Monday, January 26, 2015

Winter Music Challenge

Hi Everyone,
In case we get snowed in for a few days, and you start getting a little 'stir crazy,' try my Winter Music Challenge. This month's composer is American composer- Aaron Copland (1900- 1990)!  
We are studying his life and musical works in General Music this quarter. All HES musicians will know how to sing the Shaker tune, "Simple Gifts." which Aaron Copland creatively used as a main melody in a ballet that he called, Appalachian Spring.























This ballet was written at the request of his friend named Martha Graham (1894-1991), who was a famous choreographer, ballet dancer, and founder of a ballet school. The ballet,  "Appalachian Spring," is still very popular among ballet companies; it is danced and performed today.
So the Winter Music Challenge is this: 1. Choose a section/movement from one of Aaron Copland's famous pieces such as :
Appalachian Spring, Fanfare for the Common Man, Rodeo, Billy Kid, Old American Songs, or Ceremonial Fanfare. 2.Listen to it together as a family. Then decide what you would like to do with it. You could, 3. Move to it and add whatever props you have around the house. Or, You could draw a picture that is your artistic idea of how the music would look as an artwork. Or, you could try playing a main melody on water glasses, pots and pans, or whatever musical instruments you have around the house. Record your performance. Or, finally, make up a miniature drama/ scene to go with the music and act it out with costumes and the music accompanying you in the background. It's a great time to put down the game controllers, turn off the TV, put away your cell phone and take a break from that computer screen. Let your creativity take you on an adventure! It will be something you and your family will always remember for years to come. I would love to know if any families take this music challenge, so please don't forget to tell me about your experiences when you are done. Better yet, show me your video, art work, or theatrical scene!
 P. S. For all my recorder players I promised you a link for the interactive fingering chart. Here it is:
http://www.hrs.hampshire.org.uk/finger/cfinger.htm.      


Always be musical,  Jenny Stawinski