Guided by music educator and percussionist Valerie Naranjo and her middle-school students, viewers discover percussion instruments and ensembles from various cultures. Performances actively engage students by providing playalong opportunities. After exploring the synthesizer and comparing the effects of film clips set to different scores, students discuss how music helps create moods. Grades 3-4, Standard 4. An exploration of fusion begins with performances from diverse cultures and includes lively conversations with Women of the Calabash and zydeco band Loup Garou.
Students learn how styles evolve as musical elements from varied cultures meet and blend.
Grades 3-4, Standard 4, Standard 5. Middle-school students interact with Jennifer Kimball and Jonatha Brooke of the singing group, The Story, to produce their own music video. The creative process is documented from conceptualization through storyboards and taping. Grades 3-4, Standard 3. In this video, Grammy-nominated Juan Ortiz and his mariachi ensemble, Campanas de America, introduce students to instruments and musical characteristics of mariachi through song performances and demonstrations, children will experience the colorful music of this Mexican tradition.