
BELAH SUN WOMAN
Post-Commissioned by ABODAQ for Australian National Band& Orchestra's Conference 2012. Published by GIA Music Publications Inc. Grade 1 progressing to Grade 2 thru 5 movts.
I
Belah Sun Woman
Click lizard to
see lesson sample
II
In the beginning
Click lizard to
see the score
III
Kundu, Lizard Man
Click lizard to
see the score
IV
The Battle
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see the score
V
Light the Earth
Click lizard to
see the score
Belah Sun Woman is a "project piece"?
*5 movements of music
Each one is more challenging for you and your students!
*Creative teaching strategies
Standard lesson plan format - easy to follow. You can't go wrong!
*DVD to show.you.how.
This is me working with middle-schoolers - we bring the lesson plans to life.
*Conducting workshop with Craig Kirchhoff
Want to be a better conductor? See a sample of Kirchhoff gold here
'Off the Podium' teaching tools (as promised!)
Movement 1: Belah Sun Woman

DVD trailer (as above)
Movement 2: In the beginning

DVD trailer
Silent tracks to download FREE! for your teaching playlist

Helping hands: Optional parts
Movement 3: Kundu, Lizard man

DVD trailer

Audio tools for teachers
PART 1: Moving in Mirrors
PART 3: Melodic Shape
Aquarium (Saint-Saens)
Peter & the Wolf (Prokofiev)

Make your own instruments - Inspire your students
Teach your students about the basic physics of sound by making instruments that sound like Joia Tubes!! FUN!! AND you can use all that left over pipe you purchased to make whirlies in my piece Whirlwind!
The instruments are called 'J-pipes' and information can be found in 'Make your own wacky instruments' created by Australian inventor and music educator, Jon Madin. Click the book below for a preview and to learn more about Jon & his incredible instruments!
Stockists:
USA: Beatin' Path publications
AUSTRALIA: Marimba Music (Jon Madin's website)
INTERNATIONAL: VOSA
Movement 4: The Battle

DVD trailer
At measure 10-21, the percussion sounds are to emulate Belah's campfire. Listen below for ideas...
Movement 5: Light the Earth

DVD trailer
SHOWING RESPECT & SENSITIVITY
When learning this piece, I strongly encourage you to work alongside the First People of the land in which you live in order to help foster positive relationships between your school and the local Indigenous comunity.
Please read "COLLABORATING WITH YOUR LOCAL INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY" to understand how you can use Belah Sun Woman to achieve this.
I first read the story of 'Belah, Sun Woman' in the text Gadi Mirabooka as edited by Helen McKay.
This book harnesses important information and stories as passed down through some of the indigenous communities within Australia.
Francis Firebrace has graciously granted permission to use his words as documented in this text. 'Belah Sun Woman' tells the story of the birth of day and night. Should you wish to contact Francis or want to read his other published works, such as the children's book 'Stories from the billabong' find him on Facebook.