Cultural Arts: Arabic Music & Dance

Last week we had the honor of hosting a talented teaching artist here at TCS for a Cultural Arts performance all about Arabic music and dance. Karim (which means "generous" in Arabic) taught us about several different Arabic instruments, showed us on a map where the music comes from, wrote out different words in Arabic, and also demonstrated various techniques on each instrument by performing for us. 

One instrument we learned about is called the "duff," a round drum with strings on the back of stretched skin and a thumb hole so you can spin it on your hand. This instrument is used for celebrations, and below is a video of Karim performing on the duff:

He also showed us other instruments including the "rik" (tambourine), the "Sajat" (finger cymbals), large rhythm sticks called "Alaya," the "Buzuq" (a small string instrument shaped like a guitar), and the "Tablah" (a large drum made from recycled aluminum cans and recycled dental x-rays!). 

Karim played all of these instruments like an expert, and also shared lots of interesting information with us about each instrument and how it relates to his Arabic culture. It is rare to find someone who is both an accomplished musician and a talented educator, and Karim made us learn and have fun at the same time while we listened to him talk and perform!

Thank you for visiting us and teaching us about Arabic music, Karim! You are welcome back to TCS any time!

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone enjoyed the parade and WTCS radio show last week in honor of...

HALLOWEEN!

There are lots of fun Halloween songs that we learn together in music class here at TCS, and while many students have different favorite tunes, one of the most popular songs we sing is called, "Witches Brew" and it's a song I've known since I was in elementary school. I've never forgotten it! The lyrics are below. Have fun singing the song and "stirring up" all the yucky ingredients as you sing!

WITCHES’ BREW (by Hap Palmer)

Dead leaves, seaweed, rotten eggs, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

Spider web, moldy bread, mucky mud, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic! Alakazamakazoo

ooo - My witches’ brew - ooo
What’s it gonna do to you?
Boo!
Floor wax, thumb tacks, purple paint, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

Finger nails, lunch pails, apple cores, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

ooo - My witches’ brew - ooo
What’s it gonna do to you?
Boo!

Wrinkled prunes, mushrooms, motor oil, too.
Stir them in my witches’ brew.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.
I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

I've got magic, Alakazamakazoo.

I had a great time playing and singing songs with all the students, and even Fiona got to join in on the fun this year as a ladybug!