May Flowers and June Bugs

April showers bring May flowers, and May flowers bring June bugs!

Spring is finally here! Of course that means that summer vacation is just weeks away.  As I browse the posts in the music teacher circles I see questions on final concert pieces, concert planning for next year, and end of year activities.  I thought about some of the things that I do at the end of the school year with my students.  We are still practicing our final concepts, re-enforcing musical learning and fun.  Now that most concerts are finished and talent shows are programmed, I tend to look at opportunities for being outside and planning my own summer

If you don't have a stash in your classroom, snag a couple of playground balls, scarves, and a parachute.  You will need these. Next create a list of all the games you have played in your classroom.  Think of circle games, double line games, chase games, hand clapping, jump rope, and anything else you want to put on the list.  Need some inspiration?  Ask your students.  Check YouTube.  Think of what you used to sing/play as a kid at summer camp.  Keep in mind, that you will be taking these outside, and unless you have a fabulous outdoor sound system you don't mind hauling back and forth every class, you and your students will be singing a capella.  Speaking of, make sure you have your tuning fork and building keys. (Laundry baskets or crates work well for carrying supplies.)

All set?

Good!

Let's play!

Remind your students that these are things that they can play with their family, summer camp groups, day care groups, and so much more.  As a Kodály inspired teacher I believe that some of these came from the playground and children playing outdoors, and they should continue to live on the playground and outdoors.

Now that you have a long list of fun and exciting songs and games, create a list/lyrics/directions to send home to parents.  You can even have your older students help you compile and write out their favorites.  They will have something to remember their musical repertoire and carry the joy of music home and into the summer.

Have a musical day!!!

Jennifer

Musician AND a Teacher

I love music!

No kidding. 

It is a part of my every day life.  I wake up to my digital radio.  I practice at least one instrument a day. (I will admit, some days that means singing harmony to the radio) I listen to music while I read, clean, and cook.  Music is integral to who I am.  

My point?

Music educators synergize two separate parts of themselves in the classroom. We are like an old school record.  Two sides to the same album.

SIDE A: Child developmental specialist, certified educator, reading and math integrator, educational researcher, continual learner, event coordinator, schedule master, curriculum writer, standards evaluator, teacher.

SIDE B: Musicologist, ethnomusicologist, music theologian, songwriter, singer, conductor, hymnologist, music sociology, history of music education, Kodaly, Dalcroze, Orff, instrumental education, vocal education, general music education, performer, music technology coordinator, musician.

Some of those descriptions could fit on either side.  But, what is important, is that neither side is replaceable in the music classroom. A general education teacher cannot replace a good music teacher.  A good musician cannot replace a good music teacher. It takes the complete package to have a good music education program, from private lessons to college classes.

It is imperative that music educators not only improve their craft as educators, but also continue to develop as musicians. 

This has come close to my heart over the last couple of years, but has really been a part of my life longer that that. Starting in high school, I became involved in community band. Over the years and travels to different cities, I have located and joined community bands, local orchestras, and worship teams.  Not has this endeavor served as a creative and social outlet, it has improved my musicianship.  

One year...

I didn't join...

I didn't realize how important it was to be a musician and an educator until that year.  It was a dark time for this musician.  

Now?  Community music, or not, I practice for me.  I practice for my own musicianship.  I practice for the joy of music.  I celebrate that I am an educator and musician.  

So how do you music?

Musically,

Jennifer

Jazz Apriciation Month

April is one of my favorite units.

Jazz Appreciation Month!

Jazz and Opera were the concerts I went to with my grandparents.  (And yes, I did think it was cool.)  Over the years I have enjoyed the Queen City Jazz Band, Diana Krall, Ron Miles, Miles Davis, my local jazz radio, Swing dancing in Denver, and much more.  I cant think of a style of music that is as unique and diverse as musical styles of Jazz.

To begin the month I read "Freddy The Frog and they Flying Jazz Kitten" to every class.  It comes with a read-a-long CD that has fabulous background music. There are also some fun coloring sheets online.

Then we talk about scat.  Thanks to the UWyo Faculty Jazz, and the Fabulous Dr. McKeage, I use assorted jazz prases to help students devlop guided jazz improv. "Blank Blues" is a must for practicing improv at any level  I also tie in recorder and chord structure for the older classes. This approach made teaching elmenary jazz extremely practical and approachable for this classical musician.

Choir is not left out.  I use some of the same materials from the classroom and use them for vocal warm-up time.  I also make sure I have my top 10 tips for vocal improvization posted.

I finish off the month with my favorite Dizzy Gillespie video

I have to say, I love to decorate with my assorted JAM posters, and jazz artist profiles.  The Smithsonian has more fabulous tips and you can even start your own poster collection. To learn more click on the JAM poster below.

Springing into Easter

The first signs of spring involve green grass and snow...at least in this part of the world. It has also been very noisy in my neighborhood.  The sounds of birds have been quite loud in the trees above the driveway.  Signs of life, rejuvenation, and hope are imbedded into the season of spring.

Easter is full of so many memories. Decorating blown eggs, Bordeaux eggs from See's, sleeping bags and sunrise service at Red Rocks, and the little chicks that chirp when you hold them on your palm are just a few of the highlights.  So, in honor of spring and Easter, here are my grade level picks.

Kindergarten and first grade will love "John the Rabbit". This is a good song for solo singing, late practice rest, and 2/4 meter.  Multipurpose songs that can be used for assessment and games are fabulous gems. My new favorite podcast Music Teacher Coffee Talk has included this song in episode #10.

Second grade will enjoy "Two Little Rabbits".  This cute little song is a great setting for mi-re-do, including so. The collected notation from the Lomax's has various sixteenth note combinations, simplified, this song can be used for syn-co-pa in third grade.  This could easily be made into a chase game, especially for the coming spring weather. Why not take a few classes outside to enjoy the weather.

Speaking of the beautiful outdoors, "Gwan Roun' Rabbit" is fun song for low la,. This gem is included in Jill Trinka's collection "John the Rabbit: and Other Folk Songs, Singing Games, and Play Parties".  While I see this as a fabulous picture of country life, I also see it as an opportunity for improvisation and rhyming.

Literacy is a big part of music and learning.  "Velveteen Rabbit" may not be appropriate for the classroom, there are plenty of books for spring. "Sing" is good for any time, but the birds seem just right for this Easter season.

Musically - Jennifer

#RememberTheJoy

St. Patrick's Day and Irish Folk music

When one thinks of Irish folk music, they may think of the Dubliners or the Chieftains. Both fabulous bands that flourished during the folk music revival of the 60s and beyond. Irish folk bands are not a short list, nor are they in small demand.  From songs such as "Danny Boy" and "Irish Eyes are Smiling", to "Molly Malone" and "The Wild Rover", Irish folk tunes and ballads are a part of folk music history from Ireland to California.

The influence of the Irish folk traditions in American folk music, is most present in the fiddle. As Irish immigrants entered the country, they brought their traditions with them. If you tune into the Rural TV Network, you may hear the fiddle being played with the band, whether it be a soloist, or accompanying dancers. More of this thread can be found here: https://londoncelticpunks.wordpress.com/2016/02/28/how-the-irish-and-the-scots-influenced-american-music/

My personal favorites as a musician and educator are "Danny Boy" performed by James Galway and "the Sick Note" from the Dubliners.  Enjoy!

the Year of the Dog

One of my favorite years! There are so many traditions with the new year.  As the ball falls in NYC the Scottish "Auld Lang Syne" is sung. (For the record, it's roughly translated "old times sake") It is a time for goal setting, starting anew. While the Julian Calendar sets the date of January 1 as the mark of the new year, it doesn't stop people from celebrating the Lunar New Year.  And since it is the year of the dog, it is time for a few dog songs.

1. "Doggie, Doggie" - This is a cute little classic guessing game. You may be just introducing this to your first graders or playing it with your second graders.  Rhythmically, "Doggie, Doggie" is perfect for practicing ta, ti-ti phrases. As music educators we know that time is short and a song that serves multiple purposes is useful. Melodically this can be used for la.  Both the s-l-s-m pattern and the m-l-s pattern appear in this simple song. These patterns make it useful for using la in step wise and leap motion.  One last element in this song is the opportunity for solo singing.  Any time this happens we can instantly grab the grade book and note a quick assessment.  Of course, don't forget that it is a lot of fun to play!

2. "Bow, Wow, Wow" - This is a great circle mixer that can also be used for multiple purposes from first grade to third grade. It is still rhythmically simple with a quarter, two-eighths, and a quarter rest. I love to use this as both the folk dance and for mi-re-do.  Each time I have attended a workshop or observed a class, there have been slight variations of the movement.  Here is how I do it (from experience):
                                    Start in a circle of pairs
                                    "Bow, wow, wow" - (Stamp three times)
                                    "Who's dog art thou?" - (clap three times)
                                    "Little Tommy Tucker's Dog" - (Hook elbows and trade places)
                                           (side note: make sure they are still facing the same partner at this point)
                                    "Bow, wow, wow" - (turn around to face a new partner)
                                            (this should also face them the same way they started)
More likely than not, you will end up with mix ups and zig-zags the first time.  Still fun and worth the giggles.

3. "Dog and Cat" - New to my collection, "Dog and Cat" is rife with potential.  Rhythmic and melodically, it is fabulous for older grades.  The low la, low so, combination is perfectly isolated.  I also like that it has rhyming and improvisation potential.  Having worked with literacy programs in the past, the ability to rhyme and improvise is important for reading and music.  More advanced students can be allowed to improvise on the spot.  Students that struggle can pre-plan rhyme sets. I can't wait to add this to my classroom repertoire.

American Folk Songs for Christmas

"American Folk Songs for Christmas" is compiled by the American folk song collector and female composer Ruth Crawford Seeger. Her famous companions include John and Alan Lomax, and her step-son Pete Seeger. The published book provides Ms Crawford-Seeger's  piano arrangements of the tunes. For the musicology minded, there are notes on the histories of the songs as well as performance notes.  Her daughters recorded a sampling of this collection including unaccompanied and accompanied performances.

The collection is representative of the varied folk history of the US.  Songs from Ireland collected in Texas to shape note songs in Maryland, "American Folk Songs for Christmas". My personal favorite is the "Twelve Apostles".  This cumulative song has variations including "Green Grow the Rushes-O", "The Dilly Song", and "Come and I Will Sing You".

When it comes to the holiday season, music educators have to navigate the hazy ground of multiple cultures and holiday traditions.  There are also the promise of pre-packaged programs.  Each holiday season, I like to look at the different collections of programs and scripts.  Many of them have good structure and story line.  I use these for inspiration for my own programs.  First a general idea of a theme appears, then folk songs pedagogically appropriate for each grade level, finished off with short dialog.  The students are given ownership with costumes, props, and decorations.

Holidays can be stressful times for musicians.  Be sure to take time to de-stress and relax this holiday season!