Bolero in Paris

The gentleman Christoph Eschenbach is the conductor for this week's song named "Bolero".  It was written by Maurice Ravel.  This is one of my all-time favorite melodies.  There is something about the snare drum throughout the song keeping the beat and the sweeping melodies that play from instrument to instrument. 
I believe the first time I heard this music was in 1984.  It was the routine for the famous ice dancers Torvel and Dean.  They won the gold that day and I fell in love with the music.
This actual performance can be found on YouTube, (after I move the video bar) and it is in two parts.  It is 16 minutes long. You can either relax and close your eyes or watch the humor in the conductor using only his face and brow.
Enjoy!

Opera anyone?

Okay, my beat-boxing blog did not post till today.  I saved it in draft somehow.  ???  Do not understand, but I put another video bar on so you can see either one this week.
If you have never listened to opera before PLEASE do not judge it merely by listening.  It is a sensory experience that should be watched from a theater.  It should have surround sound with a live orchestra and voices, and you should know what the story is before you sit down to watch it.
One of my favorites is "The Magic Flute" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  He wrote this in German which was the vernacular of that day.  Usually it is performed in English for talking and sung in German.  You have probably heard at least one of the songs on a commercial or cartoon before, but here are a couple interesting clips.
The Queen of the Night sings a song or aria which goes very high.  When done well it is amazing!
Enjoy!

Beatboxing anyone?

I came across this flute player this past year looking for my students to see different woodwind instrument players.  His name is Greg Patillo and he is a beat-boxing flutist.  He just amazes me and two questions come to mind.  First, how does he get his tongue to move so fast and second, how much spit is going into the flute?
My students got a kick out of it because they recognized the songs and they like beat-boxing but they also got to see a man play a flute.  It is a predominantly "female" instrument, as well as many of the woodwind family.  Enjoy watching a different way to play!

Glee-ful summer vacation

This week I thought we would show a little "Glee".  It is definitely an adult show but I do let my kids,(not students) see or hear some of the songs.  I have not figured out this video setting well enough to get the exact songs I want you to listen to.  If you get a chance to listen on You Tube, my suggestion would be Kurt singing "Blackbird", "Don't Stop Believin'" by the cast, or any Warbler tune.  I love the a cappella boys choir.  They are amazing and make it look so easy to sing.
I do not know many Glee clubs that have classes like this but I think they have started a movement.  There have been many tv shows that have taken off after Glee started.  One of my favorites was called "Sing Off".  I think we will dive into that show next time.
If you have never seen Glee before, you may want to start at the beginning or call someone who can fill you in.  There is a lot going on but you can just watch it for the music.  I love You tube for that reason.  You have to be careful what is out there, but it certainly adds to my classes if I need a certain snip of a song or video to emphasize a point.
Enjoy!

Summer and Chopin

I thought I had already wrote this blog and obviously did not post it.  Ugh!  I was thinking of summer vacation and the relaxing music of Frederic Chopin.  There is something to be said for the piano sound.  I love all instruments and orchestra sounds but a simple piano going up and down the keys is very refreshing.  The way Chopin wrote is kind of how I feel if I could play the piano.  Does that make sense?  I am not blessed with the gift of piano but the feeling you get through Chopin's playing, I can see myself moving up and down the piano. This may sound corny but summertime is made for enjoyment, and Frederic fits the bill musically.

Mrs. Robert's and Mrs. Cochran's class playing "Cabbage Song"

The Informed Tech Shopper: In Search of a New-Improved Television

The Informed Tech Shopper: In Search of a New-Improved Television: "Less than four years ago I purchased a Toshiba Regza 42' LCD TV that has capabilities of HD 1080p picture quality. At that time, I did not ..."

Very informative since we are looking to buy a new tv. We have a 20 and 25 year old tv right now and a tiny one without cable.

Mrs. Holl's class playing "The Cabbage Song"

It's blog time!

This week my third graders have been working hard playing their soprano recorders.  I have been taping them with my new Sony "Bloggie".  It is a flip cam.  It has been quite the challenge to figure all this out but I hope it will get easier.  I am in the process of putting their videos on SchoolTube and hope to have their access site on here. This is the students last week of school so I wanted them to see how far they have come in learning their instrument.  I am very proud of them.  The youtube post is on Vilvadi videos.  I love this gadget!  I may have to have a "Glee" week on here.  Love Glee music!!!!

Classical music for kids is one of my favorite websites. This month they are portraying the composer Antonio Vivaldi.
Vivaldi is known for the "Four Seasons". The most popular of the four is "Spring". Most people have heard that season. I actually like "Summer" and then "Winter". Each one of these has its own charm.
If you have a chance to listen to the podcast, I have the link here on this blog.
Take a moment and listen to Vivaldi. I wish I knew how to put music on this blog. Can that be done?
Enjoy your week!

Summer's coming...New beginning

Today it was 90° outside and tomorrow we are in a heat index warning for 93° in Kansas City, in May. Crazy weather! I think summer is coming.
The last Blog I wrote was right before Thanksgiving when it was cold. Time has sure marched on.
I did not finish my class and took some time off from my Master's degree.
This class is at a great time to think about next year and how to implement all this technology information. I am getting new music books with interactive texts and programs. Hopefully I can combine everything together.