Greta's Music Blog

M is for Music

2011-11-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

A favorite book of mine, combining literacy and music: M is for Music. It's by Kathleen Krull, with illustrations by Stacy Innerst. Check it out at your library, and then buy your own copy. It has great vocabulary words (like aria, a cappella and unison) which you can use with your child. ("Let's sing a cappella, without any instruments playing along with us!") And some ideas on music to listen

Monmouth Library

2011-07-20T11:31:00.000-07:00

A wonderful afternoon of Crazy Camp Songs at the Monmouth Library. One parent came up to me afterwards and said, "My son's Cub Scout Pack love singing your songs!" That's what we like to hear! The room's decorations - stars hanging from the ceiling - really added to the theme. Spoon players wait and listen to the dulcimer's introduction. Guest musicians play goat toe nails, frogs,

Friday in the Columbia Gorge

2011-07-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

Friday was a beautiful day in the Gorge. We had a great turnout at The Dalles-Wasco County Library. Lots of enthusiastic singers, dancers, and music makers. The program was Around The World In Song, with a special request for my original tune, "Molly's Dance." Apparently it's a favorite for their weekly story time. Thank you, Suzanne, for play my music and teaching the songs! We don't have

2011-07-11T09:27:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was a lovely, warm, sunny day. Folks were out playing in the city park, and splashing in the huge water fountain. Many of them took a break to come to the library across the street for my Songs Around the World program. Lots of active participation and singing. Afterwards, folks went back to the park for some more fun in the sun. I sat in the shade, ate lunch, and read Harry

Summer Libraries

2011-07-11T09:14:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy past week. Forest Grove library on Tuesday, with my bi-lingual program La Musica Es Magica of mostly parents and 0-5 age group, with older siblings there to help me by playing my percussion instruments. A great turnout; my camera never made it out of my purse, so hopefully folks will send in pictures! Coming next: pictures from Beaverton, Ore.

Music experience enhances verbal and auditory skills

2011-03-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting article someone forwarded to me from the Science Daily. It discuss how music helps develop auditory skills that enhance skills used for reading. How? Increased auditory descrimination helps with deciphering the differences between sounds: "d" and "t"' "s" and "sh", "p" and "b". We aren't talking advanced musical training. Simple songs and chants, playing and experimenting

Radio Interview

2011-02-23T21:21:00.000-08:00

I just finished a radio interview with Lady Selah SuJuruis at Storytellers Campfire. This live radio program is on every Wednesday evening at 7 PM Pacific Time. It’s mission is to teach people about history, preserve culture, and promote literary arts, both new and traditional. We discussed how music, as a universal language, builds community and understanding within and

Accent to Art Education keeps students in school...

2010-10-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

Did you know: A 2009 Study revealed that New York City public school students with the lowest graduation rates have the least access to instruction in the arts…[while] schools in the top third in graduation rates offered their students the most access to arts education and the most resources that support arts education. Support Arts Education in your area! For Portland, that includes the

Ideas for Arts Integration at Young Audiences Showcase

2010-10-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Come to the Young Audiences of Oregon & SW Washington Showcase this Sunday, 10/3. Lots of wonderful performers, workshops, and displays by artists in dance, music, writing, and visual arts. All have wonderful ways to integrate the arts into the classroom curriculum and home activities. And its free! Come by to my table and make an instrument to take home! More information here: http://

Looking ahead: Character Counts

2010-09-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

Character Counts week is October 17-23. If you are looking for resources for your school's celebration, check out Dave Kinnoin's new CD Character Counts. Designed for ages 5-11, these are far from sappy songs; they reflect the reality of life today, and the choices we really have to make. Titles include: Character Counts, Trustworthiness, A Little Respect, and Maybe I Will, Maybe I Won't.

Get Ready To Read.... With Music at Beaverton, Ore. Library

2010-08-14T15:36:00.000-07:00

Get out of the heat, and come to the Beaverton Library for:Get Ready To Read .... With Music! When: Tuesday, August 17, 2010Where: Beaverton Main Library, 12375 SW 5th Street, Beaverton, OR 97005Time: 10:30 AM. Free; no registration required This engaging sing-along program for preschoolers and kindergarteners promotes literacy and language skills such as phonemic awareness, rhyming, and word

Summer Vacation -- and looking ahead to school.

2010-08-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Miles to go to the camp site, or national park, or Grandma's house. What to do? These days, children often have their own iPods, Game Boys, and even DVD players to occupy themselves during the drive. Yet "old fashioned" games are great ways for the family to interact (!) AND exercise the brain. Games like "I Spy, "Alphabet," and "20 Questions" help pass the time -- and even lengthen the miles

Hillsboro Libraries

2010-08-02T11:25:00.000-07:00

We had a great time Splish-Splashing Singalong at the Hillsboro, Ore. Main Library. My volunteers were able to get a couple of good pictures taken before the camera battery died. Didn't stop the fun! That afternoon, the Shute Branch Library sponsored a concert in Shute Park.The battery came back for a brief time, as volunteers in the audience learned how to play the spoons. The concert

Help Connect Kids With Science!

2010-07-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

My friend, Monty Harper, is working on a new CD for kids ages 8-12 called "Songs From the Science Frontier." The songs are unique because they focus on research that real scientists are doing right now. Specific topics include phototaxic bacteria, stress hormones, wheat genomics, bacterial biofilms, bat taxonomy, x-ray crystallography, and luminescence dating! The deeper messages are that science

More from California

2010-07-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

On my way to Monterey, I had lunch with my brother Erik alongside this marina in Moss Landing. This papa seal gave us a lazy wave from the dock. He complained when the female wanted some space, but then settled down. A small otter swam past a nearby dock. Later that afternoon: view of Monterey Bay from Cannery Row, along with a remnant from John Steinbeck's day.

Outdoor Concert in Santa Clara, CA

2010-07-19T18:10:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful evening for this concert sponsored by the Santa Clara Library. Volunteers supplied a lively percussion back-up. There was dancing in the park........ American Sign Language for the song "Slimy Mud": "(Oops, splat) ... I don't like that!" After the concert, audience members have a chance to learn how to play percussion instruments,

Teddy Bear Picnic in Corvallis, Ore. Sponsored by Corvallis Library

2010-07-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from the recent Teddy Bear Picnic in Corvallis, Ore. The sunshine - after much rain - was wonderful. So were the crowds - with teddy bears, bunnies, pandas, dolls, and a very realistic snake. I brought two of my own teddy bears; they enjoyed performing with me. T-E-D-D-Y and Teddy is his name-o! Miss Portland, Abbe Groh, has literacy as her

Summer Fun - Learning Starts Here!

2010-06-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

I’ve just returned from a trip to Germany and Denmark. I’m semi-literate in German - I can read the street signs and menus; the newspapers are tough. I’m functionally illiterate in Danish, although knowing the word “ikke” (not - negates the phrase) helps amazingly well when close to a lawn (don’t walk here), or water (don’t drink), or a picture of a bicycle (no riding) ... Paying and counting

2010-05-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

I attended an amazing talk yesterday by Michael Kaiser, President of the Kennedy Center in DC. What an amazing and creative thinker! He is currently touring, leading arts management symposia in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico the District of Columbia. If you have a chance to hear him, do so!Although most of his talk was directed specifically to arts organizations, there were pearls for teaching

Music and Literacy

2010-01-11T20:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I'm in the midst of piloting a new music/literacy residency for Kindergarteners: What's In A Name? This residency is filled with songs, chants, and other activities that help children develop the skills they need in order to read. Working with me are two wonderful kindergarten classes (and their teachers) at Lee Elementary in Canby, Oregon. I was part of the design team at

Singing and Sleep-Over at Children's Museum

2009-11-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

Tonight I join members of the Children's Music Network at the Children's Museum in Portland, Oregon. It's Free Friday, and we lead a sing-along during the evening festivities. Come check it out: http://www.portlandcm.org/calendar/month.php. Then we have our own gathering and sleep-0ver. What fun! Pictures to follow.

2nd Annual Oregon Arts Education Congress

2009-11-06T12:14:00.000-08:00

The 2nd Annual Oregon Arts Education Congress was an amazing gathering of arts advocates including state legislators, arts and education administrators, class room teachers, art specialists, teaching artists and more. Among the activities: poet Kim Stafford read his powerful Declaration of Creative Rights, written in response to the 1st Congress last year. http://

Communicating with babies and toddlers

2009-10-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Hanni, sent me this link from the New York Times about the importance of talking (and reading and singing) to our children, right from the beginning! So true. It's a must-read for all parents, grand-parents, friends and neighbors. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/health/29brod.html?pagewanted=1&hpw

Coaching Cadre

2009-10-01T16:38:00.001-07:00

I'm coaching another year with the peer-mentoring Coaching Cadre (Young Audiences). The entire Cadre met yesterday; we are off to a great start!

YA Showcase this Sunday, Sept 13

2009-09-11T14:09:00.001-07:00

I'm preparing for the Young Audiences 2009 Showcase. If you are in Portland, Ore., come on by this Sunday, September 13, from 2:30-5. (I'll be there 2:30 - 4:00, showcasing at 3:48!) See some wonderful performing and teacher artists, create art, win door prizes.... and more! Fun for the whole family. For information, go to http://www.ya-or.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=cCMS.cms§ionID=2&pageID=7

World Science Festival & Bobby McFerrin

2009-09-02T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'm catching up on email and just found this link sent by Pam Donkin. It's from the World Science Festival 2009 with Bobby McFerrin, demonstrating the power of the Pentatonic (5 note, no 1/2 steps) Scale. Note his comment at the end. One more display of the universality of music! http://vimeo.com/5732745

Beaverton Library

2009-08-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Brianisan for taking pictures at our Get Ready to Read with Music program in Beaverton last week.He also took some videos from my camera; I may post them if I can figure out how!

Right Brain Initiative-Educating the whole brain

2009-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Folks around here are gearing up for school, buying school supplies, checking bus schedules .... and wondering how the recent cutbacks will impact our childrens' education. For a clear, creative and concise video on why the arts are crucial for supplying our children with the education they need for the 21st century, check out the Right Brain Initiative's website: http://

Oregon City Library

2009-07-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

Oregon City: the end of the Oregon Trail! Here are a few pictures from our Creating Songs with Greta sing-along today. What a lively and creative group!Everyone is joining in, even the ones in the balcony, I mean on the bookshelf!My spoon players took their jobs seriously, and did a fantastic job.This is my main photographer for the day: Spencer. Thanks for your help, Spencer!Thank you also to

Maupin Library on Friday

2009-07-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

On Friday, after lunch in The Dalles, we continued on past wheat fields and grazing cattle, to the town of Maupin. It's a popular spot for rafting and fly fishing. There we sang along the banks of the Deschutes River.American Sign Language: "I don't like that."Fellow musicians played along.

The Dalles Library

2009-07-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 10: Another beautiful drive, this time along the Columbia Gorge to The Dalles. Visitors are greeted by the sight of bears playing near the library entrance. My husband, Mark Hanson, was my "roadie" for the day, and took these pictures.The audience and I talked about our favorite books before the show.I had lots of helpers who played spoons....danced..........and played bamboo drum,

Scio Library

2009-07-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful drive to Scio, past wheat fields and berry farms. Scio Library's summer reading theme is "Book a Trip: Read Around the World," so we sang folk songs from around the world.Banana shakers for Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).....Greta had a helper who held signs for the animals in La Granja (The Farm).Che Che Kule is a movement song from Ghana."Kum adende, Hey!"More helps played frogs

Molalla Library

2009-07-09T21:46:00.001-07:00

We had quite a crowd at Molalla Library for Creating Songs With Greta. And create them we did, including new verses to Down By The Bay (have you ever seen a llama, living in Molalla....). A heart felt thanks to Melanie Morris who took these pictures:Molalla teenagers demonstrated their new skills at playing spoons....And all joined in with Molly's Dance......More pictures of the happy crowd:

2009-07-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

Stayton LibraryOur program was funded by the Ready to Read grant. We had a wonderful time with songs, fingerplays, and talking about strategies to get these youngsters Ready to Read!"Naa, naa nee naa naa, can't catch me!"Thank you to Karen Mills for organizing the program (and passing out slide whistles AFTER the concert!), and to Haydi and others for taking pictures.

Garden Home Library

2009-06-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures from Garden Home library, "Creating Songs with Greta." What an inventive bunch!

It's Friday....

2009-06-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's Friday afternoon, and I need to kick back. What better way than to start a blog? Tomorrow ("mañana") I'll post pictures from a recent library performance. Great kids, wonderful weather, who could ask for anything more?Earlier this afternoon, I met with Christina, an organizer from Stand for Children. Those of you who are advocates for education in the state of Oregon will be interested in