Living Sky Band and Music Programs

The African Drum set has been touring the division to much applause and excitement from students and staff.  Students just can’t wait to make music with this beautiful set of drums and percussion instruments. We also have some great resources to help teachers – books, CD’s, DVD’s, songs, plays, stories, art ideas and Reader’s Theatre.

We are currently taking bookings for the 2009/10 school year – make your request to Sherron at 937-7914 or email sherron.burns@lskysd.ca.

Thanks to Paul Suchan for organizing the Honor Band event at NBCHS. 70 elementary students were invited to attend this special event, learning music and working in sectionals to hone their craft. Senior Band students and Mr. Cawood assisted Mr. Suchan with sectionals. Lunch was provided by the Cafe and students got to know one another from other schools, as well as had an opportunity to become more familiar with the high school. In the evening, students came together to present a concert for the public and were joined by the NBCHS Concert Band as well.

I was just sent this YouTube video of an orchestra made up of vegetable instruments! It has to be seen to be believed. The video is 6 mins long but is worth the watch:

What could we do with experiments with sound? How would this help students understand how instruments make the sounds they do?  What other material/media could be used as well?

There seems to be connections to the NBCHS project between Music, Art and Drama (making instruments from clay, composing and interpreting). Perhaps Paul could update us on their project.

There are more links connected to this video at this blog -  “A Library by any Other Name“, and is worth checking out.

Have you had a chance to check out some of the cool free online sites for listening to music?

This one is all about classical music:

http://www.oculture.com/2007/11/bach_beethoven_mozart_wagner_some_yo-yo_ma_and_more_free_classical_music_podcasts.html

This one is for Classical, Jazz and Rock:

http://www.oculture.com/2006/10/music_podcast_collection_-_classical_jazz_and_rock.html

This site has free sounds and sound effects:

http://www.soundsnap.com/

Do you have more links to share? Send them my way and I’ll post them for the others.

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I found this very interesting video of a performance artist and software engineer. He has created technology to link what he draws to sound and creates a performance for us. I could see how this might lead to other listening and drawing activities with students. To turn it around – draw what you hear.

Click this link to the video.

If anyone tries this out with students could you let us know how it goes for you?