Presenting a peek into the wonders of a Virtual Music Class in the Northbridge Primary school!

Presenting a peek into the wonders of a Virtual Music Class in the Northbridge Primary school! Even with having our music classes virtually, music has still been remarkably good at bringing us together and being a creative outlet for students. There are certainly challenges, however it is beautiful to see Northbridge International School Cambodia students (and parents, and even pets sometimes!) enjoying music at home. Read on to see the unique ways that our students are still singing, composing, and playing instruments.

Even with having our music classes virtually, music has still been remarkably good at bringing us together and being a creative outlet for students. There are certainly challenges, however it is beautiful to see Northbridge International School Cambodia students (and parents, and even pets sometimes!) enjoying music at home. Read on to see the unique ways that our students are still singing, composing, and playing instruments.

Zoe (Grade 3) Playing Heart and Soul With Her Dad

Emma (Kindergarten) and Her Brother Making a Soundscape for the Story Tap Tap Boom Boom

Virtual Song

Unfortunately, it is not possible to sing all together in a live Google Hangout due to poor audio quality, but we have found a way around this with our Northbridge Virtual Song “When You Dream a Dream.” The students get practice videos to rehearse at home with and then upload videos of themselves singing along with the teacher. For the final product, we are all going to look like we are singing all together thanks so some audio and video editing.

Sofie From Grade 2 Practicing Our Virtual Song “When You Dream a Dream.”

Composing

The students have been composing using traditional notation on a great website that has been made free during the pandemic called musicplayonline.com. They have also been getting creative by designing symbols to represent sounds and using other forms of non-traditional notation. Some are also simply recording the compositions that they made inspired by a mood, character, or scene.

Jonathan’s (Grade 4) Rhythm Composition Created on Musicplayonline.com

Barnaby’s (Grade 2) Composition Representing Anger

Lewis’s (Grade 1) Symbol He Created With the Sound it Represents

Music Skills and Playing Instruments

It is important to keep practicing music skills such as rhythm reading, critically listening to quality music, and playing the piano or any instrument. These skills take lots of repetition to improve in and if you don’t do it for several weeks, you will go backwards.

We have been able to use musicplayonline.com to practice rhythm reading and for our Grade 3’s to keep up their recorder skills. Many students have a piano at home, but those who do not have been able to use virtual piano apps on a phone or tablet to keep practicing. Finally, in our Google Hangouts or through other shared links, we have been listening to some quality music and sharing our critical analysis. 

Sofie (Grade 2 ) Practicing Rhythm Reading

Sak Sak (Grade 3) Practicing the Recorder

Putheka (Grade 4) Playing Ode to Joy on her Virtual Piano

Emily (Grade 3) Playing a Song on the Violin

Sureisusdeiy’s (Grade 5)  Listening Reflection on this music performed by our flute specialist Jen Bird

Do You Want More Music?

Good for you! Music is such an integral part of our lives. It brings us joy, soothes us, and allows us to get creative. It can help you to get through these challenging times. Anyone from the Northbridge community is welcome to participate in our Northbridge Virtual Song or the Music At Home Challenges. 

Stay tuned into the Northbridge Facebook Page for more information regarding these initiatives or contact Ms Jenn at jennifer.harris-lowe@nisc.edu.kh. 

Have fun making music!