[tousuarshatly]

Well, probably the word "happy" is not exactly the word to describe what I was looking for. Anyway it seems I was able to transmit the idea because, following the recomendations in this thread, I was able to make them very interested in classical music.

I am very glad the kids are enjoying this wonderful music.

[Tazqoaap]

I think that's really great, zeeman. Exposing children to classical music might leave a lasting impression besides the immediate enjoyment. You're opening a new door for them that otherwise might never have been opened; a door to a fantastic world!

[Tapupah]

When I was a little I sang songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, my ABC
song which was a surprise to find out was the music written by Mozart
when he was still little. That's how I enjoyed the classics as a child and
Brahm's Lullaby before I went to sleep by my mother.
judy tooley


P.S. Make it simple!

[cheesypeetyz]

I hope you continued to like the classics even after you found out that Mozart did not write this tune. And that he was not a child when he wrote his variations on it: the French song Ah ! vous dirai-je, Maman, which was not a nursery rhyme.

[StethyEntinic]

When I was a little girl I learned songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
and the ABC song. To my suprise the song was written as a piece from
mozart when he was still a little boy. And the earliest to me was Brahm's
lallaby every night before I went to sleep. I can say that kids can enjoy
the classics as a child because I did and didn't know it.
judy tooley

[Gaiaakgyyyg]

I hope you continued to like the classics even after you found out that Mozart did not write this tune. And that he was not a child when he wrote his variations on it: the French song Ah ! vous dirai-je, Maman, which was not a nursery rhyme.

What are you talking about?
Judy tooley

[optormtix]

Mozart did not write the song we know as "Twinkle, twinkle little star."

Mozart did write twelve variations on the original song, which was a French song referred to variously as "The confidence" or "Ah! vous dirai-je Maman."

He was not a little boy when he wrote his variations. And the lyrics to the original French song were about a girl telling her mom about an attempt to seduce her.

[Herimoisige]

Michael Torke - Adjustable Wrench
John Adams - Short Ride in a Fast Machine
Steve Reich - Music for a Large Ensemble

Kids should be able to get into the spirit of these pieces quite easily. They should be able to see the references that occur in dance and rock music.

The focus of harmony and rhythm should be the focal point when discussing these pieces. You should manage to get better answers than "I like it because it sounds good".

Also, I would be wary of your term happy, I realise as a teacher you have to keep your pupils interested, but you don't have to do this by throwing Dance Macabre at them all the time.

I also recommend Joan Tower's "Fanfare No.4 for the Uncommon Woman" - this is highly riviting and should be compared with Adam's "Short Ride in a Fast Machine" Play it loud and really get them immersed in the sound of the orchestra; the pupils should be encouraged to engage in debate so they can develop their skills in musical perception, appreciation and purely for the sake of loving the stuff!

Stravinsky's "Symphony in C" makes for a great depature from the boring Mozart pieces. Discussion should be encouraged here also and the pupils should be aware of how the piece ends and this can be a great area for discussion.

The reality of the situation is that most young people don't like much classical music because they view it as snobby and pompus and people listening Mozart and Chopin - show them that classical music can be much more aggressive that heavy metal!!

Bach is fine on some levels, but most youngsters just turn off. Please try the pieces I have mentioned. I'm confident that this combined with some enthusiastic discussions and debate, you'll have the kids eating out of the palm of your hand, they'll be more open minded and then you can throw in some Mozart, Bach, etc!

[rhybrisee]

Gigue fugue in G-major by JSBach - Show the kids what it is to dance the Gigue then use the aforementioned piece - They will bop till they drop.

[amotoustict]

Seeing someone mention "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star", kinda justifies my immediate first thought,
even if that music is more meditative.
But I have to type that everything mentioned here so far is pre-new millennium traditional.
The modern includes animated visuals or cinema-photographic content.

So my first thought is, "The Lollipop Song", from "The Wizard of Oz".
And as musical due diligence, "Lickin' Stick", by "Howlin' Wolf" should be the B-side.
Both films take "black and white" to a new "colour" level.

[opdirorg]

mozart's turkish march? everyone likes that one.
flight of the bumblebee is a good one too~
super mario's theme song?
vivaldi's spring (piano version) would be nice too.

hope that helped =P