SKU: GI.G-527

Text by Noel Goemanne.

Conversational Solfege is a dynamic and captivating first-through-eighth grade general music program that enables students to become independent musical thinkers with the help of a rich variety of folk and classical music. It is organized around increasingly complex rhythmic and melodic content. Each new rhythmic or melodic element is discovered first in patterns and then reinforced with folk songs, rhymes, and classical examples. Central to the Conversational Solfege program is the use of music harvested from our rich and diverse American musical history. This variety of music serves as a common thread that spans and bonds generations. Each book contains varied song material so the teacher can select appropriate music for the lower grades or older beginners. This 12-step teaching method carefully brings students from readiness to, ultimately, creating music through inner hearing and then transferring their musical thoughts into notation—in other words, to compose music! This CD provides 14 classical selections referenced in Conversational Solfege Level 2. These examples provide reinforcement for emerging literacy skills, and they also enable students to listen to wonderful classical examples with greater attention. Listening to classical music can be challenging for elementary students. With nothing to hang onto, the many notes can be too much to comprehend and attention soon wanes. But with minimal literacy skills, students will have enough musical information to discover that classical music can be accessible and appealing. In the included booklet, timings are given for each selection and the portions of the music that are readable by the students are reproduced. Whether using this CD with Conversational Solfege instructional materials or simply as a resource of classical music with simple to read rhythmic and melodic material, both teachers and students will delight in discovering this wonderful music through literacy. This series is a complete, innovative approach to teaching music that will stay fresh year after year. CONTENTS Conversational Solfege Unit 5: 1. Antonin Dvorak • New World Theme Conversational Solfege Unit 6: 2. Franz Joseph Haydn • Theme from  the Surprise Symphony, 3. Camille Saint-Sans • Turtles from Carnival of the Animals, 4. Ludwig van Beethoven • Symphony No. 7, 2nd Movement, 5. Josef Strauss • Feuerfest (Fireproof) Polka, Op. 269 Conversational Solfege Unit 7: 6. Jacques Offenbach • Can-Can, 7. Dmitry Kabalevsky • Pantomime from the Comedians, 8. Edvard Grieg • In the Hall of the Mountain King Conversational Solfege Unit 9 and Unit 11: 9. Jacques Offenbach • Barcarolle Conversational Solfege Unit 10: 10. Edvard Grieg • Morning Conversational Solfege Unit 11: 11. Ottorino Respighi • Ground in G Conversational Solfege Unit 12: 12. Johann Sebastian Bach • Jesu, Joy of Men's Desiring, 13. Jean Sibelius • Finlandia Conversational Solfege Unit 13: 14. Ludwig Van Beethoven • Symphony No. 6, Movement 5  John M. Feierabend is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Music Education at The Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, Connecticut.

SKU: CF.CM9787

ISBN 9781491164587. UPC: 680160923496. Key: D major. English. Original.

The text for the first voicing (SSA) of this piece came to me in the fall of 2020 while teaching at Crosby High School in Crosby, Texas. My students, though enthusiastic to be back in Choir, were struggling to cope with the civil unrest around them, in addition to the pandemic. When considering how I could help them navigate this time, I realized that they were in need of some sort of consistency, of feeling grounded in themselves. As we  focused on building of community and citizenship, this text and tune came to mind, each phrase highlighting an element of personal and community wellness.I lead with my spirit keeping love in the circle around me. (Social)Expressing my spirit (Occupational)Loving what I can see and cannot see, I'll take care of the vessel I am in (Physical)I love with me that's under the skin (Emotional)Taking care of my mind (Intellectual)Envisioning the me I want to be (Spiritual)I had the honor of collaborating with composer/educator Saleel Menon to create the beautiful piano accompaniment and SATB setting.Who I Want To Be opens with a solo functioning as a mantra throughout the tune. As the piece continues, voices join in unison and harmony to emphasize the intent.When the repeats in mm. 48–51 occur, invite students to share some of their own mantras and affirmations, or feel free to borrow from the words my students in the Crosby HS choir inspired me to write:Allow yourself graceI am persistentI am fragile, not brokenYou are worthyI am worthyI know that your success is not my demise!The only validation I need is my ownI believe in myselfI see youIt’s okay to not be okayBreatheI love and I am lovedPrepare yourself for not only a powerful performance, but a rewarding experience and conversations with your students.THIS is the piece you want stuck in your students’ heads!~CRM.