Workshop This Saturday!

May 1, 2012 merciern Workshops

On Saturday, May 5th, KESNE will be hosting a Folk Dance Sharing Session at the McCray Theater at the Handel Center of the Hartt School of Music. This gorgeous off-campus facility is the perfect spot to host this fantastic event. The Handel Center is less than 2 miles from the Hartt School and the address is 35 Westbourne Parkway, Hartford CT (or see the map below). There is plenty of parking in front of the building and McKray theater is just off the main lobby.

So please take the time to attend this fantastic event where KESNE members will be sharing effective and enjoyable folk dances that can be used in any music classroom or even with more adult aged community groups. So come enjoy our revelry, as we close out our year of tremendous workshops with a joyous celebration of dancing, singing, and music making.


View Handel Performing Arts Center in a larger map

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Thanks for a Wonderful Workshop!

May 1, 2012 merciern News

Our last workshop with John Feierabend was a tremendous success. Members who were unable to attend can view an archive recording of the workshop here. Thanks again to Dr. Feierabend for present such a relevant, meaningful, and engaging workshop on the importance of movement in music education.

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Friday Find: Intervals in Inversion Song

April 27, 2012 merciern Friday Find

Having trouble remembering your interval inversions? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered with the help of David Newman who has several ear training music videos online. Hope you enjoy!

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Workshop this Saturday

March 28, 2012 merciern Workshops

Just a reminder to all members that we will be holding a workshop this Saturday (March 31st) with world renowned clinician John Feierabend. He will be presenting a workshop on how to better incorporate movement into the music classroom and as always it is bound to be a wonderful and eye opening experience. If you haven’t registered you can still pre-register up until 8pm Thursday evening. So be sure to sign up today if you haven’t already.

Directions:

View Konover Center in a larger map

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Friday Find: I’m a Good Ole Rebel

February 24, 2012 merciern Friday Find

Music is a powerful teaching tool in social studies and history that is often not used to the fullest extent possible. This song is a ballad that was written by one of General Lee’s aides as he sat in a Northern Army prison camp during the Civil War. His sentiments can show the strength of emotion felt by both sides of the conflict and bring subject matter more to life for students.

For music teachers who do a unit on the Civil War or for any history teachers who cover the subject matter Bobby Horton has several wonderful CDs with songs of both the Union and Confederate armies that are available for purchase here. A great lesson involves looking over the textual changes the two sides would make to the same exact song to reflect their political viewpoint. This can help drive home the notion of how folk songs change and shift over time, sometimes unintentionally, but sometimes with a very clear purpose or intent.

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Friday Find: Amazing Overtones

December 16, 2011 merciern Friday Find

Overtone singing is an amazing thing where by changing the shape of your mouth can create separate pitches in the overtones, even when the fundamental pitch remains the same.

This first video does a somewhat better job of explaining exactly what overtone singing is and how you can practice it.

This next video shows how you can use the overtones produced to create an actual melody. Listen carefully to hear “Amazing Grace” in the overtones. It might take you a few tries.

Finally this is an example of a piece of composed music that uses overtones for a neat effect.

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Friday Find: Happy Holidays from NAfME

December 9, 2011 merciern Friday Find

Everyone may not have noticed that MENC (The Music Educator National Conference) has officially made the switch to NAfME (National Association for Music Educators).

So they thought they would spread the news with a holiday greeting card.

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Friday Find: Stella Olla (Belated)

October 27, 2011 merciern Friday Find

Dear KESNE enthusiasts! I sincerely apologize for missing last week’s Friday Find. I had accidentally scheduled it to be published on 11/21/2011 instead of  10/21/2011! Thank you to everyone who emailed me when you noticed it was missing, I’m glad that you enjoy it so much!

That means you will be getting a Friday Find today AND a second one tomorrow!

Now for the find:

I often try to explain my job to non-music teachers and their reaction is often “So you sing songs and play games with children?” And as much as I know I’m also teaching children how to read and write music, how to play and work together cooperatively, and to understand how music relates to the world around them I also know that at the end of the day the games and dances we do is one of the most memorable parts of the lesson. » Read more..

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Traffic Advisory!

October 14, 2011 merciern Uncategorized

If you are attending tomorrow’s workshop you may wish to check out the traffic information below.

Harford is holding it’s annual marathon tomorrow and while the workshop location is not directly on the marathon route it is near by. Please review the map below:


View Hartford Marathon in a larger map

For a more detailed schedule of street closings and times please review this document.

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Friday Find: Bolero Flash Mob

October 14, 2011 merciern Friday Find

Most people know what a Flash Mob is by now. It has become a bit of a culture in and of itself. You can find many musical flashmob videos online, most of them resemble something out of the hit series glee. Some have coordinated dance numbers, and some play like a form of advanced avante garde theater.

The Copenhagen Philharmonic decided they would try their own flash mob using Ravel’s Bolero. You have to admit it is the perfect choice as more and more instruments just seem to “show up” to the party.

I think my favorite part might be the very ending when the orchestra just melts back into the crowd without offering any explanation for what just happened. I can’t think of a better way to expose a random audience to a masterpiece in a way that they will never forget.

Think you know a video that would make a great Friday Find? Email us at media@kesne.org!

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