Music and Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mrs. Melkonian's music classes have been preparing songs in his honor. Our students already know so much about the life and impact of Dr. King, but can now make connections to some important music of his time. Whether we are singing the simple words of Martin and his focus on love, caring and peace or the grown-up hymn "Lift Every Voice", our students are tying music to the Civil Rights Movement. Can you sing this song at home?

Woke up This Mornin'

Woke up this mornin' with my mind

Stayed on freedom

Woke up this mornin' with my heart

Stayed on freedom

Woke up this mornin' with my soul

Stayed on freedom

Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelu-jah!

I'm gonna walk, talk, sing, shout

Hallelu, I got my mind on freedom!

Walk, talk, sing, shout

Clap my hands and keep my mind on freedom!

Walk, Talk! Sing, Shout!

Clap my hands!

Mrs. Melkonian

Music in the New Year

Hello UPA musicians!

Well I hope you had a peaceful and enriching winter break. I was glad to see that students came back ready to get to work immediately. We are starting many new things in music class this new year. Second through fifth graders will be studying the famous classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven. We will learn about his interesting life and how he stilled wrote music even though he became completely deaf. Look to the right of the screen to see the music player where you will find Beethoven's music.

We also will be getting ready for AMPP Exhibition #2 on January 20 in the Gym. Students from the following classes will be doing a quick performance on this day: Lackey and Pearsall (4th grade), Smith (2nd grade), and Nettles (K). Please join us to learn about what your students are doing in all of their AMPP Classes.

Thanks for stopping by the music blog- check back for updates!!

Ms. Ginger :)

Congratulations!

I am SO proud of all the students who were a part of our first concert "A Song in My Heart." You worked hard and it paid off! I loved listening to your singing voices, watching your movements, and hearing all of the challenging instrument parts that you played. Thank you to all of the parents and families who came out to support this wonderful occasion.

I look forward to our upcoming Exhibition performances and our Kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grade spring concert!!!

Love,

Ms. Ginger :)

Concert!

I am so excited to announce our first official concert here at UPA! On Wednesday December 2, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in the GYM at UPA Mark Murray all 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders will be performing songs they have worked on with Ms. Ginger and Mrs. Melkonian during their music AMPP classes this year. PLEASE join us for this exciting event!! Any questions contact Ms. Ginger (eginger@uprep.com).

See you there!!

Hello!

I just added the song "All I Really Need" to the playlist so you can practice your sign language. Try teaching a few of the signs to someone at home!

Can you sing and show the sign language at the same time?

Have a great day!

Ms. Ginger

Hello from the UPA Mark Murray Music Room! Students were eager to get started in music this year and so was I! They have already shown improvement that could only be made through hard work and concentration.

The fourth and fifth graders are in the midst of an African Drumming unit. They have been working hard on their drumming technique, specifically hand position. As we continue, we will begin adding singing and dancing to our drumming ensemble pieces.

Third graders are continuing to develop their singing voices by singing songs in English, Swahili, and even Yiddish! We will also work on Orff instrument (xylophone) technique as we add challenging accompaniment to the songs we have learned.

Second graders are doing a unit entitled "Carnival of the Animals". This unit is centered around a musical suite consisting of 14 movements, all based on a different animal. It is called "Carnival of the Animals" and was composed in 1886 by a French composer named CamilleSaint-Saëns. Each class period, students listen to the piece, move as the animal does, and sing a song about each animal. So far we have done the Lion, the Tortoise, the Bird, and the Rooster.

First graders are continuing to work on keeping a steady beat. They are also learning new songs that will help them move forward in their music making, both singing and playing instruments. But we will always love one of our favorites from last year; "Skinny marinky dinky doo". If you need a pick-me-up in your day, just ask your first grader for a round of this song and you will feel better in no time!

I was so excited to welcome the Kindergartners into the music room this year! They are cheerful students who do their best and who are excited to try new activities. We have been learning about the different voices we use. These include speaking, whisper, shouting, and singing voice.

We are hard at work here in the music room, and are looking forward to a year of harmonious music making! Check back soon for upcoming concert information!

Take Time In Life

I have really enjoyed listening to my students in grades 3, 4 and 5, sing one of my favorite songs this week, "Take Time In Life." This song is a West African song from the country of Liberia and has a positive message for us all. Our students have stated what is means to them to "Take Time in Life" and I hope they are able to share the song with their families and friends. Many classes have asked to perform it for their teachers, and of course I always love when students want to share and show off their beautiful music!

Can you sing this song for someone at home?

I was passing by, somebody called to me

And they said to me, "you better take time in life."

Better take time in life,

Better take time in life,

Better take time in life,

'Cause you've got far way to go.