Living Sky Band and Music Programs » Uncategorized

World Drumming

Sherron Burns — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:03:19 +0000

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.

Honor Band Event

Sherron Burns — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:55:16 +0000

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.

Vegetable Orchestra

Sherron Burns — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 04:39:30 +0000

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.

Free Music Sites

Sherron Burns — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:56:21 +0000

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.

Unifest

Does anyone have photos, sound clips or stories to share about Unifest this year?

What Does Sound Look Like?

Sherron Burns — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:33:20 +0000

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?

African Drum Class Set?

Sherron Burns — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:33:50 +0000

St. John’s Music has provided me with some information about purchasing an African Drum Class set, which could be loaned out through the division on a rotating basis. Here is what Nadine wrote:

Below is a list of the complete world percussion kit. It sells for $5139.95

Package C PPWMDCCC
3-10″, 5-12″, and 3-14″ tunable tubanos; 1-12″ tunable djembe; 2 talking
drums; 2 talking drum mallets; 2-16″ pre-tuned hand drums; 2 pre-tuned
bongos; 6 Senor Kelly shakers; 2 guiros; 2 pairs of claves; 2 pairs of
maracas; 1 medium and 1 large gongokui; 2 shekeres; 2 cowbells; 1 World
Music Drumming classroom instruction kit and 1 standing Ngoma leaders drum.

If you would like more detail on particular types of drums listed you can go to www.remo.com to the products section and then select world percussion.

This is the same package we have sold to other divisions and they have given very positive feedback on it. It is generally a good size for most school classes. It also includes the instruction kit which incorporates the use of the entire kit in one class.

So what do you think? We received an increase to the instrument purchase fund this year (we now have $12,000) and we could buy a kit and still have about half left to help those of you in need of new instruments (including those schools who get mouthpieces this time). Keep in mind that the drum set would be good for those schools who do not have a band specialist as well. We would include teacher materials as well. I’d love to hear your thoughts – please leave a comment here.