Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Singing Time: Songs,
Stories, Books, & Apps to Celebrate the
Chinese New Year
Hello everyone! Ms. Brigid
here, from Merit
School of Music in
Chicago, IL. Happy Year of the Horse! This
week we’re exploring resources for the Chinese New Year, also known as the
Spring Festival. Over a billion people observe Chinese New Year – in fact
during the two weeks it’s celebrated, from the new moon to the full moon, the
largest human migration on earth takes place as family members
travel to be with each other for New Years Eve on January 30th.
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| ©2014 Brigid Finucane. Irresistible Good Luck Candy! |
I have been celebrating the
lunar festival for over a decade in my classrooms, each year adding new layers.
My observance stems from the good fortune of being placed at the Chinese
American Service League (CASL) as the Pre-K music teacher through Bridges, Merit’s outreach program. CASL was my first Merit teaching site,
and one I’ll forever cherish. To have a window into such a rich culture and
community is a gift.
Chinese New Year, as with
other holidays celebrated this time of year, centers on Family, Feasts, Light
(fireworks, lanterns), and Community (parties, parades, visiting). Specific songs are associated with the holiday and similar preparations take place – cleaning and decorating the home, shopping, preparing symbolic food, wearing special (new) clothes, and making arrangements to host or travel. My students, families and teachers explore these similarities in class, and talk about the differences - like Lion Dancers and Dancing Dragons! Happy memories of holiday gatherings are still fresh in the kiddos’ minds, and connections are easily made!
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| ©2014 Brigid Finucane. Oranges and flowers and lanterns, oh my! |
SONGS
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| Nancy Stewart's Song of the Month, January 2003 |
In a few perfectly crafted verses the song chronicles the key
features – starting with preparations and ending with dragons dancing and a nod
to the Lantern Festival,
which concludes the holiday on the 15th day (full moon). The song
even notes how the starting date is determined:
“The new moon tells us exactly when
We celebrate with family and friends.”
The hauntingly beautiful chorus is one that all, even the
youngest, can sing:
“Gung Hay Fat Choy! Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Sing Happy New Year! Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Feng
Yang Hua Gu or Flower Drum
Song is a popular traditional song associated with the New Year. The end of the song mimics the sound of the drum. There are many YouTube versions, ranging from dance troupes to instrumental ensembles.
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| Video by Red Taurus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8blxd_sQBnI |
STORIES
Storynory is
an online storytelling site. Stories can be listened to or read.
Chinese
Years of the Animals. “In
Chinese astrology, each year is named after an animal, and if you are born in
that year, you take some of that animal’s characteristics. This is the story of
how each year go its name,…”
Chinese
Year of the Horse – The Horse That Ran Away. This story "...shows that you can never tell if an event will turn out to be good or bad luck in the long term. The idea is part of Taoist philosophy, which teaches that you must live in harmony with nature and what it brings you, good or bad."
BOOKS
In the not so distant past,
information was harder to unearth about Chinese New Year. The internet has
changed that, and numerous books written specifically for young children have
added greatly to understanding the holiday. First, the internet!
Now the books!
 |
©2014 Brigid Finucane.
Music Masters I kiddos - who aren't afraid of dragons! |
-The
Dancing Dragon perfectly captures the excitement of the New Year
parade. The book’s unique accordion format unfolds to reveal the dragon!
-This
Next New Year is a book about the promise of the new year and a
Chinese-Korean boy who has big dreams. It captures the heart completely. Unfortunately, it is hard to purchase – but available
in many libraries.
-Rabbit’s
Gift, based on a Chinese fable, is a gentle tale of
a turnip (!) and the power of sharing and caring for others. Margaret Hooton
from the Children’s Music Network (CMN), introduced the book to me, and we both
wrote verses to go with the story.
Margaret: Brigid:
Turnips
are so sweet, La,
la, la, la, la.
And
they’re good to eat! La,
la, la, la, la.
On
a cold winter day Sharing
with friends
Turnips
are a treat! Is
a gift from the heart.
Listen below, in the Chinese New Year Card video greeting! We've "piggybacked" our lyrics onto the first four measures of Feng Yang Hua Gu or Flower Drum Song!
APPS
The apps below are all free versions – which mean there are ads, alas. Even so, they’re worthwhile, and if you’re so inclined, an “In-App” purchase will take care of the annoyances!
2. Learn about and listen to traditional
Chinese
Instruments, created by The United Academy of Music in Wanchi Hong Kong – a truly impressive and generous app. Wish List: A pronunciation guide and more clearly written song and instrument information.
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| ©2014 Brigid Finucane. Year of the Metal Horse. |
3. No New Year festival is complete without
fireworks! Make your own fireworks
with Fireworks Arcade.
AROUND THE WEB - JUST FOR
FUN
If you’re wondering about the installation
photos, they were inspired by Liz Hannan from CMN who contributed a hilarious story to the CMN
list-serve about toy dinosaurs in the home environment. I thought, “Why not
substitute a toy horse for the dinosaurs?” Join me, and get creative in your classroom over the 15 days
of the festival! Your kiddos will love it. Please share pictures!
©2014 Brigid Finucane. Lucky horses!
Thank
you so much for joining me! It’s wonderful to be part of this new community.
Please feel free to contact me with any
questions you have. I’m here to help!
I
hope you’ll visit me next month, when I’ll be sharing more apps and musical
ideas.
I am continually inspired by the Children’s Music Network
(CMN) community. an international group of socially conscious musicians,
educators, librarians, families, songwriters and good people, who “celebrate
the positive power of music in the lives of children by sharing songs,
exchanging ideas, and creating community.” Please visit CMN, and find a
gathering in your region.
©2014 Brigid Finucane * 847-213-0713 * gardengoddess1@comcast.net
http://prekandksharing.blogspot.com
http://brigidfinucane.blogspot.com
@booksinger1
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