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Caroline Parr's suggests lively ways to connect children and music Date published: 12/27/2005
THIS TIME OF YEAR, as the The Revels, described as a combination of "the holy and the wild," mixes Christmas carols with traditional music, dance and rituals from around the world. This year's program in Washington focused on northern cultures, incorporating the ancient Abbots Bromley horn dance from England with creation myths from the ancient Finnish Kalevala and a retelling of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Audience participation, glorious music and a sprinkling of low humor make the Revels an annual tradition for many families. Langstaff loved connecting children with music, not just in the Revels but in the two dozen children's books he wrote. "Frog Went A-Courtin" is one of the best known, winning the Caldecott Medal in 1956. Frog rides his horse to mouse's hall, where he asks Miss Mousie to marry him. "Without my Uncle Rat's consent, I would not marry the president!" she retorts, in a verse that clearly shows the American contribution to this 500-year-old song. But Uncle Rat agrees to the union and the couple are married, holding their wedding breakfast in a hollow tree and feeding the guests three green beans and a black-eyed pea. Feodor Rojankovsky illustrates the song with bright colors and a cartoonlike cheerfulness that makes every animal wedding guest--even the big black bug--endearing. This is a favorite for chanting, singing and reciting with children of all ages. Another old favorite, "Oh, A-Hunting We Will Go," lends itself to the invention of endless new verses. "Oh, a-hunting we will go, a-hunting we will go, we'll catch a little fox and put him in a box, and then we'll let him go!" Additional verses feature a lamb, a goat, and a whale, among others. When we catch a bear "and put him in underwear," your young audience is sure to collapse in gales of giggles.
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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