Term 3 Week 5: International Languages Week

This week is International Languages Week.

Here's "Let it Go"  from "Frozen"  in 25 languages.  Do you speak any of these languages?

 In this version you can see the singers from each language singing their part.



Here's how to say hello in 30 different languages. Do you speak any of these?

Here's many different ways to say thank you.

This is a Mother's Day greeting in 27 languages. 

Here's some animal sounds in different languages.


Here's a song to help you count to ten in Spanish - forwards and backwards.

Last week we learnt this round: Rose, Rose, Rose, Rose. There are many different versions of this folk song. 
  Here's a link to the music for it. The second part is another song taht can be sung in counterpoint with Rose.

Remember  The William Tell Overture by Rossini  from Term 1? Here's another piece attributed to Rossini - where  the  music is written as if cats were singing it. Two boys sing the parts of the cats.  It's called (In Italian) “Duetto buffo di due gatti” - Funny duet for two cats.

Term 3, Week 4: I've Been Working on the Railroad

This week is Rail Safety Week, so it's a good time to learn a song about railways. We are learning "I've Been Working on the Railroad" 

Here's a more 'rocky' version - with some images of railways being built.

Here's another upbeat version. 

You can sing and dance to this version.

Here's a barber shop quartet singing I've been working on the railroad. These boys are from Aorere College in Papatoetoe (2011).

And a fun animated reggae and rock version 

And, of course, the air guitar version.

Here's some images of railways being built in USA.

Following on from last week's Stomp in the Kitchen video, we listened to this Stomp video, and tried to work out what was being used to make the sound. Who ever thought that basket balls could be used as musical instruments.  We also tried to copy the rhythms or make up our own ones to fit the beat.

Here is a seven year old boy conducting the overture to "The Bat" by Johann Strauss. 

Term 3, Weeks 2 and 3 - Songs that tell a story - Molly Malone

Classes will be a bit muddled over the next two weeks while we lose time to assembly, cross country and Intermediate activities, so it will take two weeks to cover this week's lesson.

Continuing our "Songs for Special Occasions" theme (God of Nations in Maori, English and NZ Sign Language; Happy Birthday, and God Save the Queen).

It is not known for certain who wrote the words (lyrics) or the music (melody) of God Save the Queen.  The first known time the music was published was in 1745  in a magazine as God Save the King, because  England was ruled by King George II - not a queen.  It became very popular to sing God Save the King at the end of theatre performances.   The melody became popular overseas  in places like Germany, Scandinavia, Switzerland and even USA where it is still known as national song.   It is called the royal anthem,  as well as the National Anthem of the United Kingdom.

Here are the words to God the Queen.

God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen
God save our Queen
Send her victorious 
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen

Vocab:
gracious - kind and courteous, "ladylike" (from the word grace)
noble -  high-born, honourable, royal
victorious - triumphant, winning, conquering (from the word victor - winner, and victory - a win)
glorious - famous, successful, celebrated, outstanding
reign - to rule

God Save the Queen is played in New Zealand when the Queen, or a member of the Royal Family is visiting New Zealand - such as the visit of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge earlier this year.  Here's a video clip of  the Queen visiting NZ with the music and lyrics of God Save the Queen being played.


Last term we started to learn to sing in harmony by singing rounds. This term we are learning to sing songs in counterpoint which means singing two or more different songs which sound good together when they are sung at the same time.  So far we have tried combinations of Frere Jacques; Row, Row, Row Your Boat, and Three Blind Mice - all at the same time!


Cockles and Mussels - Molly Malone 

This  photo is of a statue of Molly Malone and her wheelbarrow 

in Dublin.

Our new song for this week is about a girl in Dublin, Ireland, who sold cockles and mussels from her wheelbarrow. A person who sold fish and shellfish was called a fishmonger.

In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheeled her wheelbarrow

through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

A-live a-live O! A-live a-live O!
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She was a fishmonger and sure‘twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they both wheeled their barrows

through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

She died of a fever and no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
Now her ghost wheels her barrow

through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive a-live O!

Have a go at playing this on the glockenspiel or piano.



Here's a group of children from Thailand having a great time singing Molly Malone.

Here's a rock version  of Molly Malone - in Polish!

Here's a kids' sing-along version of Molly Malone.

We are practising rhythm patterns using clave sticks, and then we choose some of these as a rhythm background for some of the songs and music we listen to.   We tried some of these  rhythm patterns with The Gypsy Rover.

 
 Here's a really clever hand clap rhythm performed by a group of girls.

Here's a video by a percussion and rhythm group called "Stomp".  How many things found in the kitchen can you see them use as percussion instruments?

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. 

Term 2, Week 9: Last week of the term

This week we will review all that we have done and go over some of our favourite songs, videos and music.

We will also have a look at some funny  or unusual forms of music.

Here's a dog who enjoys playing the piano.  Here's another one.

Here's some music that was written based on the patterns of birds sitting on power wires... 

Here's a funny version of Frere Jacques.