So -- What is Gilding the Lily?

Putting Pizazz in Your Process!

The addition of a simple prop is often enough to put the icing on a lesson.

“I Dance Like a Feather” is a perfect example of this. It’s a nice little song with a lovely accompaniment, and a beautiful, simple dance .  .  .

BUT - the addition of a bundle of peacock feathers creates a lesson your students will not forget -- one that they will ask to do again.  And again.

OTHER EXAMPLES:

Large bolts of beautiful fabric

Tiny puffs of feathers to blow into the air

Wiggly Jiggly Jelly toys for movement

Beach Balls

Sand Toys

Anything . . . Unexpected! Surprise them!

Formation: Circle, every other dancer holding a peacock feather

Dance:

Stepping the rhythm of the bass ostinato, step:

L R / L R L/                  R L /             R L R/ 

(forward)  (half turn - backwards)  (turn once to right -  forward)

Repeat 

A

B

Formation: Circle, those with feathers move into the circle.

They balance the feathers, keeping their eye on the “eye” of the feather.

FORM:  A B A B A

Instruments continue playing through-out A and B sections

Recorders improvise the same length as the song during B.