This is a quiz for 6th grade students to take on the first day of music. From here, we interview family members to find out what their favorite music is. We go on to create a time-line of music that our class listens to. Each classroom time-line is a little different.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sunday 4/10/2011
Someone posted this last week, but I too was planning on posting it. I am adding it to my blog so that I can find it again in the future.
Itay Talgam talks about conducting on TED.com
Description from TED:
An orchestra conductor faces the ultimate leadership challenge: creating perfect harmony without saying a word. In this charming talk, Itay Talgam demonstrates the unique styles of six great 20th-century conductors, illustrating crucial lessons for all leaders.
Sunday 4/10/2011 PLN:5/2
Week 5: Interesting find #2
Why receiving an “A” is not enough in music:
A band director explains why getting just an “A” in music is not enough. The band first plays a piece at 100 percent, then at 90 percent, and finally with all the nuances that makes music great!
Explanation from You Tube:
A musical demonstration of what is wrong with education in the United States today. How just an A, is not good enough. How teaching to pass the government's test is dumbing down America.
The Conductor gets it and he has a great way of explaining his point.
Watch, listen and consider his message!
The Conductor gets it and he has a great way of explaining his point.
Watch, listen and consider his message!
Sunday 4/10/2011 PLN:5/1
Week 5: Interesting find #1
I teach grades k-4 general music. Towards the end of the school year I have a hard time keeping the kids focused. This is when I teach them how to make instruments. I make an assortment of things, paper plate cymbals, egg shakers, pop can shakers, water bottle trumpets and my favorite, the rain-stick. Recently I found a very fun video for making a rain-stick.
There are other instrument videos on this website, but the rain-stick is easy to make and easy to play. I go on to decorate them even more than the video does. We get beads, silk flowers, and feathers to add to our rain-sticks to make them more tropical. We then play along with some fun spring/summer songs, such as “Spring, Spring, Spring” (from Music k-8).
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Wednesday 4/6/2011
I thought this was an interesting article about the combination of electronica and classical music. Mason Bates is the composer-in-residence for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and DJs in exclusive night clubs.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday 4/3/2011 PLN:4/2
Week 4: Interesting find #2
I play games like this all the time. I use cups, rhythm sticks, or even very tall dowel rods. You can change the rhythms or you can even have students tap their “partners” or their “opposite.” The main point is after the sequence is complete, you pass the stick, cup or noise maker. Then start the rhythm sequence again. Students as early as first grade can manage this will simple titi and ta rhythms.
Sunday 4/3/2011 PLN:4/1
Week 4: Interesting find #1
Here is a video that gives some background on how a hurdy-gurdy is put together. There is also some information about where you may hear the instruments being played today.
Synopsis from TED.com:
Caroline Phillips cranks out tunes on a seldom-heard folk instrument: the hurdy-gurdy, a.k.a. the wheel fiddle. A searching, Basque melody follows her fun lesson on its unique anatomy and 1,000-year history.
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