Off to a great start!

It has been a very busy year so far in Music! This past week we began our ensemble rehearsals. We have two choirs as well as two bands this year, and we are very excited to have started rehearsing. Here is the schedule for the ensembles:

Christ Kids Choir (K-3): Fridays, 3:15-4
Chamber Choir (4-8): Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:15-4:15
Symphonic Band (4-5): Tuesdays, 3:15-4:15; Thursdays, 7:15-8
Concert Band (6-8): Tuesdays, 7:15-8; Thursdays, 3:15-4:15

Our general music classes are off to a great start as well. Our Kindergarten and First graders just finished a tour of "Percussion Land" this week. They have been learning songs, as well as learning how to draw certain notes, find the beat, and clap rhythms. We also freeze dance from time to time :)

(Kindergarten and 1st grade music area)

In our 2-8 grade music classes, we begin each class period journaling. Every week I expose the students to a different genre of music and have them answer the following questions about the song or composition that we listen to:

1) What instruments do you hear?

2) How does the music make you feel?

3) What images come to mind?

4) What is the genre?

5) Do you like the music?

This activity allows the students to be exposed to many styles of music, while teaching them how to be active listeners and listen to the details of the music. We also begin each music class with our "Rhythm Chart." This is good practice at the beginning of class in order to help our students learn to read music.

(2-8, band, and choir music area)

I am very excited and pleased with how this year has begun, and I look forward to watching the growth of our students throughout this year!

-Mr. Walter