3rd Grade Spring Concert Information
Star Spangled Banner
Music by John Stafford Smith (1750-1836)
Words by Francis Scott Key (1779-1843)
Oh say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there. Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? |
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It has become tradition that the third graders learn about the music and history of "The Star Spangled Banner," which represents all of fifty states, even those like Minnesota that were not yet states at the time when the song was written. The lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key about the War of 1812 and the words were set to a melody that was even older.
Blocks
Music by Michael Maiorana
Words by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
What are you able to build with your blocks?
Castles and palaces, temples and docks. Rain may keep raining, and others go roam, I can be happy and building at home. Let sofas be mountains, the carpet be sea, There I'll establish a city for me: A kirk and a mill and a palace beside, A harbour as well where my vessels may ride. Great is the palace with pillar and wall, With a tower atop it all, Steps coming down in an orderly way, Where my vessels lie safe in the bay. This one is sailing and that one is moored: Hark to the song of the sailors aboard! Now I have done with it, down let it go! All in a moment the town is laid low. Block upon block lying scattered and free, What is there left of my town by the sea? Yet as I saw it, I see it again, The kirk and the palace, the ships and the friends, As long as I live and wherever I be, I'll always remember my town by the sea. |
This beautiful and expressive song was written just for Holdingford students by Minneapolis-based composer, Michael Maiorana, who has visited classes twice this school year to work with students and teach composition methods. Although the lyrics were published in 1913, Mikey chose this poem because it made him think of the game Minecraft, which is very popular with students. He tailored the instrument parts to instruments that we have and that students have been learning. It's quite an honor to have a song tailor-made for these students!
BMW
By Holdingford 3rd Graders
Arranged by Kyle Gray Young
Verse 1 (by Ms. Wood's Class)
I can't open the jar, So I ate a candy bar. I am a rookie, So I ate a cookie Because I was really hungry. Instrumental Verse Verse 2 (by Mr. Mitchell's Class) I know how to cook. I will use a book. I have a bunny, It is very funny. I'll cook it up for dinner tonight. Chorus (by Mr. Mitchell's Class) I only ate its leg, So I gave it a peg. I am eating a mouse, It tastes so good in the house! Verse 3 (by Ms. Bullert's Class) My cat likes to sing, He's wearing a ring. My cat's teddy bear Is actually a pear. Hm hm hm hm hm hmmm SHHHH! Chorus Verse 3 By the way, I'm the cat! MEOW! |
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Students worked with songwriter Kyle Gray Young to compose their own third grade song. The title, BMW, is a combination of the three third grade teachers' last initials–Bullert, Mitchell, and Wood. Of course, this title might make someone think that the song is about BMW cars, but this song is full of tricks like that. Each class wrote one verse of rhyming lyrics and students came up with a melody to go with those lyrics. Kyle then put each class's piece of the song together and added accompaniment to make it the song that you'll hear.