The fifth graders at Black Forest Hills Elementary have considerable experience performing on Orff percussion instruments. As a result we modified the program so that students could be incorporated into the final performance. Each paragraph group was responsible for composing ostinato patterns that they would play during the concert. Then each group composed melodies and battery percussion parts to be added to their ostinatos. These melodies and percussion parts were played by Playground Teaching Artists.
The compositions were divided into narrated paragraphs. A paragraph would be read and then performed with the corresponding student artwork projected behind the ensemble. Classroom teachers were responsible for the story-writing aspect of this program and participated in the final concert by playing the role of narrator.
THE VIDEO shows the performance of The Jack-a-lope Saves It All at Black Forest Hills Elementary.
