Coyote String Band

Coyote String Band is a way for students to explore the "Music of the Canyon" - the folk and bluegrass songs that are part of the Laurel Canyon communities heritage and, therefore, part of the Wonderland students home culture. Coyote String Band includes guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and upright bass (no drums) and existing skills a preferred but no required. Due to the limited number of spots in this ensemble, it is open to 4th and 5th grade only.

Chorus

Although we sing in as part of nearly every lesson in all grade levels, being part of the chorus is way for kids to apply their singing skills and refine their singing technique. Like the other ensembles the chorus will perform two concerts at Wonderland, but we have also taken part in outside events and hope to do more of that this year.

Ensembles for 2015-2016 Start Next Week.

This year we have made some changes to our ensemble program which I am quite excited about. There will be three general music ensembles that 3rd, 4th and 5th graders can sign up for. A sign up letter was sent home this Friday and rehearsals start next week. Students will have some time to decide whether ensemble is right for them (remember that parents and teachers must also agree) but not too much time -- our first performance is likely to be at the end of October

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I will post a bit more about each of the ensembles above.

The 2015-2016 School Year Begins!

The 2015-2016 year in music at Wonderland is underway. Two weeks in and we have set our schedule and all the students have had music at least once. It went by so quickly I hardly had time to post a cyber hello.

For those of you who are new to the Wonderland School, this blog is where I will post pictures from class, videos and instruction materials. It is a good place to drop by when you are surfing the net so I hope you will!

It's going to be a great in music!

Class of 2015 - "Teach Your Children"

"Teach Your Children" featuring the Coyote String Band from Richard Lawton on Vimeo.

And here's the closing number, a Laurel Canyon classic by CSN. Farewell Class of 2015. You showed me at culmination and again today at the talent show, what a phenomenal musicians you are. You are phenomenal people as well. It has been an honor being your teacher.

Class of 2015 - "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)

Good Riddance (The Tme of Your Life) from Richard Lawton on Vimeo.

No video from culmination itself, but I did snag a couple of good clips from dress rehearsal, including this version of the Green Day song we opened our show with. Fantastic job, Class of 2015!

Wonderland Ensembles - Final Ensemble Performance of "For What It's Worth"

Wonderland Ensemble - "For What It's Worth" from Richard Lawton on Vimeo.

Hello Ensemble Musicians and Friends of Ensemble musicians -- I am so sorry I didn't around to sharing the video from our ensemble performance two weeks ago. Graduation practice has been consuming a lot of my blog time and focus. But let me say again what a fantastic job you all did. "Best show ever" was a comment I heard a lot in the days that followed. You should feel very proud. So enjoy the video, the weekend and coming up in 4 short days -- summer!