Monday, January 7, 2019

December Newsletter

Hello all, happy new year! I hope you all had a restful break. Below is what happened in December in the music room, including a beautiful new art installation by our very own Margie Morris!
This mural is right above our refocus area in the music room. Students and staff already pointed it out when they walked in today. It truly is a beautiful piece of work - thank you so much, Margie!

-Kindergarten: we continued learning a song about pizza in Spanish and English (I am a Pizza/Soy una Pizza). While singing this song we reviewed our 5 basic shapes (oval, square, rectangle, circle, triangle). We also got to watch part of The Nutcracker Ballet, and use our shape knowledge to start playing "Little Circle, Little Circle" (it's a song they draw to as they sing).
-1st grade: we continued to work on our compositions, and got to pick instruments to perform them on. We also learned about the musical form RONDO (it's in all caps, because it's a very BIG form). We also got to watch part of The Nutcracker Ballet, and discuss the science/math in music!
-2nd grade: we had a grand ol' time playing our music dictation game. With 7 rounds (yep, 7!) students had to use cards to identify the rhythms I was providing, and then also notate on a whiteboard the rhythms I was providing. We'll be doing more music dictation this year, they really loved it :)
-3rd grade: we had a fun time performing with the choir at the Winter Assembly. We messed up a bit, but we got to start over and finish the song strong - it's all about growth and never giving up at MTE! We'll now be moving into some rhythm review before working with Boomwhackers.
-4th grade: we will be starting our Recorder unit very soon. The belt charts are up on the wall, and the recorders are out. You'll be receiving more specifics in your email soon.
-5th grade: we finished our rhythm review and are moving into music composition via FLAT (a Google based app that students can access at home, as well as at school). We'll be setting up accounts this week, and then students can create as many compositions as they want in their free time. In class we'll be working on putting our written rhythms into the program. Then we'll work on putting some written melodies with harmonic accompaniment into the program.
-6th grade: it's almost time for our performance! We'll be performing "Blackbird" at the assembly on Monday, January 14th at 9:30am. Students have learned 13 chords for this song, as well as a plucking pattern and strumming pattern. I am impressed with their growth and can't wait for them to show off their skills. :)

We also have Missoula Children's Theater coming next week!!! Are you interested in our one-week musical experience?? Auditions are on Monday, January 14th after school (3:20pm) on the school stage. Parents MUST be able to pick up any student in the program when they are done at 7:35pm. Students that are accepted into the program will receive more details after the audition. There is a $50 participation fee, and scholarships are available. Some other highlights:
-UPDATE: Call time has been changed to 9:00am on Friday morning (yay!). So, students will go to their classrooms before they come down to the commons for our dress rehearsal.
-all costumes, make up, and props are included int he $50 participation fee
-2 seasoned actors are leading our students through this experience
-2 performances: 1 assembly at 1:45pm on Friday, Jan 18th and 1 evening performance on Friday, Jan 18th
-students cast in the show must be in rehearsal after school ALL WEEK (3:20pm - 7:35pm). I will be watching kids when they are NOT required to be at rehearsal, so the pick up time is the same for kids all week (Monday-Friday).