What an amazing weekend we had! The National COC Bridges conference was fantastic . Thank you so much to the organizing committee. They did a great job of putting on the conference! In addition to presenting our "Bring on the Bugs" and "Journey through Outer Space" sessions, we brought the Highbury Orff Club to perform PRISM. Working with the students and sharing this performance with the conference delegates was an unforgettable experience.
PRISM is a musical work that includes six movements, each one representing a different colour. Along with our friend Julie, we composed four of the six movements and arranged the other two with help from the children.
RED - Complete with red body bags, intricate drumming patterns and an original dampened metallophone ostinato pattern played with hard mallets, this piece represents beginnings. Pulsating, sizzling and erupting, Red was a perfect way to begin our program.
ORANGE - This movement was so fun to create! We were wanting to do something in Locrian, a mode that is traditionally avoided when composing. Xylophones were positioned vertically so that two students could play them at the same time, one on either side of the instrument. It was cool to see students play the unique question and answer melodies on the same instrument! The children were so innovative in creating their movement, using orange dodge balls as props. Although thoughtfully arranged with the students, this movement embodies chaos
ORANGE - This movement was so fun to create! We were wanting to do something in Locrian, a mode that is traditionally avoided when composing. Xylophones were positioned vertically so that two students could play them at the same time, one on either side of the instrument. It was cool to see students play the unique question and answer melodies on the same instrument! The children were so innovative in creating their movement, using orange dodge balls as props. Although thoughtfully arranged with the students, this movement embodies chaos
YELLOW - This piece was the last composition that we created for PRISM. We wanted something upbeat, joyful and happy! A jazzy piece in mixolydian, this was a crowd favourite with six of the boys creating buoyant, fun and interesting movement using big, yellow smiley face beach balls!
GREEN - What a technically difficult piece this is! The kids did a fantastic job. Adapted from The Sailor’s Wife, an Irish folksong arranged by Doug Edwards, Green demonstrates intricate melodies with flourishing Celtic flavour. Added hand drum parts support a thick texture that embodies the theme of renewal in this fresh, lush movement.
GREEN - What a technically difficult piece this is! The kids did a fantastic job. Adapted from The Sailor’s Wife, an Irish folksong arranged by Doug Edwards, Green demonstrates intricate melodies with flourishing Celtic flavour. Added hand drum parts support a thick texture that embodies the theme of renewal in this fresh, lush movement.
BLUE - This is a contrasting piece with smooth lines and thinner texture. When composing Blue, we wanted to foster the idea of living your dreams, using the imagery of a wide open sky and birds soaring within it. The flowing, graceful scarf movement created by students and soundscapes complete with bird calls, vividly paint the wide open landscape and limitless message we were going for.
PURPLE - Stately, majestic and royal, the final movement of Prism presents an arrangement of Song for Friday and Procession by Isabel McNeill Carley. Flag and ribbon wand movement help to present the culmination of the all of the colours; Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple. With strength and PRIDE, the Highbury Orff Club concluded their performance of PRISM, inspiring a room full of teary-eyed music teachers.
PURPLE - Stately, majestic and royal, the final movement of Prism presents an arrangement of Song for Friday and Procession by Isabel McNeill Carley. Flag and ribbon wand movement help to present the culmination of the all of the colours; Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple. With strength and PRIDE, the Highbury Orff Club concluded their performance of PRISM, inspiring a room full of teary-eyed music teachers.
Taking on a big project like this is so much work, but the process and final product made it completely worth it. Throughout the journey, student creativity was fostered, teamwork was celebrated, and the musical development of each individual as well as that of the entire group grew exponentially. One of the biggest compliments from other music teachers was the very apparent mutual respect observed throughout the performance. The connection between students and adults was undeniable. Planning, preparing and performing Prism was a life-changing experience for everyone involved. We loved every minute of it and we can’t wait for our next big undertaking!
RSS Feed
