Obwisana: A West-African Rock Passing Game

Hope you enjoy this video of Mrs. Astle's third grade students playing a traditional West-African rock passing game. We used some colorful beanbags instead of rocks, which creates a beautiful visual. We couldn't get all students' faces in the video, but you still can see their teamwork!

--Mrs. Melkonian

We are the World

This week, classes in grades 2-5 have enjoyed seeing video from the old and new versions of We are the World. Written 25 years ago to raise money for famine relief in Africa, Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie created a classic. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, many superstars of today came together to re-create the magical moment in hopes of raising money for Haitian victims.

Enjoy the videos! What do you notice about the old and new versions? What are the differences and similaries? What has changed in the music after 25 years?

Mrs. Melkonian

Original "We are the World" Africa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2W4-0qUdHY

2010 "We are the World" Haiti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glny4jSciVI

Black History Month Musicians

Happy Black History Month!

This month we are studying 7 VERY important black musicians who have made a huge impact on the world of music. They are:

1. Ella Fitzgerald

2. Louis Armstrong

3. James Brown

4. Billie Holiday

5. Aretha Franklin

6. Duke Ellington

7. Stevie Wonder

Please take a moment and click on the music player to the right to listen to a song performed by each of these influential musicians!

Who is your favorite? Why?

I look forward to learning more about each of these musicians and hope that we can be inspired by their incredible talents!

-Ms. Ginger

Mrs. Seilheimer's Second Grade Singers!

Even as they learn tonal patterns (do-mi-so), Mrs. Seilheimer's Second Grade Students want to wish you a very happy Valentine's Day!

More Field Trips!

Our students were fortunate enough to have two music field trips this week!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Thanks to a fantastic organization called the Great Lakes Caravan, our Fifth Grade Students got to be a part of an interactive performance by the Carpe Diem String Quartet. From Columbus, Ohio, Carpe Diem is a world class quartet that performs in a surprising variety of styles and genres. All Fifth Graders walked to the High School black box theatre to hear them, ask questions and interact. We heard classical, jazz, blues, a composition written by the violist and even the theme from the Simpsons. Fifth grade students, what was your favorite part of the performance?

Monday, February 1, 2010

All second through fifth graders took the long bus trip to Ann Arbor to see the legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo perform at Hill Auditorium. From South Africa, this powerful acapella singing group has been in existence for over 50 years. They were brought into the international spotlight through Paul Simon's "Graceland" album and continue to travel around the world today. Though I didn't get to go along, I have been enjoying hearing students' reactions and reflections on the music. I have included some Ladysmith Black Mambazo songs on the side bar. Enjoy!

Music and Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., music classes have been preparing songs in his honor. Our students already know so much about the life and impact of Dr. King, but can now make connections to some important music of his time. Whether we are singing the simple words of Martin and his focus on love, caring and peace or the grown-up hymn "Lift Every Voice", our students are tying music to the Civil Rights Movement. Can you sing this song at home?

Woke up This Mornin'

Woke up this mornin' with my mind

Stayed on freedom

Woke up this mornin' with my heart

Stayed on freedom

Woke up this mornin' with my soul

Stayed on freedom

Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelu-jah!

I'm gonna walk, talk, sing, shout

Hallelu, I got my mind on freedom!

Walk, talk, sing, shout

Clap my hands and keep my mind on freedom!

Walk, Talk! Sing, Shout!

Clap my hands!

Mrs. Melkonian

A Wonderful Concert!

Congratulations to the ENTIRE school on a fantastic holiday concert this past Wednesday night! It was truly an enjoyable event for me to see all of our students on the stage representing themselves so well. You sang and played beautifully.

A video of the entire performance can be found at:

http://uprepparents.com/

A very happy holiday and new year to our UPA families.

Love, Mrs. Melkonian