THE best rendition of the National Anthem of ALL TIME!
Ms. Whitney Houston, 1991 Superbowl
THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND
A holiday celebration flash mob!
THE MARINE BAND
performing, Stars and Stripes Forever by J.P. Sousa
The Voices of Liberty perform the National Anthem
Army vs. Navy Drum Line Battle
JOHN PHILLIP SOUSA
John Philip Sousa was born in 1854 in Washington, D.C. and died in 1932. He worked as a theater musician and conducted the U.S. Marine Band before starting his own civilian band in 1892. Sousa toured with his band for 40 years and was indisputably the most famous musical act in the world. He composed 136 marches, 15 operettas, 70 songs and many other pieces (www.dws.org/sousa). His most famous piece is "The Stars and Stripes Forever" which has become the national march of the U.S.A.!
Let's MARCH to Sousa!!!
50 Nifty United States
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage month and to celebrate, we will be watching different tribal songs and dances, as well as learn a children's song to sing and play with instruments!
Native American music containing instruments such as, pan flute, ocarina, shakers, recorder
Example of tribal dancing
"Butterfly Dance"
Example of Native American drone flute
We are learning how to sing this song in canon, with instruments and a special ostinato (repeated pattern). We are also creating a thunderstorm using musical instruments and thunder makers!
Happy Thanksgiving!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! The next 4 weeks, we will be studying holidays through their cultures. Holidays such as, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah and Las Pasadas.
AFRICA - Kwanzaa
During the Kwanzaa celebration, one candle is lit each day, starting with the black candle, then the red and green candles closest to the center. With the lighting of each candle, the principle or goal for that day is discussed.
TERMS TO KNOW ABOUT KWANZAA
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–67.
SEVEN CORE PRINCIPLES
the mkeka (mm-KEH-kah), a woven place mat. It can be made from strips of paper or cloth in the Kwanzaa colors.
the kikombe cha umoja (kee-KOM-beh chah oo-MOH-jah), or unity cup. In the traditional celebration, everyone drinks juice or other liquid from one large cup to symbolize staying together. School policies may require an adaptation of this practice.
mazao (mah-ZAH-oh), the fruits and vegetables that symbolize the harvest, and in turn, all work
muhindi (moo-HIN-dee), the corn, which represents children. You will need one ear of corn for each child.
the kinara (kee-NAH-rah), or candle holder is at the heart of Kwanzaa. It holds seven candles. These are often made of wood or clay, and may be decorated with African designs or with other expressions of the craftsperson's creativity.
mishumaa saba (mee-shoo-MAH SAH-bah), are the seven candles. From left to right there are three red candles, one black candle, and three green candles.
zawadi (zah-WAH-dee), are the gifts for children. They are rewards for promises kept in the preceding year.
Here are some traditional dances inspired by the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Check out what Elmo has to say about Kwanzaa
Hanukkah
Hanukkah (also known as Chanukah) is the Jewish Festival of Lights and lasts eight days. It usually falls in late November or December. Jews celebrate Hanukkah to commemorate the Miracle of the Oil. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means "dedication".
Hebrew Dance: Hava Nagila (Let Us Rejoice)
YESH LANU TAYIS
Traditional line dance
This is an example of what we will be dancing to!
RUSSIA
Russia is famous for it's ballets and composers. Most notably this time of year is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
who wrote many of the famous ballets we watch today including The Nutcracker!
CHRISTMAS
Rome, Italy (first recorded Christmas celebration on December 25, 336)
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated on December 25 every year. There are many songs and music pertaining to Christmas, especially about Santa Clause coming and bringing presents!
In class, we have been playing the tone bells. Listen to this bell choir!
It wouldn't be a music class Christmas without the Pentatonix
We will be singing Silent Night in German
Las Posadas
Mexico, U.S.A.
Las Posadas is a novenario (nine days of religious observance) celebrated chiefly in Mexico and by Mexican-Americans in the United States,[1][2] beginning December 16 and ending December 24, on evenings (about 8 or 10 PM), during which families participate in nightly Christmas processions that re-create the Holy Pilgrimage of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus on their way to Bethlehem (wikipedia).