We’re halfway through our week and so far everyone has survived! Even with a wider range of ages this year (3-10 years old), I’ve been impressed at how well all of the students have gotten along and worked together. The older ones love being praised when they catch on to concepts quickly and can demonstrate that to me; the younger ones are eager to keep up with the older ones and jump right in with whatever the activity is. Here are some highlights from Day 3 of To Russia with Mussorgsky and His Exhibition:
Our lively, interactive “Welcome to Piano Camp” song is a favorite for everyone!
We listened to Mussorgsky’s The Old Castle while coloring and looking at pictures of castles from around the world.
The piano Play-it! times this year have worked so well by using a duet improv format. I give the student parameters (like only play groups of 2 black keys, or, today, only play C-D-E) and they play whatever they want within them while I (or my wonderful high school student helper, Stephanie!) improv a duet accompaniment along with them.
Our game of C-D-E-Hide-and-Seek proved to be an engaging challenge for the students. They looked far and wide before finally finding the specified flash card taped to the back of one of our trash cans. Super fun to watch them race around the yard and then afterward to beg to play another round. My philosophy is to always end the activity while people want more rather than continuing on until they wish you had ended 10 minutes ago. It seems to work well and keeps everyone excitedly coming back for more the following day!
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