It's A Great Day! With Diane Shieron, September 29, 2018

On September 29, our chapter hosted its first workshop of the year featuring the incomparable Diane Shieron. With her extensive experience as a music specialist, Orff levels instructor and notable clinician, Diane gave us a workshop with a bit of everything: ostinatos, body percussion, movement activities and a variety of orchestrations.

On September 29, our chapter hosted its first workshop of the year featuring the incomparable Diane Shieron. With her extensive experience as a music specialist, Orff levels instructor and notable clinician, Diane gave us a workshop with a bit of everything: ostinatos, body percussion, movement activities and a variety of orchestrations.

The first part of the day was focused on Division 1 activities. Participants started with a welcome song called "Great Day! It's A Great Day!" which included a movement activity with partners in concentric circles. It was an excellent way for us to meet some new faces! Diane continued with a classic nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock" and engaged our participants with a  word substitution game, ostinato activity and orchestration. She continued with an American folk song called "Step Uncle Jesse" that would be perfect for teaching binary (AB) form.

The second part of our day was filled with Division 2 activities. We began with a song about fast food that allowed participants to hear vocal harmony. This catchy tune could be used as a round or a focus on melody with vocal ostinati. Our last portion of Division 2 activities finished with a song called Trinidad (suitable for Grade 5 and 6). Diane showed participants how a I-IV-V-I arrangement could really bring a song to the next level. What a great piece to add non pitched percussion and even steel drums (if you had them!) to.

After lunch, our focus was on Special Days and Holidays. Participants learned a fun new way to sing Happy Birthday with a partner beat game. Just in time for the season, Diane finished with a beautiful piece for Remembrance Day, perfect for a choir to sing and a group of Division 2 students providing the orchestration.

Our workshop also marked a momentous occasion for Diane personally. She was honoured with a Lifetime Membership to the Alberta Orff Chapter for her teaching, support and mentoring of so many teachers in our community. Congratulations, Diane, on your incredible achievement! 

A special thanks to Long and McQuade and St John's Music who both provided a generous donation for our workshop.
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