Classical Music Monday

 Classical Music Monday

We supplement the students’ music instruction with a fun activity called Classical Music Monday. Each Monday, during the students’ lunch periods in the cafeteria, a piece of classical music is played. The students are given brief background information about the piece and the music is not only heard, but seen, as a video container the music is presented. These videos come from many sources, from concert hall performances to cartoons that feature the music!

To maintain student interest, we use an American Idol-like format. After three weeks of watching videos, the students vote to determine which one of the three will go on in the competition and which two will “go home”. At the end of the year, we will have the semi-final and final voting that will determine the students’ favorite piece of classical music for the year.

The winner in 2005-06 was Dance of the Hours, a ballet by Ponchielli. It was definitely aided in its march to the top by another version of the song which the students also heard: Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh by Allan Sherman. In 2006-07 Spring,  from Four Seasons by Vivaldi, was voted the favorite. Which piece will win this year? We’ll know in May!

This is what the students will hear this year:

 "Ode To Joy" first winner moving to the semi-finals.

"The Blue Danube Waltz" second winner moving to the semi-finals.

 "Stars and Stripes Forever" third winner moving to the semi-finals.