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  First woman to conduct oldest music festival (20th April, 2013)

A woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest and biggest music festival for the first time ever. The BBC Proms started 118 years ago, include 92 concerts over 8 weeks, but have never had a female conductor. American Marin Alsop will take charge of the orchestra for the final concert – the legendary Last Night of the Proms. This is a distinctly British occasion to celebrate the "pomp and circumstance" of Britain. Ms Alsop told the BBC: "I think the fact that I'm an American woman, conducting the last night of the Proms is really a statement." Talking of her achievement, she said: "I'm extraordinarily proud to be the first woman, but I'm also sad that it's 2013 and there still can be firsts for women."


 

The director of the Proms Roger Wright said he was happy to be part of changing the "man's world" of conducting. He said: "Marin hasn't been chosen because she is a woman conductor. She knows and loves the Proms." Ms Alsop said: "I always enjoy working with the British orchestral musicians and I'm particularly looking forward to interacting with the audience, who play such a crucial role in making this a night that is utterly unique and special. It is a great honour that I know will be a highlight for me." She added: "The whole world is watching you. You're addressing the biggest audience of your career. It's the nearest a classical musician gets to an acceptance speech at the Oscars."

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22188201
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/news/marin-alsop-to-be-first-woman-to-conduct-last-night-of-the-proms-after-119-years-8578532.html


 
 

WARM-UPS

1. ORCHESTRAS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about orchestras. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

conduct / orchestra / music festival / legendary / celebrate / proud / achievement /
man's world / musicians / interacting / audience / crucial role / unique / highlight

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. WOMEN AT WORK: Are women better than men at these jobs? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Who's better?

Why?

Orchestra conductor

 

 

Chef

 

 

Psychologist

 

 

Architect

 

 

Company CEO

 

 

Teacher

 

 

4. THE SAME: Students A strongly believe men and women can do most jobs equally well; Students B strongly believe not.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. MUSICIAN: Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the musician you would love to be at the top at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • orchestra lead violinist
  • rock group drummer
  • jazz saxophonist
  • flamenco guitarist
  • concert pianist
  • classical sitar player
  • Chinese flute
  • Peruvian pan pipes

6. CONCERT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'concert'. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

A woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest music festival.

T / F

b.

The 118-year-old festival comprises 92 concerts.

T / F

c.

The woman will conduct on the festival's important opening night.

T / F

d.

The woman said her conducting was nothing to be proud of.

T / F

e.

The festival director was happy to be changing the gender imbalance.

T / F

f.

This will be the first time for the woman to work with British musicians.

T / F

g.

The woman is looking forward to communicating with the audience.

T / F

h.

The woman once gave a speech accepting an Oscar in Hollywood.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

include

a.

especially

2.

legendary

b.

comprise

3.

distinctly

c.

key

4.

achievement

d.

selected

5.

proud

e.

unmistakably

6.

chosen

f.

speaking to

7.

particularly

g.

famed

8.

crucial

h.

overjoyed

9.

addressing

i.

crowd

10.

audience

j.

accomplishment

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

the world's oldest and biggest

a.

I'm an American woman

2.

a distinctly

b.

unique and special

3.

the fact that

c.

musicians

4.

extraordinarily

d.

firsts for women

5.

there still can be

e.

speech

6.

the "man's world"

f.

the audience

7.

orchestral

g.

music festival

8.

interacting with

h.

of conducting

9.

a night that is utterly

i.

proud

10.

acceptance

j.

British occasion

 

GAP FILL

A woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest and biggest music festival for the first time (1) ____________. The BBC Proms started 118 years ago, (2) ____________ 92 concerts over 8 weeks, but have never had a female conductor. American Marin Alsop will take (3) ____________ of the orchestra for the final concert – the (4) ____________ Last Night of the Proms. This is a distinctly British (5) ____________ to celebrate the "pomp and circumstance" of Britain. Ms Alsop told the BBC: "I think the fact that I'm an American woman, conducting the last night of the Proms is really a (6) ____________." Talking of her achievement, she said: "I'm extraordinarily (7) ____________ to be the first woman, but I'm also sad that it's 2013 and there still can be (8) ____________ for women."

 

 

legendary
firsts
charge
ever
statement
include
occasion
proud

The director of the Proms Roger Wright said he was happy to be part of (9) ____________ the "man's world" of conducting. He said: "Marin hasn't been (10) ____________ because she is a woman conductor. She knows and loves the Proms." Ms Alsop said: "I always enjoy working with the British orchestral musicians and I'm particularly looking forward to (11) ____________ with the audience, who play such a (12) ____________ role in making this a night that is utterly (13) ____________ and special. It is a great honour that I know will be a (14) ____________ for me." She added: "The whole world is watching you. You're addressing the biggest (15) ____________ of your career. It's the nearest a classical musician gets to an (16) ____________ speech at the Oscars."

 

crucial
highlight
chosen
acceptance
changing
interacting
unique
audience

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Alsop will ______ the orchestra for the final concert

 

a.  take charged of
b.  take charge of
c.  take charges of
d.  take charging of

2)

a distinctly British occasion to celebrate the ______

 

a.  pomp and circumstance
b.  pomp or circumstances
c.  pomp and circumstantial
d.  pomp or circumstance

3)

conducting the last night of the Proms is really ______

 

a.  the statement
b.  a state meant
c.  a stated mend
d.  a statement

4)

Talking of her achievement, she said: "I'm ______…"

 

a.  extraordinary proud
b.  extraordinary bride
c.  extraordinarily bride
d.  extraordinarily proud

5)

sad that it's 2013 and there still can be ______ women

 

a.  fights for
b.  fasts for
c.  firsts for
d.  photos for

6)

happy to be part of changing the "______" of conducting

 

a.  man's worldly
b.  men's worlds
c.  man's world
d.  men's world

7)

I always enjoy working with the British ______

 

a.  orchestra musicians
b.  orchestrated musicians
c.  orchestral musicals
d.  orchestral musicians

8)

looking forward to interacting with the audience, who play such ______

 

a.  a crucial roll
b.  a cruciate role
c.  a crucial role
d.  a crucially role

9)

You're ______ the biggest audience of your career

 

a.  a dress in
b.  address in
c.  add resting
d.  addressing

10)

the nearest a classical musician gets to ______ at the Oscars

 

a.  an acceptance speech
b.  an accepted speech
c.  an accepting speech
d.  an accept dance speech

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

A woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest and biggest music festival (1) _____________________. The BBC Proms started 118 years ago, include 92 concerts over 8 weeks, but have never had a female conductor. American Marin Alsop (2) _____________________ orchestra for the final concert – the legendary Last Night of the Proms. This is a distinctly British (3) _____________________ "pomp and circumstance" of Britain. Ms Alsop told the BBC: "I (4) _____________________ an American woman, conducting the last night of the Proms (5) ___________________." Talking of her achievement, she said: "I'm extraordinarily proud to be the first woman, but I'm also sad that it's 2013 and (6) ___________________ women."

The director of the Proms Roger Wright said he was happy to be part of (7) _____________________ of conducting. He said: "Marin hasn't been chosen because she is a woman conductor. She knows and loves the Proms." Ms Alsop said: "I always enjoy working (8) ____________________ musicians and I'm (9) _____________________ to interacting with the audience, who (10) _____________________ making this a night that is utterly unique and special. It is a great honour that I know will be a highlight for me." She added: "The (11) _____________________ you. You're addressing the biggest audience of your career. It's the nearest a classical musician (12) _____________________ at the Oscars."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

How old is the music festival?

2.

Which of the 92 concerts will Ms Alsop conduct?

3.

How did Ms Alsop describe the occasion?

4.

What was Ms Alsop proud of?

5.

What was Ms Alsop sad about?

6.

What was the director happy to be changing?

7.

Why was Ms Alsop selected?

8.

What is Ms Alsop looking forward to?

9.

Who did Ms Alsop say would be watching her?

10.

What did she liken conducting at the Proms to?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

How old is the music festival?

6.

What was the director happy to be changing?

 

a) hundreds of years old
b) 118 years old
c) no one knows for sure
d) 100 years old this year

 

a) the "man's world" of conducting
b) musical styles
c) his job
d) musical instruments

2.

Which of the 92 concerts will Ms Alsop conduct?

7.

Why was Ms Alsop selected?

 

a) the opening one
b) the American one
c) the one with the all-female orchestra
d) the final one

 

a) she's American
b) she's a great violinist
c) she knows and loves the Proms
d) she won a competition

3.

How did Ms Alsop describe the occasion?

8.

What is Ms Alsop looking forward to?

 

a) very conservative
b) full of circumstances
c) distinctly British
d) the greatest concert ever

 

a) chatting to the audience
b) the end
c) the applause
d) British music

4.

What was Ms Alsop proud of?

9.

Who did Ms Alsop say would be watching her?

 

a) being the first woman to conduct at the Proms
b) her baton
c) being American
d) the BBC Proms

 

a) astronauts on the International Space Station
b) her students in America
c) her music teacher
d) the whole world

5.

What was Ms Alsop sad about?

10.

What did she liken conducting at the Proms to?

 

a) that she cannot be in the orchestra
b) that in 2013 there were still firsts for women
c) that the Proms are not in the USA
d) that it's already 2013

 

a) singing at the Super Bowl
b) the Olympics
c) giving an Oscar speech
d) heaven

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Traditionalist

You think a man should always conduct the world's oldest music festival. Tell the others three reasons why. Some traditions should never change. There are plenty more chances for women to conduct other orchestras.

Role  B – Normal person

You think it should be normal for a woman to conduct an orchestra. Tell the others three reasons why. You also think tradition is silly – it gets in the way of progress. You think Ms Alsop will do a better job than a man.

Role  C – Ms Alsop

You hate the fact that conducting is so male dominated. Tell the others three reasons why. You are shocked at why there have been so few women conductors and composers in history. You are shocked people want to stick to tradition – that only encourages sexism.

Role  D – Concert goer

You don't care whether a man or woman conducts the orchestra. Tell the others three reasons why. You think it's great Ms Alsop is conducting. You hope she is the first of many conductors. You know women will bring something new and wonderful to conducting.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'music' and 'festival'.

music

festival

 

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • include
  • charge
  • occasion
  • fact
  • proud
  • sad
  • changing
  • chosen
  • enjoy
  • forward
  • special
  • nearest

ORCHESTRAS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about orchestras in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

ORCHESTRAS DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'orchestra'?

c)

Would you like to play in a world-famous orchestra?

d)

What do you think of the fact no woman conducted at the Proms for 118 years?

e)

Do you think Alsop conducting at the Proms will change anything?

f)

Do you think it's difficult to conduct an orchestra?

g)

What do conductors do before a concert?

h)

Do you like listening to orchestras?

i)

What things are distinctly British?

j)

Is it sad that in 2013 there are still firsts for women?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Why are there so few female conductors?

c)

Why are most (all) famous composers men?

d)

What differences do you think a woman conductor can bring to music?

e)

What other men's worlds need changing?

f)

What kind of person makes a good conductor?

g)

Which is better, an orchestral concert or a pop concert?

h)

Which is the world's best orchestra?

i)

What advice would you give to Marin Alsop?

j)

What questions would you like to ask Marin Alsop?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

A woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest and biggest music festival for the first time ever. The BBC Proms started 118 years ago, (1) ____ 92 concerts over 8 weeks, but have never had a female conductor. American Marin Alsop will (2) ____ charge of the orchestra for the final concert – the legendary Last Night of the Proms. This is a (3) ____ British occasion to celebrate the "pomp and circumstance" of Britain. Ms Alsop told the BBC: "I think the fact that I'm an American woman, conducting the last night of the Proms is really a (4) ____." Talking of her achievement, she said: "I'm (5) ____ proud to be the first woman, but I'm also sad that it's 2013 and there still can be (6) ____ for women."

The director of the Proms Roger Wright said he was happy to be part of changing the "(7) ____  world" of conducting. He said: "Marin hasn't been chosen because she is a woman conductor. She knows and loves the Proms." Ms Alsop said: "I always enjoy working with the British (8) ____ musicians and I'm particularly looking forward to (9) ____ with the audience, who play such a crucial role in making this a night that is (10) ____ unique and special. It is a great honour that I know will be a highlight for me." She added: "The whole world is watching you. You're (11) ____ the biggest audience of your career. It's the nearest a classical musician gets to an (12) ____ speech at the Oscars."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

include

(b)

included

(c)

inclusive

(d)

inclusion

2.

(a)

be

(b)

have

(c)

take

(d)

do

3.

(a)

succinctly

(b)

punctually

(c)

distinctly

(d)

factually

4.

(a)

affirmed

(b)

proof

(c)

witness

(d)

statement

5.

(a)

extraordinarily

(b)

extraordinaire

(c)

extraordinary

(d)

extraordinariness

6.

(a)

this

(b)

firsts

(c)

roles

(d)

conducting

7.

(a)

closed

(b)

sexist

(c)

mainstream

(d)

man's

8.

(a)

musical

(b)

orchestral

(c)

tonal

(d)

rhythmical

9.

(a)

interpreting

(b)

interrogating

(c)

interacting

(d)

intersecting

10.

(a)

uniquely

(b)

utterly

(c)

ubiquitously

(d)

untimely

11.

(a)

undressing

(b)

dressing

(c)

redressing

(d)

addressing

12.

(a)

accept

(b)

acceptance

(c)

accepting

(d)

accepts

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

conduct an rhcosrtea

2.

the anldreeyg Last Night of the Proms

3.

a dtlciisnyt British occasion

4.

a etmeastnt

5.

talking of her tecievhnaem

6.

ixirtadenaloryr proud

Paragraph 2

7.

the drrioect of the Proms

8.

lryarupitcal looking forward to

9.

play such a liauccr role

10.

utterly neuqiu and special

11.

the biggest encuaied

12.

an ptceaeccan speech

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

audience of your career. It's the nearest a classical musician gets to an acceptance speech at the Oscars."

(    )

proud to be the first woman, but I'm also sad that it's 2013 and there still can be firsts for women."

(    )

of conducting. He said: "Marin hasn't been chosen because she is a woman conductor. She knows and

(    )

ever. The BBC Proms started 118 years ago, include 92 concerts over 8 weeks, but have

(    )

musicians and I'm particularly looking forward to interacting with the audience, who play such a crucial role in making this a

(    )

the last night of the Proms is really a statement." Talking of her achievement, she said: "I'm extraordinarily

(    )

circumstance" of Britain. Ms Alsop told the BBC: "I think the fact that I'm an American woman, conducting

(    )

loves the Proms." Ms Alsop said: "I always enjoy working with the British orchestral

1  )

A woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest and biggest music festival for the first time

(    )

The director of the Proms Roger Wright said he was happy to be part of changing the "man's world"

(    )

night that is utterly unique and special. It is a great honour that I know will be a

(    )

Last Night of the Proms. This is a distinctly British occasion to celebrate the "pomp and

(    )

highlight for me." She added: "The whole world is watching you. You're addressing the biggest

(    )

never had a female conductor. American Marin Alsop will take charge of the orchestra for the final concert – the legendary

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

orchestra     final     Take     the     the     of     for     concert     charge.    

2.

is     distinctly     occasion     This     a     British.    

3.

is     statement    night   Proms     a    last     the     really     The     of .

4.

woman     to     be     I'm     the     extraordinarily     first     proud.    

5.

and     there    still     can     be     firsts     for    women     It's     2013.

6.

of     "world     man's"     the    changing    of    part    Be    conducting.    

7.

chosen     is     been     she     woman     hasn't     because    a    Marin.    

8.

the     with     interacting     to     forward     Looking     audience.    

9.

this    a    night    that    is    utterly    unique    and    special    Making.    

10.

addressing     your     the     career    biggest    audience    You're     of.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest and biggest music festival for / in the first time ever. The BBC Proms started 118 years ago, inclusion / include 92 concerts over 8 weeks, but have never had a female conductor. American Marin Alsop will take / have charge of the orchestra for the final concert – the legend / legendary Last Night of the Proms. This is a distinctly / distinction British occasion to celebrate the "pump / pomp and circumstance" of Britain. Ms Alsop told the BBC: "I think the facts / fact that I'm an American woman, conducting the last night of the Proms is really / reality a statement." Talking of her achievement, she said: "I'm extraordinarily pride / proud to be the first woman, but I'm also sad that it's 2013 and there still can be firsts / first for women."

The director of the Proms Roger Wright said he was happy to be part of changing / charging the "man's world" of conducting. He said: "Marin hasn't been chosen because she is a woman conductor / conductress. She knows and loves the Proms." Ms Alsop said: "I always enjoy working with the British orchestral / orchestrate musicians and I'm peculiarly / particularly looking forward to interacting with / on the audience, who play / match such a cruciate / crucial role in making this a night that is utterly / utter unique and special. It is a great honour that I know will be a highlight for me." She added: "The whole world is watching you. You're redressing / addressing the biggest audience of your career. It's the nearest a classical musician gets to an acceptance / acceptable speech at the Oscars."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_ w_m_n w_ll c_nd_ct _n _rch_str_ _t th_ w_rld's _ld_st _nd b_gg_st m_s_c f_st_v_l f_r th_ f_rst t_m_ _v_r. Th_ BBC Pr_ms st_rt_d 118 y__rs _g_, _ncl_d_ 92 c_nc_rts _v_r 8 w__ks, b_t h_v_ n_v_r h_d _ f_m_l_ c_nd_ct_r. _m_r_c_n M_r_n _ls_p w_ll t_k_ ch_rg_ _f th_ _rch_str_ f_r th_ f_n_l c_nc_rt – th_ l_g_nd_ry L_st N_ght _f th_ Pr_ms. Th_s _s _ d_st_nctly Br_t_sh _cc_s__n t_ c_l_br_t_ th_ "p_mp _nd c_rc_mst_nc_" _f Br_t__n. Ms _ls_p t_ld th_ BBC: "_ th_nk th_ f_ct th_t _'m _n _m_r_c_n w_m_n, c_nd_ct_ng th_ l_st n_ght _f th_ Pr_ms _s r__lly _ st_t_m_nt." T_lk_ng _f h_r _ch__v_m_nt, sh_ s__d: "_'m _xtr__rd_n_r_ly pr__d t_ b_ th_ f_rst w_m_n, b_t _'m _ls_ s_d th_t _t's 2013 _nd th_r_ st_ll c_n b_ f_rsts f_r w_m_n."

Th_ d_r_ct_r _f th_ Pr_ms R_g_r Wr_ght s__d h_ w_s h_ppy t_ b_ p_rt _f ch_ng_ng th_ "m_n's w_rld" _f c_nd_ct_ng. H_ s__d: "M_r_n h_sn't b__n ch_s_n b_c__s_ sh_ _s _ w_m_n c_nd_ct_r. Sh_ kn_ws _nd l_v_s th_ Pr_ms." Ms _ls_p s__d: "_ _lw_ys _nj_y w_rk_ng w_th th_ Br_t_sh _rch_str_l m_s_c__ns _nd _'m p_rt_c_l_rly l__k_ng f_rw_rd t_ _nt_r_ct_ng w_th th_ __d__nc_, wh_ pl_y s_ch _ cr_c__l r_l_ _n m_k_ng th_s _ n_ght th_t _s _tt_rly _n_q__ _nd sp_c__l. _t _s _ gr__t h_n__r th_t _ kn_w w_ll b_ _ h_ghl_ght f_r m_." Sh_ _dd_d: "Th_ wh_l_ w_rld _s w_tch_ng y__. Y__'r_ _ddr_ss_ng th_ b_gg_st __d__nc_ _f y__r c_r__r. _t's th_ n__r_st _ cl_ss_c_l m_s_c__n g_ts t_ _n _cc_pt_nc_ sp__ch _t th_ _sc_rs."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a woman will conduct an orchestra at the world's oldest and biggest music festival for the first time ever the bbc proms started 118 years ago include 92 concerts over 8 weeks but have never had a female conductor american marin alsop will take charge of the orchestra for the final concert – the legendary last night of the proms this is a distinctly british occasion to celebrate the "pomp and circumstance" of britain ms alsop told the bbc "i think the fact that i'm an american woman conducting the last night of the proms is really a statement" talking of her achievement she said "i'm extraordinarily proud to be the first woman but i'm also sad that it's 2013 and there still can be firsts for women"

the director of the proms roger wright said he was happy to be part of changing the "man's world" of conducting he said "marin hasn't been chosen because she is a woman conductor she knows and loves the proms" ms alsop said "i always enjoy working with the british orchestral musicians and i'm particularly looking forward to interacting with the audience who play such a crucial role in making this a night that is utterly unique and special it is a great honour that i know will be a highlight for me" she added "the whole world is watching you you're addressing the biggest audience of your career it's the nearest a classical musician gets to an acceptance speech at the oscars"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Awomanwillconductanorchestraattheworld'soldestandbiggestmusicfestivalfor
thefirsttimeever.TheBBCPromsstarted118yearsago,include92concertsover8
weeks,buthaveneverhadafemaleconductor.AmericanMarinAlsopwilltakecharge
oftheorchestraforthefinalconcert–thelegendaryLastNightoftheProms.This
isadistinctlyBritishoccasiontocelebratethe"pompandcircumstance"ofBritain.Ms
AlsoptoldtheBBC:"IthinkthefactthatI'manAmericanwoman,conductingthelast
nightofthePromsisreallyastatement."Talkingofherachievement,shesaid:"I'm
extraordinarilyproudtobethefirstwoman,butI'malsosadthatit's2013andtherestill
canbefirstsforwomen."ThedirectorofthePromsRogerWrightsaidhewashappyto
bepartofchangingthe"man'sworld"ofconducting.Hesaid:"Marinhasn'tbeen
chosenbecausesheisawomanconductor.SheknowsandlovestheProms."MsAlsop
said:"IalwaysenjoyworkingwiththeBritishorchestralmusiciansandI'mparticularly
lookingforwardtointeractingwiththeaudience,whoplaysuchacrucialroleinmaking
thisanightthatisutterlyuniqueandspecial.ItisagreathonourthatIknowwillbea
highlightforme."Sheadded:"Thewholeworldiswatchingyou.You'readdressing
thebiggestaudienceofyourcareer.It'sthenearestaclassicalmusiciangetstoan
acceptancespeechattheOscars."

FREE WRITING

Write about orchestras for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Men have traditionally conducted orchestras. That tradition should not change.   Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about orchestras. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. ORCHESTRAS: Make a poster about orchestras. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. MARIN ALSOP: Write a magazine article about Marin Alsop and her appointment to be the first female conductor at the BBC Proms. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against that.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to Marin Alsop. Ask her three questions about getting to conduct at the BBC Proms. Give her three of your opinions on her appointment. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

F

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

include

a.

comprise

2.

legendary

b.

famed

3.

distinctly

c.

unmistakably

4.

achievement

d.

accomplishment

5.

proud

e.

overjoyed

6.

chosen

f.

selected

7.

particularly

g.

especially

8.

crucial

h.

key

9.

addressing

i.

speaking to

10.

audience

j.

crowd

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

118 years old

2.

The Last Night of the Proms

3.

She said it was "distinctly British"

4.

Being the first woman to conduct at the Proms

5.

That in 2013 there were still firsts for women

6.

The "man's world" of conducting

7.

She knows and loves the Proms

8.

Interacting with the audience

9.

The whole world

10.

Giving an acceptance speech at the Oscars

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

c

4.

a

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

9.

d

10.

c

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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