1 . 阅读表达
During the final term of my theater and performance degree at the University of Leeds, I found myself standing outside Berkeley Court care home with three classmates and an underdeveloped idea. We planned to hold some interactive workshops with the residents to try to inspire memory and social engagement.
I remember being nervous, aware that we were working with people who were vulnerable, and that I had no idea what I was doing. Some residents were almost nonverbal, some were clearly not with ability. Some were happy to see us, and some were not.
I had decided to play music at the end of the session. We went with the song My Way because the residents, all roughly 80 years old, were probably listening to the hit song in their late 20s.
Once I pressed play, it was as if a spell had been cast. Nearly everyone in the room stood up and sang what seemed like every word. I was so profoundly moved. Many of them were communicating much better. It looked and felt like magic.
Off I went to drama school, but I thought about that experience almost daily. So when we were given the opportunity to write a script for a theater festival, I created a love story about music and dementia (痴呆), spanning 50 years of a couple’s life.
And now, 10 years later, the show I made is running again in London thanks to the Music for Dementia campaign.
When my grandma was diagnosed with dementia toward the end of her life, I didn’t struggle to communicate with her in the way that other people in their might have done. I felt more able to tune into what she needed and better equipped to see her underneath the disease.
I now know that music-based intervention reduce the need for medication in more than 60% of people living with dementia. I don’t know what My Way would be, but I certainly think we should all strive to find our song and do our best to stay connected to the people we share it with.
1. Why did the author choose the song My Way to play? (No more than 15 words)2 . Can you think of a day without music? We can hear music everywhere: in the streets and at home, over the radio and on TV, in the shops and in the parks. People all over the world are fond of music. They listen to music, they dance to music, and they learn to play musical instruments.
Music isn’t only a combination of pleasant sounds. It is an art which reflects life. There are a lot of different kinds of music. Some of them appeared long ago, and some are modern. Folk music appeared long ago, but it is still alive. Folk songs are very pleasant to listen to. Classical music is often associated with the music of the past. Rap is a modern musical style where the singer speaks or shouts the words in time to music with a steady beat.
Great Britain has produced more popular music stars than any other country. British groups often set new trends in music. New styles, groups and singers continue to appear. Many of the new bands have been able to use changes in technology to develop their music such as computerised drum machines, synthesisers and other electronic instruments.
Tastes differ. So people’s musical interests range from pop and rock music to classical music and opera. My favourite style of music is pop music, because it is full of energy. When I listen to pop music it makes me remember happy times and forget the problems of everyday life. I also enjoy listening to classical music. The music I hate is heavy metal. I find it noisy. When I listen to this style of music it presents to my mind pictures of dark days. My mother and father agree with my tastes in music. Though they prefer to listen to classical, they think that modern music is not too bad.
Music appeals to our hearts. It comforts our souls and enriches (充实) our minds. Music is beauty in sounds; it is our magic source of inspiration.
1. What is the first paragraph mainly about?| A．Several types of music. | B．Different musical tastes. |
| C．The development of musical styles. | D．The importance of music in our lives. |
| A．By describing courses. | B．By analysing reasons. |
| C．By giving examples. | D．By making comparisons. |
| A．It has produced many popular music stars in the world. |
| B．It fails to apply new technology in the performances. |
| C．Many new bands insist on traditional instruments. |
| D．British groups fall behind the new trends now. |
| A．It is played with electronic instruments. |
| B．It is characterised by a steady beat. |
| C．It is loud and strong. |
| D．It sounds energetic. |
| A．Doubtful. | B．Supportive. | C．Dissatisfied. | D．Unconcerned. |
3 . Kim Jae-geun, a softly-spoken 59-year-old man in South Korea, had spent many years in advertising before he no longer had the strength for it. So during the past seven years, instead of spending his days writing copy, Mr. Kimhas spent his evenings behind the counter of his bar, Seochon Blues, near Seoul’s government district. The place is also home to thousands of vinyl records (黑胶唱片) that he began collecting as a teenager. Customers can request their favourite songs there. The bar is often full of tired office workers, and 20-something people and local artists at weekends. “There’s a special wave,” Mr. Kim observed. “All the young people ask for very old songs.” he said.
Mr. Kim’s Seochon Blues is one of the dozens of “LP bars” in South Korea’s capital, many of which are run by men with similar stories. South Korean companies offer few opportunities to middle-aged workers who haven’t climbed through the ranks. Leaving their jobs in their fifties, with music collections becoming too large for their living rooms, a few who haven’t taken up work as taxi drivers or security guards began to make a living by opening such bars.
The first LP bars opened in the 1990s, possibly inspired by the “listening bars” that originated in mid-20th century Japan. Music enthusiasts would come to these bars to listen to imported records that were otherwise hard to come by. The LP bars have proliferated in recent years with more and more people loving going there, thus greatly benefiting the middle-aged owners.
All LP bars encourage nostalgia (怀旧). “I don’t like digitization or the isolated way people have now,” said Lee Jae-jun, who left his job and also opened such a bar. He likes recalling the eighties and nineties and playing songs from people’s youth. “On the best days, regulars arrive for just one drink, and then I play old songs they like. And before you know it, it’s midnight and everyone goes home, drunk and happy,” said Lee Jae-jun.
1. What appears unusual for Mr. Kim in Seochon Blues?| A．Teenagers collect different types of vinyl records. |
| B．The youth enjoy listening to old songs. |
| C．Artists try to get inspiration for writing songs. |
| D．People show off their success in advertisements. |
| A．Middle-aged workers are welcomed by small companies. |
| B．South Koreans prefer to live a quite relaxed life. |
| C．South Koreans tend to change their jobs constantly. |
| D．LP bars offer career opportunities to middle-aged workers. |
| A．Sprung up | B．Survived. | C．Died down. | D．Returned. |
| A．Amazing and professional. | B．Romantic and enjoyable. |
| C．Nostalgic and relaxed. | D．Mysterious and encouraging. |
| A．The stories behind Kim Jae-geun | B．The rise of LP bars in South Korea |
| C．The popularity of music bands | D．The influence of old records |
A man in black clothes jumps high into the air. Before he lands, he strikes a pose. Sometimes, he carries a red fan. With long white sleeves(袖子), he spreads his arms like wings. His dance is eye-catching, often attracting crowds.
He is Chinese dancer Ma Jiaolong. Since 2020, he’s made short videos of himself dancing in London. He has performed at the city’s parks and iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge. The 35-year-old has nearly 5 million followers on Douyin, where he shares his videos.
Classical Chinese dance combines martial arts movements with those of traditional Chinese opera. He started to learn it at 12. “I was attracted by the dancers who play ancient heroes through the movements of classical Chinese dance,” said Ma.
Later, Ma studied at the Beijing Dance Academy. Since 2019, he has been teaching classical Chinese dance at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Two years ago, Ma had to give online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his small home, he could only make small moves. One day, he took his wife’s suggestion and danced at Greenwich Park, a popular tourist spot. She recorded Ma. He then edited the video, added music and sent it to friends. “Surprisingly, they loved it, which inspired me to share it online,” said Ma.
Later, Ma made more short videos. He combines his dance moves with dazzling action. People are often curious about his performances. So, while dancing, he likes to interact with them. As his videos went viral, he received messages from people around the world.
“Now, making and sharing short videos has become a part of my life, and, most importantly, a great way to introduce classical Chinese dance to more people, especially overseas viewers,” said Ma.
1. What is Ma Jiaolong’s style of dance? (No more than 5 words)2. Where does Ma Jiaolong usually make videos in the UK? (No more than 15 words)
3. How do people feel about Ma’s dances ?(No more than 1 0 words)
4. What does the underlined phrases “went viral” mean? (No more than 5 words)
5. What do you think of Mr. Ma as an influence r online? Please give your reasons. (No more than 25words)
5 . You saw the video, right? The 45-second recording of a kid dancing in the rain? There was something inspiring about it. In a moment when our social media channels have been flooded with unsettling news, here was a kid whose love for dance couldn’t be stopped by the rain. Or by the concrete (混凝土) ground he was dancing on. Or the fact that he was barefoot (赤脚的).
Since it was uploaded to Instagram in June, the video of Nigerian ballet dancer Anthony Mmesoma Madu gathered thousands of views, likes, and comments. People seem to be absolutely stunned by the boy’s dedication (献身), elegance (优雅), and talent.
Madu is one of a dozen students between the ages of 5 and 12 at Leap Academy of Dance in Badagry. Daniel Ajala Owoseni, Anthony’s teacher, founded this school in Lagos in 2017. Unfortunately, even after 5 years, the school still doesn’t have a dedicated space for its students. Because of that, most of the time, they practice in Owoseni’s tiny home as well as public spaces in the community.
“We are trying to change the traditional thought around ballet dance. Boys can actually do ballet,” the teacher told the BBC. “Male ballet dancing is here to stay and it is not only supposed to be for females.”
“Where I live, there are no male ballet dancers like me,” young Anthony told a BBC reporter. When he is dancing, he said, “the feeling that comes over me is as if I am dreaming.”
The video eventually caught the attention of Cynthia Harvey, the current artistic director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Dance, one of America’s most famous ballet schools. Fortunately, she succeeded in tracking Anthony down. Moreover, she had arranged for full scholarships (奖学金) so Anthony could attend the ABT virtual Young Dancer Summer Workshop, a three-week intensive program.
“A child who shows this much dedication, you just have to help,” she said. “You are not only changing your world there in Africa but you’re changing the hearts and minds of so many people.”
1. Why did Anthony’s video become so popular? (no more than 10 words)2. What does the underlined word in Paragraph 2 mean? (no more than 2 words)
3. What’s Paragraph 3 mainly about? (no more than 5 words)
4. What made Anthony qualify for the unusual scholarship? Give two of the facts. (no more than 10 words)
5. Do you consider Anthony as your role model? Please explain. (no more than 25 words)
6 . Dance Classes for Kids Near Me
Search Dance Class for Kids near me, and Twist N Turns is the best you could get.
★ What does Dance Class for Kids offer at Twist N Turns?Jazz dance and street dance.
★ What is the application process?Applications are accepted throughout the year. The course will run for only four terms. To apply one must visit our center and fill in the application form with one passport-size photo, the birth certificate along with the $50 application fee.
★ What is the course structure?The dance course for kids is for 3.5 to 12 years, divided into three groups: Toddlers (3.5-5 years), Kids (6-8 years) and Tweens (9-12 years).
For below 5 years, we teach creative movement, which is basically the pre-dance class, a way for children to explore movement through music, develop physical skills, and stimulate imagination.
The advanced course includes body awareness, strength, conditioning, space awareness, expressions, and musicality.
At the end of the course, all students have to appear for a performance test in the studio, where they have to demonstrate moves. Then, the kids are selected and promoted to improvers or advanced classes, depending on their skill and level of performance. Not all kids make it to the next level.
★ What are the rules?80% attendance is required. Students have to come in uniform. Also, refer to Dance Etiquette (礼仪).
★ Are certificates provided?The certificate is awarded to students on an internal examination basis conducted after the completion of the course. To attain the certificate one must go to a minimum of 39 classes.
1. The dance class offers ______ kinds of dance.| A．2 | B．3 | C．4 | D．5 |
| A．His passport. | B．His family photo. |
| C．His application form. | D．His birth certificate. |
| A．Creative movement. | B．Body awareness. |
| C．Space awareness. | D．Musicality. |
| A．It takes place at the end of the course. |
| B．Students will show their moves in the test. |
| C．The students with full attendance can skip the test. |
| D．Not all students can be promoted to the next level. |
| A．Winning an internal award. |
| B．Attending at least 39 classes. |
| C．Knowing dance etiquette well. |
| D．Getting an A on the performance test. |
7 . Look carefully and you’ll find musicians at the top of almost any industry. The television broadcaster Paula Zahn(cello) and the NBC chief White House correspondent Chuck Todd (French horn) attended college on music scholarships; Both Microsoft’s Mr. Allen and the venture capitalist Rogar MeNamee have rock bands. Lorry Page, a co-founder of Google, played saxophone in high school. The former World Bank president James D. Wolfensohn has played cello at Carnegie Hall.
The connection isn’t a coincidence. I know because I asked. I put the question to top-flight professionals in industries from tech to finance to media, all of whom had serious (if often little-known) past lives as musicians. Almost all made a connection between their music training and their professional achievements.
Will your school music program turn your kid into a Paul Allen, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft (guitar)? Or a Woody Allen(clarinet)? Probably not. These are outstanding achievers. But the way these and other visionaries (有远见的人) I spoke to process music is interesting.
But the key question is: why does that connection exist? Paul Allen offers an answer. He says music “establish your confidence in the ability to create.” He began playing the violin at age 7 and switched to the guitar as a teenager. Even in the early days of Microsoft, he would pick up his guitar at the end of marathon days of programming. The music was the emotional analog (类比) to his day job, both of them show his different creativity. He says, “something is pushing you to look beyond what currently exists and express yourself in a new way.”
For many of the high achievers I spoke with, music functions as a “hidden language,” as Mr. Wolfensohn calls it, one that enhances the ability to connect different or even opposite ideas. When he ran the World Band, Mr.Wolfensohn traveled to more than 100 countries, often taking in local performances (and occasionally joining in on a borrowed cello), which helped him understand “the culture of people”.
Consider the qualities these high achievers say music has sharpened: cooperation, creativity, discipline and the capacity to coordinate (协调) conflicting ideas. All are qualities obviously absent from public life. Music may not make you a genius, or rich, or even a better person. But it helps train you to think differently, to process different points of views - and most important, to take pleasure in listening.
1. The reason why the author quote so many outstanding people as examples in the first paragraph is| A．to prove the popularity and the charm of music |
| B．to prove all winners are musicians before |
| C．to encourage kids to choose school music program |
| D．to prove the connection between success and music |
| A．Are success related to music or not? |
| B．Why do you choose music training? |
| C．What’s the benefit of learning music? |
| D．Why do you give up the career as a musician? |
| A．Everybody knows those well-known people are musicians before. |
| B．Musicians exist in all industries. |
| C．Music can certainly make you become a better person. |
| D．Music helps Mr. Wolfensohn have a better understanding of the different culture. |
| A．many musicians are found at the top of almost any industry |
| B．music plays an important role in achieving success |
| C．music can provide a new way to express yourself |
| D．music is an absolute necessity for everyone |
| A．by classification | B．by comparison | C．by example | D．by process |
8 . A small group of brave and curious young Irish musicians have taken it upon themselves to save a tradition of songs. Their project aims to put the elders of a nearly-past generation in front of a microphone, to protect their songs and stories for musicians to hear and study for all time.
Some experts often pass warnings about how much oral tradition the human race loses to modernity every year. In Ireland, a country famous for its singers, the Song Collectors Collective (SCC) celebrates that history by honoring the people who have kept its roots alive. Most of them are from the reclusive (隐居的) traveler communities. Rather than simply collecting words, each song can be accessed only by exploring the life and story of the person who sang it for the SCC, or the so-called “Tradition Bearer”.
Take Freda Black, for example, a great-grandmother in her mid-eighties. She kept so many songs that she admitted she couldn’t possibly count them. She would go on to feature in the recently released album by a modern folk singer and SCC member, Sam Lee. “I love spending time at the knee of these elders,” Lee said. “I am very lucky. I catch an end of an era.”
“It is a common request for the songs and stories to be recorded and shared as the old ways are not being passed on and this huge store of knowledge of an ancient way of life is forgotten. In the current era of accessible recording technology, there is no excuse for not documenting and sharing this rich but fragile (脆弱的) tradition,” wrote the SCC. Having collected hundreds of recordings from dozens of singers, the SCC is beginning to host educational events, featuring some of these Tradition Bearers, sharing their stories and singing voices for those interested in hearing them, as well as how people can become collectors in their own way.
1. What are those young Irish musicians of the SCC doing?| A．Recording old folk songs and related stories. |
| B．Spreading their new music styles worldwide. |
| C．Teaching young people to learn traditional songs. |
| D．Knowing about the living conditions of elderly musicians. |
| A．He is glad to keep a valuable tradition of music. |
| B．His latest album carries the memory of his grandma. |
| C．He is lucky to have got some help in learning music. |
| D．His music is inspired by conversations with Freda Black. |
| A．Market demand. | B．Technological progress. |
| C．High praise from the elderly. | D．The support of famous musicians. |
| A．The difficulty of holding educational events. |
| B．The significance of protecting Irish culture. |
| C．The stories of those Traditional Bearers. |
| D．The follow-up work of the SCC. |
| A．Easy and interesting. | B．Successful but confusing. |
| C．Necessary and meaningful. | D．Professional but dangerous. |
High school was a hard time for me, as it is for many kids. Recently I was reminded (使想起) of a huge reason why I made it through that time of my life. The reason was music.
I was reminded of this because my old high school is about to be pulled down over the Christmas break and the kids will be moving into a bigger newly built school in January. The high school band and chorus(合唱队) recently gave a concert on the 80-year-old stage, and all chorus alumni (校友) were invited to take part in this event. The alumni have been invited back to sing with the chorus in other concerts before, but this one was special. This was our last chance to sing on this stage.
We all arrived early for rehearsal (排练). Many of us did not even need music during rehearsal because we remembered the song so well. It became a tradition to invite alumni back on stage and sing “Honor and Glory” every year. After one rehearsal of it, it was like we never left.
As we waited for the beginning of the concert, we began taking ourselves on one last tour of the high school. We looked at the same artwork that has been on the same walls for years, but the only good memories (记忆) I actually remembered were the time I spent singing in the chorus. When nothing else felt like it was going right, music was there. Music has helped me and saved me.
Soon, everyone will get to experience a much bigger school with a much bigger stage for more amazing concerts, but I will always remember that stage that I sang on with my former classmates. I remember the songs that we sang together, countless memories, and just how thankful I am for my amazing music teachers who helped make music have such a strong influence on my life.
1. Why was the recent concert special? (no more than 10 words)2. What did the author mean by saying “it was like we never left” in paragraph 3? (no more than 10 words)
3. What did the author think of singing in the chorus in high school? (no more than 1 words)
4. What is the purpose of the text? (no more than 10 words)
5. What precious memories did you have in high school? Please explain. (no more than 20 words)
10 . National Music Theater Competition
The 2024 National Music Theater Competition (NMTC) will be held. It was launched in 2011 as the first national competition for the emerging professional music theater soloist (独唱者). NMTC has provided industry connections for past competitors and winners that have led to their success on Broadway and other venues.
Prizes (each prize only for a person)
The champion: $5,000 plus a concert at the next national conference of National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), a $1,000 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard, a Career Management Services package from Stage Door Connections.
The runner-up: $2,500 plus a $500 Gift Certificate from Hal Leonard.
The third place: Louise Lerch Prize; $1,000 cash prize.
The fourth place: Bill Hayes Prize; $750 cash prize.
Qualification
Singers aged from 20 to 28 as of September 15, 2023.
Entrance Procedure
Application requires a fee of $900, but for these students of NATS members the fee is $75. Application fees due to cancellation by the applicant won’t be returned. All application materials must be submitted by September 15, 2023. If you are planning to submit your application for the online round, you must complete the submission by September 15, 2023, but you’ll have 30 days after the deadline to upload your audition (试唱) videos. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Where to Audition
The preliminary (预选的) round
Live auditions: November 1 to 10, 2023 in New York City.
Online auditions: Video submission deadline is October 15, 2023.
Semifinal and final rounds
Live auditions: The semifinal round: January 3 to 9, 2024; the final round: January 15 to 20, 2024.
The semifinal and final rounds will be held in New York City as part of the 2024 NATS Winter Workshop.
1. Why was the National Music Theater Competition launched?| A．To make people like music. |
| B．To promote the leisure industry. |
| C．To popularize Broadway musicals. |
| D．To seek promising talents. |
| A．A $500 Gift Certificate and Louise Lerch Prize. |
| B．$2,500 in prize money and a Gift Certificate. |
| C．A Career Management Services package. |
| D．A chance to perform at a concert. |
| A．Being at least 28 years old. |
| B．Applying for membership of NATS. |
| C．Submitting application materials on time. |
| D．Uploading audition videos by September 15. |
| A．Competitors can enter the semifinal round on January 18, 2024. |
| B．Both online and live auditions are available in any round. |
| C．There are three rounds in the competition in total. |
| D．Application submission deadline is October 15, 2023. |
| A．To call on people to explore their potential in music. |
| B．To attract young singers to apply for the competition. |
| C．To appeal to young singers to become NATS members. |
| D．To encourage people to enter the musical industry. |
