Making Musical Masterpieces By Paul Provencio, Townsend Elementary

Making Music Masterpieces - Reading To Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, the most wonderful time of the year was the beginning of spring. He described it as “the whole earth cracking.” His ballet score, “The Rite of Spring”, was inspired by this season and was so innovative that it provoked strong feelings in listeners. In fact, a riot broke out at the 1913 Paris premiere.

Making Music Masterpieces - Questions What is your favorite season? What sounds does it bring to mind? Draw an idea web for your favorite season.

Making Music Masterpieces Teacher’s Page General Tips for success: First let class read silently. Then read out loud as class. Brain-storm to find out their schema and stimulate ideas. Repetition of key words or phrases is an important lyric writing technique. When singing, making it up as you go: think about melodies that go high and low, fast and slow, in steps or skips, loud and soft to create interest. Don’t worry about sounding like Pavarotti. God gave you a voice, you give it right back. Don’t worry if your voice won’t do what you want at first. Keep trying until your voice listens to you. You’re the boss. Tell your voice you want to sing. Have fun and don’t take yourself too seriously. Laugh and look like your having fun. Kids will follow. Work in structured cooperative learning groups to create a classroom song. Each group creating a variation on a theme or different part of the song. Perform. 3 Activity notes

Making Music Masterpieces Teacher’s Page Activity 3 Process: After the idea web is completed. Make a list of the sounds. Assign the sound to a student or group. Perform in order. Examples: chimetree (from music room) or windchime Group 1- holiday carol (with jingle bells) Group 2- shoveling sidewalk, making snowman noises Group 3- making cookie noises (mixing dough, opening oven, pouring/drinking milk, etc.) Group 4- winter storm noises (wind, wolf, rustling leaves) Group 5- Santa arriving/leaving in his sleigh chimetree