Sharing the Love

Here's what fellow teacher Isla Noakes can do in one day with three classes and our
G E O R G O U S  marimba.  A song, rhythm, and the kids' excitement of singing their lungs out to an appreciative audience.


It's wonderful to be teaching alongside another musician who takes things off in unexpected directions. Isla's such a native (natural) musician.

Bamboozle-a-phone | A Musical Installation

As part of the Enviroweek, I teamed up with Mrs. Renner and Room 13 to build some outdoor musical instruments. The first one to be completed has been named the "Bamboozle-a-phone" by Mrs. Hodder's Room 14 kids. I talked to them about our music room instruments - xylophone (wooden instrument), metalaphone (metal instrument), marimba (giant xylophone).  We toyed with several ideas for names that had elements of those instruments.  Bamboozle-a-phone was the most popular.

Our "bamboozle-a-phone" is made of 9 pieces of  bamboo poles (of varying lengths) strung along two high tension wires and horizontal spacers. The sound comes from tapping the poles with another piece of bamboo.

The name definitely fits with our Dr. Seuss theme for the year. I only hope the noise doesn't bamboozle Miss. Eyre - it's right outside her classroom.

Half of the Musical Enviro-garden 

Preparing the bamboo poles for sealing

Bamboo poles laid out on my garage floor before drilling holes

Holes did not quite line up as planned - hence the random look!

Simply Enjoyable

We've been exploring the ukelele. Here is us learning simple chords. This is a Kevin Fogarty song, "Aotearoa Alphabet".

Ukeleles unboxed

The ukeleles now have new homes.  I have unwrapped the instruments and put the cardboard boxes through my band saw.  Cut down and glued to Pak 'n Save carry bags, they are now portable and can be stored safely.

Ukeleles in their new carry cases.

This past week we began learning the basics of ukelele in our music classes.

We covered things like:

• correct posture
• hand positions
• reading chord charts
• C & F chords

 The children are really enthusiastic. And I'm having a ball.

Soundscapes

We are going to introduce a web-based music education app later this term.  The  school-wide licence will enable children to complete projects, collaborate and compose in class, in the library or at home.

Parents will be able to get involved in this online music-making.
More on that later.  Here is sample screenshot of how to create
a soundscape on the Groovy Music App.

In our second lesson we created a soundscape on the Groovy Music app. Then we began exploring the sounds of the Orff instruments (marimba, xylophones, metalophones and recorders, plus a few ukelele).

The class had a taste of creating their own soundscapes. They were encouraged to adapt and work impromptu on 'real' instruments. After some preparation, each group performed to the class.

Room 21 creating a soundscape

Room 21 - Soundscaping 

One group of three girls from Room 24 (Leilani, Kimberly and Javiyah) created a very beautiful piece. The other children asked to join in to add their own sounds to the imaginative soundscape. Take a look!

Marimba Band Auditions

The Marimba Band will be a limited group.  We now have two marimba, two metallaphones , six xylophones. This will mean the band is limited to around 12 players.

With over 200 children registering interest, I am going to be rather severe in my selection. We will hold auditions over Thursday lunchtimes for a group of pupils I have selected from the list.  Those whose attendance is regular (any absences will need to be fully explained) over the last three weeks of this term.

Now that I've got your attention

I have met every child in each of the music classes now. I've introduced them to the growing array of instruments.  If ever I wanted to have a messiah complex, this the best place to have one. I've been encouraging the kids to 'FEEL' music as a whole body experience and not just through their ears. While this may look like they're idolising their teacher, they're not. I promise!

You have to feel this sound rumble through your whole body. 

Yesterday we "un-boxed" our marimba made by Len Buchanan in Dunedin. What excitement that was.  It was so hard to get the kids to go home after school.  Luka even brought his family in to see the enormous instruments.


What attracts me is the every-day-ness of the material that some of the instruments are made of. I've told the kids that they are not to tell Mrs. McLay that I have turned one of her pizza trays into a beautifully resonant gong! (Many thanks to Jeremy Hantler of Edendale Primary School actually!)