Prepared Piano

In the upper grade classes this month we are talking about music from the 20th century - aka music that is a bit strange! Check out this great video showing how a piano is prepared for a John Cage piece. There are excerpts of the piece too.

The latest Beatles tunes

As promised, here are the Beatles songs we're learning this Spring!






Did you notice that John forgot the words on Help!? Not even the professionals are perfect!

symphony this week

The Santa Rosa Symphony is playing this weekend, which means you can hear them for free! All you need to do is pick up a "community musician card" from the office if you don't already have one. This card will get one student and one adult in to the Discovery concert on Saturday at 2pm. Only one adult allowed per child and each child must have a card. Additional information is on the back of the card.

I'm very sad I'm going to be out of town this weekend, otherwise I would definitely go see this set! It's featuring a guitar concerto!!!!

recent listening

Just in case you're having a hard time remembering what we listened to in our last music lesson and you want to hear some more!

2nd grade: Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev  Amazon 
3rd grade: The Planets, Mars by Gustav Holst  Amazon
4th grade: Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saens  Amazon
5th grade: "Little" Fugue in G Minor by J. S. Bach  Amazon

Most of, if not all of these works could also be found at the Sonoma County library. You'll have no problem finding works by Bach, but will probably have a hard time finding the fugue. The others should be no problem. Happy listening!

Concert info

Here are some of the particulars for my students about our concerts.

2-3 graders: arrive at 6:45pm. Sing from 7:00-7:20ish
4-5 graders: arrive at 7:25pm (or come early to hear the others). Sing from 7:30-7:55ish

Wardrobe:
Black on the bottom, solid white on top. If you don't have black pants, wear the darkest you have. Ladies, skirts are a-okay. Make sure your shirt is plain without a logo or pattern. Please no Santa hats (sorry!).

Songs for Hanukkah

Our concert in December just wouldn't be complete without some holiday cheer! In addition to our old favorites we're learning some really fun songs for Hanukkah, and we'll be employing accelerando (gradually speeding up) and crescendo (gradually getting louder) to them both!

Burn Little Candles (2-3 grades)

Burn, little candles, burn, burn, burn

Burning bright and clear

Burn, little candles, burn, burn, burn

Hanukkah is here

Eight little candles in a row

Hanukkah is here

Eight little candles in a row

Burn so bright and clear

Dance little candles, dance, dance, dance

Hanukkah is here

Dance little candles, dance, dance, dance

Hanukkah is here

Light the Candles (4-5 grades)

Light the little candles and sing a song for Hanukkah

Dreidels spinning gaily for Hanukkah is here

Turning, turning, hora dancers turn and turn

Burning, burning, see the bright Menorah burn

Hanukkah time is here, let’s all be happy

Hanukkah time is here, la la la la la

hora is a type of circle dance originating in the Balkans but also found in other countries. It became a national dance in Israel.

menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum used on the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah

Beethoven's Fifth Animated Score

In many of my classes we'll be listening to the first minute of the first movement Beethoven's fifth Symphony in c minor. Some incredibly clever people took the first movement and animated it. You can also see a chart of what instruments the different colors represent. Enjoy!