Dr. Emily AronoffAre you ready to embrace the power of musical improvisation in your learning environment? I’ve created a brand new, evergreen song called “Shir Chadash – A Song That’s New,” inspired by Psalm 96. This participatory tune is perfect for children ages 3(ish) and up, providing a unique opportunity for young ones to let their creativity shine and build their confidence.
The structure of “Shir Chadash” encourages children to take turns leading and composing four short musical expressions, which their peers then echo. This dynamic not only imparts a sense of power and validation to young children but also fosters social, cognitive, and emotional growth.
Explaining Music Concepts Like “Improvise”
To ensure that “Shir Chadash” is inclusive and engaging for every child, take time to explain, model, and review what ‘improvise’ means. Improvise means to make sounds to express yourself musically in the moment without preparation. I might tell children: “Improvise means to make up your own sounds or tunes. Just like when we play with toys and pretend, we can pretend with our voices and make up new sounds and songs!” Then, I’d model the practice, and ask an adult in the room to do so, as well (give them plenty of a heads up and make sure it is a question, not an on-spot demand!)
Shir Chadash- A New Song Improv Echo
Lyrics:
Section A: Together
Shir means song, Chadash means new
A song of praise- Shir Halelu!
Shir means song, Chadash means new
“I’ll” [fill in name] sing first then you sing, too
Section B: Taking Turns
Improvise!
(explain that each participant will get 4 chances to improvise for 4 beats, and model what that looks like)
The first line of Part A should change each time, it should be the name of the leader.
Embarking on a Musical Journey Together
As we continue to explore the power of musical play, let us celebrate its incredible benefits for people of all ages. Exploring musicality with children not only cultivates essential skills like language, numeracy, and social abilities, but it also promotes emotional growth and self-expression. Music is an incredibly powerful tool for creating meaningful connections among friends, family members, and community.
Thank you for dedicating your time and energy to nurturing spiritual and musical growth in your learning environments and sustaining our vibrant Jewish community. By embracing the beauty of music and the joy of play, you’re fueling curiosity and creativity, making a lasting impact on the lives of those you serve. Keep shining your light and inspiring generations to come, one song at a time.
