Life
10 Minutes With Vanessa Williams
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- Category: Life
- Last Updated on Saturday, 16 April 2011 10:31
- Written by test user
10 Minutes With Di Masters
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- Category: Life
- Last Updated on Saturday, 16 April 2011 10:28
- Written by test user
The 2012-13 Ridgefield Public Schools Calendar is Out!
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- Category: Education
- Last Updated on Thursday, 17 May 2012 09:52
- Written by Terri Garlick
The 2012-13 Ridgefield Public Schools calendar is out. Need to update your calendar, plan vacations, or just curious, click HERE.
Update: Funds Stolen From Philanthropic Youth Council Event
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- Category: Life
- Last Updated on Friday, 08 April 2011 17:52
- Written by test user
Read more: Update: Funds Stolen From Philanthropic Youth Council Event
'Boogie Chillun' at East Ridge Middle School!
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- Category: Education
- Last Updated on Thursday, 17 May 2012 07:58
- Written by Alison Greeley
Yesterday, students at East Ridge Middle School children were taken on a rousing musical journey through the rich history of American music with Boogie Chillun' - a six-piece musical group presented by Productions for Young People (PYP).
'American music speaks of freedom, liberation and jubilation,' members of Boogie Chillun' began as they kicked off their celebration of our musical roots.
We started with the first music born in America, a medley of negro spirituals including 'Amazing Grace,' 'Go Tell it on the Mountain' and 'This Little Light of Mine,' followed by a selection of gospel music.
Next up was a sing-along sampling of folk music, including 'Row Row Row Your Boat' and 'Old MacDonald.'
We then headed into the hills of Appalachia, where we learned about the banjo and sang about catching, cooking and eating a Groundhog!
We followed the most popular instrument in the world, the harmonica, from its folk roots in Germany to the America, where musicians experimented with its sound. We heard how they used the instrument to mimic the sounds of a railroad train in 'Oh! Susanna' and 'Long Gone John.'
Our feet started tapping as we were introduced to Jazz, both Louis Armstrong style and in the New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition.
We heehawed and yodeled along with the birth of country music in the American South.
Out of country came the Blues, and we sang along to a Boogie Chillun' original 'Read, Baby. Read.'
The auditorium really began to rock as we celebrated the arrival of Rock 'n Roll, with 'Hound Dog,' Johnny B. Goode' and 'Tutti Frutti' and the birth of Soul with 'My Girl' and 'I Got You (I Feel Good).'
But things really got going when we got funky! We raised the roof for Funk, danced a little Disco and waved our hands in the air for Rap. Boogie Chillun' showed us how these traditions all come together in 'Forget You.'
By the time they closed the show with 'Love Train,' we were all on our feet!
THANK YOU to all of the parents who support PYP and helped to bring this engaging history lesson and musical performance to our students.
