May 23, 2025 | Activities, Teachers
Here is a lively Hanukkah activity on the gathering drum that is great for your youngest music makers and students learning to read rhythm! Don’t have a gathering drum? Small unpitched percussion also works great! Don’t forget to use code HOLIDAY10 to get an extra 10% off all items in the shop!
Students play the steady beat on their knees and then the rhythm for the words “spin, spin, spin, win, win, win, or pat, pat, pat!” on the gathering drum. (3 quarter notes and a rest) The “Take A Potato” song is from the album Cha Cha Chanukah by the Shirettes. Members, you can find the lesson plan and recording in your Rhythm Readers curriculum!
Not yet a Music Rhapsody Member? Join the fun! Visit the teachers area free for 3 days to check out the curriculum. Join now to start 2025 with fresh, playful lessons.
May 23, 2025 | Activities, Teachers
Here are some activities to bring joy and delight to your classroom in those few “after the concert” lessons!
Check out our winter specials on these books – plus, use code HOLIDAY10 to save an additional 10% until the end of December! Members save 20-35% when you use your exclusive code!
Here are some videos of our students doing these festive activities:
Not yet a member? Join the fun! Visit the teachers area free for 3 days to check out the curriculum. Join now to start 2025 with fresh, playful lessons.
Aug 13, 2024 | Theme Concerts
Holiday Singalong – Choosing songs for maximum participation of youngest to oldest
Looking for that emotional connection with your audience and students? Consider a singalong! When looking for an easy multi-generational song to end your holiday program, here’s a few things to consider.
- Repetition! The more repetition of the lyrics, the more participation – especially from your youngest singers and your audience! (I’m thinking of those 2 year olds and 80+)
- Well Known Songs – We love what we know – Like an old friend coming back!
- Easy Range An octave or less
- Has a refrain or chorus Something to sing after the children sing their rehearsed line or verse
Here’s some lyrics from the easiest choices
THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine,
Let it shine!
FELIZ NAVIDAD (Sing-A-Long Lyrics)
Feliz Navidad.
Feliz Navidad.
Feliz Navidad.
Prospero ano y Felicidad.
(Repeat)
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas (3 times)
From the bottom of my heart.
Repeat first section
IT’S A SMALL WORLD/Jingle Bells
Children:
It’s a world of laughter, A world of tears
It’s a world of hopes, And a world of fears
There’s so much that we share
That it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all.
Children and Audience
It’s a small world after all (3 times)
It’s a small, small world
Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the way
Oh what fun, it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh HEY!
(Repeat Jingle bells)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
And a happy new year!
Deck the Halls
Kids: Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Audience and Kids: Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la (Kids add silly movement)
(continue same form below)
‘Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sign up to receive weekly activities, tips & tricks, notices of new videos, workshops, resources & more in your inbox!
Aug 13, 2024 | Holiday/Winter Concert Ideas For Ages 2-6
What a surprise when I visited a mixed age music class and heard an 8 year old say “Can we do Deck the Halls? That’s my favorite!” Other children chimed in “Yes! Let’s do Deck the Halls!”
Here’s a video to show you how a simple tempo change and some silly gestures have this old carol a favorite for parents at the concert too! Some other holiday favorites in this playlist too!
Most of us are busy with our holiday concerts. Here are 3 reminders:
#1 reminder MAKE SURE THE PARENTS CAN SEE THEIR CHILD!
#2 reminder – make the children smile (I tell them we are taking pictures and videos and there will be SMILE AWARDS!)
#3 – Get the singing all the way to back where Grandpa is sitting – he’s hard of hearing! Open your mouth and exaggerate the words to make sure your singing covers the entire room.
SAVE These 2023 DATES
Redondo Beach, CA June 28-30
SMU Dallas, Texas June 20-22
Online Training and Membership ANYTIME!
Aug 13, 2024 | Activities
I’m so excited to announce that my latest book and CD, Holiday Songs and Winter Adventures, is finally HERE! AND… there’s a new workshop planned too! I can’t wait to share all this with you.
Watch here!
Watch this lovely video, animated by one of my former Music Rhapsody students, for previews of a few songs.
Order here for all of THIS!
- Songs, Rhymes, Dances, Stories
- Preschool/Elementary
- Percussion, Orff, Recorder
- Arts & Crafts
- Holiday Treats
- Digital Resources with adorable Pictures and Visual Aids
- Beautiful Recordings
- Accompaniment Tracks
- Video Lessons/Concerts
SAVE THE DATE!
Our Holiday Songs and Winter Adventures Workshop is September 28, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Pasadena Conservatory Auditorium. We’ll cover this book and other favorites for Holiday and Winter Concerts and lessons that sparkle!
Register here!
