It was so strange to be working together and then suddenly having to stay home and change all of our plans. The third and fourth grade field trip to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall has been cancelled this year, but we will have the option to do the very same program, The Orchestra Sings, next year. The materials we were using to prepare for this program are available at forestparkmusic.blog.
Meanwhile, I will be making music activities available for all grades through Seesaw (K-2nd Grades) and Google Classroom (3rd-5th Grades). You will see me leading the activities videoed in my favorite room in the house, the Music/Yoga Studio. Third and fourth graders will mostly be working in Sountrap while the K-3rd graders will be doing other activities and sharing what they do with their computers’ cameras and microphones. These activities will be lots of fun and you won’t want to miss any of them.
We are experimenting with these ways of sharing music and sound and I’m looking forward to seeing how you all respond to what I will be putting out there on the Internet for you. Our goal is to have fun playing with sound and movement. I’m looking forward to the pure joy of seeing and hearing your recordings.
Permission and Expectations for Participating in the Music Performances of the International Festival at Forest Park Elementary – Friday, January 31st at 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Dear Parents:
All Forest Park students are invited to participate in the music performances of the International Festival, which will happen in the gymnasium from 6 – 8 PM. I will be running the sound that night and will not be able to manage students like I would in a classroom situation. The children will be managed by parent volunteers who will guide them from the music room to the performance area in the gymnasium. Therefore, both students and parents need to commit to some guidelines in order for the students to participate effectively:
Everyone should leave and enter the gymnasium quietly. Performances and videos will be occurring continually from 6:00 – 8:00 PM.
Children will not be allowed in the gym unless accompanied by an adult.
Students will be prepared to perform by reviewing the songs at: forestparkmusic.blog
Student participants must conform to performance expectations as outlined in class, which are adapted to this event as follows: a) Follow the directions of the adults through all transitions quietly and safely. b) Keep eyes on the director (me) throughout the performance for important cues. c) Keep hands, feet, objects, etc. to yourself. d) Perform with your best effort. e) Support only the appropriate behavior of others during the performance and the transitions.
Any “clowning around” during the song or event is distracting and appears disrespectful to the music and other performers and will not be allowed.
The participating students will come to the music room according to the following schedule and will follow the directions of parent volunteers who will bring them to the gymnasium for their performances. After each performance the students may join their parents in the gymnasium and leave to enjoy other parts of the festival or stay to watch another video or performance.
Performance Schedule:
Music Room
Gymnasium
6:00
Kindergarteners arrive.
Video Showing of Interview about Vietnam with Vinh Tran
6:10
Kindergarteners sing and dance Trống Cơm.
6:15
Kindergarteners join parents.
6:20
First Graders arrive.
Video of Iranian Art and Persian Classical Music
6:30
First Graders sing Hamoomie
6:35
First Graders return to their parents.
6:40
Second Graders arrive.
Video Showing of Interview about Brasil with Eduardo Queiroz
6:50
Second Graders sing Vou Te Contar and CidadeMiravilhosa
6:55
Second Graders join parents.
7:00
Third Graders arrive.
Video Showing of Interview about Mexico with Monse Lozano
7:10
Third Graders sing/play (on recorder) Cielito Lindo and La Llorona.
7:15
Third Graders return to their parents.
7:20
Fourth Graders arrive.
Video Showing of Interview about Slovakia with Denisa Warden
7:30
Fourth Graders play Theme from Dvorak’s New World Symphony (on recorder) and sing Hej Sokoli.
7:35
Fourth Graders join parents.
7:40
Fifth Graders arrive.
Video Showing of Interview about Kenya with Susan Labeja
7:50
Fifth Graders sing/play Jambo Bwana and Ochimbo.
7:55
Fifth Graders help stack chairs and return to their parents.
Keep the first two pages and return the signatures below to Dr. Bob.
By signing below, I am committing to the expectations as stated above:
Jambo – Hi
Jambo bwana – Hi sir
Habari gani? – How are you?
Mzuri sana – Very fine
Wageni mwakaribishwa – Visitors are welcome
Kenya yetu – Our (country) Kenya
Hakuna matata – (there are) no worries
Verse
Kenya nchi nzuri – Kenya is a nice country
Nchi ya maajabu – A beautiful country
Nchi yenye amani – A peaceful country
Last week we explored creating our own melodies, using an Indian raga, called Yaman. Many of the children at Forest Park seem to have access to piano keyboards at home. Use this diagram to help you find the notes “F” and “C.” Play them over and over again with your left hand while you play in Yaman with your right hand. Remember that F and C are you most restful notes while E and B express the most tension because they want to go to F and C.
