Carnival of the Animals - Aviary

We listened today with my Kindermusik Young Child 1 class to the Aviary from Camile Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals. I mentioned that when you are listening with intent to this piece you might hear the flute and maybe the piano at first. When we listened again we heard more and more layers of sound. This complex listening gets kids ready for paying attention at school and for being extra observant to auditory input.

So here you can listen again and see for yourself! Do you hear the pizzicato cellos? And do you hear the wispy sound of the violins? I mentioned that there were 2 pianos and of course the star of the Aviary is the flute! (My favorite!)

the Aviary by Camile Saint-Saens

We listened today with my Kindermusik Young Child 1 class to the Aviary from Camile Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals. I mentioned that when you are listening with intent to this piece you might hear the flute and maybe the piano at first. When we listened again we heard more and more layers of sound. This complex listening gets kids ready for paying attention at school and for being extra observant to auditory input.

So here you can listen again and see for yourself! Do you hear the pizzicato cellos? And do you hear the wispy sound of the violins? I mentioned that there were 2 pianos and of course the star of the Aviary is the flute! (My favorite!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFFt_kFq_eQ

ABC Music and Me!

I've been teaching the ABC Music and Me program at the Asheville Arts Center South location on Thursdays this fall. During October we've been saying this cute little poem:

Frog kiss, frog kiss.
Such a special thing.
When you kiss a frog
The frog begins to sing.
Ribbit, ribbit, ....................

This past Thursday was their day to celebrate Halloween together as a class and they all came to the ABC music time dressed up!!! I grabbed the story blanket and made a long skirt, draped a green humongous scarf over my hair and donned a spare witch hat. Here we go!

Witch kiss, witch kiss.
Such a special thing!
When you kiss a witch
The witch begins to sing
Cackle, cackle, cackle!!!!

There was Maddie, dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine:
Train engine, train engine.
Such a special thing.
When you kiss a train
The train begins to sing:
Choooooochooooo Chug, chug...(Maddie did not miss a beat; he and Samantha jumped right in with the train sounds.)

Aiden was a Builder; "Bang, bang, bang....."
Samantha was a '50s Sock Hopper, "dance, dance, dance...."
Nora was a ballerina, "Twirl, twirl, twirl..."
Camilla was super girl, "Fly, fly, fly....."
Ben was a dinosaur, "RRRROOOOAAAAR!"
We did them all.
But Dorothy, I mean Sophia, with her ruby slippers, took me away.

Dorthy kiss, Dorthy kiss.
Such a special thing.
When you kiss a Dorothy
The Dorothy begins to sing.

Sophia, in the blue gingham dress and perfect Dorothy hair, took a deep breath.
Her eyes began to sparkle and she began to sing:
"Somewhere, over the rainbow.............."

It was a beautiful moment. I have a feeling we were in OZ.......just for that moment.
But I'll have that memory forever.
Thanks Sophia.

All tuckered out....

All this hopping like frogs and dancing like elephants has me completely wiped out this week.....
I tried to study up but just couldn't keep my eyes open.

Conscious listening.

Every Kindermusik day I help children and adults with conscious listening skills. Today in our Village class (newborn to 18months) we modeled wonder and attentiveness when listening to something specific. Our faces held wonder and our bodies were still as we listened. The babies right away were curious! They "froze" wide-eyed. After hearing the recording of the squirrel, bee, and owl we then mimicked the sounds vocally. If we continue to do this then the children will imitate us both with acute listening skills and with vocal play. It's a big job to help our brains to know exactly what to listen to and what to filter out......listen to this informative (5 minute) talk about listening:

Kindermusik at Biltmore Park

Met some new friends this afternoon at Biltmore Park Festival. It was cold but very friendly. (Most did not even know that the Asheville Arts Center has a south location in Arden JUST FOR THEM!) We drummed up some music for curious George to dance to.


I also saw some of my students from Kindermusik at the Asheville Arts Center...they enjoyed the Curious George stories and the instruments....and my favorite: the cute little "toddler dance".

Like a rock star to me: Gustavo Dudamel

If you click on his picture above it should take you to the conductor's game. Good luck. I need more practice....I ranked at "Student".

He is the new Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor. And his goal:
Music for everybody

Not just for the old folks who can afford to by the concert tickets.......

I keep looking at "El Sistema" as if I were a kid passing a store window seeing something I really really want. I really want to see this right here. Wouldn't it be fabulous? Wouldn't it be fabulous for the children? For the community?

Dream with me.