Ostinatos, Rounds, and Two-part recorder ensembles Keep Music interesting

It's Spring (No snow on April 1, we hope), and all classes are moving forward musically speaking quite quickly.

Elaine's class recently put together a musical rendition of the children's short story "Caps For Sale", with Ian in the lead role, Melissa, Nicholas, Freya, Emma, Emmie, David and Amelia doubling duties as both monkeys and sound effects for caps flying out of the trees, Quinn playing bass xylophones, Troussant playing glockenspiel, Stanley playing alto xylophone, and Noah playing three non-pitched instruments to represent the sun, scolding monkeys and the peddlar's walking feet. All musicians chose what instrument to play for their assignment. Quinn had a choice between a simple bordun, an alternating hand bordun or a crossover bordun. She chose the hardest- the crossover bordun! We begin preparing for a presentation of "Tikki Tikki Tembo" this week. This is a delightful Chinese folktale for which we will use shadow puppets and a shadow screen. Of course, singing voices and instruments will augment the story-telling. Embedded in the learning of songs and music are music theory lessons this class can grasp. And they do grasp quickly and eagerly!

Susan's class is playing recorders, learning soprano recorder parts of ensembles they will soon play with Will's class, who are learning more challenging soprano recorder parts and also alto recorder ostinatos to compliment the second and third graders' parts.

Having just seen Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra at Hill Auditorium this month, Susan's class has learned two blues recorder pieces, with Peter trying his hand at improv on his instrument, just like the jazz musicians did. Meanwhile, Will's class has picked up quickly on a jazz piece I learned at the National Orff Conference. We've got some "hot" improv musicians- Maria, Megan, Zara, Shea and Sara gave it a go and have some good sounding phasing. Improvization is an integral part of the Orff pedagogy that Summers-Knoll students encounter in the music class. Students get a chance to apply rhythmic patterns studied, along with melodic ideas. We hope to share both Susan's and Will's pieces at Reflections Night in May.

Stay tuned for an invitation from both Shan and me for a fun-filled evening of movement and music! Get out those tennis shoes and comfortable clothes. Details soon.