Norwegian Dance

In third grade we've been reviewing form with Grieg's "Norwegian Dance."  We described our A section as piano and calm, while our B section was forte and crazy!!!  We used the parachute to keep the beat in the A section ("washing machine" movements) and crazy ripples for the B section.

Appalachian Spring

Next week the 5th grade will begin listening to Appalachian Spring which is inspired the Shaker tune, "Simple Gifts."

 Here is a link to the original by Aaron Copland:
(WARNING: YOUTUBE LINK)
Appalachian Spring

Here are the FABULOUS Piano Guys incorporating "Simple Gifts" with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow":
(WARNING: YOUTUBE LINK)
Piano Guys

 

Canoe Song

Sorry if you were looking for this today, but the internet was down at school this morning!  This is my first chance to get here.

ENJOY!!!

A great view of the inside of the piano during Cowell's "The Banshee!"

Fifth grade class pieces

First posts of the year!  I'm overwhelmed keeping up with things this year.  Here is "Hey, Jim Along!" as promised.

"Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In"

The last week in fifth grade has centered around this old spiritual.  We are learning how to play it on recorders and this week we'll be experimenting with IMPROVISING on the Orff instruments using the chord names. Keep watching for videos!

Check out this website for sheet music, accompaniments, and a great video, too! 
http://recordersupport.weebly.com/when-the-saints-go-marching-in.html

"Away to America" - words to fourth grade chorus song

Away To America by Linda Williams

My grandfather journeyed, like so many others,
He turned to the West and the sun.
He sailed out of Bristol along with his brothers,
A new world was there to be won.
He'd heard of the mountains in far Colorado,
Where eagles flew free in the air.
He'd find a high mountain and live in it's shadow,
For something was calling him there.

Refrain:
"Sail away, away to America,
Far off over the sea.
There is something there in America,
And it's calling to me."

Now all he took with him was what he could carry,
His books and an old violin.
Waiting to meet him: a girl he would marry,

Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
A new life about to begin.
My mother was born there not many years after,
And all of her sisters as well,
And all of the years, all the tears and the laughter,
Are there in the stories they tell.

Refrain:

Now I've gone away, there was nothing to hold me,
I flew off to London and stayed.
But still I remember the stories they told me,
And think of the journey he made.
Now I miss the mountains when I look around me,
And I really can't tell you when,
But somehow the voice of my grandfather found me
And soon I'll be flying again.

Refrain:
Fly away, come home to America...
Refrain:
Sail away...

Cinderella schedule for March

March Rehearsal schedule for Cinderella  2103

Note that Cinderella, Stepmother, Prince, Drizella,  Anastasia, Fairy Godmother, Jac, and Gus are all the rehearsals now.  

Rehearsals now go to 4pm and we add Thursday rehearsals

March 4^th             Full cast

March 5^th             Narrators, Town Criers, Villagers

March 6^th             Narrators, Mice, Duke, Herald, King, Queen

March 7^th             Narrators, Mice, Duke, Herald, King, Queen

March 11^th           Full Cast

March 12^th           Narrators, Town Criers, Villagers

March 13^th           Narrators, Mice, Duke, Herald, King, Queen

March 14^th           Narrators, Mice, Duke, Herald

Rehearsals now go to 4:30pm

March 18^th           Full Cast

March 19^th           Full Cast

March 20^th           Full Cast               All costumes must be at school.

March 21^st           Picture Day         We spend the whole afternoon just taking cast pictures.

Rehearsals go to 5pm this week.

March 25^th           Full cast Dress Rehearsal            Everyone in costume.  Microphones

March 26^th           Full cast Final Dress Rehearsal   Everyone on costume.    Microphones

March 27^th           8:30am show, 1:00pm show and 7pm show. Parents are not allowed at the morning and afternoon shows because there is no room.  Doors will open at 6pm for seating at the 7pm performance in the Orenda cafeteria.   The doors will be locked until 6pm but audience is allowed to wait in line for the door to open.  The cast party will follow the 7pm performance in the gym.  All are invited to attend.               

Wow, this is tough! Can't keep up with everything!

I guess I need to put this blog on my "to-do" list every week!  It is impossible to do everything and remember this, too.  But, I'm going to try harder!