Strings, Kansas! Formal Videoconferences and Video Webcasts

Watch the video conferences and webcasts!
     #1 - Thrills and Chills
     #2 - Beethoven, Copland, Dvorak, oh my!
     #3 - The Concerto

General Information
    • There are a total of 4 formal videoconferences, paired with 4 concert webcasts.
    • These videoconferences are interactive, and between WSU and the 4th and 5th
      graders in all of the communities involved.
    • Videoconferences will be Thursdays Tuesdays or Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:15
      2:00 to 2:45 1:30 to 2:15
    • Concert webcasts start at 7:30pm and will not exceed 2 hours
    • The videoconferences serve in part to prepare the 4th and 5th graders for the
      video-fed performances happening within a week after the videoconference
    • String Buddies will take turns leading the videoconferences
    • The entire WSU orchestra with its music director Dr. Mark Laycock will be there on
      stage also participating/demonstrating
    • String Buddies will create the script for the videoconferences, as advised by John
      Harrison and Jacque Dillon
    • this will be distributed to music teachers at least one week before the
      videoconference
    • The String Buddies will relate each aspect of their videoconference with what the
      students are learning in the !LinkUP! program.
    • The String Buddies will relate to the 4th and 5th graders as musicians.
    • WSU will provide 1 set CDs of all of the repertoire to every community participating.
          • We will also provide a blank CD for each 4th and 5th grader participating,
         which you can use at your own discretion.

Details

Videoconference and Concert Webcast #1
 • videoconference: Tuesday, October 24th
• concert webcast: Monday, October 30
• videoconference theme: storytelling - how do composers use instruments and melodies to tell a spooky story?
• concert name: Thrills and Chills Family Concert
• program:
      • Mozart: Overture to The Magic Flute
      • Franck: The Accursed Huntsman
      • Holst: Mars and Jupiter from The Planets
      • Stravinsky: Infernal Dance from The Firebird
      • Danny Elfman: Batman
      • David Rimelis: Cool Ghoul

Videoconference and Concert Webcast #2
 • videoconference: Tuesday, November 28th
• concert webcast: Thursday, December 7
• videoconferences theme: Beethoven, Copland, Dvorak, oh my! - a journey of people and places. What is it like to be a composer? What was Germany, The Czech Republic, and The United States like during the times of these composers?
• program:
      • Suzanne Tirk, clarinet
      • Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3
      • Copland: Clarinet Concerto
      • Dvorak: Symphony No. 7 in D Minor

Videoconference and Concert Webcast #3
 • videoconference: Thursday, January 25th
• concert webcast: Thursday, February 8
• videoconference theme: The Concerto: What is a concerto? What does it feel like to play a concerto as a soloist?
• program:
      • Johann Strauss, Jr.: Overture to Die Fledermaus
      • Malcolm Arnold: English Dances Set No. 2
      • Concerto-Aria Competition Winners

Videoconference and Concert Webcast #4
 • videoconference: Thursday, March 1st
• concert webcast: Saturday, March 3
• videoconference theme: The Opera: What is an opera? How does the text sung by opera singers inform the orchestral score? (example: if there is text about love, does the orchestra play a lush chord or dissonant one? If they are singing about creating a plot, what happens in the orchestra melodies?)
• concert name: Opera Theatre
• program:
      • Poulenc: Dialogues des Carmelites

Discussion
 • reflective activities for 4th and 5th graders
• posting projects on the blog
• logistics problems
• feedback on themes
• how will theme of each videoconference relate to what 4th and 5th graders are learning at that point in their year?
• webcasts:
• venue
      • 4th and 5th graders create artwork displayed at at the webcast?
      • 4th and 5th graders perform? present what they have learned? before the webcast.
      • 4th and 5th graders introduce their String Buddy? talk about favorite piece?
        what people might listen for?
• Reflection activity:
      • Students create artwork around theme of pre-concert VC – how did music make
        them feel? Which piece did they like best & why?
      • Students can write essay about theme of pre-concert VC
      • Students can compose their own piece around theme of pre-concert VC
      • student work posted on public blog
      • Student reflection gallery walk-through at WSU
      • Display best student work from each class at WSU
      • Can put this work on PPT to display at concert during seating and exiting
      • Student work (with permission) can be part of silent auction for fundraising
        continuation of program.