NBSO
Family Music Resource Center
Family Music Resource Center
Pre-K Music and Literacy Program
In this new program, children discover the similarities between the rhythmic features of words and the rhythmic sounds we hear in music. This emphasis on the sounds of words is based on research that shows that listening comprehension is a predictor of reading comprehension and reading fluency.
This program includes the premier of the NBSO’s new storybook, “A Concert at the Zoo” written by David MacKenzie, Dave Prentiss and Terry Wolkowicz with illustrations by Olivia Coucci. A musical piece for solo cello and narrator was composed by David MacKenzie in which the prosodic elements of the text are imitated in the music’s melodic contour and rhythm.
After listening to the story performance, children can practice speaking and drumming the animal and instrument word pairs from the book in the following video exercises.
Exercise Number 1: Cat, Drum, Monkey, Tuba
Exercise Number 2: Cat, Drum, Monkey, Tuba
Exercise Number 3: Baboon, Bassoon, Raccoon with Cat and Drum
Exercise Number 4: Elephant, Timpani with Cat, Drum, Monkey, Tuba
Create your own Music Pet by giving a stuffed animal friend a musical name!
Then listen to the video link below to hear your Music Pet’s favorite music.
Music Pets Playlist
Music Pet Name: Adagio
Adagio likes music that moves at a slow tempo or speed.
Music Pet Name: Arpeggio
Arpeggio likes to play the notes of a chord one at a time.
Music Pet Name: Allegro
Allegro likes music that moves at a fast tempo or speed.
Music Pet Name: Beat
Beat likes the steady pulse in the music.
Music Pet Name: Coda
Coda likes the tail end section in a piece of music.
Music Pet Name: Dolce
Dolce likes to play the music in a sweet and tender way.
Music Pet Name: Duet
Duet likes to play music with another musician.
Music Pet Name: Forte
Forte likes to play music loudly.
Music Pet Name: Harmony
Harmony likes to combine with other music notes to create a combination of sounds.
Music Pet Name: Legato
Legato likes to play the notes in a smooth and connected way.
Music Pet Name: Mallet
Mallet likes to strike the percussion instruments.
Music Pet Name: Marcato
Marcato likes to add an accent to each note.
Music Pet Name: Melody
Melody likes to lbe the main musical line in the music.
Music Pet Name: Piano
Piano likes to play music softly.
Music Pet Name: Rondo
Rondo likes to repeat the opening section of music in between new sections of music.
Music Pet Name: Rhythm
Rhythm likes to combine notes of different lengths or duration.
Music Pet Name: Staccato
Staccato likes to play each note very short.
Music Pet Name: Vivace
Vivace likes to play the music really, really fast.
