Virtual Education
Welcome to Symphony Sounds!
The Meridian Symphony Association's commitment to creating and facilitating opportunities for arts education throughout the community remains stronger than ever through the challenges of COVID-19.
We have mobilized our musicians and teaching artists to create Symphony Sounds, a virtual education initiative designed to impact students regardless of their educational programming this year.
Every month, MSA will publish new educational videos featuring one of our orchestra members sharing information about their instrument and musical knowledge. Additionally, students will have the opportunity each month to participate in educational activities to stimulate artistic learning. Be on the lookout for exciting contests and updates through our newsletters and social media pages!
Welcome to the Waltz
The waltz primarily originated in Austria, becoming one of the most popular dances of the nineteenth century. The waltz has some very clear musical “fingerprints” which make it fairly easy to identify, including its triple meter time signature, clear & memorable tune, and “oom cha cha” accompaniment.
In this installment of Symphony Sounds, MSO musician Theresa Sanchez performs two waltzes: Nostalgia, Op. 2, No. 22 by Wim Statius Muller (1930-2019) and Petite Valse (Mi Teresita) by Teresa Carreño (1853-1917).
Students can learn more about the waltz using the lesson and worksheet linked below. Lesson & worksheet courtesy of Cliburn.org.
Introducing the Double Bass
MSO musician Santiago Zorilla explains the construction, pitch, and onstage placement of the double bass, a stronghold of the string family. Next, Zorilla provides a musical demonstration, featuring an excerpt from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.
Students can advance their knowledge of the double bass by completing the exercise below. Worksheets courtesy of Bahamas Virtual Learning.
Harps Are A-MAZE-ING!
Meridian Symphony harpist, Rebekah Atkinson, teaches students all about the harp, including the secret behind the magical glissando sound we all know and love!
After watching the video, students may complete the “Harps Are
A-MAZE-ING” worksheet below. Worksheet courtesy of Sylvia Woods Harp Center.
Virtual School Concert
The Meridian Symphony Association is a proud partner of Carnegie Hall's Link Up program. Through Link Up, students in grades 3–5 are given the opportunity to join the orchestra in this highly participatory program.
Due to COVID, we were not able to execute our typical programming inside the concert hall — so we chose to adapt! The Meridian Symphony Association provides this video free of charge for educators to share.
All About The Piano
Principal keyboard musician of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, Theresa Sanchez, teaches students all about the piano! When was the piano invented? How does it create sound? Where does it sit onstage?
After learning about the piano, students can enjoy Sanchez’s performance of "Novelette no 1" by French composer Francis Poulenc and complete an interactive orchestra seating arrangement game.
All About The Flute
What’s a flute made of? How does a flute make sound? How do musicians read music? MSO musician Rachel Ciraldo covers all of these questions and more in this month’s installment of #SymphonySounds! Rachel (virtually) welcomes students inside her studio to teach them all about the flute and performs a musical selection.
Students can learn more about reading music by visiting the link below!
Celebrating Black History Month
Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald are just a handful for many talented Black musicians who shaped the landscape of music with their artistic contributions to the world.
Students can learn more about these notable Black musicians and complete a Louis Armstrong coloring sheet by clicking the links below.
Introducing The "Best Instrument Ever!"
MSO musician Laura Sandifer introduces students to the "best instrument ever," the violin! Learn about what the violin & its bow are made of and experience many of the ways the instrument can be played.
Students can advance their knowledge of the violin by watching the video and completing the Parts of the Violin & Bow worksheet below!
How Does The Trombone Work?
Learn about the trombone, one of the symphony's simplest and most recognizable instruments! MSO musician Cliff Taylor explains the mechanics of the trombone and demonstrates how to play the instrument in his video.
After watching the video, students can continue to learn about brass instruments by visiting the interactive game linked below.
All About The Timpani
MSO musician Laura Noah teaches students about the timpani, an explosive contributor to a symphony's percussion section.
We challenge students to further their learning about percussion instruments by completing the worksheet below!
Worksheet courtesy of musicfun.net.
Welcome To Symphony Sounds
This month, students are invited to enjoy a coloring page (available for download below) to further their artistic learning at home or in-person!
Additionally, students may send us images of their artwork by October 31 to be entered in our coloring page contest. We will be offering prizes for winners, including the #1 winner to name the Symphony Sounds mascot, the historic carousel horse!