September 2026

 

September 8-11

This is our introduction week.  I have some of the groups in temporary class placements for a 40m activity.  We'll look at a Bill Nye film about the science of music and do a rhythm making activity

September 14-18

All classes are working on a mini unit called 'Movies and Music' where we explore the art of combining music and sound effects (Foley Art) with film.  Working in groups students will record a backing track for a 1 minute cartoon that I'll post to this site!

This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Brazil

Brazilian Music is a mix of Indigenous, African and European musics.  It was one of the first countries I went to on tour due to its huge influence internationally.  Brazil is a Lusophone country-99% ofd the population speaks a Brazilian version of the Portuguese language.  

Samba Music-Zeca Pagodinho-Deixa a Vida Me Levar (3:14) (edited from film found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJzKCFxFlBY&list=RDHJzKCFxFlBY&start_radio=1) Samba music is a well known music from Brazil.  Pagodinho is sometimes referred to as the 'King of Samba'.  Here he performs his massive hit Deixa a Vida Me Levar live.  

Bossa Nova-Bebel Gilberto-Samba de Benção (5:19) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rlzdn9xk6c&list=RD4rlzdn9xk6c&start_radio=1) Bebel is the daughter of famous Bossa Nova pioneer João Gilberto.  Bossa Nova is often described as a laid back form of the Samba and so some tunes can lie on the periphery.  This song is technically an 'Afro Samba' but is often performed or classified as Bossa Nova.  I think this is because of the laid back groove.  I'm putting this down as Bossa Nova!

MPB (Music Popular Brasileira) - Novos Baianos-Acabou Chorare (4:58) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8EYK4ApqUo&list=RDt8EYK4ApqUo&start_radio=1) Bossa Nova, Samba, Brazilian Folk, Rock and Funk evolved into a type of music called MPB.  This song being performed is the title track from an album frequently named the greatest Brazilian album of all time.  

Chor Music-Pixinguinha-Carinhoso (performed by grupo de chorinho Água de Vintém) (3:58) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdSpIMsOyJo&list=RDfdSpIMsOyJo&start_radio=1) Choro or 'chorinho' (little cry) is an instrumental music that originated in Rio de Janeiro.  It is a blend of Afro Brazilian music and jazz (sometimes compared to a New Orleans style of jazz).  The is a group who play this type of music performing a very iconic song by choro legend Pixinguinha. 

September 21-25  (Monday is NID-school based)

Second week of Movies and Music-a few groups may make their recording this week.

This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-Guinea

Doundounba, Guinea Traditional Dance and Rhythm (1:49) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_Gsaj4CPAM) From the Hamana region of Guinea-Doundounba is the 'dance of the strong men' and can feature day long dancing as feats of endurance.  

Djembe Drum-Soko Rhythm (2:34) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH6byBpScPo&list=RDHH6byBpScPo&start_radio=1) The djembe (hour glass shaped) drum is critical throughout Western Africa.  Guinea is considered 'the spiritual home' of the djembe.  Here we have a traditional rhythm from Guine being played by drummer Mohamed Bangoura.

Mory Kanté-Yeke Yeke (4:11) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq5oNG03z2s&list=RDyq5oNG03z2s&start_radio=1) Mory Kanté was a well known kora player (the large instrument he starts with-traditional from the Mandinka) from Guinea.  This is his massive hit yeke yeke from 1987 (it went #1 in many European countries).  The song is in the Mandinka and Bambura languages. 

Fish Killa-Hold Up (3:23) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmDKvFlr7Fw&list=RDEMwosgjkNl4j8DDUWLdderNA&index=2) Fish Killa is a well known artist from Conakry-the capital of Guinea.  His styles are Afrobeat, Dance hall and Contemporary African pop.  

September 28-October 2 (Wednesday is Truth and Reconciliation Day)

Third week of Movies and Music-recordings start late this week and continue through early next week

Classes finished with the cartoon soundtrack start on Thriller Dance.  Older students start introduction to ukulele. 

This Week's Music Around the World-Traditional and Contemporary Music-South Korea

Gayageum Byeongchang Namdo Minyo ‘Saetaryteong’  (5:27) (edited from video found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0anFNv-TIW8)

This is a Namdo Minyo or folk song from the Southwest of Korea.  The song compares different birds to the lives of people. The drum in this video is called a janggu. The performance is called a Gayageum Byeongchang-where the singers sing while accompanying themselves on the gayageum.  These instruments have been around for thousands of years. The original video is a broadcast of the Korean Music Festival on Arirang TV.   

Jiha Park-Piri Solo 'Sangyeongsan' (5:45) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDHwdnCausQ) From Gorguryeo this is a type of oboe called a piri.  This is a peformance in Liverpool in 2010 of Sangyeongsan by Jiha Park. 

Bipa-Zhou Jieqiong (2:57) (found at https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3nv0xm)

This is a traditional Korean lute called a bipa.  This musician is competing on a television show and demonstrating her virtuosity on the instrument.  

Pansori-Ahn Sook Sun (4:32) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kt7YdXsWzg) Sometimes called 'Korean Opera' pansori is compared to American blues music as it is an expression of 'everyday people'.  In performance it is as simple as singer and percussionist.  It is essentially storytelling through song. Ahh Sook Sun is considered a living national treasure in South Korea.  

Nongak (0:39) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oiODXIUkiY). Nongak is percussive music, dancing, drama and acrobatics traditionally performed by farmers to appease the gods, pray for a rich harvest and foster community solidarity.  

BTS-Dynamite (K-Pop) (3:43) (found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdZLi9oWNZg&list=RDgdZLi9oWNZg&start_radio=1)

KPop has become extremely popular around the world.  I find KPop reminiscent of Motown music (think Jackson 5) at its best-a little commercially managed, with a heavy emphasis on extremely tightly choreographed peformance. Here is a much loved group who did have to leave the music scene for a few years as the members served their compulsory military duty in South Korea.