Where Once There Lay Dragons
Composer
Carol McClure
Difficulty
Moderately Easy radio_button_checked radio_button_checked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked radio_button_unchecked
Description
  • Text Writer: Carol Mc,Clure
  • Included Hymn Tune: SLANE
  • Worship Use: Lent (or Advent)                      
  • Vocal Part(s): Unison
  • Vocal Range: B flat – e flat’
  • Key: E flat major
  • Meter: 3/4
  • Accompanying Instrument(s): Violoncello and harp (or piano)

Target Age Group: Grades 3-6

Description: Where Once There Lay Dragons is a paraphrase of Isaiah 35, appropriate for Advent or Lent, set to the familiar tune SLANE (Be Thou My Vision). The unison setting affords opportunities for teaching interpretation and phrasing, and gives the choristers more work in the lower part of their range.

Anthem Warm-Up

  • bars 13-16: intervallic tuning, pitch accuracy

Teaching Points

  • Rhythm/Meter: Differentiating between downbeat phrase beginnings (line 1 of each stanza) and anacrusis beginnings of phrases (lines 2, 3 and 4 of each stanza)
  • Interpretation: Shaping phrases to illuminate the text
  • Text Study: Correlating the paraphrase with the KJV text; discussing the meaning of the imagery
  • Music History/Style Exploration: Listening to/watching a variety of texts set to the tune SLANE
Voicing(s)
Children's Choir
Instruments
Cello Harp Keyboard [organ/piano]
Lyrics & More
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