Music 3824
The
fundamental theme of the selection was to include a variety of uplifting music
from various cultures and styles to promote a healthy, positive perspective on life
and the world.
Title/Composer
or Genre/Length
1. I'm Alive Celine Dion
3:30
Celine Dion
wrote this music after the birth of her first baby boy. The lyrics emphasize her feelings in
relation to this new phase of her life.
This piece of music has an excellent upbeat for dance and various body
movements. I would love to
incorporate the use of sign language into the movement because the lyrics have
a wonderful uplifting message applicable to any group from young to old. Embodying sign language will help the
students and the audience to see another perspective into the song's message.
2. Cantare´ Cantara´s Hammond
and Caldero´n 3:53
I am
positive I will have Spanish-speaking students in any class I teach. Therefore, this piece of music will be
a wonderful piece to help my ESL students to learn English because the lyrics
are in Spanish, then English.
Because the melody is easy to follow and the lyrics are easy to learn,
it is also an excellent piece to introduce young students from grades K-3 to
another culture. As part of an
expanding activity I would integrate this music into the study of the Latin
American culture in History or Social Studies; perhaps even teaching all of my
students a few Spanish words from the text or lyrics.
3. Appalachian Spring: Variations on "Simple Gifts" Aaron
Copland 3:08
This piece
of music is a wonderful uplifting piece of music composed by Aaron Copland, a
modern-day musician and composer.
I would use this piece right after my students come back after recess to
calm them down and transition into writing. Then, I would have questions for them to answer regarding
the music to help them use their critical thinking skills and analyze the work. Then, I would ask them to write a short
essay about what the music makes them think about and how it makes them
feel.
4. Purple Bamboo Melody Traditional
Chinese 3:08
This
traditional Chinese music incorporates typical timbres of the Asian Region and
it's majestic culture. Studying
the history of China and the surrounding regions would be great subjects to
teach after listening to the music.
Asking the students what kinds of instruments are being used and what
the music means to the people of this particular culture would be an excellent
way to help students find value in and appreciate another way of life.
5. The Entertainer Scott Joplin
3:43
This
particular piece of music reflects the time and culture of Scott Joplin. It is a wonderful uplifting piece of
music reflecting his amazing abilities.
I would love to use pictures and put them on an overhead and ask my
students what kinds of pictures fit in with this music. It would be interesting to hear what
they think the music represents and the time period it fits into.
6. Abdy Galbi (Popular
music from Morocco)
4:18
This
music
is from Morocco and Egypt where Galbi is said to be the "Puff Daddy" of that
particular region. His music
intrigues the listener to ask such questions as: What is the culture like over there? And what do the lyrics mean? I would love to incorporate this music
into a history, geography, or social studies lesson.
7. All Work Together Woody
and Arlo Guthrie 3:21
Woody
Guthrie is an authentic folk musician, who created many works of art through
music. The lyrics in this piece of
music by the Guthries are a wonderful way to help kids work together. I would love to use the spandex cloth
we used in class and have the kids stand in a circle and do hand movements with
the cloth in relation to the tempo, dynamics, and lyrics. Another idea is to have the kids come
up with hand and body movements in small groups and then put all of the groups
together to perform.
8. Ancient Lullaby Ikarus 4:18
This piece of music comes from India. It is relatively common in the culture to use very dynamic music. My brother recently returned from India with this piece of music just for my repertoire project. Ancient Lullaby represents a culture far from ours yet not so distant. It is an excellent piece of music to explore the value of learning to appreciate other cultures. Next, I would ask my students: Why do you think this piece of music is a called a lullaby? And what is a lullaby?
9. Fishing the Sky Kurt
Bestor 4:24
This
wonderful piece of music can help students expound upon his/her creative and
imaginative abilities. Kurt Bestor
has composed a variety of musical works that allow the mind to expand and
imagine beyond the present. While listening to the music children could write
words of things they think of while listening to the music. After listening to the music we would
share what the words are and make a poem about the music expressing it's
imaginative and creative value.
10.This
Land is Your Land Woody
and Arlo Guthrie 2:31
This is a
very patriotic song that I remember listening to and singing in elementary
school in Illinois. Once again,
Woody Guthrie, a folk musician ties together the past and the present in his
rendition of "This Land is Your Land".
The lyrics represent an astounding feeling of patriotism and the music
is easy to follow. I would love to
teach the children this music and have them sing it in an assembly, musical, or
play. I would also incorporate
hand movements for the students to perform and costumes that reflect the
musical genre.
Appropriate
for age and interests of learners:
I have
chosen a variety of music for a range of ages. I feel that most of the music I selected would work well for
grades K-6 in the elementary school and even beyond. On the average, the music I have chosen is approximately
three minutes long,the appropriate length for children.
Include a
variety of genres:
The genres I
have selected include lullabies,
children's songs, work songs, and patriotic songs. I chose to include various genres to help the students learn
about different cultures and to help them keep their attention on the subject
(to encourage learning,not boredom).
Reflect all
musical styles:
The music
reflects many musical styles including:
folk, art,
and contemporary. Many of the
composers in my music repertoire selection come from a mixture of backgrounds,
cultures, and time periods.
Music of
value:
Finding
music of value was the most important part of my project. I wanted to find music that was a
source of happiness and uplifting majesty for the listener. Not only did I want to incorporate
beautiful music, but I also wanted to find music that would encourage the
listener to keep on listening and focusing on the music. Therefore, depending on the age of my
students I may shorten the piece to promote this aspect of knowledge and
learning.
In conclusion, I
enjoyed listening to music from cultures other than mine and learned to
appreciate many forms. For
example, I am more open to a wider variety of musical genres than previously
stated in other assignments. I
also feel a strong desire to teach the appreciation of other cultures and I
feel I can do that with the help of the music I have selected for my music
repertoire project.