Author Archives: Claire Burns

Music Video With A Message: Black Eyed Peas Project – Part 3

Using the poetry we wrote in response to listening to “One Tribe” by the Black Eyed Peas, my students and I used GarageBand on our classroom iMac with a Yamaha MIDI keyboard to compose beats and loops and to record our poetry as a rap.  Each of my 6 classes composed a verse to theContinue reading “Music Video With A Message: Black Eyed Peas Project – Part 3”

Poetry and Peace: Black Eyed Peas Project – Part 2

The development of the Black Eyed Peas Project was an amazing process to witness.  Today I will share with you our process of writing the poetry that became the lyrics to our song.  Below are some of the chart pages we worked with while brainstorming and writing.  (Note:  I do almost everything digitally in myContinue reading “Poetry and Peace: Black Eyed Peas Project – Part 2”

Making Composition Successful with Younger Students

I have discovered over my 7 years teaching that, with younger students (grades 4 and under), music composition can be a challenge.  This is especially true when attempting to use traditional notation.  My students are quite proficient at reading music notation and playing a treble-clef instrument (recorder, xylophone, etc.); it is a whole different storyContinue reading “Making Composition Successful with Younger Students”

Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 2.0

I watched this while eating lunch today.  I am so moved by the beauty of this piece; even more so, by Eric Whitacre’s vision and creativity.  Using technology to allow 2,000 voices to sing together through YouTube is a revolutionary idea – allowing technology to enhance music-making at its best!  Enjoy! This work is licensedContinue reading “Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 2.0”

April is Jazz Appreciation Month!

Each April, my students and I explore a Jazz appreciation unit.  We listen to different jazz recordings, study the history of jazz, play jazz chord progressions, and even improvise some solos.  I always enjoy the unit and my students seem to as well!   Today I will share some online jazz resources.  Stay tuned forContinue reading “April is Jazz Appreciation Month!”

Friday Fave – Homemade Rhythm Chart

In the manner of many other bloggers, I will be posting a favorite of mine on Fridays. It could be tech, music, or education related or even something “out-of-left-field” related. Today I would like to share the rhythm chart I use almost daily in my classroom. Homemade Rhythm Chart This lovely, homemade rhythm chart hasContinue reading “Friday Fave – Homemade Rhythm Chart”

Composition Inspiration: Black Eyed Peas Project – Part 1

Pangea? Passion? Tribe? Poseidon?  Amnesia?  Can you define these terms?  My fourth graders did last week.  Immediately following that we listened to/watched the following video…. What a powerful message!  My students were amazed that we listened to Black Eyed Peas in music class.  And I was amazed at their response to this song.  We hadContinue reading “Composition Inspiration: Black Eyed Peas Project – Part 1”

St. Patrick’s Day Boomwhackers Activity

If you subscribe to MusicK8, then I know you are as big a fan as I am.  What a great resource for all things music, kindergarten through 8th grade.  My school has subscribed for years; we have volumes 6-18, with a few years skipped here and there.  We no longer subscribe, as the cuts inContinue reading “St. Patrick’s Day Boomwhackers Activity”

The Best CD for March Listening

This is my go-to CD for the month of March.  Liz Carroll, composer and fiddle performer, creates stirring, lovely melodies.  She’s American-born, but of Irish parents.  Her music always touches my soul – I discovered her years ago on NPR and since then, my students and I have enjoyed her Lake Effect CD every March.Continue reading “The Best CD for March Listening”