Lower Elementary Goes to France

Lower Elementary is exploring music from all around the world from now until winter break. For the first three weeks, we have been in France.

Songs

Tête, épaules, genoux et pieds (Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Feet)
Un éléphant se balançait (One Elephant Was Swinging on a Spider Web)
J'ai perdu le do de ma clarinette (I Have Lost the C of My Clarinet)

Listening
Django Reinhardt, "The Best of Django Reinhardt"
Claude Debussy, "Debussy: Images 1 & 2 and Children's Corner", pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Claude Debussy, "Debussy: La Mer & Prélude À L'après-midi D'un Faun", Boston Symphony Orchestra
Camille Saint-Saëns. "The Carnival of the Animals
Eric Satie, Gnossienne, Nos. 1-3; Gymnopédie nº 1, pianist Patrick Cohen
Maurice Ravel, "Bolero", New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein


All listening music is available as part of the listening library in the classroom. We listen during music lessons and the students are encouraged to listen on their own. 

Books
Django 

We read this delightful book in class last week. The children were interested in Django's story and how he came back from a horrific injury to his left hand to become one of the world's greatest guitar players.


The Carnival of the Animals
This book, with new verse by Jack Prelutsky, and illustrations by Mary GrandPré, has a companion CD. This will be our book for class on September 28.

Strange Mr. Satie

 Hilarious depiction of one of the first "surrealists."


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Handchimes at Quest

We are ringing handchimes at school this year! Quest was selected to participate in the handchime loan program sponsored by Area 1 of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR.) We have received a three octave (37 note) set of handchimes, music, and teaching materials.

Handchimes

Upper Elementary and Middle School have both started working with the handchimes and are excited about being able to play instrumental music as an ensemble. Our handchime music will include arrangements of classical themes, popular, and traditional songs, and secular music composed for handchimes.

Here's some video of a children's group playing Beethoven's Ode to Joy on handchimes.

The NEW Quest Music Blog

Stay tuned for music updates from Kelly...