Dear Music con Brio participants and families,
Effective immediately, all in-person Music con Brio classes and lessons are cancelled until April 6, or whenever MMSD is back in session. Under no circumstances are there to be any in-person classes, lessons, or meetings of any kind through Music con Brio during this time. This decision was made in consultation with the McB Board of Directors and staff, taking into account the CDC guidelines, and looking into what other area organizations are doing.
In lieu of our normal programming, we will be providing some optional enrichment videos via YouTube (organized by group class), and some suggested enrichment activities via email. You are encouraged to make use of these activities if and when you desire, but they are not required. Students are encouraged to keep up with their individual practicing as is appropriate for their family situation – we recognize and understand that everyone may not be able to practice during this time. You are encouraged to reach out to your child’s group or lesson teacher with specific questions or concerns about assigned practice material, or to contact me directly about anything else related to Music con Brio.
Our contact info: Ms. Carol info@musicconbrio.org 309-838-8807 Mr. Brian briangrimm.cellozone@gmail.com 262-347-9590 Ms. Catherine cstephenshome@gmail.com 608-347-0992 Ms. Hillary hillary.m.harder@gmail.com 316-617-7972
If playing instruments and making music together is enjoyable for your family, then go for it! Music can be a great source of joy and a balm in troubled times, and we hope it can comfort your family now. But please do not feel any stress or obligation to keep up with practicing or lesson materials if it’s not a good time for your family. The health, safety, and well-being of our participants, their families, and our community is of paramount importance and we must prioritize that right now above all else.
I will be sending out regular emails with links to our new enrichment videos and some other online enrichment materials. Please do contact me if you have any questions or concerns! We hope everyone is staying healthy and we look forward to being back together again in a few weeks!
Best, ~Carol & the Music con Brio team
Post dated March 18, 2020 Music con Brio Optional Enrichment Activities: Week 1
Hello everyone, Hoping you’re staying well and relatively sane after the first few days at home! We are certainly missing seeing all our students. This email contains links to the first week’s worth of optional Music con Brio enrichment activities, including some general enrichment activities available online, and the enrichment videos made by McB staff and organized by group class. As a reminder, please make sure your student is appropriately supervised when using online resources.
First, there are some links to various online resources that we hope you might enjoy – many of them music related, but not all. These have been making the rounds on social media, so you may already be aware of them, but we hope at least some of this information is helpful for you! (Please note that this content is not produced by Music con Brio.)
Below that are the links to the enrichment videos made by Music con Brio staff. They are organized by group class, but students are welcome to check out the videos from other group classes as well if they would like more to do! We’ve done our best to make these videos as useful as possible for each class, but we also recognize that they cannot be a perfect fit for everyone. Please feel free to utilize them in the manner you see fit, and do let me know if you have any questions about them.
We know things are very uncertain right now, and the situation changes daily, but please know that we are very committed to continuing to provide high quality music education to your children as best we can. We welcome your feedback if you have the opportunity to give it. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we figure this out! ~Carol & the Music con Brio team
FREE online resources:
The Berlin Philharmonic has made its Digital Concert Hall available free to everyone (must redeem offer through website by March 31): https://www.digitalconcerthall.com/en/home
Cool music apps available free for a limited time: https://www.engadget.com/2020/03/14/moog-and-korg-free-synth-apps/
An NPR list of virtual live concerts to watch: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/17/816504058/a-list-of-live-virtual-concerts-to- watch-during-the-coronavirus- shutdown?utm_campaign=npr&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_ medium=social
A variety of online music technology links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a8TuuVWnESNjKPyDcNvLCqu1KIcZmy- sUTeV04b71eg/mobilebasic
Daily lunchtime doodles (live at 12 pm CDT) with Mo Willems: https://www.kennedy- center.org/education/mo-willems
Over 30 virtual field trips with links: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1SvIdgTx9djKO6SjyvPDsoGlkgE3iExmi3 qh2KRRku_w/mobilebasic
Actor Josh Gad (Frozen) reads books out loud to kids: https://chipandco.com/actor-josh- gad-is-reading-books-to-kids-online-every-night-during-coronavirus-quarantines- 383789/
McB Enrichment videos:
For VIOLINS (Monday group classes): 2 pm group class: Review of violin workout: https://youtu.be/FYl9dxn5WVE Review of bow circles: https://youtu.be/UlJQudEZIE8
2:45 pm group class: Review of Mississippi Mud, Scotland’s Burning, and Frere Jacques: https://youtu.be/fg1DJt7DJwE Rhythm flashcards review: https://youtu.be/qdB1A59v-YM
3:30 pm group class: Review of 2 octave G Major scale, Old Joe Clark, Cripple Creek, and Blue Balloon: https://youtu.be/z2_ZYMRbuxE Note reading flashcards: https://youtu.be/RkL0b3fvuQs
4:15 pm group class: Review of Minuet 2 practice spots: https://youtu.be/C5OUdGrhvu4 Review of Minuet 2, Irish Washerwoman, and Handel Chorus: https://youtu.be/X9pNLzVwKyM Rhythmic scale study using 2 octave G Major scale: https://youtu.be/2Tew_lZ_6e8 *Rhythmic scale study video should also be used by 6:45 class*
6 pm group class: Review of Singing Twinkle, Scotland’s Burning, Frere Jacques, The Clown, Go Tell Aunt Rhody, and Ode to Joy: https://youtu.be/9chO2LCR_Hw Note reading flashcards: https://youtu.be/au6nSeNnuUM
6:45 pm group class:
Review of Hunter’s Chorus, Hunter’s Chorus Variation, and Handel Bourree: https://youtu.be/1V7o41cSz5Y Rhythmic scale study using 2 octave G Major scale: https://youtu.be/2Tew_lZ_6e8 *Rhythmic scale study video should also be used by 4:15 class*
For PIANOS (Tuesday group classes): 2:50 pm and 3:35 pm group classes (1st year students): Part 1 – Intro and Mindfulness Song with pattern ABA: https://youtu.be/NFNQysF-nfo Part 2 – Learning a new song – Mr. Bluebird (steps down and up), Dance Band (in 4/4 time signature), and starts on F: https://youtu.be/Yf7WV2zZjtA Part 3 – Tips to practice, Flash Cards and Music Stories: https://youtu.be/HGs9f4WZI3M Theory Book — please work on pages 20, 21, and 27 Lesson Book — songs to work on include: Mr. Bluebird Frogs on Log Dance Band Parents and students, if you have feedback for us about our first video lesson, please share!
4:30 pm group class: Group playing Kite in the Sky, Faber Book 1: https://youtu.be/YsLJSdwFstQ Ear training 2nds and 3rds: https://youtu.be/43-D_bXB-7k
5:15 pm group class: Group playing The Puppet Show: https://youtu.be/_1sC3tKTMHQ Ear training half steps and whole steps: https://youtu.be/H087TcI7Y4o
For CELLOS (Tuesday group classes): Group 1 Cellos (2:50 pm group class): (1) Tuning Octaves https://grimmusik.com/cellozone-exercises/cellozone-exercises- tuning-1st-position-with-octaves/ (2) 1 8va Scales https://grimmusik.com/cellozone-exercises/cellozone-exercises- one-octave-8va-scale-major-minor-with-1st-position-pitch-check/
Group 2 Cellos (3:35 pm group class): (1) F Major review https://grimmusik.com/cellozone-exercises/cellozone-exercises- aura-lee-p4/ (2) Cripple Creek Intro https://grimmusik.com/cellozone-exercises-cripple-creek-intro- double-stops/
If anyone needs to print out a fresh copy of their sheet music, Mr. Brian has all of the Music con Brio Cello Packets up on his website under the Packets Submenu.
Post dated March 25, 2020 Music con Brio Optional Enrichment Activities: Week 2
Hello everyone, Welcome to Week 2 of Music con Brio online! This email contains links to the second week’s worth of optional Music con Brio enrichment activities, including some general enrichment activities available online, and the enrichment videos made by McB staff and organized by group class. As a reminder, please make sure your student is appropriately supervised when using online resources.
First, there are some links to various online resources that we hope you might enjoy. (Please note that this content is not produced by Music con Brio.)
Below that are the links to the enrichment videos made by Music con Brio staff. They are organized by group class, but students are welcome to check out the videos from other group classes as well if they would like more to do! Please feel free to utilize them in the manner you see fit, and do let me know if you have any questions about them.
As we’ve all settled into staying home for the next several weeks, the Music con Brio staff is working on a longer-term plan for online instruction. We will be sending out a brief survey asking for your input. Thank you for your feedback! We want to keep Music con Brio as accessible and convenient as possible during this time. ~Carol & the Music con Brio team
FREE online resources:
Yo-Yo Ma on Songs of Comfort (via PBS): https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/yo-yo- ma-on-encouraging-songs-of-comfort-amid-global-crisis
We Are Teachers has compiled a list of children’s authors doing read-aloud and online activities here: https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-author- activities/?utm_content=1584565321&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
Audible is offering free streaming stories during the school shut- downs: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Much of the permanent collection at MMoCA is online: https://www.mmoca.org/exhibitions#collection_slider
NASA has made its entire media library available for free: https://www.diyphotography.net/nasa-makes-entire-media-library-publicly-accessible- copyright-free/ https://images.nasa.gov
McB Enrichment videos:
For VIOLINS (Monday group classes): 2 pm group class: Introduction to Around the World: https://youtu.be/nLDvKwUfA9c Introduction to rhythm flashcards: https://youtu.be/-VzukhisDHE
2:45 pm group class: Review of Pepperoni Pizza Twinkle, The Clown, and This Old Man: https://youtu.be/TgBV0cnxFyo Introduction to note reading flashcards: https://youtu.be/W6IWEXY_1eM
3:30 pm group class: Review of Aura Lee, Can-Can, and May Song: https://youtu.be/bWxfGJHINvA Musical terms and symbols flashcards: https://youtu.be/dJqOcuasybY
4:15 pm group class: Review of Arran Boat Song, Minuet 1, and La Cucaracha: https://youtu.be/f9sFXeWmTFc Rhythmic scale study Part 2 using 2 octave G Major scale: https://youtu.be/LFSwoaL3Iyo *Rhythmic scale study Part 2 video should also be used by 6:45 class*
6 pm group class: Introduction to This Old Man: https://youtu.be/S3fSFKybRJo Reading sheet music (using This Old Man): https://youtu.be/CFcvTbt_7eI *See attached pdf of sheet music for This Old Man – bottom half of page*
6:45 pm group class: Review of The Two Grenadiers and Witches’ Dance: https://youtu.be/Qdg-3FOSbdo Rhythmic scale study using 2 octave G Major scale: https://youtu.be/LFSwoaL3Iyo *Rhythmic scale study Part 2 video should also be used by 4:15 class*
For PIANOS (Tuesday group classes): 2:50 pm and 3:35 pm group classes (1st year students): Part 1 Mindfulness song Counting and rhythm practice with a wooden spoon or clap your hands. LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA0em5XYfV0&feature=youtu.be
Part 2 Play songs together — Frogs on Logs and Dance Band (Lesson Book pages 45 and 44). Finding the note — keyboard lesson Solo time for friends and family at home. LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DAi-9_Yrcc&feature=youtu.be
Homework: Practice counting and rhythms at home.
Work on Frogs on Logs, and The Dance Band. Solo time at home. Remember as you play, do your best to listen.
Keep up the good work, and do your best with practice time. Please reach out with any questions.
4:30 pm group class: Group playing Li’l Liza Jane, Faber Book 1: https://youtu.be/8TFwyZc4t-s Notes of the treble clef: https://youtu.be/eluZkHdcxAs *Notes of the treble clef video should also be used by 5:15 class* *See attached pdf of sheet music for Li’l Liza Jane – bottom half of page*
5:15 pm group class: Group playing Kitch-iti-kipi: https://youtu.be/aNmSWIzOeOs Notes of the treble clef: https://youtu.be/eluZkHdcxAs *Notes of the treble clef video should also be used by 5:15 class* *See attached pdf of sheet music for Kitch-iti-kipi*
For CELLOS (Tuesday group classes): Group 1 & Group 2 Cellos Here is a “new tune” that I wanted to teach you after the Spring Community Concert! I made some special sheet music just for you and of course wrote out a little “walk through” to guide you through the exercises.
“The Sad Clown”, French Folk Song in D minor: https://grimmusik.com/cellozone-exercises/cellozone-exercises-the-sad-clown-french- folk-song-in-d-minor/
Group 2 students, please take a practice-session to look at this preparatory lesson (which Group 1 worked on last week) before you try “the Sad Clown” exercise sheet. It shouldn’t take you too long to get the hang of it.
One Octave Scales in 1st position, Major and Minor with “pitch checks”
https://grimmusik.com/cellozone-exercises/cellozone-exercises-one-octave-8va-scale- major-minor-with-1st-position-pitch-check/
