What's a Didgeridoo?

Ever wonder what a Didgeridoo looks like? Kindermusik parents and caregivers with their babies, toddlers and preschoolers have all been listening to this fascinating Australian instrument in Epo I Tai Tai E (from "Peek-A-Boo, I Love You") and dancing to Dover's Dance (from "Zoo Train")-- two of our summer camp (A) themes at Musikandmotion!



Here's a bit of history behind this fascinating instrument which native aborigines of Australia have been playing for centuries...

"Possibly the world's oldest musical instrument. A wind instrument originally found in Arnhem Land, Northern Australia. Is made from limbs and tree trunks hollowed out by termites (insects). Is cut to an average length of 1.3 metres (51 inches) and cleaned out with a stick or hot coals. Was used as an accompaniment to chants and songs. Produces a low-pitch, resonant sound with complex rhythmic patterns," by Helen Thompson, Nursery Nurse and Brain Gym® Consultant.

So while the traditional Didgeridoo may be difficult to find and play, you can make your own by using plastic tubing or a poster tube. Click the link here create-kids-crafts.com to find out how!!!

Farewell to SCSO's 2007-2008 season

It was truly an elated experience to be able to sing Mozart's Requiem with 200+ choral and orchestral members and the exceptional soloists (David Robinson, Sandra Rubalcava, Oksana Sitnitska and Elias Mokole) last Saturday evening at the Sacramento Community Center Theatre.

Here's an except from Edward Ortiz at Sacramento Bee:

"And as performed at the Community Center Theater on Saturday evening by the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra, the great merit of clarity was the paradigm.

This was an evening where the SCSO spanned a total of 204 years of choral music by following the "Requiem" with Morten Lauridsen's 1997 "Lux Aeterna." It was a mostly inspired performance of both works, which presages a strong performance for the SCSO's debut at Los Angeles' Disney Concert Hall with the same program in June.

Mozart's brilliance is self-evident in the 14-movement "Requiem," which Mozart did not complete by the time of his death in 1791. It's a work that shines best when conductor, orchestra and chorus are conduits instead of invasive interpreters. And this approach proved the great charm to this performance. It was a no-nonsense and vividly expressive take on the work. Here singers seized on all the delicately defined moments in the "Requiem," especially the poignant "Lacrymosa."

Check out the full review by Edward Ortiz at Sacramento Bee!

Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra

Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra presents Requiem - by Mozart & Lux Aeterna - by Lauridsen on Saturday, May 10 at 8 PM with pre-talk at 7 PM.

Sacramento Community Center Theater
1301 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Here's a "Sneak Preview" of our May 10th Mozart/Lauridsen performance:




SCSO in the news -- by Edward Ortiz of Sacramento Bee

If you can secure a good baby sitter for your little one(s) this Saturday evening, I'd love for you to come out and see the concert as I will be singing in row 5 seat 2 in the soprano section.

Going to Miss Sunny's

"Going to Miss Sunny's" -- written and composed by Skylar, 21 month old Our Time toddler. Starting pitch: D in duple meter.

Here's what Amber (Skylar's mom) shared: "She was singing it in all her glory, but of course when the video camera cones out I get the shortened version (children are so perceptive to knowing when they are being "watched," aren't they?). Anyway, this is what she was singing on the way to class, on the way home, and most of the afternoon."



Amber, this is quite an honor-- I have never had anyone compose a song about me! But what truly impresses me is the fact that Skylar, at only 21 months, is making music at home and experimenting with her singing voice and music concepts from musical contour (up and down of melodies) to dynamics (loud and quiet), patterns and phrases, rhythmic beat (in duple meter!), and lyrics with words and neutral syllables. Makes my heart sing with joy- Thanks for sharing!