Mallet Chants

We have been performing with our barred instruments in music class the last few weeks.  We use some great chants to help us remember how to play our mallet instruments respectfully and responsibly.

Pick up mallets and hold them tight.

One in left and one in right.

Wrap your hands around the stem.

In the middle, away from the end.

Arms are crossed across our chest.

Do this when it's time to rest.

Students now it's time to play,

Move to Play Position right away

Find your letter and gently hover

just a few inches over.

Knuckles up, fingers down,

Now let's make a beautiful sound.

Gently wiggle with your wrist.

Knock, Knock, Knocking with your fist.

Play it in the middle please

Strike the bars with gentle ease.

Our mallet time comes to an end.

Now we give our turn to a friend.

Chant for removing bars from the instruments:

Check your bars when we begin.

One hand goes on either end.

Gently wiggle and lift slow.

Place it down where it should go.

Kansas City Symphony - Young People's Concerts - Symphonic Species

Each year, fourth grade students in our district have the privilege of traveling to Helzberg Hall to see the Kansas City Symphony perform a Young People's Concert.  This year, the theme of the concert is Symphonic Species.  The Kansas City Symphony developed this program in partnership with the Kansas City Zoo.  Each piece on the program portrays a different zoo animal.

Polar Bear Photo by Kevin Ward via flickr	Composition Title:  Finale from Symphony No. 82 , "The Bear" Composer:  Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809).  Haydn also created the "Surprise Symphony." Finale from Symphony No. 82, "The Bear" got its nickname because it resembles the music that was used to accompany dancing bears at fairs and festivals.   Watch Finale from Symphony No. 82, "The Bear" on View Pure http://viewpure.com/klLx1EyVfCo
Big Cats - Sumatran Tiger, Cheetah, Lion, Amur Leopard Photo by Eric Kilby via flickr	Composition Title:  Overture to La Forza del Destino Composer:  Giuseppe Verdi (1813 - 1901). Watch Overture to La Forza del Destino on View Pure http://viewpure.com/vPFePkmdrEo
African Elephant  Photo Untitlted Ross Huggett via flickr	Composition Title:  Montagues and Capulets Composer:  Sergei Prokofiev (1891 - 1953).  He also composed Peter and the Wolf. Watch Montagues and Capulets from Romeo and Juliet on View Pure http://viewpure.com/p1_JUTAO0SA Start at 1:53 for Elephant.
Monarch Butterfly PhotoWilliam Warby via flickr	Composition Title:  Dance of the Reed Pipes Composer:  Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893).  He wrote the Nutcracker and the 1812 Overture.  Our students learned about him during the 2013-2014 school year. Watch Dance of the Reed Pipes on View Pure: http://viewpure.com/hGwjHRfcsMQ
Penguin Photo Antartica Bound via flickr	Composition Title:  Emperor Waltz Composer:  Johann Strauss, Jr (1925-1899) Watch Emperor Waltz on View Pure: http://viewpure.com/LAVvBF7m260  Another piece written by Strauss was The Blue Danube.  Watch this on View Pure: http://viewpure.com/IDaJ7rFg66A

October 2, 2014
Today in music, we listened to Dance of the Reed Pipes.  As we listened, we prepared ourselves to write a Dear Diary entry for the Kansas City Symphony Writing Challenge.

Focus Lesson:  I can listen to and describe music.

Monarch Butterfly PhotoWilliam Warby via flicr

Composition Title:  Dance of the Reed Pipes Composer:  Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893).  He wrote the Nutcracker and the 1812 Overture.  Our students learned about him during the 2013-2014 school year. Watch an Orchestra play Dance of the Reed Pipes on View Pure: http://viewpure.com/dntCj0KWZs8

• Listen to Dance of the Reed Pipes

• Class Discussion -  2 minutes
• What instruments did you hear or see?
• What was the mood of the piece?
• Was the music fast or slow?
• Was the music legato or staccato?
• Write a Dear Diary Entry
• Explain project - 2 minutes
• What should be included? 
• Name
• What is the animals favorite instrument?  
• How did the animal get to Kauffman Center? 
• What challenges did the animal face?
• What did the animal pack for lunch?
• When you get your paper...
• Go to riser spot
• Materials - riser helper will pass them around
• Stay at your seat; raise your hand if you need something
• This is an individual activity with no talking

• When you are done
• Essay goes on the black teacher chair.
• Complete a drawing for the drawing challenge