Core Activities – Musical Explorers

These activities are designed to complement the core curriculum of Musical Explorers, further supporting students’ musical curiosity and development as they become true musical explorers.

Sing the “Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Song”

The “Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Song” is the theme song of the program and is performed at the beginning and end of each concert experience. This song is a great way to introduce students to the world of Musical Explorers and can become a staple in your warm-up.

Teach students the “Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Song” on SG 1, using the “Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Song” Track 01, as well as “Carnegie Hall Musical Explorers Song” accompaniment, Track 02.

Track 01 – Musical Explorers Song

Track 02 – Musical Explorers Song Accompaniment

Exploring the World of Sound

On SG 2–4, you will find activities to use throughout the year to engage students in discovering music in the world around them. These activities are designed to work individually—both inside the classroom and at home—and as classroom projects (e.g., taking a sound-discovery walk or making DIY instruments out of found objects in your classroom).

Explore the Sounds of Our City, SG 2, gives your students an opportunity to act as musical detectives outside of the classroom, listening for sounds and music in their everyday lives and recording them in the journal provided.
Discover Music in Everyday Objects, SG 3, highlights common objects found at home or in the classroom that can be used to create DIY musical instruments. For example, a cardboard box can be strung with rubber bands of different sizes to create a string instrument; a set of drinking glasses filled with different amounts of water can be struck with a spoon or a chopstick to create a xylophone-like instrument; and two pot lids can be struck together like cymbals. Encourage your students to discover other objects that can make interesting sounds.
Create a Postcard, SG 4, gives your students an opportunity to share what is special about their neighborhoods as they learn about the originating locations of each artist and genre.

The Musical Explorers Around the World Map

The Musical Explorers Around the World Map, SG 5–6, illustrates the geographic roots of the music you will study this year.

Literacy Link: The Listening Walk
by Paul Showers, illustrated by Aliki

In Paul Showers’ The Listening Walk, get immersed in all the sounds around you as you join a girl walking her dog throughout the neighborhood. You may even hear sounds you wouldn’t expect!