Amazing Rendition of Our National Anthem

If you watched the Presidential Inauguration on Monday, you saw and heard Beyonce sing our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, at the conclusion of the ceremony.  I am always curious to hear a performer's version of this song that means so much to our country.  It is a challenging song to sing, without question, and there have unfortunately been many more performance "flops" than there have been successes.  Singers forget or mess up the words (who can forget Christina Aguliera at the SuperBowl a few years ago), change the melody, or can't remain in tune with the high notes at the end of the song.  Too often, in my humble opinion, a singer tries to make the song overly flashy and dramatic instead of simply singing it, and in doing so, makes the performance more about themselves than honoring our country. 

Beyonce, accompanied by The Marine Corps Band, added just enough flair to make it her own, while still remaining true to the melody and rhythm of the song.  I was very impressed with her performance, and think it was one of the best I have heard in quite some time.  Watch and tell me what you think...

5th Grade Program Ties History, Art and Music Together

The Fifth graders are busy preparing for their music program on February 6th, 2012.  They will perform for the school at 1:30pm and then again for parents at 7:00pm.  Their theme this year is an interesting one, which ties together many different subject areas. 

The title of the program is, "The Quilt Speaks! A Journey Along the Underground Railroad."  In preparation for the program, students learned about the codes and symbols used in simple quilt patterns and folk songs that helped individuals to escape slavery through the Underground Railroad.  Building upon their learning in 4th and 5th grade social studies, students have made connections in music by learning to sing and play the folk songs and African American spirituals, as well as in art by embarking on a project to create a work encorporating the patterns of the quilt squares.  It's been very exciting to plan the program, and the students and I hope our audiences will be entertained and fascinated by this aspect of 19th century American History.

The North Star quilt block, for example, was a symbol used to remind slaves to follow the brightest star in the sky, the North star, which would lead them on their journey towards Canada.  The North Star is also part of the Big Dipper constellation, often referred to as the "drinking gourd."  This secret code word was used in the folk song, "Follow The Drinkin' Gourd," which gives incredibly explicit directions for making one's way along the Underground Railroad. 

The Zig Zag Path quilt block was a reminder to slaves that they may be followed by people who would put them in jail for trying to escape.  This square instructed them to dart around, to change their path, or to walk in the rivers or streams so that their scent could be lost.  The song, "Wade in the Water" reminded slaves of the same precautionary measures. 

The Sailboat quilt block was a reminder that once they reached the Great Lakes, slaves could board ships that would take them into Canada and to freedom.  It's possible that these quilt blocks would be visible in some manner so that the "slave friendly" ships could be identified.  The song, "Down By The Riverside" references laying down one's burden, meeting up with family and friends, and celebrating freedom by not thinking about one's struggles any more.

These three quilt square and corresponding songs are just a taste of what's to come on Wednesday, February 6th.  I hope that you will be able to attend one of these special performances!  Many thanks to Mrs. Schumer for incorporating this art project into her curriculum, and to Mrs. Smucker for her contributions in the social studies curriculum.

A Jazzy Nutcracker?

Sixth graders spent most of December studying Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker Suite.  After listening to selections from the original classical version, students also listened to a rock version by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and a jazz version by the Brian Setzer Orchestra.  Finally, students discussed the similarities and differences of all three versions.  Here is the Brian Setzer Orchestra performing their big band jazz version of The Nutcracker Suite.



4th Graders Study LeRoy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride"

Fourth Graders have spent the last few music classes studying the song, "Sleigh Ride" by American composer, LeRoy Anderson.  The song was ironically written during a summer heat wave in 1949.  Here is a video of The Boston Pops playing "Sleigh Ride":

We also learned that words were written for the song in 1950, and that it is the most licensed and copied holiday song in modern American music history.  Because of this, there are MANY different versions of the song, and listening to a few of them was also part of our study.  Fourth graders listened to versions by Ella Fitzgerald, The Brian Setzer Orchestra, The Ronettes, and a version from Bluegrass musician Cody Kilby from an album entitled "Christmas Grass."  There are countless versions of "Sleigh Ride" out there, which is YOUR favorite?

Funny Rendition of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Have you heard this version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas?"  It comes from Straight No Chaser, a men's a capella group.  A capella means singing without any instrumental accompaniment.  As you might imagine, this type of singing is difficult to do by yourself, let alone with a large group of people.  It requires a very good sense of pitch and excellent listening to the other singers around you.  Enjoy!

Practice Makes Progress

The first time you picked up a basketball and tried to shoot a basket, did you make it?  Chances are the answer is no.  But now, years later, you have a pretty good chance of making that shot, don't you?  What's the difference between now and then?  PRACTICE.  You didn't give up.  You kept trying.  You kept PRACTICING.

Even professional musicians have to practice songs as simple as "Jingle Bells."  Take a peek at Wynton Marsalis (probably one of the best trumpet players of all time) and the JLCO (Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra) as they PRACTICE for an upcoming holiday concert.

A Musical Joke

A friend sent me this musical joke.  PLEASE tell me if you can figure it out!