The Lion Sleeps Tonight

The Grade 5 students are currently learning about African Music and have learned a xylophone piece and African dance. We just began learning the song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" on the recorder and Orff Instruments. I showed the students a video of The Nylons singing this famous song and they enjoyed it very much and requested I put it on my blog. It is to be noted that while many musicians sang this song in the 60's and used in "The Lion King" Disney movie, it was originally written in the 1920's by Soloman Linda, a South African singer of Zulu origin.

Welcome Back!!

Welcome back to Linden Meadows everyone!! I am looking forward to another fun filled year of music making. Make sure you watch for upcoming choir announcements and other musical opportunities that are available at our awesome school. I was reading a magazine over the summer that had an article entitled "Singing does the Body Good" It talks about how the act of singing actually raised levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that boots immunity! It also stregthens your lungs and circulatory system!!

African Thumb Piano

This is an African thumb piano. This summer my Aunt went to Malawi and brought me back this very cool instrument. It is found all over Africa and sometimes goes by the name of mbiri, sansa and kalimba. I love it because it is so simple and yet can be played using very complex rhythms in African music. Check out this website to find out more and listen to one play. http://pbskids.org/africa/piano/haveflash.html

Have a Great Summer!

I would like to wish everyone a great summer and let you know that I appreciate every one of you and will miss you for these two months!! I am also excited to go to the cottage and relax and come up with some more fun ideas for our music classroom. To my Grade 5's, I have really enjoyed teaching you and hope that you still pop your head in and say hi on your way to band next year. Good Luck!! If you are looking for some fun web sites to play on during the summer don't forget about my list on the right side of this screen! This is Mrs.Dueck signing off for the summer!

Canada in my Pocket

This year one of the songs we will be performing at the Canada Day Assembly on June 30th will be a sing-a-long. The song is called "Canada in my Pocket". We have performed this before so you may remember it from a few years back. The Choir will be leading the song and my hope is everyone will join in and sing to celebrate our amazing country. This is a video of the song so you can practice at home!

Ludwig Van Beethoven

The Grade 4 students have been learning about the composer Ludwig Van Beethoven. They have learned "Ode to Joy" from his last symphony on the recorder, watched a movie and read about his life and how he still composed even in the last 7 years of his life when he was deaf. I found this beautiful video of nature scenes with Beethoven's Symphony #7 in the background. Grade 4's if you recognize the music, come and tell me where you have heard it before!

Amazing Show

Thank You once again to everyone who helped put on Dinostars. It was performance we will not soon forget! The kids went all out and I think I may have forgotten in my speech to thank them and their amazing parents for all their hard work in preparing for the show. The costumes were so cute and they all knew every word!!! It was so cool to see how many prents could make it out and the energy in the gym last Thursday was unbelievable! If you were unable to make it please bring in a labelled CD-R and I will put the video of the concert on it for you!