Category Archives: Musical Explorers – Spring 2023

Unit 4: Vietnamese Music with Cecilia

Genre Overview Vietnam’s music reflects the different groups that have lived there. The music that is heard today spans traditional folk, ceremonial, and popular music. The music of Vietnam is very diverse and has many influences from the different indigenous regions within Vietnam, surrounding countries, and the time of French occupation to name a few….

Lesson 1: Learning “Hò Hụi Huế”

Aim: How can a song create community?Summary: Students will learn to sing “Hò Hụi Huế,” explore movement and song in community settings, and discover traditional Vietnamese instruments.Materials: Musical Explorers digital resourcesStandards: GA- ESGMK.PR.1, ESGMK.RE.3, ESGMK.CN.2, ESGM1.PR.1, ESGM1.RE.1, ESGM2.PR.1, ESGM2.RE.1, ESGM2.CN.2Vocabulary:  Chén, đàn Bầu, đàn Tranh, Sanh Tiền, Trống, and T’rưngSee Glossary → Sing “Hò Hụi…

Lesson 2: Exploring “Cô Đôi Thượng Ngàn”

Aim: How can we use music to tell stories?Summary: Students will learn to sing “Cô Đôi Thượng Ngàn,” discuss Vietnamese rhythm, explore tonal language, and create their own Queen of the Forest.Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, everyday-object percussionStandards: GA: ESGMK.PR.1, ESGMK.RE.3, ESGMK.CN.2, ESGM1.PR.1, ESGM1.RE.1, ESGM2.PR.1, ESGM2.RE.1, ESGM2.CN.2Vocabulary: chorus, tonal language, melodic contourSee Glossary → Sing “Cô…

Unit 5: Sicilian Folk with Amos

Genre Overview Sicily, the “Island of the Sun,” was ruled by a succession of cultures and empires through several millennia, including Greece, Phoenicia, Rome, Carthage, and Byzantium, as well as Muslim, Norman, and Spanish rulers, before becoming part of the country of Italy. The result is a potent cultural melting pot, embodied in everything from…

Lesson 1: Learning “Rosa Cantu e Cuntu”

Aim:  What are the components of a Sicilian folk song?Summary: Students learn to sing “Rosa Cantu e Cuntu”; explore the parts of the Sicilian folk songs, including the verse, chorus and wordless refrain; and discover emotion and meaning in the lyrics.Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, classroom instruments; crayons, markers, or colored pencilsStandards: GA – ESGMK.PR.1,…

Lesson 2: Exploring “Cu Ti Lu Dissi”

Aim: How are meter and rhythm used to support dancing?Summary: Students will learn to sing “Cu Ti Lu Dissi,” learn 3/4 meter, dance the waltz, and discover Sicilian folk instruments.Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, everyday-object percussionStandards: GA – ESGMK.PR.1, ESGMK.RE.3, ESGMK.CN.2, ESGM1.PR.1, ESGM1.RE.1, ESGM2.PR.1, ESGM2.RE.1, ESGM2.CN.2Vocabulary: meter, waltzSee Glossary → Sing “Cu Ti Lu Dissi” Track…

Lesson 1: Learning “A.K.I.K.O.”

Aim:  How can we use melody and rhythm to create a chant?Summary:  Students learn the chorus to “A.K.I.K.O.”; explore the concept of melodic variation; and create their own rhythmic chant.Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, classroom instruments; crayons, markers, or colored pencilsStandards: GA –  ESGMK.PR.1, ESGMK.RE.3, ESGMK.CN.2, ESGM1.PR.1, ESGM1.RE.1, ESGM2.PR.1, ESGM2.RE.1, ESGM2.CN.2 Vocabulary:  chant, variationSee Glossary…

Unit 6: Haitian Music with Emeline

Genre Overview Haiti’s music reflects the different groups that have lived on the island, melding French, Spanish, African, and indigenous influences. There are many different styles of Haitian music. Perhaps the most popular and culturally significant is compas, a complex dance music characterized by the signature tanbou beat. These popular genres grow directly out of…

Lesson 2: Exploring “Panama Mwen Tombe”

Aim: How do steady beat and rhythm work together in Haitian folk music?Summary: Students will learn to sing “Panama Mwen Tombe,” discuss rhythm and beat, and learn about the tanbou drum.Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, everyday-object percussionStandards: GA – ESGMK.PR.1, ESGMK.RE.3, ESGMK.CN.2, ESGM1.PR.1, ESGM1.RE.1, ESGM2.PR.1, ESGM2.RE.1, ESGM2.CN.2Vocabulary: tanbouSee Glossary → “Panama Mwen Tombe” is a popular…