And the Winner is...

5th Grade Musicians have been listening to, analyzing, and evaluating the nominees for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards "Song of the Year."  We researched the process for a song to be nominated and then awarded a Grammy and we have been trying to follow that process as we selected our own Wendell Elementary "Song of the Year."  For each song, students have been:

• analyzing the form (or pattern/layout)
• identifying any rhyming patterns in the lyrics
• identifying the vocal structure, harmonies, and instrumentation used
• making connections between various styles of music
• identifying the artist's message

With an understanding that the "Song of the Year" Grammy is a song-writing award, students then voted for the song that they felt had the strongest and/or most unique form, lyrics, instrumentation, vocal layout, and message.  We also discussed that in most cases (with the exception of Cee Lo Green and Ray LaMontagne), the songs were not actually written by the artists performing them.  We have wrapped up our voting this week in anticipation of the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards show this Sunday.  And the winner of Wendell Elementary's "Song of the Year" is: 

Love the Way you Lie performed by Eminem (featuring Rihanna)

Students were required to give one musical example to support their vote, and here are some student-written reasons for why we think this song is worthy of the "Song of the Year" award:

• The rhythm is driving and moves the song along.
• The artist's message is clear and strong.
• The way it goes back and forth between rap and singing makes this song stand out.
• The ABACADA form is different from the other songs.
• The artists uses some creative rhymes in his lyrics.

I was so proud of our 5th Grade students and the maturity with which they approached this project.  Every single nominee received at least 2 votes in each class and their musical reasons for supporting these other songs were so strong, I wanted to share some of them with you.

• Need You Now performed by Lady Antebellum - I love the piano solos at the intro and coda of the song.
• Forget You performed by Cee Lo Green - I picked this because he brought back that retro beat and put a little hip hop in it to make it his own.
• Beg Steal or Borrow performed and written by Ray LaMontagne - It tells a real, complicated story with simple but great music.
• House that Built Me performed by Miranda Lambert - I chose this song because the lyrics are very emotional and she sings it with so much feeling.

As a final "toast" to this project, I am asking our 5th Grade students to watch the Grammy Awards Show on Sunday night with their parents.  A huge theme in our learning has been that regardless of our own musical styles and preferences (let's just say our "Song of the Year" winner is anything BUT my own personal favorite style of music), the Grammy Awards are a celebration of our strongest popular music artists and songs.  Each of the songs nominated for "Song of the Year" are strong examples of song-writing in their respective styles.  Celebrating music, in all of it's forms (classical, jazz, world, and yes, even popular), is important to cultivating art in society and our lives.  I hope you will make a special night out of the Grammys with your child.  It's a great way to practice respect (especially when we don't "like" a particular style of music) and share the world of popular music with each other.