Learn and Perform 'Seasons of Love'
Enjoy a video preview (right) and explore the learning guides below. Teaching artists are available for LIVE video instruction sessions to accompany each video.
This learning series requires that you obtain a license to view/download content. If you'd like to purchase a license to download the full available content or to discuss creating a custom learning series for your students, please contact VirtualClassroom@MetGuild.org or use the link below.
Video One:
Posture, Breath, and Warm Ups
This lesson is part of a 5-video series created to teach you how to perform the melody with accompanying American Sign Language to the popular song "Seasons of Love" from the Broadway musical Rent. in this lesson, Teaching Artist Shawn Farrar will focus on helping us find our best posture for singing, how to take a deep and full singer's breath, and how to warm up our voices to prepare to sing.
Video 1 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 1 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 7
CCSS.ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.7
Video Two:
Following the Score
In the second part of this series we will learn some tips for following the vocal part in the score, or sheet music, for Seasons of Love. We also continue our practice of learning the melody.
Video 2 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 2 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 7
CCSS.ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.7
Video Three:
Learn the American Sign Language (ASL)
Ms. Shawn continues to teach us how to perform our song. In this lesson we will learn how to use American Sign Language to sign our words. Ultimately, we will try to sign AND sing Seasons of Love!
Video 3 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 3 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED S&L Standard 2
CCSS.ELA-Speaking and Listening.CCRA.SL.2
Video Four:
Working the Text
In this fourth video of the series, Ms. Shawn helps us to dig deeper into the text and music of 'Seasons of Love.' This will also help us make dynamic choices in our performance.
Video 4 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 4 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 6
CCSS.ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.6
Video Five:
Putting it All Together
In this final episode of our learning series, Ms. Shawn teaches us about the plot of the musical Rent. We will also discus how to polish our song and different ways you might perform or share your music.
Video 5 PDF
Learning Guide
Video 5 DIGITAL
Learning Guide
Key Student Learning Standard Addressed:
NYSED Reading Standard 7
CCSS.ELA-Reading.CCRA.R.7
Additional Information: (any additional/supplemental information related to this post will appear below)
Shawn Farrar, Teaching Artist
Shawn Farrar is a Mezzo-Soprano who is at home in a variety of genres. She particularly enjoys interpreting the works of Mozart, Kurt Weill, and Stephen Sondheim. Shawn has performed all over the country, including with Knoxville Opera Company, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Des Moines Metro Opera, Clarence Brown Theatre, and here in NYC with Utopia Opera, dell’Arte Opera, Opera on Tap, and Camerata Piccola, a division of New Camerata Opera that produces opera for children. Highlights of her performance history include Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro, Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, La chatte in L’Enfant et Sortilèges, The Witch in Into the Woods, The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, and Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shawn is a Master Teaching Artist with the Metropolitan Opera Guild and has also worked as a Teaching Artist for OnSite Opera and as a Voice Coach for Lincoln Center’s Summer Middle School Audition Boot Camp.
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