Program Description

INTRODUCING THE WOODWINDS
An ideal program for grades K-6, it combines classical and popular music, audience participation, and an introduction to the woodwind family of the symphony orchestra.

This program opens with a Scott Joplin Rag which not only introduces American but also African American Music. This is followed by a Classical selection by either Beethoven or Mozart and different styles of music are discussed. Each member of the trio then introduces his or her instrument, using music of contrasting styles (Jazz, Classical, and Ballet). The students are now asked to identify a popular theme from a television show to demonstrate how important the role of music is in everyday life. A student is brought to the stage to conduct a Sousa march followed by a brief question/answer session. The program closes with the audience snapping their fingers or clapping to a well known song. The goal of this program is to encourage students to relate to different styles of music, and to show how music relates to their lives. Since 1982, the Chicago Winds Trio has performed more than 2,000 programs in Chicago area schools.

List of terms:

Classical Music
Clarinet
Flute
Bassoon
Woodwind
Composer
Conductor
Baton
Reed
Tempo
Wind Instruments
Vibration
Ballet
Trio

Musical excerpts:

Scott Joplin: Ragtime Dance
Mozart: Trio
George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Tchaikovsky: Nutcracker Ballet
Sousa: Stars and Stripes
Theme from the Simpson’s
Mancini: Pink Panther

GUIDELINES FOR FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION

Q: What instruments were used in today’s program?
A: Flute, clarinet, bassoon

Q: What makes sound on any instrument?
A: Vibration

Q: What does woodwind mean?
A: Instruments are made of wood and we make music with our wind

Q: Which instrument is not made of wood but used to be made of wood?
A: Flute

Q: What is a reed?
A: Piece of wood that vibrates.

Q: Which instrument has a single reed?
A: Clarinet

Q: Which instrument has a double reed?
A: Bassoon

Q: Which instrument has no reed?
A: Flute

Q: When did Mozart write his music?
A: 250 years ago

Q: What country did Scott Joplin live in?
A: America

GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT FEEDBACK
ENCOURAGE YOUR STUDENTS TO WRITE TO US
USING ONE OF THESE BEGINNINGS

What was your favorite part of the program?

What did the music make you think of?

What was the difference in sound of the instruments?

What instrument would you like to play and why?

What was your favorite piece of music and why?

How would you tell a story with music?