Lesson 2-Whale Music and Nature Sounds

Hello Fifth Grade Families,

I hope you are well and healthy. Each week I will be posting new suggested music lessons for each week.  We realize everyone has a lot going on right now so please use these lesson ideas as suggestions-they are not required by the district.  The most important thing right now is to use music as a way to relax, take time out from everything and enjoy.  

Enjoy the Music You Hear in Nature 
Before vacation I asked you to go outside and listen to the nature sounds around you.  Scroll down to find recordings of the sounds I heard in nature-beavers, cows, wind and peepers.  This week we are going to explore how composer Paul Winter uses the sounds he records in nature to create music.  

Whale Music
Composer Paul Winter routinely uses nature sounds in his music.  He has songs that use the sound of waves, whales, wind, birds, wolves and more.  Click below to listen to his composition “Lullaby from the Great Mother” that uses real whale and wave sounds combined with soprano saxophone and guitar.  

https://safeYouTube.net/w/Ib18

Possible lesson extensions:
Draw a picture of the ocean scene you imagine while listening to “Lullaby from the Great Mother”.  Send me a picture of your picture to jdamon@wsesu.org.  I would love to see what you create!

Make your own composition of nature sounds you gather from around you.  Paul Winter creates his compositions by gathering recordings of the sounds he hears at various locations in nature (the ocean, canyons, the woods)  and then combines the sounds with musical instruments to create his compositions.  For tech savvy students you can try gathering recordings from outside and creating your own composition.  

Song of the week
In honor of Earth Day, this week’s song is “Kindness to the Earth and the Animals”.   Scroll down to find a recording of me singing the song along with the lyrics.  

Weekly Sing-alongs
We have a weekly sing-along at 2pm on Thursdays on the closed Vernon Music Facebook page.  Please contact me for an invite.  Send any song requests to me at jdamon@wsesu.org.     

Stay safe and enjoy making music with your child.  Please contact me with any questions.

Sincerely, 
Joyana Damon
jdamon@wsesu.org

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