For today's episode we are re-airing one of our favorite episodes from last year. You won't want to miss this one, even if you've already heard it! Join Ms. Elizabeth, Wilder, and Riff the Pig as we share a wonderful piece of music from american composer George Gershwin.

Grab some rhythm sticks and our free printable to extend this activity. The printable includes images of the instruments that we’ll identify as we listen to this piece. Print them on cardstock and mount on popsicle sticks for puppets, or print two sets and use them to play memory with while you listen! Grab it at www.clapforclassics.com/episode22

This activity comes right out of our American Classics course that can be found inside our All Access Membership. Use the code LION to get 50% off your first month!

We teach the theme to Rhapsody in Blue with a silly phrase, and we don’t think you’ll ever hear this piece again without thinking these words!

Fries……… Ketchup and mustard

And don’t forget cheese

On my hamburger dinner today!

Want to extend the fun and learning even more?

• Join our All Access Membership for a library of activities just like the one in this podcast.


• Watch the animation from Fantasia 2000, accompanied by Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.


• Listen to the entire piece of music during bathtime, or mealtime. Continue listening for the “ketchup and mustard” theme, and listening for the clarinet, trumpet, and piano.


• Play a game of musical memory with the free printable from this episode. Just print out two pages of the cards.

Learn more about our American Classics course found inside our All Access Membership.

What your child is learning:

• Active engagement with a piece of classical music


• Active listening for a repeated theme Instrument identification: clarinet, trumpet, piano

Music credit: Special thanks to Classical.com for licensing the music on this podcast. “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Christopher O’Riley on piano and Barry Wordsworth conducting

Lyrics to the theme written and performed as "Riff the Pig" by Co-founder Kathryn Lieppman.