The Tempest. 8: Sea change

School Radio > Music > KS2: The Tempest

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Tutorial: 'Sea change'

Key timings in the tutorial are:

00 00: Listening to the opening section to become familiar with the gospel style.
01 34: Learning Verse 1, beginning: 'We're gonna walk…' A verse for Miranda and Ferdinand.
02 38: Learning Verse 2, beginning: 'I'm coming back…' A verse for Prospero. Listen then repeat. At 03 18 putting both verses together.
03 50: Learning the middle, beginning: 'Was a day…' A verse for a repentant Antonio. Noting the complex rhythm.
05 44: Learning the chorus, beginning: 'A sea change is coming…' Listening to Carrie, then repeating with the choir. At 06 52 singing the whole chorus.
07 18: Learning Verse 3, beginning: 'I've seen the light…' The verse has the same melody as Verses 1 and 2.
07 48: Learning the next two choruses, which introduce typical gospel elements. Noting the changes in dynamics and tempo.
12 11: Standing to sing 'Sea change' all the way through.

The story

Synopsis:

Prospero watches the miserable courtiers and decides it is time to forgive. He tells Arie to bring Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo and then release the crew of the ship from their sleep. Prospero removes his cloak - it disappears; he closes his magic book - it disappears too; then he breaks his magic staff. He is no longer Prospero the magician.

Alonso begs forgiveness - which is given - while mourning the loss of his son, Ferdinand. Then Ferdinand and Miranda appear arm in arm, with Prospero's permission to marry; next Caliban, Stephano and Trinculo.

All the visitors sail away from the island: Caliban can resume his former life and Ariel is free once more.

See Resources below for a quiz about the story episode.

Song: 'Sea change'

Learn the song 'Sea change' - a gospel celebration as the action of the story resolves.

Once you have learnt the song singing with vocal version you can polish your performance singing with just the backing track.

Click here for the lyric sheet.

Click here for the music sheet.

Listening music: 'Oh happy day'

Listen to the extract from ‘Oh happy day’ sung by a gospel choir.

• It's an example of a gospel standard.
• Compare it to 'Sea change'

Resources

More from this series

School Radio > Music > KS2: The Tempest

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Clips - Audio downloads