I so appreciate the feedback regarding Greg, as well as the wealth of
specific suggestions from Ann and Woody.
When I order Greg's music, I think I will order all 4, which saves me a bit
in the long run. If I find they are not a good "fit" with my classes, I will
pass them on to another art educator, though I have a feeling that won't be
necessary. I have indeed listened to the online samples of his songs, and am
drawn to them. (No pun intended!) Judy, your enthusiastic offer to repay me
if my kids don't like them is very kind, and effective evidence of your
belief in this music as an assett in the art room. I have a feeling these
songs will be a hit.
My intent with the Greg Percy CDs is to play maybe one pertinent song at a
time, applicable to the lesson, of course, not the entire CD in a session.
Unless the kids decide they want that for a reward after they have earned
all the colors on their palette!
My intent with other music--such as the CDs Woody and Ann suggested--is to
play it softly while they are working. Instrumental, not vocal, is my
preference, too. :-)
Linnie, I loved how you put it--"high appreciation but low
knowledge!"--that's me, too!
Well, sort of, I SHOULD have knowledge, but my knowledge never developed any
depth. I took music lessons for years as a kid--organ lessons for 5 years,
plus I played flute in the elementary school band program for a year before
switching to trumpet...I played the trumpet up through high school, went to
orchestra camp in the summers, and also began in the school orchestra
program in elementary, before I began band, even, playing violin, viola, and
I think even cello one year, though I never got GOOD at anything except,
perhaps, the trumpet, for a short while. I was also in a touring choir
outside of schoool for 4 years.
Despite all that, I am not a musician. I can read simple sheet music, and I
LOVE to listen. But I do not have a natural aptitude, and I do not have a
good knowledge base of music history. I even floundered in my college music
appreciation classes because I did not make the time to study effectively--I
figured that since I had been involved in music so many years, it ought to
come easily to me. I think I made B- or Cs. Which was humiliating, but
accurate, given that I didn't prepare as I should have.
Now as for art--that's what I SHOULD have been putting all my effort
into--that's where my passion lies! To think that I only took one art class
in high school, plus yearbook (loved the photography/grapic design
elements...).
But still, I ended up where I'm meant to be. :-)
The elementary art room is a slice of heaven to me. And appropriate music
will increase the bliss!
Again, thank you to all who have responded to my Art/Music thread.
Amy
P.S. Looking forward to hearing responses from even more of you, if you have
favorite CDs to recommend!
