Virtual Concerts: e(L)ement
Age Range: Elementary, Middle School
Learning Objective: Students will learn about the harp and flute while listening to flute/harp duo, e(L)ement.
Note to Teachers: Virtual Concerts give your students the opportunity to practice their audience skills and experience a wide variety of genres performed by professional, Minnesota-based musicians. As the teacher, you’ll play the role of Concert Host narrating between each piece of music. Use your judgment to cater the concert to your students’ needs and attention span. If you need ideas adapting a virtual concert for your situation, please contact Katie Condon, music education specialist. We hope you enjoy this Class Notes Virtual Concert!
1. Meet e(L)ement. e(L)ement is an ensemble made up of two performers: Karen Baumgartner plays flute, and Mallory McHenry plays harp.
Discussion question:
What are some things that Karen and Mallory have to do to play well together?
2. Karen plays the flute. Listen to and learn about her instrument.
Look at the picture of the flute and answer some follow-up questions for reflection, discussion or journaling:
• What does Karen do to make the flute play lower sounds?
• What does Karen do to make the flute play higher sounds?
• Name one thing Karen can do to make a unique sound on the flute.
• What is Karen's favorite thing to play on the flute?
3. Next, listen to e(L)ement perform a section of a piece called "Wind", from Four Elements, by Yoshi Weinberg. As you listen, think about what makes the music sound like wind.
After listening and watching, look at the pictures below. Each picture shows wind in a different way. Which picture looks most like the "Wind" music you heard e(L)ement play? Explain your answer to a teacher, friend, or someone at home.
4. Mallory plays the harp. Listen to and learn about her instrument.
Follow-up questions for reflection, discussion, or journaling:
• What is it called when Mallory runs her fingers up and down all the strings on her harp?
• Which strings make the lowest sounds on a harp? Which strings make the highest sounds?
• What are some of Mallory's favorite things to do on the harp?
Learn much more about the harp in the Heavenly Harp Classical Kids Music Lesson.
5. The last piece in this Virtual Class Notes Concert is another section of Yoshi Weinberg's Four Elements. This section is called "Earth."
As you listen, document some things you notice and observe on a listening chart. Use the sample below as a template for your own listening chart. Use as much music vocabulary as possible in your observations. Draw a picture of each instrument underneath your lists.
6. Finally, Karen and Mallory will review a few key ideas from their Class Notes Concert.
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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
