Our fifth graders are working hard to identify instruments by sight and sound.  Benjamin Britten's piece "A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" is one of my favorite ways for people--young and old--to review families of instruments (string, woodwind, brass, and percussion), as well as naming the individual instruments you see and hear.  Turn your speakers up and enjoy this well-known piece of music with your family!

Music Sites for Summer Fun!

Here are a few of my favorite websites to explore when you have some extra time with your family this summer.

1)  www.incredibox.com  You, too, can create your own incredible beat boxing mixes!

2)  http://www.philtulga.com/  There are some really great games and activities you can play under the "Activities" tab.  Many of these games connect music to other subject areas, such as math and science.  There are also some ideas for making some of your own instruments, too!

3)  Learn more about "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" by Benjamin Britten and the instruments used by playing this game:  http://listeningadventures.carnegiehall.org/

Stay tuned and I'll keep adding more to the list.  Have a great summer!

Fifth Graders!

Here are some video clips and the lyrics to help you learn your three pieces for the Cluster Concert at Tilden Middle School, 11211 Old Georgetown Road, Rockville, MD, on Thursday, January 28th.  Please remember to report to the cafeteria by 6 p.m.

Please also remember to wear white on top and black/dark clothes on bottom and practice memorizing your music!  

1.) The Colburn Children's Choir singing Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening

http://safeshare.tv/v/ss56784ecc47da0

2)  Seven Feet of Snow

http://safeshare.tv/v/ss567850821d006

3)  Best Day of My Life (by the American Authors)
http://safeshare.tv/v/ss567851078ed6f

Instrument Review!

If you're looking for more fun ways to test your musical knowledge, check out and click on the link to the "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" listening adventures that was created by the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall.  There are great bits of information about the different families of instruments, individual families, and even some music quizzes to check what you know!

I hope you enjoy this site as much as I do!

April is Jazz Appreciation Month!

In the spirit of celebrating Jazz Appreciation month and recognizing Jazz as music that originated in the United States, I'd like to share one of my favorite pieces, "Take Five" by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.  It has a time signature that is a bit unusual in that it has five beats per measure (5/4), rather than the more standard four beats (4/4).  Dave Brubeck (1920-2012) worked hard as a musician and educator to promote cultural diplomacy around the world through his music.  I hope you enjoy this piece, too!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHdU5sHigYQ#t=302

Fascinating Rhythm

I've Got Rhythm!

Students in Ms. Basra's class did a great job practicing and performing quarter note and eighth note rhythmic patterns for their individual assessments. Students read selected rhythms by speaking them and showing what the patterns looked like with their hands.