Rhythm Around the World

Instrumentation: Viola/Violin, Percussion, Bass

I. Introduction: “Kwaharee” Kenya
NHSO musician introductions
What is rhythm? Organization of sound in time. The patterns the sounds make.
Demonstrate fast, slow and anti-rhythm
Combine fast, slow and silence to make music
“Trio by Gassman” Italy
Instrument Demonstration: Viola/Violin and string family
“Blue Danube” Austria

II. Two types of rhythm: Rhythms in 2 beats:
Most popular in America, strong vs. weak beats, volunteer to demo
“ Turkey in the Straw” America
Rhythms in 3 beats:
Strong/silent/strong, get kids snapping
“Hora” Romania
Instrument Demonstration: Bass and orchestral languages
Strong/weak/weak
“Where has my Little Dog Gone?” Germany
Fast rhythm in 3 beats:
Sw/w into 1, jig
“Rory and Washerwoman” Ireland
Syncopated 2 beat:
Syncopated = broken up, uneven, rhythm dances around the beat, not on it
Demo bass line, tango
“Milonga” Argentina

Instrument Demonstration: Percussion
Fancy Rhythms combine 3+2
S/w/w S/w
“Junana” Venezuela

III. Q & A time permitting
Last stop on tour: “Hawaiian Farewell Song” Hawaii
(with students playing percussion)

The Marvelous Musical Mind
Instrumentation: Violin Percussion Trombone
Introduction: “Kwaharee”
What is this funny thing we call music? You can’t see, touch, smell, taste or take it home with you. It isn’t the notes on a page or the plastic disc in your stereo. It is the only art form you experience solely in your mind, your Marvelous Musical Mind.What does music do?

Communicate Ideas and Words:
Non-Verbal and Literal Communication like………Elemental, basic communication in primitive era, across large distances, demo ancient percussion. Imitation of speech:Talking drum rap.Communicate words or even tell a story. “Itsy Bitsy Spider” Sasha: demo violin and string section of orchestra “Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious”

Express Emotions and Moods: Maybe the most powerful effect of music in the mind is the ability to express a feeling or mood. Guess the mood: Happiness: Allegro from Water Music Sneaky: Hall of the Mountain King Love: Romeo & Juliet Fear: MarsTerrence: demo trombone, brass and woodwind sections. Same music performed different ways to express different feelings. Perform “Ode to Joy” happy, sad, angry, sneaky

Inspire the Imagination: Music can paint a picture, describe a place or scene, or leave the listener with just their imagination to create an image. Demo vibraphone:“Moonlight Sonata” Group of volunteer actors to interpret the music: Snake charmer Grand Old Flag Brahms Lullabye Sabre Dance

Closing: Q & A if time permits. “Hawaiian Farewell Song” with student volunteers playing percussion

For more information, contact Stephen Collins, NHSO Education Director at (203) 865-0831 Ext.13 or email