Term 3, Week 1 - Commonwealth Games

Welcome back to Term 3.

This week  is the start of the Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland.  
Here's some highlights of the opening ceremony. 


We  are continuing to learn about special music for special occasions and talked about some of the music that would be played at the Commonwealth Games. 

We learnt  about national anthems and when they are played or sung. We did a role play of  a medal ceremony for the Commonwealth Games  and practised the New Zealand National Anthem in Maori, English and New Zealand Sign Language.

We looked at  some videos of the national anthem of Great Britain and learnt that this was also the national anthem of New Zealand before God of Nations became our anthem.   God Save the Queen used to be played before the movies and everyone was expected to stand up and show respect while this was being played.

This is a video of God Save the Queen  at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London. Listen for the fanfare  at the start. Note that even her husband, Prince Phillip, and the bride and groom sing, but the Queen doesn't.

Here's another version of God Save the Queen - with a fanfare - in Saint Paul's Cathedral in London to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

A fanfare is a short, showy, piece of music usually played for a special event. It is often played to announce the arrival of an important person, such as a king or queen. Fanfares are usually played by trumpets and other brass instruments, often with drums. (Wikipedia) 

Here's a very old movie clip of God Save the Queen - and fanfare - from her coronation in 1953. (How long ago is that?) Tis might have been the first time it was ever sung for her. 

Here's the Olympic fanfare - which continues into the theme music.

This term we are looking at songs that tell a story (like a narrative story in writing). These are sometimes called ballads.  A ballad is a song  - or a poem - that tells a story. It is related to the word ballet because it used to mean a dancing song.

Some classes learnt the song The Gypsy Rover.   There are several versions of this song - and the story.   The lyrics are on our song page.   (You might need to scroll down to find them.)



Gypsy Rover Vocabulary:
gypsy - a person who travels from place to place and doesn't have a settled home 
estate - property and belongings 
steed - a strong, fast horse - often used in warfare 
sought - looked for, searched for
mansion - a very large grand house 
'til - until 

This week is also Maori Language Week .

We had fun watching this video of the rest home people doing their own version of Happy and we  made up some of our own rhythm patterns to  fit the music.