Songs and Stories

This episode is special, because it’s all about you! Do you like to draw? Do you like to sing? Do you like to build? Join us for some inspiration to get started telling your own, unique story. We will take time to look out the window, sing a song, read a book, and hear the story of a young musician who gets inspiration from all the things around him. Get ready to tell YOUR story!

Mary and Mike travel to the Music Resource Center in Charlottesville to meet up with the author, Marc Boston and the musician, Tevin White. Marc shares his beautiful children’s book, inspired by his own daughter. And Tevin shares a special song that he wrote, inspired by Marc’s book. Together, we learn how to stop carrying so much stuff!

Mary and Mike learn about Cuban culture and music. Gustavo Pellon, a University of Virginia professor originally from Cuba, teaches us about this unique country, tells a childhood story, and shares a poem. Dr. Mike Davison, a trumpet player and University of Richmond professor, plays his trumpet and demonstrates the clave rhythm, the foundation of Cuban music. Come learn with us!

Mary and Mike stay up late to explore the magic and music of nighttime. We sing songs about the beauty of night and a young pianist plays Clair de Lune under the light of the moon. Our friend, Dr. Lerdau, teaches us about nighttime creatures who are making music of their own: owls, crickets, and even plants! Enjoy a lovely evening with us as we discover the simple beauty of our surroundings.

Have you ever wondered how music transforms from notes on a page to something so beautiful it can touch our souls? Mike travels to Harrisonburg, VA to meet a pianist from Brazil, who teaches us about the music of Brazil and performs a lively piece on the piano. Mary guides us in moving our bodies to all of the different musical sounds and we learn to sing a children’s folk song in Portuguese.

Join us to explore how music rises and falls and read a book. Get ready for a surprise!

Around and around and around we go! Let’s stretch our arms like a giant pinwheel and learn to sing a song that reminds us of a big spinning wheel. We will also meet a new instrument that makes its sound by spinning - a hurdy-gurdy! Then watch as our special guest, Ms. Thomas, shows us how to make our very own spinning toy - a whirligig! Come spin with us!

Come take a ride with us, learn a song, and hear a story about a bus ride through town.

Join us in using the building blocks of music to make our very own sound!

Inspired by the fall weather, Mary and Mike use their five senses to explore nature.