What Are We Learning in Music?
This Page is Updated Throughout the Year!
Check back again soon for more on what we are up to!
Most recent update: 03/28/2024
Kindergarten Playlist!
MAY
"Little Bird, Little Bird" - Elizabeth Mitchell, traditional song & game
APRIL
Rhythm Play Alongs! Check out Ready GO Music (iconic rhythm play-alongs)
MARCH
"Danzon No. 2" - Arturo Marquez
"Les Toreadores" - Georges Bizet
*** For St Patrick's Day, "The Road to Lisdoonvarna"
FEBRUARY
"Ritual Music" - by David Skidmore, performed by FSU Percussion Ensemble
"Land" - by Takatsugu Muramatsu, performed by Niek KleinJan
"Marimba Beats with the Hillcrest College Marimba Band" >>> See video
DECEMBER
"Jingle Bells" - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters (40's big band)
"Snow" - Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye (From "White Christmas")
The Nutcracker Ballet! (San Francisco Ballet 2007 performance)
NOVEMEBER
"Drive" - Dispatch (alternative rock)
"Linus & Lucy" - Vince Gauraldi Trio
OCTOBER
"Ghostbusters Theme" - Ray Parker Jr. (Pop)
"Lucy & Linus" - Vince Guaraldi Trio (jazz)
"Monster Mash" - Boris Pickett (60's novelty song)
"The Pink Panther" - Henry Mancini (jazz)
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER:
"Java Jive" - The Ink Spots (40's Jazz)
"Ain't Nobody Here but us Chickens" - Louis Jordan (40's Big Band)
"If I Had a Hammer" - Peter Paul & Mary (Folk)
"Bling Blang" - Woody Guthrie (Americana)
Kindergarten
Can you believe it's almost the end of the school year?!
We have learned and grown so much! I am so very proud of our kindergarteners, and love to spend the last few weeks of school reviewing our favorite songs and games, as well as reviewing reading rhythms as we prepare for 1st grade music! Check out Ready GO Music (iconic rhythm play-alongs) and practice as a family at home! Grab some pots, pans, wooden spoons or whatever you can find and have fun trying to play along - they're a good challenge!
The Carnival of the Animals
We listened to the amazing Suite "Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saëns - but there are so many pieces, we didn't get to listen to all of them! Feel free to enjoy the performance below at home!
Thinking about getting your child started in music lessons?
Here are a few frequently asked questions with my answers!
1. "When should my child begin taking lessons? "
If they're 5 or older and are excited to learn an instrument, then it is a good time! Perhaps begin by enrolling in a summer music camp to get started!
2. "What instrument should they learn?"
An instrument they like the sound of - if they like it, they're much more likely to practice and enjoy learning! Piano, violin, ukulele, and Irish Whistle all make great beginning instruments.
3. "How do I find a teacher?"
I most highly reccommend the Academy for the Arts in Asheville. These teachers are professional, many certified as music teachers (not just performers) and provide a WIDE variety of options for classical and traditional instruments! They also give students the chance to participate in recitals to build confidence in performing! You can also try Asheville Music School, Piano Lab, or send me an email and I can help you find the right fit!
1st Grade Playlist!
MAY
Rhythm Play Alongs! Check out "Ready GO Music "
(easy mode for 1st graders-2nd graders)
APRIL
"The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" - Benjamin Britten
"Peter & The Wolf" - Sergei Prokofiev
MARCH
Tour of Paris with "Paris Jazz"
Selections of Gypsy Jazz - Rhythm Futures Quartet
"Soiree du Hockey" - Le Vent du Nord
"Claire de Lune" - Claude Debussy
*** For St Patrick's Day, "The Road to Lisdoonvarna"
FEBRUARY
"Into the Air" by Ivan Trevino
"Ritual Music" - by David Skidmore, performed by FSU Percussion Ensemble
"Land" - by Takatsugu Muramatsu, performed by Niek KleinJan
"Marimba Beats with the Hillcrest College Marimba Band" >>> See video
DECEMBER
"Jingle Bells" - Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters (40's big band)
"Snow" - Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye (From "White Christmas")
Overture from "The Magic Flute" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
"Orpheus in the Underworld" (The "Can-Can") from the opera: Orpheus & Eurydice
NOVEMEBER
"Drive" - Dispatch (alternative rock)
"Linus & Lucy" - Vince Gauraldi Tri
OCTOBER
"Ghostbusters Theme" - Ray Parker Jr. (Pop)
"Pink Panther" - Henry Mancini (jazz)
"Sticky Gecko" - The Bluey Album (Jeoff Bush - soundtrack)
"Monster Mash" - Boris Pickett (60's novelty song)
SEPTEMBER/AUGUST
"Awkward Annie" - Kate Rusby (Irish)
"Java Jive" - The Ink Spots (40's Jazz)
"Ain't Nobody Here but us Chickens" - Louis Jordan (40's Big Band)
"The Fox" - Nickel Creek (Bluegrass)
"Alley Cat" - Bent Fabric (Jazz)
1st Grade
Can you believe it's almost the end of the school year?!
We have learned and grown so much! I am so very proud of our 1st Graders, and love to spend the last few weeks of school reviewing our favorite songs and games that we learned this year, as well as reviewing reading rhythms as we prepare for 2nd grade music! Check out Ready GO Music rhythm play alongs and practice as a family at home! Grab some pots, pans, wooden spoons or whatever you can find and have fun trying to play along - they're a good challenge!
Thinking about getting your child started in music lessons?
Here are a few frequently asked questions with my answers!
1. "When should my child begin taking lessons? "
If they're 5 or older and are excited to learn an instrument, then it is a good time! Perhaps begin by enrolling in a summer music camp to get started!
2. "What instrument should they learn?"
An instrument they like the sound of - if they like it, they're much more likely to practice and enjoy learning! Piano, violin, ukulele, and Irish Whistle all make great beginning instruments.
3. "How do I find a teacher?"
I most highly reccommend the Academy for the Arts in Asheville. These teachers are professional, many certified as music teachers (not just performers) and provide a WIDE variety of options for classical and traditional instruments! They also give students the chance to participate in recitals to build confidence in performing! You can also try Asheville Music School, Piano Lab, or send me an email and I can help you find the right fit!
2nd Grade Playlist!
MAY
APRIL
Jake Shimabukuro - "Over the Rainbow"
Jake Shimabukuro - "Dragon"
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Brtiain - "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly"
MARCH
*** For St Patrick's Day, "The Road to Lisdoonvarna"
FEBRUARY
"Into the Air" - by Ivan Trevino, performed by Ji Hye Jung & Joshua Weinfeld
"Ritual Music" - by David Skidmore, performed by FSU Percussion Ensemble
"Land" - by Takatsugu Muramatsu, performed by Niek KleinJan
"Marimba Beats with the Hillcrest College Marimba Band" >>> See video
NOVEMEBER
"I want you BACH" - the Piano Guys (Funk/Baroque fusion)
OCTOBER
"Ghostbusters Theme" - Ray Parker Jr. (Pop)
"Up is Down" - Hans Zimmer, At World's End (soundtrack)
"Danse Bacchanale" - Camille Saint-Säens (ballet score)
"In the Hall of the Mountain King" - Edvard Grieg (ballet score)
"Give Us This Day" - David Masklanka (contemporary symphonic)
SEPTEMBER/AUGUST
"Awkward Annie" - Kate Rusby (Irish)
"Java Jive" - The Ink Spots (40's Jazz)
"Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" - The Andrews Sisters (40's Pop)
"I Got Rhythm" - George Gershwin (30's Jazz/Broadway)
"The Fox" - Nickel Creek (Bluegrass)
"William Tell Overture" - Gioachino Rossini (operatic score)
2nd Grade
UKULELES!
We are learning to play ukuleles! See the slideshow below for the songs we are learning with chord charts and directions. Ukuleles are a wonderful first string instrument, and our students love to play - all the way to 4th grade!
Thinking about getting your child started in music lessons?
Here are a few frequently asked questions with my answers!
1. "When should my child begin taking lessons? "
If they're 5 or older and are excited to learn an instrument, then it is a good time! Perhaps begin by enrolling in a summer music camp to get started!
2. "What instrument should they learn?"
An instrument they like the sound of - if they like it, they're much more likely to practice and enjoy learning! Piano, violin, ukulele, and Irish Whistle all make great beginning instruments.
3. "How do I find a teacher?"
I most highly reccommend the Academy for the Arts in Asheville. These teachers are professional, many certified as music teachers (not just performers) and provide a WIDE variety of options for classical and traditional instruments! They also give students the chance to participate in recitals to build confidence in performing! You can also try Asheville Music School, Piano Lab, or send me an email and I can help you find the right fit!
3rd Grade Playlist!
APRIL
Kalei Gamiao - "Viva la Vida" (Coldplay cover - instrumental)
Harry Balafonté - "Banana Boat"
MARCH
For St Patrick's Day, "The Road to Lisdoonvarna"
FEBRUARY
"Into the Air" - by Ivan Trevino, performed by Ji Hye Jung & Joshua Weinfeld
"Ritual Music" - by David Skidmore, performed by FSU Percussion Ensemble
"Land" - by Takatsugu Muramatsu, performed by Niek KleinJan
"Marimba Beats with the Hillcrest College Marimba Band" >>> See video
NOVEMBER"Africa" - Toto
"Set Free" - Katie Gray (Indian-American)
OCTOBER
"Up is Down" - Hans Zimmer, At World's End (soundtrack)
"Ghostbusters Theme" - Ray Parker Jr. (Pop)
"Lux Arumque" - Eric Whitacre (choral)
"Imperial March" - John Williams (soundtrack)
"Mars" - Gustav Holst (classical)
SEPTEMBER/AUGUST
"Awkward Annie" - Kate Rusby (Irish)
"Java Jive" - The Ink Spots (40's Jazz)
"Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" - Louis Jordan (40's Jazz/Big Band)
"I Got Rhythm" - George Gershwin (30's Jazz/Broadway)
"Drive" - Dispatch (Alt Rock)
3rd Grade
UKULELES!
We are learning to play ukuleles! See the slideshow below for the songs we are learning with chord charts and directions. Ukuleles are a wonderful first string instrument, and our students love to play - all the way to 4th grade!
Thinking about getting your child started in music lessons?
Here are a few frequently asked questions with my answers!
1. "When should my child begin taking lessons? "
If they're 5 or older and are excited to learn an instrument, then it is a good time! Perhaps begin by enrolling in a summer music camp to get started!
2. "What instrument should they learn?"
An instrument they like the sound of - if they like it, they're much more likely to practice and enjoy learning! Piano, violin, ukulele, and Irish Whistle all make great beginning instruments.
3. "How do I find a teacher?"
I most highly reccommend the Academy for the Arts in Asheville. These teachers are professional, many certified as music teachers (not just performers) and provide a WIDE variety of options for classical and traditional instruments! They also give students the chance to participate in recitals to build confidence in performing! You can also try Asheville Music School, Piano Lab, or send me an email and I can help you find the right fit!
4th Grade Playlist!
MARCH
For St Patrick's Day, "The Road to Lisdoonvarna"
FEBRUARY
"Into the Air" - by Ivan Trevino, performed by Ji Hye Jung & Joshua Weinfeld
"Ritual Music" - by David Skidmore, performed by FSU Percussion Ensemble
"Land" - by Takatsugu Muramatsu, performed by Niek KleinJan
"Marimba Beats with the Hillcrest College Marimba Band" >>> See video
NOVEMBER
"Evening Rise" - Cherokee Traditional
"Cherokee Morning Song (Wen De Ya Ho)" - Cherokee Traditional
OCTOBER
"Up is Down" - Hans Zimmer, At World's End
"Ghostbusters Theme" - Ray Parker Jr. (Pop)
"Lux Arumque" - Eric Whitacre
"Appalachian Spring" - Aaron Copland
"Cherokee Morning Song" - Cherokee Nation traditional song
"Evening Rise" - Jan Vink
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
4th Grade
GRADUATION SONG: "Anywhere Is" by Enya - feel free to practice at home! Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45_XrTMtzZI
UKULELES!
We are learning to play ukuleles! See the slideshow below for the songs we are learning with chord charts and directions. Ukuleles are a wonderful first string instrument, and our students love to play!
Thinking about getting your child started in music lessons?
Here are a few frequently asked questions with my answers!
1. "When should my child begin taking lessons? "
If they're 5 or older and are excited to learn an instrument, then it is a good time! Perhaps begin by enrolling in a summer music camp to get started!
2. "What instrument should they learn?"
An instrument they like the sound of - if they like it, they're much more likely to practice and enjoy learning! Piano, violin, ukulele, and Irish Whistle all make great beginning instruments.
3. "How do I find a teacher?"
I most highly reccommend the Academy for the Arts in Asheville. These teachers are professional, many certified as music teachers (not just performers) and provide a WIDE variety of options for classical and traditional instruments! They also give students the chance to participate in recitals to build confidence in performing! You can also try Asheville Music School, Piano Lab, or send me an email and I can help you find the right fit!