Videos From Recent Performances

Dear Parents,

Thank you so much for your attendance at your child's recent music concert! I thought they all did a wonderful job, especially considering the short time they have had to work on their programs.

As the director of these programs, I love to "see" them through your eyes in order to enjoy, and improve on my own program and ideas. As such, if anyone video taped the concert and would be willing to bring me a copy of it to keep, I would very much appreciate it. Please do not bring me your original copies as I would love to keep a copy. It is ok if the video focuses the most on your own child as long as I can see the overall program as well. I am looking for videos of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and choir concerts held last week.

Thank you again for all of your support and I wish you a very relaxing summer!

Sincerely,

Juli Van Eizenga

Costumes for Ms. Selover's Class

Ms. Selover's class will be wearing brightly colored clothing for their costume as we could not locate any hanbok to use.

For boys, the ideal outfit is long pants and a long-sleeved shirt that are very bright, solid colors. If you have a shirt with a pattern on it, you can turn it inside out.

For girls, the ideal outfit is a long skirt (at least past the knees) and a long-sleeved shirt that are very bright, solid colors.

Satin pajamas are actually very close to the way that the traditional boys outfits look, so think along those lines.

If you cannot find anything like this, they may wear black, which is the "default" color for every 3rd grade class, so they will not stand out.

Concerts Coming Up Next Week!

Remember your child's music concert next week!

On Tuesday, May 25th grades 1-3 will be performing at the following times:

8:30-9:15: 3rd Grade (Please look at the previous costume postings for information on what they should be wearing. They should come to the MPR already dressed at 8:20. They can drop their bags off in their classrooms first.)

9:30-10:10: 2nd Grade (There are no costumes for 2nd grade)

10:30-11:00: 1st Grade (There are no costumes for 1st grade)


On Thursday, May 27th the choir will perform at 7PM in the MPR

They can wear whatever they like but should look "nice" since it is a nighttime concert. I would like the kids to be there at 6:30 so we can run through some of the songs.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Fun Music Websites

Here are some great music websites with lots of activities and games. These are a great way for your child to learn through play! Click on the address and it will link you to the website!

http://www.creatingmusic.com

http://www.classicsforkids.com/games

http://www.dsokids.com/2001/rooms/musicroom.asp


Have fun!

Simple Tips for Healthy Singing

There is such a thing as healthy and unhealthy singing. Of course, I would like all children to use healthy singing techniques in order to produce a more beautiful sound without damaging their vocal cords. Here are some simple steps to ensure beautiful, healthy singing:

1. Open your mouth! You'd be amazed what a difference it makes when you open your mouth wide, allowing for better resonance.

2. Enunciate. Slightly over-exaggerate the words you are singing so the audience can hear you more clearly.

3. Stand up or sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed but back.

4. Drink plenty of water.

5. Try to warm-up before you sing. Long, slower tones going up and down work well. Use syllables such as "ooh" or "maa". I would bet that your kids know my warm-ups pretty well by now and could do them on their own.

6. Try to sing in your "head voice" as much as possible. The head voice is usually a light, clear sound. You can almost feel it "vibrating" in your head. I sometimes tell the kids to imagine that they are a whale with a spout coming out of their foreheads and to make their sound come out of that hole. Here is an interesting video about the head voice vs the chest voice (the lower, more aggressive sounding voice): http://www.ehow.com/video_2388050_head-voice-vs_-chest-voice.html

7. Use common sense. If it hurts, stop! It is always a good idea to take breaks and of course, have lingering problems checked by a doctor.

First Grade Song Lyrics and Props- We Need Your Help!

For this song, "This Little Light of Mine", each 1st grade student will need a flashlight with batteries in it. They should bring these to school with them the week before the concert (May 17th-May 21st) with their name and phone number on it. They can bring them home the day of the concert (Tuesday, May 25th).

Please let me know ahead of time if you cannot find or borrow a flashlight, or if you have extras to lend. Please note that I have very few extra lights.

Here are the lyrics for "This Little Light of Mine":

Refrain:

This little Light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
(3 times)
Let it shine (3 times)

Verse 1:

I'm gonna take this light around the world
I'm gonna let it shine
(3 times)
Let it shine (3 times)

Refrain

Verse 2:

I won't let anyone (blow) it out
I'm gonna let it shine
(3 times)
Let it shine (3 times)

Refrain

Everyday, everyday, I'm gonna let my little light shine

Costumes for Third Grade Performance

As you know, all third grade classes will be performing a song from a different country. I do not expect every child to have an authentic costume for the performance, but it would be nice to represent the country in some way.

I am asking all classes to wear black pants/skirts and black tops as the basic uniform for the performance, unless otherwise stated. Each class will then have some accessory from their country. Please make sure black tops and bottoms are fairly plain (please no sparkles or large logos!) If the only shirt you can find has large or colorful logos, you may turn it inside out.

Here are the details for each class. Please note that some will be made in class and all others the students will be responsible for providing.

Ms Fructman's class:
1. Black pants/skirts and black shirts
2. Paper piupiu skirts. These will be made in class.

Ms Eplin's class:
1. Black pants and black shirts for BOYS
2. Long, colorful skirts and black shirts for GIRLS
3. Long scarves for BOYS (any color but solid or simple pattern is best)

4. Head scarves for GIRLS (This can be a simple bandanna, preferably a solid color)




Ms. Selover's class:
1. The traditional Korea clothing, or hanbok, is very distinct and difficult to replicate with just one or two accessories. I would like to see if we can borrow some hanbok from parents of Greenbrook students. If this is not possible, then students should wear black pants and black shirts and we will make hats for the students.
If you have children's hanbok or know someone who does and might be willing to let us borrow them, please let me know.












Ms. Caldera's class:
1. Black pants/skirts and black shirts
2. Paper hula skirts (If you have grass or plastic hula skirts, feel free to bring these)
3. Headbands. We will make these in class.

Ms. Edgren's class:
1. Black pants and black shirt for BOYS
2. Black shirt for GIRLS
3. Colorful scarf for BOYS (must be long enough to tie around waist)
4. Long, colorful skirt for GIRLS
5. Flower crown for GIRLS hair. We will make these in class.

Ms. Ravin's class:
1. Black pants for BOYS
2. Black shirt for GIRLS
3. Short-sleeved, colorful shirt for boys (solid colors)

4. Long, colorful skirts for GIRLS (if you have any with ruffles, that would be very appropriate)
5. Head scarf for GIRLS. Any bandanna is fine, preferably not the "cowboy/cowgirl" prints
6. Hats for BOYS. I will provide these.

New Song for First Graders: Each of Us is a Flower

A new song for first graders! This song celebrates the individuality of each child using the symbolism of individual flowers in the garden of life. Here are the lyrics:

Each of us is a flower
Growing in life's garden
Each of us is a flower
We need the sun and rain
(repeat)

Sun, shine your warmth on me
Moon, cool me with your night
Wind, bring the gentle rain
Earth, dig my roots down deep

New Instruments for Greenbrook Students!

Exciting news for Greenbrook students! There will soon be new instruments for all students to enjoy and learn with. We are especially excited to be able to introduce Orff instruments to the school. Orff instruments were created by German composer and educator Carl Orff to be used with his Orff Schulwerk technique. This technique emphasises repeated patterns, improvisation, and musical literacy.





I truly believe that these instruments, along with the other new instruments, will really take Greenbrook's music program to the next level of excellence in learning.

The funding for these instruments was made possible through our wonderful PTA fundraisers, as well as a grant from the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Thank you to Cheri Eplin for her help with the grant! I look forward to introducing these instruments to the students very soon!

Working on Rhythms

All Grade 1-3 students have been working on reading rhythms in music class. So far they have learned to clap the rhythms using "fish and whales." The whales represent quarter notes and the word "ta" is also used to represent it. The fishes represent eighth notes, and students say "ti ti" to show them. Here is a brief video, courtesy of Ms. Eplin, showing her class learning about the fish.

Mrs.V Teaching from Cheri Eplin on Vimeo.

Students will soon learn to identify the proper quarter note and eighth note symbols and will even be composing their own rhythmic music.

Ms Edgren's Class Song- Minka

Ms. Edgren's class song is "Minka." It is a song from the Ukraine. The Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe that is relatively new as an independent country. It became independent again with the disillusionment of the Soviet Union in 1991. It is slightly smaller than Texas and has over 45 million people. They have had to deal with a lot of political and economic instability. Most people in the Ukraine are Christian. You may have seen their famous Easter eggs before. They are marked with wax and dyed to create interesting patterns. A very famous composer named Tchaikovsky is from Ukraine. The class will sing the song in Ukrainian. Here are the lyrics, a pronunciation guide, and the translation of the text:

Lyrics:

Tizh men-ye pid-ma-nu-la
Tizh men-ye pid-ve-la
Tizh men-ye mo-la-do-va
Zu-ma, ra-zu-ma zve-la
(repeat)

Pronunciation:

teezh mehn-eh peed-mah-noo-lah
teezh mehn-eh peed-veh-lah
teezh mehn-eh moh-loh-doh-vah
tzoo-mah, ehzroh-zoo-moo zhveh-lah
(repeat)

Translation:

You're the one who's let me down
You're the one who has betrayed me
I so young and innocent and
You drove me insane

Ms Ravin's Class Song- Sonando

Ms. Ravin's class song is "Sonando." It is a Cuban song in the son montuno style, which combines the Spanish and African influences. Cuba is an island in the Caribbean. There are 11 million people in Cuba. It’s name means “where fertile land is abundant.” The Spanish colonized it and brought over slaves from Africa. Now the two cultures have mixed to give Cuba a unique cultural heritage. The music, art, and food are all mixes of these cultures. The students will dance a samba with the song. Here are the lyrics, a pronunciation guide, and the translation of the text:

Lyrics:

So-nan-do
Pa-ra bailar
Go-za
Mi cha cha cha
Lle-ga-re Ma-ri-a, lle-ga-re

Pronunciation:

soh-nahn-doh
pah-rah bI-lahr
goh-tsah
mee-chah-chah-chah
djeh-gah-reh mah-ree-ah, djeh-gah-reh

Translation:

[Music is] playing for dancing
Enjoy my cha cha cha
I will arrive, Maria, here I am.

Ms Selover's Class Song- Doong Gul Ge

Ms. Selover's class song is called "Doong gul ge." It is a game song from Korea. There are two parts of Korea. North and South Korea used to be united as one country but split in 1948. They are bordered by China and Russia, and Japan is also nearby. There are about 70 million people inKorea- 23 million in the north, ad 50 million in the south. Korean food has noodles, rice, and meat, but is best known for kimchi, which is a fermented vegetable (usually cabbage), like a pickle. The traditional clothing is called hanbok which means “Korean clothing”. It usually refers to the formal wear which is very colorful and often has many layers that are tied on. Students will sing the song in Korean and English. Here are the lyrics, a pronunciation guide, and the translation for the text.

Korean Lyrics:

Doong gul ge doong gul ge
(repeat)
Bing gul bing gul dol ah kah miaw
Chum ul chup shi da
Son bia kul chi mian sawh
No reh rul pu ru miaw
La la la lachul kaw up ge
Chum chu cha

Ring-a-ring-a-ring a-ring-a-ring-a-ring
(repeat)
Son eh son ul chop go
Mo du dah hahm ge
Chul kaw up ge chum ul chup shi da

Pronunciation:

doong gool geh doong gul geh
(repeat)
beeng gool beeng gool dohl ah kah meeyaw
choom ool choop shee dah
sohn byah kool chee myahn sawh
noh reh rool poo roo myaw
lah lah lah lah chool kaw oop ge
choom choo chah

leeng-ah-leeng-ah-leeng ah-leeng-ah-leeng-ah-leeng
(repeat)
sohn eh sohn ool chohp goh
moh doo dah hahm geh
chool kaw oop geh choom ool choop shee dah

Translation:

Round and round
Let's dance around in a circle
Let's clap; let's sing
Let's run together
Ring-a-ring-a-ring
Hold hands all together
Let's run together

English Lyrics:

Round and around we go (repeat)
Dance around the circle now
Don't let your feet be slow
Circle around and clap
Circle around and sing
Let's all run together now
Around the ring

Ring-a-ring-a-ring (repeat)
Hopping as we go
And jumping as we sing
Let's all run together round the ring

Grade 3 Welcome Song- Hello to All the Children of the World

All third graders will open the performance with the song, "Hello to All the Children of the World." It is a song of unity with kids throughout the world and features greetings in several different languages. This song has been a favorite with the third graders so far. Here are the lyrics:

Refrain: Hello, bonjour, buenos dias
G'day, guten tag, konnichiwa
Ciao, shalom, dobrey dyan
Hello to all the children of the world

Verse 1: We come from different places
From all around the world
We speak in many different ways
Though some things might be different
We're children just the same
And we all like to sing and play

(sing refrain)

verse 2: There's children in the deserts
And children in the towns
there's children who live by the sea
If we could meet each other
To run and sing and play
then what good friends we all could be

(sing refrain)

Here is a video of Ms. Eplin's class working on the song:

Music for Ms.Eplin's Class from Cheri Eplin on Vimeo.

Ms Eplin's Class Song- Artsa Alinu

Ms. Eplin's class is working on a song from Israel called "Artsa Alinu." This song is from Israel and is sung in Hebrew. Israel is a very young country and was established in 1948. This song expresses the people’s love of the land, which they value so highly that there is dispute over it now. It is a small country near the Mediterranean Sea with a population of about 7.5 million people. Most are Jewish but there are many people of other religions too. Here are the lyrics, a pronunciation guide, as well as a translation of the text:

Lyrics:

Artsa alinu, artsa alinu, artsa alinu
(repeat)
K'var cha-rash-nu v'gam za-ra-nu (repeat)
A-val od lo ka-tsar-nu (repeat 3 times)

Pronunciation:

ahr-tsah ah-lee-noo (repeat 6 times)
kvahr hkhah-rahsh-noo veh-gahm zah-rah-noo (repeat)
ah-vahl ohd loh kah-tsahr-noo (repeat 3 times)

Translation:

We have come to the land, our home
We have plowed and we have sown
But we've not yet reaped our own

Ms Fruchtman's Class Song- Karangatia Ra

Ms. Fruchtman's class song is called "Karangatia Ra" and is a welcome song from the Maori people of New Zealand. New Zealand is a series of large islands to the southeast of Australia in the pacific Ocean. The native people call themselves Maoris, which means “people of the land.” It is believed that New Zealand was settled by Polynesians who arrived on the islands by canoe around 1300 AD. Sometimes the people of New Zealand are called Kiwis. This is referring to their national bird, the flightless kiwi. Although there are over 4 million people in New Zealand, only about 15 % of the population are native Maoris. Many of the people in New Zealand are descended from Europe. Native dress is similar for men and women, with skirts called piupiu made from the flax plant. Both men and women often have tattoos on their face and bodies.

This song will be performed in the native Maori language. Here are the lyrics as well as a pronunciation guide and translation of the text:

Lyrics:

Ka-ran-ga-ti-a ra
(repeat)
Po-whiri-ti-a ra
Nga i-wi o te mo-tu
Ki te-nei ma-rae
Ha-e-re mai
He hui a ro-ha
Mo kou-tou e te-i-wi
Na-u nei te a-ro-ha
Me te ma-mae

Pronunciation:

kah-rah(n)-gah-tee-ah rah
(repeat)
poh-fee-ree-tee-ah ra
nah ee-wee oh tay moh-too
kee teh-neh mah-rai
hah-eh-reh mayh
heh hooee ah roh-hah
moh koo-too eh teh ee wee
nah-oo neh teh ah-roh-hah
meh teh mah-mai

Translation:

Travelers we.
Travelers we.
With provisions
From the Islands of our ancestors.
We speak here at our sacred entrance
A greeting of love,
For you are our family.
To you we give greetings,
Expressions of love.

Ms Caldera's Class Song- Hoe Ana Te Vaka

Ms. Caldera's class is performing a song from the Tuamotu islands in French Polynesia. The Tuamotu islands are a series of 78 islands near Tahiti. There are only about 16,000 people living there. They are known to tourists for their scuba diving, and for their black pearl exports. It has a warm tropical climate and people used to live in houses with roofs made of leaves, but many have iron roofs now. It is believed that the islands were settled in about 700AD but it is unclear. The song is sung in the native Paumotu language. Here are the lyrics of the song, a pronunciation guide, and a translation of the text:

Lyrics:

Ho-e an-a te va-ka
Ho-e ana, i Ta-hi-ti, Mo’o-rea
Ho-e an-a te va-ka

Ti-ai mai, tae atu vau
I-a o-e, ta-u he-re

Pronunciation:

hoe-A ah-nah tay vah-kah
hoe-A ah-nah, E tah-hee-tee, moe-or-ray-uh
hoe-A ah-nah tay vah-kah

Translation:

Rowing this canoe
Rowing to Tahiti & Mo’orea
Rowing this canoe

I wait (here, for you) with strong desire
For you, my love

Third Graders Explore the World

All third grade classes are working on songs from around the world. They will sing two songs all together and each class will present their own song from a different part of the world. All classes will be singing in other languages and performing some traditional movements or instrumental accompaniments.

Ms Freeman's Class Song- Kapulu Kane

Ms. Freeman's class song is called "Kapulu Kane" and is a song from Hawaii. They will be singing it in Hawaiian and performing a puili stick movement game with it. Here are the lyrics, a pronunciation guide, and a translation of the text:

Lyrics:

Ka-pu-lu pu-lu ka-ne
(repeat 3 times)
Ku-ka-na-lu-a

Pronunciation:

kah-poo-loo, poo-loo kaha-neh
(repeat 3 times)
koo-kah-nah-loo-ah

Translation:

That careless messy man, a very messy man
No doubt that every one can plainly see, indeed!

Ms Parlett/Smutney's Class Song- Crawfish

Ms. Parlett/Smutney's class song is called "Crawfish" and is a Cajun song and dance. Here are the lyrics:

Verse:
Now there's a funny little dance
The Cajun people love to do
That when you hear me talk about it
You're gonna wanna do it to
First you shake your little tail
Shimmy back a step or two
The put your hands in the air
Do like the crawfish do

Refrain:
Crawfish!
Got to do a little mud bug boogie
Crawfish!
Do the mud bug jitter bug boogie
Crawfish!

(instrumental verse)

(sing refrain)
Crawfishin' to the left, crawfishin' to the right
Let's all go crawfishin' on a Saturday night
Crawfishin' to the front, crawfishin' to the back
Let's all go crawfishin' with a crawfish sack
Crawfishin' going up, crawfishin' going down
Let's all go crawfishin' all around this town
Crawfish! Crawfish!

Ms Erickson's Class Song- The Penguin Polka

Ms. Erickson's class song is called "The Penguin Polka" and they will be singing it and performing some polka movements. Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1: I know a penguin who likes to polka
Eats tapioca, and lives in Boca Raton

He has some freckles, a lot of speckles
And that is why we call him Polka Dot

Refrain: One and two and waddle waddle
Do the penguin polka
One and two and waddle waddle
Polka, Polka Dot!
(repeat)

Verse 2: This little penguin can only waddle
But he's a model for any toddling town
He may be spotted, but we applauded
Because we love our little Polka Dot!

(Refrain)

Yah!

Ms Alves' Class Song- Any Turkey Can Tango

Ms. Alves' class song is called "Any Turkey Can Tango" and is about a turkey who can dance the tango. Students will be dancing their own version of the tango while singing the song. Here are the lyrics:

Refrain: Any turkey can tango
Any turkey can dance
Any turkey can tango
If they have the chance
(repeat)

Verse 1: Any turkey can flap, flap, flap (flap their "wings" 3 times on flap flap flap)
Any turkey can clap, clap, clap (clap 3 times on clap clap clap)
Any turkey can snap, snap, snap (snap 3 times on snap snap snap)
Any turkey can tango

(sing refrain)

Verse2: Any turkey can turn around (turn once all the way around)
Any turkey can touch the ground (tap the ground 3 times on touch the ground)
Any turkey can strut through town (wing flaps & head movements on strut through town)
Any turkey can tango

(sing refrain)

Ms Civitano's Class Song- Achshav

Ms. Civitano's class song is called "Achshav." It is a song from Israel, and students will sing it in Hebrew and in English while moving to the music in a dance that gets faster and faster! Here are the words:

Achshav, achshav
B'emek Yisrael
(repeat)

Tumba, tumba, tumba
B'emek Yisrael, Hey!
(repeat 3 times)

Awake, awake
The valleys of our land
(repeat)

Tumba tumba tumba
The land of Israel, Hey!
(repeat 3 times)

A Movement Song for all Second Graders

Here is the first song we learned as a second grade. All second graders will be singing "Mi Cuerpo" together in Spanish and English.

Mi cuerpo mi cuerpo
Hace musica
(repeat)

Mis manos hacen (clap 3 times)
Mis pies hacen (stamp 3 times)
Mi boca hace "la la la"
Mi cuerpo hace "cha cha cha (shake body to the cha cha cha)

My body makes music
It's easy you will see
(repeat)

My hands, my hands go (clap 3 times)
My feet, my feet go (stamp 3 times)
My mouth, my mouth goes "la la la"
My body does the cha cha cha (shake body to the cha cha cha)

Second Grade Performance is All About Movement

The second graders are preparing for their May 25th performance by working on songs that are all about movement. They will be singing two movement songs all together as a grade level, and each class will do their own movement song as well. Good thing second graders have lots of energy!

First Grade Song Lyrics- Wiggle Worm/Statue

This song talks about the different ways we can move our bodies. First graders also learn to be creative with their movements, as they can choose how to express the words of the song. They are encouraged to make a different statue pose each time. Here are the lyrics:

Wiggle like a wiggle worm (wiggle for 4 counts)
Stand like a statue (freeze in a statue pose for 4 counts)
(repeat)

Wiggle worm (wiggle for 2 counts)
Statue (freeze in statue pose for 2 counts)
(repeat)

Wiggle like a wiggle worm (wiggle for 4 counts)
Stand like a statue (freeze in statue pose)

First Grade Song Lyrics- All About Me

This quarter, 1st grade students are learning songs that centered on the theme of self-awareness. The first song they learned is appropriately titled, "All About Me." Here are the lyrics:

Refrain: Look at me, there's no one else like me
I am learning all about me
(repeat)

verse 1: I have hands that clap (two claps)
I have feet that tap (two stamps)
I have eyes that blink (two blinks)
And I have a brain that thinks (two taps on the head)

(sing refrain)

Verse 2: Sometimes I feel happy (show happy face)
Sometimes I feel sad (show sad face)
Sometimes I feel silly (show silly face)
And sometimes I feel mad! (show mad face)

(sing refrain)

Concert Dates!

Parents, mark your calendars! The music concert dates have been scheduled! 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders will perform for parents on Tuesday, May 25th. The times are as follows:

Grade 3: 8:30-9:15AM
Grade 2: 9:30-10:10AM
Grade 1: 10:30-11:00AM

The choir will perform on Thursday, May 27th, from 7:00-8:00PM.

We hope to see all of you there!

Ms V

Welcome to the Greenbrook Music Page!

Welcome students and family members!

This blog is your source for all information regarding the Greenbrook Elementary School Music classes. You can find lyrics for the songs we are working on, concert dates, and even tips on becoming a better singer. We will also post information as well as video and pictures of what we are working on in class.

Thank you for visiting!

Ms. Juli Van Eizenga AKA "Ms. V"