My Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Graders-Good Morning!!!! I'm going to link some musical activities for you to do today!!!! Even though we can't be together because of the snow and ice, we can still have music! Let's go!!!!
The 1st youtube video will be our LITTLE EINSTEINS introducing the musical families of the ORCHESTRA to us. We can discuss HOW MANY FAMILIES are in an ORCHESTRA when we are back together next week. Enjoy! But first how about a warm-up? LET'S CLAP THOSE HANDS!!!!
Finally, my friends, it is February and BLACK HISTORY MONTH and below, are three short videos on one of my favorite SINGERS and MUSICIANS of all time. MR. STEVIE WONDER!!! Let's learn a little bit about the amazing talents of STEVIE WONDER with these quick short videos of this super-talented POP-ARTIST!.
Well my friends, we did it! No matter what, there is always TIME for a a little music in our lives everyday! We will talk about ORCHESTRAS, MUSICAL FAMILIES, RHYTHMS and the GREAT STEVIE WONDER ( he is 70 years hold this year and still making music and performing!) when I see next week! Until then, have some hot chocolate and I we see you around-------------LIKE A DONUT! STAY SAFE ST. DOTS!!!!!
Hello my snow friends. Here we are on the great battle field of icy fluff but that is nothing for us for music is an ever evolving creation uncontrolled by the weather! Ha! Onward and upward.
I thought that I would combine Black History Month and Music for a little view project that I hope you find interesting.
Music today and especially, African-American musicians and entertainers owe a substantial amount to the gentleman to whom I'm about to introduce. His name is Berry Gordy and with out his energy, forsight, relentless dedication to Black Artists having a voice and an opportunity to become in America's mainstream consciousness, African American composers and entertainers would not have advanced in the music industry as quickly as they did.
Let's view a few videos that will get us better acquainted with the genius behind the promotion of African American Music in this country.
If you would, would you please take some notes so that when we return next week (it can't snow forever) you'll be able to answer a questionnaire about this iconic musical icon!!!!
Of course, it would be impossible to play all of the artists that were represented by Mowtown Records. But after viewing these videos we can say that Mowtown Artists all had that Berry Gordy "look," "sound," "choreography," and "wardrobe!" Berry Gordy had a vision that changed the course of American Popular Music for the better. No "one person" had such a profound effect on the quality and direction of American Music then did Berry Gordy. He started his company for 800.00 in 1959 and sold it for 61 million dollars in 1989. There were over 15000 songs exclusively in the Mowtown Catelogue and Berry Gordy composed 240 of those songs. That Motown Catelogue was sold to PolyGram Filmed Entertainment for 331 million dollars. I think it is safe to say that for a young man with an 11th grade education and no H.S. diploma who borrowed his families 800.00 dollars to start his company, 391million dollars would be a "fair" return on his initial investment. Agreed?
I hope you enjoyed learning and listening to the phenomena of Berry Gordy's MOWTOWN. It was a vision that changed American Pop Music forever!!!!!
Check out the MOTOWN STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONNAIRE below to see how much you know!
We'll discuss these videos next week in class as well! Have fun with "Hitsville USA!"