September Newsletter

This September was a bit different than the last few years, because 2 grades had to prepare for a performance on the 11th day of school (yes, you read that right)! The 1st graders and 4th graders performed songs from last year's Multicultural Night at our Building Dedication Ceremony on September 19th. I am incredibly grateful to all of the families that came to support their children's performance on such short notice. If you don't know me yet, you'll soon learn that I am a serious planner. :) So, when we had to essentially rearrange the beginning of the year to make this happen I was a bit worried. However, everyone has been extremely flexible and wonderfully supportive. Thank you again to everyone involved!

We've since resumed learning as planned (my schedule-oriented brain is so happy)! Here is an overview of what happened in each grade in September and what to expect in October:

-Kindergarten: we learned our expectations for how to sit in the music room (Criss-cross chant), worked on managing our bodies within a given space (There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea), practiced loud v. soft (Dinosaur pet), and learned how to be good audience members (various song books/performances from Mrs. Harreld). Next month we are going to be learning fast v. slow and high v. low, as well as reviewing loud v. soft and experiencing steady beat in different songs and games.
-1st grade: We performed at the Building Dedication Ceremony, and it was fabulous! We've since reviewed our rhythm symbols and music terms from Kindergarten last year (Naughty Kitty Cat). Next month we'll start demonstrating the difference between Steady Beat and Rhythm in songs and games.
-2nd grade: We reviewed all of our rhythm symbols and music terms from 1st grade. We also learned how to sing a song in a canon (Bow Wow Wow). Next month we will start to prepare for our performance at the Veteran's Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 9th at 9:30am (more info will be going home soon).
-3rd grade: We reviewed all of our rhythm symbols and music terms from 2nd grade. We also learned the cups song as a way to learn new 3rd grade music terms (ostinato, accompany), and a fast new rhythm (tikatika). Next month we will start to accompany ourselves using the cups while singing a song about the water cycle.
-4th grade: We performed at the Building Dedication Ceremony, and it was fabulous! We've since reviewed 3rd grade music terms and rhythms. We're currently working with the cups song as a way to remember how to accompany ourselves while singing. Hopefully we will be able to transition to ukuleles soon and start accompanying ourselves with a pitched instrument.
-5th grade: We jumped right into ukulele this year as a way to prepare for our brand new ukulele club! Students learned 3 chords while reviewing ukulele technique and procedure. We are currently working on our song for the Veteran's Day assembly on Wednesday, November 9th at 9:30am (more info will be going home soon). We're going to be learning the difference between playing a chord and arpeggio, as well as focusing on a folk-song inspired performance where we place extra emphasis on singing the lyrics clearly and telling a story.
-6th grade: We jumped right into ukulele this year as a way to prepare for our brand new ukulele club! Students learned 3 chords while reviewing ukulele technique and procedure. We are currently working on our song for the MLK, Jr. assembly in January. I know it's a long ways off, and we are going to need all the time we have in order to make this performance as good as it can be. :)

Thank you all for everything you do to support our music programs. If your child is interested in joining ukulele club (5th/6th grade) or choir (4th/5th/6th grade) please check out the info pages listed below. We are accepting contracts through October 8th.
Choir
Ukulele

Have a lovely day!

All musicians are not alike....

Did you know that classically trained musicians and improvisation-based musicians think differently? This fascinating article came out last week and discusses just that.
Enjoy!

Brains of jazz and classical musicians

Dates posted for MTE Ensemble performances!

We have times/dates/places for all of our performances for the year up on the website (with a few exceptions)!

Just click on the link for the program you want. Interested in ukulele club? Click on the page on the left.
<---- over there
It has paperwork you need, contact info for teachers, and important info about events.

Andrew Morrison Mural Project

Happy Monday!

There is currently a committee fundraising money for a new mural in our gym by Andrew Morrison! Andrew was the artist that created our Little Hawk Wall before we received our new building. If you want to learn more about the mural, and give to the project, please visit their website:
https://mltarts.org/mteam/

Have a great day!

Careers in Music

Happy first Monday of September! Time sure does fly :)

For this week's bit of music knowledge I'd like to share an overview of possible music careers your students have access to. The information below comes primarily from this website:
http://glencoe.mheducation.com/sites/0078297567/student_view0/career_spotlight.html (the information is from a book produced by a well known music publisher) The website has more detailed information about the career than what I've included here, FYI.
Do you see any careers that might sound interesting to your student? Can you guess how many of these jobs I had before I became a music educator???  I'll give you a hint, it's more than 4 - happy reading! :P

Acoustician/Sound Technician
The person who ensures that clarity of sound is an acoustician, also known as sound technician. It is the acoustician's job to ensure the highest possible quality of sound during a live performance. The acoustician arrives in advance of the performers to supervise the unloading and setting up of the equipment and instruments. He or she is in charge of placing the equipment so as to take full advantage of the acoustics. These are the physical factors in the immediate environment that influence how well sound is transmitted. The acoustician might also operate the sound board during the actual performance, varying the controls as needed.

Artist and Reportoire (A&R) Administrator
If you've ever watched talent competitions on television, you've seen one part of an Artist & Repertoire (A & R) career—identifying new talent. A & R administrators find and help develop music artists for the recording industry.

Background Vocalist
The career options for professional singers are vast and varied. One option for which there is always a demand is background vocalist. Background vocalists are hired as contract employees, usually on a freelance basis. In addition to doing backups on recordings or in live performance, background vocalists sing jingles for television commercials. Responsibilities include learning repertoire and attending rehearsals.

Composer
Some people view a blank page as a challenge, others as an invitation. Composers fit the latter description. Like writers, composers express original ideas in a form to be shared with and enjoyed by others. Unlike writers, composers use sounds rather than words.

Conductor
The job of conductor is similar in ways to that of the coach of a sports team. Like the coach, the conductor bears the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of the "team's" performance.

Copyist
Many composers and arrangers get their start working as copyists. These are individuals who convert music manuscripts into professional-quality scores. Copyists may also be called upon to transfer a piano or orchestral score into parts for instrument or voice.

Disc Jockey (DJ)
Known in the industry as "on-air talent," disc jockeys are key figures at many radio stations. Duties include introducing recordings, making commercial announcements, and filling air time with colorful ad-lib commentaries. Some DJs also serve as masters of ceremony at music and other community events. This function is designed to give the music station higher public visibility and increase the size of the listening audience.

Lyricist
Some lyricists work in collaboration with studio songwriters, others in musical theater, still others in jingle-writing for commercials. Lyricists who work in musical theater sometimes also write the "book" for a given show. This is the combined dialogue and scene descriptions for the production. Writing a show book is equivalent to writing a play.

Music Critic/Journalist
Do you enjoy writing and listening to music or attending music performances? If your answer is yes, then a career as a music critic/journalist may be right for you.

Music Editor
Editors synchronize the music and images in films and television shows. They set the appropriate sound levels, select music, and time all selections. Film or show directors supervise and direct their work, though most editors provide artistic input as well.

Music Educator
Music educators today may work in elementary or high schools, as well as at colleges and universities. They may also teach at special college-level music schools known as conservatories. Some teach one or more musical instruments, while others lead the school orchestra, band, choir, or ensemble. Such teachers are also responsible for selecting the music for and putting on concerts.

Music Producer
Music producers work in a recording studio or in film, television, and/or radio. A producer must have the ability to see the "big picture." He or she is responsible for bringing together the many people whose contributions make the musical event possible. Specific tasks include matching an artist to a particular repertoire, overseeing production, and, when necessary, finding financial backing for a project.

Music Publisher
Music publishers are professionals who find potential hit songs and songwriters. They then acquire copyright protection for the music and publish it. Music publishers may work for large or small companies. In the latter case, the job description may be extended to include talent scouting. This is traveling to clubs and other venues across the country, following possible leads to fresh new talent.

Music Supervisor
A music supervisor directs and coordinates a school system's or district's music program. He or she plans and develops the music education curriculum. This includes overseeing the activities of teachers who instruct in both vocal and instrumental music. In some smaller school districts, the music supervisor may serve double duty as a teacher.

Music Therapist
Some careers in music, such as musician, are as old as the art form itself. Other music careers, like music therapist, are the result of developments of only the last few years or decades.
Music therapists work with people who suffer various disabilities. Among these are psychiatric disorders, mental retardation, developmental disabilities, speech and hearing impairments, physical disabilities, and neurological problems. They evaluate the emotional and physical health of their clients through music responses. Therapy involves music sessions, which might include improvisation, listening, songwriting, performance, and more.

Recording Engineer
A recording engineer's chief responsibility is creating the illusion of perfection. The engineer operates a sound board-or equalizer-during the recording of music. This equipment divides the sound into as many as 96 separate tracks, enabling the engineer to eliminate mistakes or enhance the sound at all ranges. After the recording phase is completed, the engineer combines or "remixes" sounds from different recordings. It is the engineer's duty to make sure these bits and pieces fit together seamlessly.

Studio Musician
Studio musicians work independently or as part of a group in recording studios, and in television, radio, and film. The chief job of studio musicians is playing musical instruments for a soundtrack or as backup for a recording artist. They may also be called upon to sing, compose, arrange, or conduct.