Assignments
World CultureMonday, October 31, 2011 at 11:07 am
Mrs. Schneider"Music is the universal language because it can express every emotin without the use of words." -Anonymous Read about different cultures around the world.
China's Hip-Hop Grandmothers
Meet the hip-hop grannies, China's new generation of grandmothers, who shun "Tai Chi" in favor of grooving to the beat of hip-hop music.
Remote Festival Attracts Fans From All Over The World
It takes hours of travel across sandy dunes and rocky terrain to get to one of the world's most remote music festivals. However, this doesn't seem to deter fans of Mali's "Festival of the Desert", who make the pilgrimage annually in mid-January.
New Orleans celebrates Mardi Gras
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of New Orleans today, to listen to live music and watch colorful parades as the city celebrated Mardi Gras - the grand finale of the 12-day festival season.
Spain's Amazing Human Castells (Towers)
Building Castells or human towers is an age-old tradition in Spain. Believed to have been started by dancers in the 18th century, it is now a part of the Spanish culture, especially for the residents of the region of Catalonia in North East Spain.
Camel Festival In The Deserts of North India
For the next five days, the tiny town of Pushkar in Northern India, will become the hub of festivities as thousands of pilgrims, tourists and camels gather here for the annual Camel Festival.
China Ushers In 'Year Of The Rabbit'
Today, February 3rd, marks the first day of the Chinese or Lunar New Year, one of the most important traditional festivals for people of Chinese descent. While all festivals entail some days of celebration, this one lasts for a whopping fifteen days!
Only In Japan - A National Hole Digging Competition!
The Japanese are definitely trendsetters - They have done it in music, in fashion and now it seems, even extreme sports! Last Sunday, while most of the USA was engrossed in the big game, about 1,000 Japanese residents were feverishly digging up holes! No, they were not getting ready for spring, but competing to make the biggest dent in the ground, in the allotted 30 minutes.Video ClipsMonday, October 31, 2011 at 10:07 am
Birds Of Feather - Make Music Together
We have all admired flocks of birds that fly or perch together in perfect harmony. Brazilian musician Jarbes Agnelli was doing the same when he saw this picture in a local newspaper. Then he suddenly had an inspiration. . . . . .
Piano Stairs - Making Music While You Climb!
Would people choose to climb rather than take an escalator if the stairs were more fun? While this may sound like a no-brainer to kids, it is not as clear-cut with adults. Hence the folks at car company Volkswagen, decided to try this fun stunt and the results, as most kids would say - were quite predictable.
Video Of The Week - DJ Grandma Rocks The Parisian Music Scene!
The music scene in Paris, France is being taken by storm - not by a bright-eyed 19-year old, but by 69-year old British grandmother, Ruth Flowers, who goes by the name of DJ Mamy Rock!
Video(s) Of The Week - Volkswagen's Fun Theory Contest
In 2009, German car manufacturer Volkswagen launched 'The Fun Theory', campaign to see if people would change their habits if performing a mundane task was made fun. After coming up with great ideas like the Piano Stairs, Bottle Bank Arcade and the Deep Trash Can, they challenged the public to do the same.
Video Of The Week - World's Largest Water Balloon Fight
On July 25th, over 3,900 students from Utah's Brigham Young University got together to stage the World's biggest water balloon fight. Armed with 120,021 water-filled balloons, which took over three days to fill, the students pelted each other for a full six minutes, handily breaking the previous record of 119,000 balloons held by University of Kentucky.
Video Of The Week - Atomic Tom's iPhone Concert
On October 8th, 2010, Brooklyn based, Atomic Tom woke up the sleepy riders of New York City's Subway B, by belting out their latest single -'Take Me Out'. While the performance itself was not unusual, what stunned the audience was their choice of musical instruments, that comprised of . . . . . . . three iPhones!
Video Of The Week - Frostie The Cockatoo Rocks To The Beat
Frostie is a 20-year old little corella cockatoo with some formidable dancing skills. He can boogie to any kind of music - from disco songs like Sunshine Band's Boogie Shoes to Gospels like God is great.InstrumentsMonday, October 31, 2011 at 10:01 am
The Flawless Musician
Robo flautist or WF4IV (Waseda Flutist No. 4 Refined IV), as he likes to be called, is an amazing musician. Wearing just a dapper black hat, this bony, all metal flute player, plays complex scores perfectly and even interacts and engages with his audience.
Domo Arigato (Thank You Very Much), Mr. Roboto
In November 2008, Astuo Takanishi and his fellow researchers from Japan's Waseda University, introduced to the world a new flute prodigy. The Robo Flautist made headlines thanks to his dapper black bowler, flawless music and the fact that he not human but a robot! Now, the talented musician has been joined by . . . . . a saxophone tooting pal.
iPhone: The Up and Coming Musical Instrument?
Do you play an instrument, or maybe more than one? If not, would you like to? Now a group of Stanford students have added a new instrument to your list of possibilities: the iPhone.
Ben Simon's Funky Guitars Play Beautiful Melodies
Visit New York City's Bedford Avenue L subway station on any given day, and you will see a huge crowd gathered around musician Ben Simon, as he strums away on one his funky guitars, which can only be described as pieces of art!
Vuvuzela - The Legacy Of The 2010 World Cup?
A decade from now, only the most ardent soccer fans will be able to recall who won the 2010 World Cup - However, everybody will remember the annoying bee-like drone of the Vuvuzela, a sound that has become the source of extreme irritation among fans and players alike.
Norwegian Artist Makes Some 'Icy Cool' Music
People make all kinds of 'cool' things out of ice - Ranging from frozen aquariums to ice hotels. But, Norwegian-born musician and composer Terje Isungset, has found a truly unique way to use ice - Carving it into musical instruments that can actually be played.Child StarsMonday, October 31, 2011 at 9:31 am
Is This Young Californian The Next Mozart?
At just nine years of age, Marc Yu has accomplished more than most musicians achieve in their entire life. He has mastered two musical instruments, played the piano at the most prestigious US concerts, garnered a couple of musical scholarships and is now off to London to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
Bay Area Teens Connect Budding Musicians With Audience
Bay area teens Josh Rushakoff and Caroline Jaffe are typical high school seniors with crazy busy schedules. Yet, they somehow seems to find the time to perform concerts for senior citizens residing in retirement homes or nursing facilities, and have also made it easy for other budding musicians to do the same.
Composer, Player and Entertainer - And He's Just Seven!
Born on December 24th 2000, this soon to be eight-year old, calls himself a Hanukkah baby. However, Ethan Bortnick has already accomplished more in the field of music than most musicians are able to do in their entire lives.
The Six-Year Old 'Mini' Mozart
Six-year old Yoo Ye Eun took the world by storm last year, when a video of her playing the piano, was posted on YouTube. Surprisingly, this young girl, who is being called a 'mini' Mozart, has yet to take a formal piano lesson!
Utah Eighth-Grader's iPhone App Topples 'Angry Birds'
Anyone who has ever downloaded game apps on their smart devices (and who hasn't) knows that 'Angry Birds' has ruled the roost for a long time. Well, now there is a new app in town - And unlike the former, this is not developed by 17 professional engineers, but by 14-year old Robert Nay, from Spanish Fork, Utah.
Video Of The Week - World's Youngest Successful Singer!
To say Cleopatra Stratan is extraordinary, is an understatement. The 8-year old performer is not only the youngest person to ever achieve commercial success with an album recorded when she was just 3, but also, the youngest person to win an MTV award, to hold a live 2-hour concert in front of a large audience and, to score a #1 hit in a country!PerformanceMonday, October 31, 2011 at 9:29 am
PaintDancing - what will they think of next?
We have heard of disco dancing, line dancing, belly dancing, street dancing and even square dancing. But PaintDancing? What will they think of next?
Gustavo Dudamel - the new music maestro!
The world of classical music is buzzing with excitement these days thanks to an amazingly talented young conductor called Gustavo Dudamel. At just 27 years of age, he is scheduled to become the conductor for the LA Philharmonic, one of the best Orchestra's in America, when the current conductor retires in 2009.
Meowsic To Nora's Ears
Most musical divas are eccentric. Nora, a pianist, is no exception. She only plays when she feels like it and sometimes even gets inside the piano.
The Silent Dancers Of China
They move gracefully and with perfect coordination to the beat of the music, yet none of these dancers can hear the music, nor sing to it. Meet the deaf-mute dance unit of My Dream - China's Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe.
Bronx 'Irish' Dance Troupe Going Strong After Eight Years!
What do you call an Irish dancing troupe where the only irish person is the teacher ? The Keltic Dreams - An unusual multi-ethnic group of kids that jigs to not only Irish, but also, African, Spanish and even pop music!
Music Band 'OK Go' Creates Another Mesmerizing Music Video
Most music artists become famous because of their vocals - In the case of Los Angeles based 'OK Go', it's the creative music videos that is making them world famous.
Now This, Is Called Talent!
Reality Talent Shows attract thousands of people every week, all aspiring to be the next big star. While a lot of them leave an impression, few have managed to stand out as much as, Liu Wei, a pianist who recently auditioned in Beijing for 'China's Got Talent'.
Armless Pianist Wins 'China's Got Talent'
24-year-old Liu Wei, the armless musician who stunned the world this August, by playing the piano with his feet for the audition of 'China's Got Talent', is back in the limelight - This time for winning the inaugural season of the show.Things that Make You Go, Mmm.Monday, October 31, 2011 at 9:26 am
19-year Old Genius Breaks 300-year Record
The fact that 19-year old Alia Sabur became the youngest University professor ever and broke a 300-year old record, probably came as no surprise to anyone who knows her! This amazing young woman has been setting records since she was an infant.
It's Official - Birds Can Boogie To A Beat
It has always been believed that humans are the only ones who can dance to a beat. However, thanks to a cockatoo named Snowball and an African Gray parrot called Alex, scientists have now discovered that certain species of birds also have an excellent sense of rhythm.
Super-Cool USB Memory Sticks
Think all USB memory sticks have to be black, gray and boring? Think again, with a little imagination you can jazz yours up or simply buy some of the fun ones that are now available thanks to geeky designers!
Brain Myths (And Facts)!
The next time you are asked to swap that computer game for a crossword puzzle, remind your parents that according to really smart scientists, the former will be more effective in making your brain 'smarter'!
Can't Shake That Tune From Your Mind? Blame It On The Earworm!
The next time you irritate your family or friends by humming the same tune over and over and over, you can blame it on that pesky earworm that's slithered into your brain.
'Dead Drops' Takes File-Sharing To A New Level
In the technology savvy world we live in, file sharing has become a way of life. However, would you plug in your computer to a random USB port and upload or download files placed there by total strangers? German architect and artist Aram Bartholl thinks people will and so far, he has proved to be right.
Robot Teachers Roll Into South Korean Classrooms
A number of fortunate students at 21 elementary schools in the Southeast city of Daegu, South Korea are testing out a new kind of educator - A robot teacher. The 29 droids that have been deployed for a five-month trial, are the brainchild of The Korean Institute of Technology, which is trying to promote the integration of robots into people's daily lives.
Lemons Take Center Stage At Menton's Colorful Festival
Remember the old adage - When life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, the talented residents of Menton - Europe's largest grower of citrus fruits, are way beyond that. They use the bright and juicy, world-renowned produce, to create life sized pieces of art and, plan a fun festival around it.
Cell Phone Battery Dead? Yell At It!
How's this for an excuse the next time you are caught yapping away on your cell phone or singing loudly to the music on your iPod? I was just charging it! If the team of scientists from Korea's Sungkyunkwan University have their way, that is exactly what you may be doing pretty soon!SpringMonday, October 31, 2011 at 9:23 am
The Keltic Dreams - An Unusual "Irish" Dance Troupe
Happy St. Patrick's Day! - On this fun day, we bring you a heart-warming story about an unusual "Irish" dancing troupe where the only person who is Irish is the teacher! "The Keltic Dreams" is a multi-ethnic group of 33 kids all between the ages of 7-12, who go to Public School 59 in New York's Bronx region.
Birdsongs - The Next Big Thing in Music!
Ah to wake up to the sound of chirping birds - the low soft "chook" and the frequent "pink pink pink of the Blackbird, the cooing of the Pigeons, or even better - the loud "hweet" of the Nightingale. All these sounds evoke visions of a faraway tropical paradise Island don't they?
Countdown To Earth Day 2010
April 22, 2010 is Earth Day - an international day of observance of environmental issues. This day was first observed in North America on April 22, 1970 to highlight environmental issues that the government seemed to be ignoring. Since then, it has been adopted globally, with more people participating each year.
Scottish Teachers Jam To The Beat For Departing Seniors
Friday, May 10th, started out like any other lunch period at Scotland's Bell Baxter High School cafeteria. Some 600 students were mulling around eating their midday meal, when suddenly, the music began.Summer Monday, October 31, 2011 at 9:22 am
Video Of The Week - Sydney's Opera House Dazzles
Sydney's iconic Opera House is beautiful to begin with - This month, the spectacular building is even more so, thanks to the amazing light shows that illuminate its ship-like structure, each evening.AutumnMonday, October 31, 2011 at 9:20 am
Look Who Just Turned 80!
On Tuesday November 18, 2008, the eternally youthful-looking Mickey Mouse turned 80! The ever-smiling rodent celebrated his birthday quietly surrounded by his friends, family and of course thousands of fans, both young and old.
Apple And Cider Receive Presidential Pardon
Today is Thanksgiving - A day when thousands of turkeys will be skillfully carved and gobbled up by hungry diners all over the United States. However, two gorgeous turkeys, Apple and Cider, will not make the cut (literally), thanks to a special presidential pardon granted to them by President Obama.WinterMonday, October 31, 2011 at 9:14 am
Mrs. SchneiderStudents may browse these articles for their personal enjoyment. In addition, Article Reflections may be submitted to the teacher for extra credit. In order to recieve credit toward the mid-term or quarter grade, Article Reflections are due by the following dates: September 16 (Mid-term) October 14 (Last Day 1st Quarter) November 11 (Mid-term) December 21 (Last Day 2nd Quarter) February 1 (Mid-Term) March 2 (Last Day 3rd Quarter) April 5 (Mid-Term) May 10 (End of 4th Quarter) Article Reflections will be graded using the following criteria: 1. Name three points the article made. 2.Tell what you think about each point you named. 3. State how reading this article has changed your opinion or perception about music.
NASA Launches 'Wake Up Song' Contest
Wake Up songs - The music played by the NASA mission control to gently rouse sleeping astronauts, is a revered age-old tradition that dates all the way back to the 1960's during the time of the Apollo missions. However, in its forty plus years of existence, the songs have always been picked by either the astronauts or their friends and family.
Super Grandparents Contest Celebrates Untapped Talent
Think grandparents are too old to have talent? - Don't tell that to the organizers of the 'Super Grandmother and Super Grandfather' contest. For they have been holding the event for many years now, and so far, have not been disappointed!China Ushers In 'Year Of The Rabbit'
Today, February 3rd, marks the first day of the Chinese or Lunar New Year, one of the most important traditional festivals for people of Chinese descent. While all festivals entail some days of celebration, this one lasts for a whopping fifteen days!Join Class
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