Are you watching the Inauguration?

I've heard some great music, so far! From Aaron Copland's "Simple Gifts" (from Appalachian Spring) to "Olympic Fanfare" by John Williams, and even a march or two by John Philip Sousa! Can you name the instruments that you see playing?!?!

See you tomorrow!
Mrs. D.

p.s., The President's Own (the Marine Band playing at the inauguration) has a web site with a kid's page, if you want to check it out! Just click on the link below! : )

Marine Band Website

Random Acts of Kindness...

In the music room today, we were viewing a quick video about the instruments of the orchestra. Unfortunately, in the middle of the video, I had a huge coughing fit. I got up from my chair, blew my nose, sat down and coughed some more. Trying to hide the coughing, I ended up in the closet so that I wouldn't disturb the children's learning. I finally got myself under control and sat back down in my chair. One of the first grade students went over very quietly, not interrupting anyone, and grabbed the tissue box off of the sink. She came over, patted me on the shoulder, handed me the tissue box, and very sweetly said, "Here, Mrs. DeBlois. Now you don't have to keep getting up."

In February, we will be celebrating acts of kindness during our Half School Meetings. I have to tell you...that one little act of kindness made my day! Now I need to "pay it forward" and do something nice for someone else!

As we discussed at our last Half School Meeting, the best things in life really aren't things!

Have a great weekend,
Mrs. D.

Instruments are cool!

All of the students at Floral Street School have been learning about (or reviewing) the instruments of the orchestra. So far, we've looked in depth at the woodwind family and this past week, we've been studying the brass instruments.

One of the stories that is a favorite in the Music Room is "Ben's Trumpet" by Rachel Isadora. Here's a fantastic rendition of the story with some great music to go along with it...

Do YOU play an instrument??

 If so, please leave a comment below and share that information with me!

See you in the Music Room.

-Mrs. D.

Video of the Week...

The Typewriter
By Leroy Anderson
American Composer (1908-1975)

Here's a super fun look at the orchestra with a very peculiar soloist!

Happy New Year!!

2013 is here, and the Music Room is hopping!

We have just begun our Instruments of the Orchestra Unit, which will run through February. It is a very exciting time of year for us...We'll be listening to the story of the Classical Cats, learning about the job of the conductor, and classifying instruments into their family groups. (Can YOU name the four families of instruments in the orchestra?!)

There are a few new things going up under "links" on the right hand side of this page, in case you are looking for them. For example, we just played the Instrument Music Match game today! Check out the Musical Safari for a fun trip through the orchestral instruments with Violet and her Uncle.

Wishing you all a musical New Year...
Mrs. DeBlois and Mrs. Demarky Anderson