this piece. motion to with divided In measure
y
78-82 (conclusion ascending have closer parts. 78 with
Quarter
) motion. intervals in decrescendo.
Note = 76-
Opt. measure Opt. soprano
82
Soprano 79. Solo in solo in m.
solo for 80-81. 4 80-81.
measures part whole
80-81. Last note in 82.
measure,
divided
notes
(whole
note)

Element Summaries:

Form – 5 verses throughout, ending with a restatement of verse 1.

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Rhythm – Repetitive rhythms, especially the Djembe. 4/4 throughout the whole piece. No
tempo changes. Rhythmic motives carry out in the vocal parts.

Melody – Both soprano and alto voices sing the same lyrics the entire piece. Some imitation
moments and some moments where rhythms are different from each other.

Harmony – Multiple parts where the choir is singing in unison. There are moments where
both parts divide and have two parts to thicken texture and fill chords.

Timbre – Overall a confident, well-rounded, balanced, smooth sound.

Texture – Mainly homophonic with moments that are heterophonic. Some parts the two parts
have different rhythms but the same text.

Expression – Very confident but not in your face about it. A supportive figure that is
expressing the text through dynamic markings such as: mf, p, f, crescendos, decrescendos. It is
also done through articulation and applying stress to certain words.

Text – The text demonstrates that you are enough, you are beautiful, you are strong and that
you shouldn’t change you (your roots) for anyone. Be true to yourself.

The Heart Statement

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Music Selection

Introducing the Piece (strategies)

Affective Outcome: Students will describe what makes them feel strong and beautiful.
Learners will be able to express their emotions in an appropriate and respectful manner in different environments, with
different audiences, using a variety of modalities (e.g., verbal and nonverbal). WMELS Domain II A EL.1
Learners will be able to recognize and respect that individual differences are important to self and others. WMELS Domain IV
C EL.2

Strategies
Students will read the program notes for Truth and write down parts that stuck out to
them. Then, students will move into groups and discuss their main points.
2. Students will reflect on how they define beauty and traits that make a person strong.
Students have the option to share out to the class.
3. Students will reflect and write about a person in their life that is beautiful and strong.
4. Students will reflect on what it is about them that makes them beautiful and strong. This
will be done as a processing strategy.

Assessment
I will collect their reflections and make sure the students know that their reflections
will not be seen by anyone else since some could be very personal to some students. This will
mainly be a “completion” assessment since there is no right or wrong way to reflect.

Skill Outcome: Students will implement singing syncopated polyrhythms of 3 against 4.

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Strategies
1. The rhythms for the soprano and alto lines (measures 8-9) will be written on the board.
Students will write the numerical beat syllables to both rhythms.
2. Students will clap the rhythm of the soprano line (measures 8-9). Students will start as a
full class and then will have small groups (duos, trios) clap the rhythm for the class.
3. Students will clap the rhythm of the alto line (measures 8-9). Students will start as a full
class and then will have small groups (duos, trios) clap the rhythm for the class.
4. Students will split into their assigned parts. They will sing a given syllable for those two
measures. Once comfortable, they will sing as written.

Assessment
I will collect the students’ written work for writing the numerical counting to each
rhythm and will also be watching during the other activities to see how the students progress.

Knowledge Outcome: Students will interpret the lyrics of the song including words they do
not know

Strategies
Students will research the composer's background including finding other works of hers
by creating a short document of their findings.
2. Students will learn about possible unfamiliar words including: honeysuckle, kudzu, and
amber grasses. Pictures will be displayed on the screen and will be discussed as a class
and determine how those things make meaning of the music.
3. Students will reflect on their own the meaning of the words above and how that is
significant to the rest of the song

Assessment
I will collect their reflections and document of findings to see what they learned and
got out of their research time.

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Recommended Recordings

References

Works for Winds

Glossary of Terms

Sang through, studied, and marked parts (check off as completed)

Piccolo Cornets/Trumpets 1st Violins

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Clarinets Timpani
Alto Clarinets Snare Drum Sopranos
Bass Clarinets Mallet Percussion Altos
Contra Bass/Alto Clarinet Remaining Percussion Tenors
Saxophones Piano Basses

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