We have begun our new unit on the Orchestra in Third Grade. Students have learned an incredible amount of information about conductors, composers and concertmasters. The terms composer and conductor are often confused with each other so we began our study be discussing what each of these words mean.
Composer: Person who writes music
Conductor: Person who directs an orchestra
Third Graders learned many definitions about terms and famous people associated with each word.
CONDUCTORS
1. They hold a baton.
2. They stand on a podium which is a raised platform. (There are often metal bars at the back to help them to not walk backwards off of it)
3. They cue the performers when it is their turn to play.
4. They have specific hand patterns to show the beats for each measure. Students practiced conducting in groups of 2, 3 and 4 beats.
5. Their music is called a score and shows the conductor what each instrument is playing. The score rests on a music stand in front of the conductor.
CONCERTMASTER
1. This person is the First Chair Violinist.
2. They sit to the left of the conductor in the first chair.
3. They tune the orchestra.
4. The conductor bows towards them at the end of the concert to say "Job well done."
COMPOSERS
In each music class, we have focused on one of the songs that will be performed at the concert on our field trip on March 6. Students have learned about each family in the orchestra as well as information about each instrument in the families. They will be bringing home their learning packets in the next two weeks as we finish.
We will be hearing/seeing the Lewisville Lake Symphony perform at First Baptist Church in Lewisville. Students learn interesting facts about the composers, the stories behind the music played and what instruments are used in each period of music. If you would like to hear the pieces, click below on the links:
BAROQUE PERIOD:
J.S. Bach: Air on the G String
CLASSICAL PERIOD:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Overture to Marriage of Figaro
ROMANTIC PERIOD:
Ludwig Beethoven: Symphony No. 5, Last movement
MODERN PERIOD:
Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (Infernal Dance)
Piotr Tchaikovsky: Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker
John Williams: Star Wars Theme
Friday, January 23, 2015
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Pentatonix
Who are Pentatonix? They are an a cappella group with most of the singers growing up close to us - Arlington, TX. There are five singers (thus the 'penta' in their name) who all contribute wide vocal ranges and amazing vocal performances.
We've been studying vocal ranges in Fourth and Fifth Grade - focusing on the five main voices: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Bass. We've compared the sounds of each voice. In listening to a few examples of the Pentatonix videos, students were able to clearly hear each vocal part and name which voice was featured.
Students are learning the song 'Carol of the Bells' on the Orff instruments (xylophones) so it was only fitting to listen to Penatonix version of the song. We also listened to the song "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" written by Tchaikovsky and compared the original version to the newer version.
Here are the links to the video clips that we watched in class:
Carol of the Bells
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
For more information on the group, see their official website here.
We've been studying vocal ranges in Fourth and Fifth Grade - focusing on the five main voices: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Bass. We've compared the sounds of each voice. In listening to a few examples of the Pentatonix videos, students were able to clearly hear each vocal part and name which voice was featured.
Students are learning the song 'Carol of the Bells' on the Orff instruments (xylophones) so it was only fitting to listen to Penatonix version of the song. We also listened to the song "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" written by Tchaikovsky and compared the original version to the newer version.
Here are the links to the video clips that we watched in class:
Carol of the Bells
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
For more information on the group, see their official website here.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Mr. Shafferman's Class
I am at an event today and missing your class! I expect that you're making great choices for Mrs. Herring and doing your best. Please read this blog post and then answer questions on your worksheets. Click on the highlighted words to find their meaning.
PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Peter Tchaikovsky was one of the most famous Russian composers. He wrote six symphonies, music for ballets, piano pieces and many concertos. Tchaikovsky's music is easy to listen to and you probably will recognize some of it. Click below to see some performances of his music:
Nutcracker - Trepak Dance
Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers performed by the Vancouver Symphony
Nutcracker - Nutcracker March
Swan Lake - Entrance
Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Gimnazija Kranj Symphony
Tchaikovsky's Childhood
Tchaikovsky was born in a small town in Russia called Votkinsk. Tchaikovsky's father was a mining engineer and his mother was French. Both of his parents had some musical training. Tchaikovsky had four brothers and two sisters. When he was four years old, his parents hired a French governess (private teacher) named Fanny Durbach, to look after Tchaikovsky and his older brother. Young Peter was a very quick learner. By the age of six, he had learned to speak French and German.
Tchaikovsky started taking piano lessons when he was five. He was a quick learner with music too. In just a few years, he could read music as well as his teacher.
Despite his gift for music, his parents did not want him to make a career in music. When he was 10, his parents sent him to attend a school in Saint Petersburg about 800 miles away from his home and family. Tchaikovsky was unhappy at the school and missed his family very much.
A few years later, when Tchaikovsky was 14, his mother died from cholera (a bacteria disease from contaminated water). This was a sad time for Tchaikovsky. He later said that his mother's death was the event that shaped his life. In his sadness, Tchaikovsky turned to music for comfort. He improvised music at the piano and began writing down some early compositions (music).
Tchaikovsky completed school at age 19 and took a job as a government clerk. This job did not make him happy, so he decided to return to studying and composing music. He took classes at the St. Petersburg Conversatory with Anton Rubenstein, who was famous pianist, conductor and composer. When Tchaikovsky finished his studies at the conservatory, he was awarded a silver medal, which was a special prize given to outstanding students.
MUSICAL CAREER
Tchaikovsky was offered a teaching job at the new Moscow Conservatory so he moved to Moscow where he taught and also continued to compose. His early pieces, however, were not liked by audiences.
Tchaikovsky's life changed when a wealthy widow named Nadezhda von Meck asked him to compose a work for violin and piano. She liked his composition so much that over the next 13 years, she gave him money so that he could focus on composing. In all that time, they never met, but they exchanged more than 1,000 letters! They became very close friends in these letters, and Tchaikovsky dedicated many of his pieces to her.
With this support, Tchaikovsky continued to compose music and soon the public grew to love his pieces, both in Russia and across the world. In 1891, near the end of his life, Tchaikovsky conducted performances of his works at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He was very pleased to discover that American audiences loved his music.
THE NUTCRACKER
Every December there are performances of The Nutcracker, a ballet composed by Tchaikovsky that is loved by children and adults. The ballet is based on a story called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which was written by the German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann. Although the details of the tale change slightly in different performances, the basic story is always the same.
TCHAIKOVSKY AND THE NUTCRACKER
When people in Russia heard Hoffmann's exciting story, they decided that it would make a wonderful ballet. They asked Tchaikovsky to write the music for the ballet. Several years earlier, Tchaikovsky composed the music for two other ballets: Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.
To bring the story of The Nutcracker to life in the ballet, Tchaikovsky had to write music that would portray the exciting events of the story and also be appropriate for ballet dancing. Tchaikovsky also published an orchestral suite with some of the pieces from The Nutcracker. Orchestras often perform this suite without any ballet performance, because the music is so wonderful.
If you are unable to attend a performance of The Nutcracker, which usually features elaborate sets and creative costumes, you can easily watch a video recording of a performance, either checked out from the library or on the internet.
THE STORY
At a family party on Christmas Eve, a girl named Clara is given a wooden nutcracker doll, while her brother Fritz receives a set of toy soldiers. Late that night, when everyone in the house is sleeping, Clara sneaks downstairs and discovers that the nutcracker doll and the soldiers have grown in size and come to life. The nutcracker and the soldiers are fighting a group of giant mice around the Christmas tree, which also has magically grown bigger. Clara sees that the Nutcracker is losing a battle against the largest mouse, the Mouse King. She throws her slipper at the giant mouse, and the Nutcracker defeats him.
After the fighting is done, the Nutcracker turns into a handsome prince, and he takes Clara on magical adventure. Together they travel to the Land of the Sweets, which is ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Clara and the prince then watch as dancers from Spain, China, and Russia perform. After the dance, "Waltz of the Flowers," is done, Clara wakes up back in her own bed on Christmas morning. She wonders whether it was all just a dream.
PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Peter Tchaikovsky was one of the most famous Russian composers. He wrote six symphonies, music for ballets, piano pieces and many concertos. Tchaikovsky's music is easy to listen to and you probably will recognize some of it. Click below to see some performances of his music:
Nutcracker - Trepak Dance
Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers performed by the Vancouver Symphony
Nutcracker - Nutcracker March
Swan Lake - Entrance
Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Gimnazija Kranj Symphony
Tchaikovsky's Childhood
Tchaikovsky was born in a small town in Russia called Votkinsk. Tchaikovsky's father was a mining engineer and his mother was French. Both of his parents had some musical training. Tchaikovsky had four brothers and two sisters. When he was four years old, his parents hired a French governess (private teacher) named Fanny Durbach, to look after Tchaikovsky and his older brother. Young Peter was a very quick learner. By the age of six, he had learned to speak French and German.
Tchaikovsky started taking piano lessons when he was five. He was a quick learner with music too. In just a few years, he could read music as well as his teacher.
Despite his gift for music, his parents did not want him to make a career in music. When he was 10, his parents sent him to attend a school in Saint Petersburg about 800 miles away from his home and family. Tchaikovsky was unhappy at the school and missed his family very much.
A few years later, when Tchaikovsky was 14, his mother died from cholera (a bacteria disease from contaminated water). This was a sad time for Tchaikovsky. He later said that his mother's death was the event that shaped his life. In his sadness, Tchaikovsky turned to music for comfort. He improvised music at the piano and began writing down some early compositions (music).
Tchaikovsky completed school at age 19 and took a job as a government clerk. This job did not make him happy, so he decided to return to studying and composing music. He took classes at the St. Petersburg Conversatory with Anton Rubenstein, who was famous pianist, conductor and composer. When Tchaikovsky finished his studies at the conservatory, he was awarded a silver medal, which was a special prize given to outstanding students.
MUSICAL CAREER
Tchaikovsky was offered a teaching job at the new Moscow Conservatory so he moved to Moscow where he taught and also continued to compose. His early pieces, however, were not liked by audiences.
Tchaikovsky's life changed when a wealthy widow named Nadezhda von Meck asked him to compose a work for violin and piano. She liked his composition so much that over the next 13 years, she gave him money so that he could focus on composing. In all that time, they never met, but they exchanged more than 1,000 letters! They became very close friends in these letters, and Tchaikovsky dedicated many of his pieces to her.
With this support, Tchaikovsky continued to compose music and soon the public grew to love his pieces, both in Russia and across the world. In 1891, near the end of his life, Tchaikovsky conducted performances of his works at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He was very pleased to discover that American audiences loved his music.
THE NUTCRACKER
Every December there are performances of The Nutcracker, a ballet composed by Tchaikovsky that is loved by children and adults. The ballet is based on a story called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which was written by the German writer E.T.A. Hoffmann. Although the details of the tale change slightly in different performances, the basic story is always the same.
TCHAIKOVSKY AND THE NUTCRACKER
When people in Russia heard Hoffmann's exciting story, they decided that it would make a wonderful ballet. They asked Tchaikovsky to write the music for the ballet. Several years earlier, Tchaikovsky composed the music for two other ballets: Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.
To bring the story of The Nutcracker to life in the ballet, Tchaikovsky had to write music that would portray the exciting events of the story and also be appropriate for ballet dancing. Tchaikovsky also published an orchestral suite with some of the pieces from The Nutcracker. Orchestras often perform this suite without any ballet performance, because the music is so wonderful.
If you are unable to attend a performance of The Nutcracker, which usually features elaborate sets and creative costumes, you can easily watch a video recording of a performance, either checked out from the library or on the internet.
THE STORY
At a family party on Christmas Eve, a girl named Clara is given a wooden nutcracker doll, while her brother Fritz receives a set of toy soldiers. Late that night, when everyone in the house is sleeping, Clara sneaks downstairs and discovers that the nutcracker doll and the soldiers have grown in size and come to life. The nutcracker and the soldiers are fighting a group of giant mice around the Christmas tree, which also has magically grown bigger. Clara sees that the Nutcracker is losing a battle against the largest mouse, the Mouse King. She throws her slipper at the giant mouse, and the Nutcracker defeats him.
After the fighting is done, the Nutcracker turns into a handsome prince, and he takes Clara on magical adventure. Together they travel to the Land of the Sweets, which is ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Clara and the prince then watch as dancers from Spain, China, and Russia perform. After the dance, "Waltz of the Flowers," is done, Clara wakes up back in her own bed on Christmas morning. She wonders whether it was all just a dream.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Vocal Range
In Fourth and Fifth Grade, we have been learning about five different singing ranges: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone and Bass. We have compared what each voice sounds like and talked about whether the voice is used by a male or female. Students will now complete a PBL project about what they know about each voice range.
PBL on Vocal Ranges
Students, find the note ranges for each voice and fill in the notes on your Grand Staff. Click here to learn about each singing range: Four Voice Ranges
While elementary students have 'children' voices, their voices will change and develop as they get older. If you'd like to find your vocal range, check out this link: Vocal Ranges
PBL on Vocal Ranges
Students, find the note ranges for each voice and fill in the notes on your Grand Staff. Click here to learn about each singing range: Four Voice Ranges
While elementary students have 'children' voices, their voices will change and develop as they get older. If you'd like to find your vocal range, check out this link: Vocal Ranges
Monday, October 13, 2014
Four Voices
TALKING, WHISPERING, CALLING, SINGING
Kindergarten students have been learning about their four voices the past few classes. We learned a short poem called "This is my talking voice." We practiced using our voices in different ways through poems, songs, games and a writing activity: talking, whispering, calling, singing.
I posted four posters in each corner of the room. The Singing Voice showed a picture of a person using a singing voice with the word "Singing" above it. The Whisper Voice showed a person whispering in the ear of another person with the word "Whisper" above it. Calling and Talking voices showed pictures of people using the appropriate voice with the word above.
On the SmartBoard, I have eight colored circles. A student was called to tap a circle which revealed a place such as library, rock concert, choir, classroom, recess... I would play a short song on the xylophone while students tip-toed to stand next to the poster that showed the voice that they would use if they were in that place. We repeated the process until all of the circles had been pressed.
The next class that I had the students, they worked in groups of four. Each person had a piece of paper that was divided into four sections. In each section, there was written one of the voice types with a small picture that had been on the poster of the same voice (in case students couldn't read the words). The students then drew a picture of where they use that voice.
It has been a helpful tool in helping them think about how they use their voices, what their voices sound like and how their voices feel like when being used. I've had some students echo my voice by themselves and asked the class to match that student's sound. It has been helpful in them hearing their singing voice in particular. All students are given opportunities to sing by themselves. Though I find that it does help to have students who can use their singing voice appropriately be given the opportunity to demonstrate to help others. They love it too!
Thank You LEF!!!
Due to the generosity of the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation in giving me a grant, my classroom has now been given the gift of 13 glockenspiel stands.
Fourth Grade students helped to put the stands together. They had a fantastic time working in groups and were so proud of their hard work. The stands are from West Music. Each stand holds one glockenspiel and makes working with the instruments so much easier than before. Before having the stands, we had the instruments in boxes and students would take out the boxes or set them on the floor to play. It was not ideal, but we worked with what we had.
Now that we have the stands, students have ease of movement, correct posture and it makes for quick transition time with less issues of putting instruments in and out of boxes.
LEF - the students at Ethridge are so thankful. I am grateful for your donation to our music program. We have already been using them instruments and new stands this past week. What an amazing gift!
Thank you!!
Fourth Grade students helped to put the stands together. They had a fantastic time working in groups and were so proud of their hard work. The stands are from West Music. Each stand holds one glockenspiel and makes working with the instruments so much easier than before. Before having the stands, we had the instruments in boxes and students would take out the boxes or set them on the floor to play. It was not ideal, but we worked with what we had.
Now that we have the stands, students have ease of movement, correct posture and it makes for quick transition time with less issues of putting instruments in and out of boxes.
LEF - the students at Ethridge are so thankful. I am grateful for your donation to our music program. We have already been using them instruments and new stands this past week. What an amazing gift!
Thank you!!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Hello Students!
Hello Fourth and Fifth Grade Students!! I'm missing teaching you right now and hope you're making great choices for your sub! Can't wait to see you next week when we'll add some new parts to our xylophone pieces. Let's try an online experiment to see what you are learning while I am home taking care of my little one. I'll be checking your answers through my email.
SEND ALL ANSWERS TO ME THROUGH EMAIL AT grantjl@lisd.net
DIRECTIONS:
Click on the links to read the articles below. There are TWO articles to read.
Then answer a few questions below.
Send your answers to my email! I'll respond back so you know that I received it!
**This will be counted toward your music grade so make sure you email me! That way I know you've done your research**
READ THE LINKS BELOW:
ARTICLE ONE: Let's Play...Musical Ice Cream!!
SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS TO MY EMAIL AT grantjl@lisd.net
USE COMPLETE SENTENCES!! EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWERS IN DETAIL.
1. What are some of the other foods the artists tried before using ice cream?
2. Why did they decide to use ice cream?
3. What is Lickestra?
4. What other foods do you think might work? And why?
ARTICLE TWO: Do Tree Trunks Make Music? You Betcha!
SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS TO MY EMAIL AT grantjl@lisd.net
USE COMPLETE SENTENCES!! EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWERS IN DETAIL.
1. How does a turntable work?
2. How does a tree trunk slice make music?
3. Do you think there are other objects or items in nature that could make music? Which ones? How do you think music could be created out of them?
WANT TO READ MORE FUN MUSIC ARTICLES???
Click on this website here: MORE ARTICLES
Explore! Lots of neat things!
Share with me what you have learned - I can't wait to hear all about it!!
SEND ALL ANSWERS TO ME THROUGH EMAIL AT grantjl@lisd.net
DIRECTIONS:
Click on the links to read the articles below. There are TWO articles to read.
Then answer a few questions below.
Send your answers to my email! I'll respond back so you know that I received it!
**This will be counted toward your music grade so make sure you email me! That way I know you've done your research**
READ THE LINKS BELOW:
ARTICLE ONE: Let's Play...Musical Ice Cream!!
SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS TO MY EMAIL AT grantjl@lisd.net
USE COMPLETE SENTENCES!! EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWERS IN DETAIL.
1. What are some of the other foods the artists tried before using ice cream?
2. Why did they decide to use ice cream?
3. What is Lickestra?
4. What other foods do you think might work? And why?
ARTICLE TWO: Do Tree Trunks Make Music? You Betcha!
SEND YOUR ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS TO MY EMAIL AT grantjl@lisd.net
USE COMPLETE SENTENCES!! EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWERS IN DETAIL.
1. How does a turntable work?
2. How does a tree trunk slice make music?
3. Do you think there are other objects or items in nature that could make music? Which ones? How do you think music could be created out of them?
WANT TO READ MORE FUN MUSIC ARTICLES???
Click on this website here: MORE ARTICLES
Explore! Lots of neat things!
Share with me what you have learned - I can't wait to hear all about it!!
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