Free Concert June 24

If you have kids then you know that CARS 2 is due out on Friday June 24. I'm excited about the movie, but this Friday I'm going to a FREE CONCERT by the Eighth Regiment Band at the Rome City Auditorium.

The concert will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the local band which has since been a fixture in the arts and history communities.

The band is a recreation of a 19th Century Brass Band, complete with authenticate period instruments.

The concert opens with the Star Spangled Banner at 7:30 p.m. & is free to the public

Rhythms of the Land camp

Children attending Kamp Kindermusik at Berry College are learning about Native Americans. Rhythms of the Land is a fun, high energy camp where ages 4 - 7 year olds learn about Indian tribes and their music.

We sing songs like Land of the Silver Birch, Ho Ho Watanay & Navajo Happy Song. We have had lots of experience with steady beat this week using a variety of drums. The children can distinguish different rhythms aurally and visually, plus they can use them an ensemble.

Drumming our tribe names:

Aztec, Mic Mac, Blackfoot Cherokee,

Pueblo, Navajo, Cheyenne, Cree

We learned that many tribes make mask to use in their celebrations and festivals. We made our own fun masks. Here's June with her mask & necklace.

Making our necklaces.

Who is that masked girl playing the drum?

Native Americans live in teepees, wigwams and other dwellings different than our homes. Here we are inside our "Rainbow wigwam"...known as a parachute. We had snack and a story while in the wigwam. Our story was The Legend of Sleeping Bear. It was a sad story, but because it's a legend we know it is not true.

Here are the kids in front of their totem pole.

There are children under the mask.

The Dog Song, Orffestrations

In our Orffestrations camp (ages 8 - 11) this summer we did a version of Bow, Wow, Wow. There was a lot of listening & discussion of what instruments to use, and how to arrange the parts of the song. The video is the finished product.

Orff class, Senjua

Cannon, Parker, Renee, Kenzi, Mallory & Natalie pose before their performance.

Carl Orff was a German composer, best known for Carmina Burana. He also developed a system called Orff Schulwerk. It is a way to teach and learn music specifically designed for children.

It is based on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance, and keep a beat on anything near at hand. These instincts are directed into learning music by hearing and making music first, then reading and writing it later. This is the same way we all learned our language.

Orff Schulwerk uses poems, rhymes, games, songs, and dances as examples and basic materials. These may be traditional or original. Spoken or sung, they may be accompanied by clapping and stamping or by drums, sticks, and bells. The special Orff melody instruments include wooden xylophones and metal glockenspiels that offer good sound immediately. Played together as in a small orchestra, their use helps children become sensitive listeners and considerate participants.

Senjua is an African welcome song that the children developed a movement sequence. Part of the Orff experience is for the children to create and contribute, therefore not so teacher driven.

It was a great week with a fun group of kids. I hope to see them all again next summer.