Music Books for Preschoolers

I had so much fun this summer planning and teaching "Summer Music for Preschoolers!".

Here are the books we used this summer.

1. "Gus and Me" by Keith Richards is a memoir about his introduction to the guitar and how is grandfather (Gus) encouraged him to learn music. The preschoolers (Pre-k's) loved the colorful pictures and got excited about a book written by a rock star!

2. "Making Music" by Arthur Paxton is a step by step guide to how new music is played by an orchestra. It is a little dated, but the photography is fun and the layout is creative. The Pre-k's loved pointing out the instruments they knew and were excited about the prospect of seeing an orchestra live one day!

3. "Oliva forms a band" by Ian Falconer brings the reader into the mind of a 4 year old. The Olivia books are always humorous and clever in the storytelling. There isn't much about music, but the passage about Olivia creating her own one-pig band out of house hold items is worth the read.

4. "Max Found Two Sticks" by Brian Pinkney is music book that can be interactive with children. Pickney uses onomatopoeia to show the way drums can imitate other sounds. Have Pre-k's make the same sounds and let them imitate pigeon wings, trains and all the other fun sounds this book offers.

5. "Over in the Meadow" by Susan Reed is a counting book with a repetitive melody. The pictures are colorful and entertaining. The Pre-k's can anticipate the next number and yell out the number when it's time.

6. "Summertime" illustrated by Dubose Heyward and Dorothy Heyward takes the words of "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess and puts them to beautiful works of art. The Pre-k's loved the artwork. It helps to listen to the music before, and then read the book. At the end of the book is the "Summertime" sheet music and the Pre-k's wanted to follow the notes along with the singer. 

Stages Bloomington Part 1

 Stages Bloomington is a children musical theatre company. This summer I was fortunate enough to work with them. There are three age groups pre-k-1st, 2nd-4th, and 5th-8th. I am the kinderstages director, which means I run the pre-k through 1st grader camp. I am also the art instructor for the older children. There are two weeks of camp this summer. One already took place in June and the next will be in July. Each camp is based off a story and the students get to help put on a show. Last camp the stories were "Caps for Sale", "Turtle of Koka" and "Harry Potter". The older groups have the opportunity to work in play-writing, so the end product is actually their words on stage! They choose the scenes and characters they want to represent. I loved listening in on their creative process.  Throughout the day each camp participates in many classes; art, acting, dance, music, play-writing, rehearsal, and free-time. I am so excited for the next camp in July!

Summer music for preschoolers

Sometimes life throws you some unexpected opportunities. After teaching preschool (definitely unexpected) this last year I have learned so much about preschoolers. I was talking to a students parent about what type of music education preschoolers should be pursuing. The first thing to remember is that they are PRESCHOOLERS. In my opinion, serious music instruction shouldn't begin until the student is ready (for most around 8-10). In the meantime exposing young children to music can help promote a love of music in the future. That is when I realized I have the tools to help with this process.

 CUE MY SUMMER PROGRAM

Preschoolers have short attention spans- at most they can stay focused for about 15 minutes. My music class will incorporate games, art projects, dance and more! My first session is almost full and I am playing with some activities that will include- recorders, jello, a huge pair of dice, and bubbles.

Matt's last concert of the semester

 Matt's last concert of the semester was Wednesday and what an awesome note to end on (pun intended). I realized I've never shared any sort of visual of the hall and majesty of the Jacobs school of music's concerts. So I brought my camera and took photos before and after the performance. NEVER DURING. So enjoy some candid photos of the bass players and the orchestra. There are seven orchestras and Matt is in the Philharmonic Orchestra. It's an amazing school with so many talented musicians.

 My favorite piece of the night was "Don Juan" by Strauss.

 

The best comment of the night, "What if between all the grand pauses of "Don Juan" Lil Jon yelled "WHAT?!" "OKAY!". " It's such an amazing thought especially considering the names Juan and Jon are the same... hahaha 

Music Teacher Merch

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Music teacher merch is the fun music teacher stuff I find and love. These would be great gifts for any music teacher or music lover. 

Audra Mcdonald is phenomenal.

 Last week I was incredibly fortunate to see, broadway super-star, Audra Mcdonald live in Bloomington. We were in the 9th row!

I cried so many times and felt incredibly uplifted to hear such a talented and driven performer. She is so loveable. She gave endearing anecdotes that made me feel like I was out to lunch with an old friend who happened to break out into song every now and then. seriously. She wouldn't even introduce songs by their title-she would sing the song and then ask for the audience to guess! HA! I loved it. Here's a little snip-it of her personalty from Broadway.com 

I nearly died when she turned the concert into a sing-a-long for "I could have danced all night". How exciting to get to sing with her (haha in my dreams).  Be sure to listen to her CD. There are so many gems. Here was my favorite. As a teacher this song just hit me so differently. This is so much what the day to day work is about. Make someone happy.

 For those of you in the bay area she is giving this same concert in June 12 at the Mountain Winery. You can check out her website for more details. 

On her website I found out she will be performing with her husband this summer!! I got this information from her website.

 "This summer, Audra McDonald will star opposite her husband Will Swenson in a production of Eugene O’Neill’s drama A Moon for the Misbegotten (Aug 5- 23), directed by Gordon Edelstein, at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. Audra will play Josie, a farmer’s daughter who plots against their alcoholic landlord, James Tyrone Jr., who will be played by Will Swenson. Audra and Will Swenson first worked together in the Roundabout Theater Company’s 2007 award-winning revival of the Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones, and N. Richard Nash musical 110 in the Shade."


This is incredibly exciting! 

If you happen to be LDS you might now Will Swenson from the movie "The Singles Ward". If you happen to be a huge musical theatre fan then you probably remember him from "Hair"! If you are both a musical theatre fan and LDS then you probably already know this! 

music lessons

   Matt and I are opening up our home to lessons. Here is the photo from our promotional flyer. So if you know anyone in the Bloomington Indiana area interested in Bass, Guitar, piano or voice lessons- we are your people. 

My experience 

 Bachelors in Music- Vocal

San Jose State University

 MCCSC School Age Care Travelling Music Supervisor

 Musical theatre musical direction

 Professional choral and solo work

 Over 8+ years of music

 instruction

Matt's experience

 Bachelors in Music- Strings

San Jose State University

 IU Jacobs School of Music

Double Bass Graduate Assistant

 Professional Orchestral work

 Youth Orchestra Coach

Over 8+ years of music instruction