The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast with Gena Mayo easy music education tips, strategies, and curriculum resources for homeschooling parents - 43: How Singing Made Easy is Accessible for All Homeschoolers: An Interview with Andrew Pudewa

43: How Singing Made Easy is Accessible for All Homeschoolers: An Interview with Andrew Pudewa

12/09/24 • 34 min

The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast with Gena Mayo easy music education tips, strategies, and curriculum resources for homeschooling parents

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Welcome to the "Music in Our Homeschool" podcast, where we explore the beautiful synergy between music education and homeschooling. In this episode, we are thrilled to host Andrew Pudewa, renowned educator and founder of the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). Andrew delves into expanding his talk from "Cultivating Language Arts Preschool through High School" to include "cultivating attentiveness," shedding light on how music plays a pivotal role in developing attentiveness in children.

Join our host, Gena Mayo, a seasoned homeschooling mom of eight and a dedicated music teacher with over 30 years of experience, as she draws connections between Andrew's insights and her work with Music Garden—a program focusing on early childhood music education. Together, they discuss the importance of integrating music into homeschool curriculums and how it can significantly enhance learning and attentiveness.

Andrew passionately shares his vision for the "Singing Made Easy" program, a brainchild of his late mother, Marcia, aimed at making music education accessible and integral to family life. He emphasizes that singing doesn't require expensive instruments, just a book of music and recordings. This natural approach can ignite children's interest in playing instruments and contribute immensely to their language development, memory enhancement, and overall brain growth.

Andrew's personal anecdotes bring to life the joy and value of music-making within families, emphasizing that investing time and attentiveness in learning to sing can have profound emotional and health benefits. He also highlights the deep cultural and social significance of group singing in fostering community bonds and emotional well-being.

The episode doesn't fall short of historical and cultural critique, shedding light on past practices where singing was a daily part of school life. Andrew makes a compelling case for reintegrating these practices into modern education. Tune in to discover practical tips on incorporating quality music education into your homeschool routine and inspire your children to explore and enjoy the world of music.

Find all links to resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/singing-made-easy-is-accessible/

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Find all links to resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/singing-made-easy-is-accessible/

Previous Episode

42: Celebrating Victorian Christmas Carols: Bringing Historical Festivity to Your Homeschool

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In this festive and heartwarming episode of the "Music in Our Homeschool" podcast, host Gena Mayo takes listeners on a delightful journey through the history of Victorian Christmas caroling. Have you ever wondered where the charming tradition of going door-to-door singing Christmas carols originated? Gena explores the roots of this age-old practice, which dates back to the Victorian era during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901.

Discover how Christmas caroling became a popular way to spread holiday cheer and foster community spirit, inspired by traditions brought over by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert. From the moving traditions of wassailing to the vibrant street performances by town musicians known as "waits," Gena paints a vivid picture of how these customs transformed over time.

Listeners are treated to fascinating stories behind beloved carols such as "Here We Come A-Wassailing," "The Holly and the Ivy," and "I Saw Three Ships," exploring their origins and the meanings behind their lyrical content. The episode also highlights iconic carols like "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," sharing the beautiful tales of their creation and their enduring legacy.

Perfect for homeschoolers and anyone interested in the rich tapestry of Christmas history, this episode provides educational insights and enchanting anecdotes that make Victorian Christmas caroling come alive. Gena, a homeschooling mom of eight and experienced music teacher, blends historical context with a passion for music education, ensuring a captivating listen for all ages.

Tune in for practical tips, sing-along opportunities, and a deeper appreciation of the carols that have shaped our holiday celebrations. Don't miss the chance to enrich your homeschooling experience with this festive and informative episode of the "Music in Our Homeschool" podcast. Be sure to check the show notes for links to sheet music and sing-along videos to enhance your family's musical Christmas festivities.
See all links and resources mentioned in the episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/christmas-caroling/

Next Episode

44: Discovering Liszt's Christmas Tree Suite: A Family Tradition in Music for the Holiday Season

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Welcome to a heartwarming holiday episode of the "Music in Our Homeschool" podcast with host Gena Mayo. Dive into the enchanting world of Franz Liszt and his delightful Christmas Tree Suite, a collection of 12 short piano pieces written as a gift for his granddaughter, Daniela. This episode offers a perfect blend of music history, theory, and festive fun, designed to bring joy and education to your homeschooling family.

Gena Mayo, a veteran music teacher and homeschooling mom of eight, takes you on a magical journey through the life and works of Franz Liszt. Learn about Liszt’s early musical prowess, his rise to fame that stirred "Lisztomania" across Europe, and his generous spirit that made him a beloved teacher and composer. You’ll discover fascinating anecdotes, including how his passionate playing would sometimes break piano strings and wear out the instruments themselves.

The episode dives deep into the Christmas Tree Suite, highlighting pieces like "O Holy Night," "Scherzoso," and "Shepherds at the Manger." Gena explains how Liszt used dynamics, major and minor tonalities, and thematic transformation to create varying moods and emotions in his music. To make this more engaging for your homeschool, she shares fun, hands-on activities, such as drawing what you hear, creating your own Christmas suite, guessing the mood of melodies, and matching dynamics.

Don’t miss the chance to make music education fun and memorable this holiday season. Be sure to check out the show notes for a link to a free worksheet pack to further explore the Christmas Tree Suite, and join Gena for a live lesson with her Music in Our Homeschool Plus members. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this festive episode with your homeschooling community. Let the music of Liszt bring a little extra joy and beauty to your holiday season!

Find all links and resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/christmas-tree-suite-franz-liszt/