Weekly Wrap-Up 3/23 - 3/29/2020
From Inside the Orchestra Well, it's been quite a week and we are hoping that all of you are healthy and safe. For some of you, this has been your second week of music and art making with us and some of you just joined us. For anyone who was new this week, make sure you check out all of last week’s activities too. Our daily activity emails and weekly wrapups from last week, this week, and every week to follow will be on our website here. This week, we explored the brass and percussion families, went on a musical imagination adventure with our flute player, learned how to conduct thanks to our very own Conductor Dan, and more! Whether you only had the time to listen to some of our playlists or if you got hands-on and made a fun craft to bring the music to life, we’re grateful to have spent some time exploring music with you. We’re looking forward to continuing to bring music into your homes in the coming weeks. Musicially, Sara Hare Program Manager
Shelby Mattingly Executive Director
PS. Make sure you check out our online composition activity. Kids can write a simple song and if they choose to share with Inside the Orchestra, it may be featured in a video performance!
Just like small businesses, Inside the Orchestra is a small arts organization experiencing very heavy financial impacts right now. If you are able to purchase a gift card or make a donation of any amount, please know that a every penny makes an impact.
INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO
Meet a Musician The Interviewers
The Musician
Conductor Dan
Sammy & Meredith Do you work a lot? How often do you work?
Yes I work a lot. I love to work and so I call it playing. I love to play trumpet, compose, conduct and listen to music all the time.
How long have you been conducting?
I was given the opportunity to direct a jazz band at my High School and have conducted ever since. Inside the Orchestra is where I conduct the most. I have been conducted Inside the Orchestra for about 3 years.
Do you have children?
I have three children and one grand child on the way.
How can I become a conductor?
There are many paths to becoming a conductor, but most people will say start by studying the piano. Take lessons and get so good that you can play from orchestra scores. Then find great teachers. A big part of conducting is learning to speak well and communicate with orchestra musicians in a kind yet accurate way.
What is your favorite book?
I love to read, besides theology and philosophy I love reading C.S. Lewis and historic fiction.
What is your favorite song?
Just The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra Version
Conductor (and Trumpet Player) Dan Leavitt Learn to conduct with Dan on pg. 10!
Monday, 3/23
We've explored the string and woodwind families of the orchestra. Now it's time to have some fun with the other two families of the orchestra - the brass and percussion instruments. Entry-level, all ages: Explore the instruments with our interactive online game. Listen to the brass and percussion family playlists. Grab something to bang along with the music. Going further, preschool through middle school: Create your own easy DIY trumpet with items you likely have around the house.
Musical Games Musical Memory Did you get a chance to play orchestra memory yet? Try it for the first time or level up here.
Monday, 3/23 Musical Moments Song Cubes Similar to dice, these music cubes from Pre-K Pages can help children identify rhythms with the added elements of surprise and chance. There are printable sheets for making these boxes here, but you can also write out the prompts on each side of the cube, or up the ante and turn the decorating of the box into an art project itself.
DIY Karaoke Did you know the word 'karaoke' comes from a Japanese phrase meaning "empty orchestra"? Why not make your own empty orchestra and do some karaoke? You don't need a machine, there are a ton of options on YouTube for at-home karaoke playlists, and girl Inspired shows you that you can even make your make your own microphones with household items - yes, even with leftover TP tubes.
Playlist
Blast Off In Spring 2019, we took a trip to musical outer space. Revisit the music we played with this playlist, and take a trip around the stars.
Disney + Vivaldi This video is a great way to introduce kids to classical music while incorporating it with popular music they've heard (or the other way around if your kid is more into Vivaldi than Disney) - watch the Piano Guys do a mashup of Let it Go and Vivaldi's Winter. See if your kid(s) can pick out when the transitions happen between pieces, or just enjoy the music and the very cool icy environment.
Tuesday, 3/24
In this activity guide, you will use your imagination to adventure to faraway places, imagine exotic animals, and turn yourself into fun characters. Watch a performance from our flute player, create your own stories, have a great time. Entry level, all ages: Young children can use their bodies and pretend to be the animals depicted in each movement of Carnival of the Animals. Your family room will be a jungle in no time! Watch and imagine along as our flute player Valerie Johnson takes you on an adventure with her flute. Going further, preschool and elementary: Create costumes and props for some of the characters in the music and have your child(ren) wear them as they move around. Older children can write a story based on a prompt as they listen to the music.
Activity Guide Highlights Playlist
Video
Lion Activity from Danya Banya
Tuesday, 3/24 Musical Moments Imagine You're in a Rocket Ship Make your own rocket with Crafty Morning and stage your own imaginary rocket launch as you listen to Movement 4 of Tchaikovsky's Symphony number 4.
Playing Pretend: Animal Edition This Animal Actions Rhythm Game from Let's Play Music is the perfect way to get things moving and practice listening skills at the same time.
Playlist
Last season we pretended to be animals to orchestra music that sounded like parts of the animal kingdom, we took a tour through musical seasons, and we blasted off into outer space. This playlist features the repertoire from the full 2018-19 Tiny Tots season.
Kids and grownups of any age can imagine themselves as conductors. Pick a simple piece of music and conductor along. You can take some inspiration from this little guy.
Wednesday, 3/25
Everyone is a composer! You'll have so much composing your own music both on and offline with these fun activities. After you write your own music, learn a little bit about one of the United States' most important composers (and conductors), Leonard Bernstein. Entry-level, preschool to middle school: Write your own music with our interactive online composition game - it's easy and fun to do. Share it: Share your song with friends and family Share it with us: Make sure you also share it with us - we're picking ones to perform! Meet a Composer: Check out our composer spotlight all about Leonard Bernstein and listen to this playlist of some of our favorite music he composed. Going Further: Mid to late elementary: Take your composition work offline with a math and music-writing game. Children will use their creative brains and their math skills all at the same time. Adapt to preschool: Take out the math!
Activity Guide Highlights Write a Song
Composer Spotlight
STEAM Composition Activity
Wednesday, 3/25 Indoor/Outdoor Fun No chalk? No problem, most can be adapted by drawing on paper or cardboard. Not a good place or time to go outside? No worries. Set up a cardboard keyboard in your living room and make some imaginary musical fun on a rainy day or a day you need to stay inside.
Creative Chalk Here's a list of ten creative sidewalk chalk activities and games from Life as Mama. From Sidewalk Simon to a draw-your-own obstacle course; chalk constellations to alphabet games, and more.
Musical Chalk If you want to get especially musical in your chalk activities, here's a list of And Next Comes L's 5 ways to learn about music using sidewalk chalk, ranging from xylophone hopscotch to making your own keyboard.
Playlist In honor of all of the parents and teachers adjusting to all new ways of schooling, check out this playlist inspired by school and education. Many of these works were written by famous composers when they were students themselves or have come to be associated with school and education over time.
Here's a new meaning to skating on thin ice. "A photographer and filmmaker based in Stockholm, Trygg has made an art of capturing both the clear, black appearance of the ice, and the laser-like symphony of sounds created when an ice skater's body weight passes over it."
Thursday, 3/26
You can be a conductor too! Learn how to conduct an orchestra from our very own Conductor Dan, the Music Man. You'll be leading an orchestra in no time. Entry-level, toddlers and beyond: Little ones can watch this silly music video about finding the beat in music. Children, and grown-ups too, can watch and follow along as conductor Dan shows you the basics of conducting. Going Further, preschool and older: Listen to our playlist of music with 2, 3, and 4 beats per measure and conduct along with the music.
Activity Guide Highlights Find the Beat
Simple Conducting Video
Vocabulary
Playlist for Conducting
Conducting Patterns
Thursday, 3/26 Playlist
Here's a list of songs that speak to the joys of spring. A selection of orchestral classics, modern cellists, folk songs, and more.
Want to take a beat and have some family chill time? These are our top kid-friendly movies about all things music! And no stress, because these films have also all been approved for children by Common Sense Media.
The debate about superiority between Marvel and DC will probably go on forever. Watch these two pianists battle out in a Marvel vs. DC mashup/medley. Who is the winner? Check out the full video here.
Friday, 3/27
This game of Musical Bingo will help kids recognize the sounds of different instruments. Plus, it's fun!
Entry-level, Toddlers & Beyond: Play Musical Bingo online. Younger children may need some help to get started.
Going Further: Preschool & Older Print the game boards Turn on the musical bingo playlist Play Musical Bingo at home with the kids for game night. The no-screen version is harder and a lot of fun! It requires hearing the instruments in the songs on the playlist.
Thursday, 3/26 Art & Music Making
Sensory Stomp Painting Kids will enjoy this artistic activity from Views from A Step Stool that activates all the senses. Turn on your little one's favorite music as they stomp and play along, creating a work of art in the process.
Simple Corn Shakers These simple corn shakers from Pre-K Pages can be made from a wide variety of recycled materials you have at home. Invite children to shake these simple corn shakers to the beat of a favorite song. When children move to a regular beat, they are also practicing many fine and gross motor skills necessary for daily life.
Playlist Here's a playlist primarily comprised of music featuring unique musical instruments. Listen to the sounds of the lyre, bagpipes, glass harmonica, and even the didgeridoo.
We're obsessed with this fun and dramatic musical video. The accompanying music is from the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's 5th symphony. YouTuber DoodleChaos drew, synchronized, and tested the course for more than three months.