January Music Notes

Welcome back to ES Music!

Please check the tab above that applies to announcements, homework, and activities for the month.

* Grade 1 Students are preparing songs for their February Informances! Check the G1 tab above for details.

Parents: Watch Doug Goodkin's TedTalk, "Learning Through Music And Art" for some interesting insights to Music Education and Orff Schulwerk, A Classroom In Action to find out more about our music approach.

December Music Notes

Please open the tab above to stay current with projects, assignments, and activities that are occurring in Music class.

* Attention: During the week before winter vacation, Dec. 12-15, students will be invited to perform in class the music they practice at home. This is especially for children who take private lessons or enjoy singing songs. We love to hear songs from different countries as well, so if a student knows a piece in a language other than English, it will be a treat for us to hear! She/he should be prepared to translate it into English. 

* Are you wondering how you can help develop music appreciation and enjoyment at home? Check out 5 Easy Things to Do to Support Your Child in Music.

* Click on the article, Music Lessons Were the Best Thing Your Parents Ever Did For You, for some insights regarding the effects of music on the brain and body. If you are interested in finding a private music teacher, the CAC ES Music Department has a current list available for you. Also, read about Everyone Can Sing for some insights about your voice.

November Music Notes

Just a reminder: 

To subscribe to the ES Music Blog, please enter your preferred email address in the "subscribe by email" widget on the left of this page. 

This month, students are continuing to explore their inner-musician through play, movement, singing, and playing instruments. In these activities, new rhythms and melody combinations are introduced. For grades 4 and 5, proper recorder playing technique will be the focus as student explore new melodies within the ensemble.

Young Musicians
If you take private lessons, here is an opportunity to perform a favorite piece for your class. The week before Winter Break, there will be time during your Music class to perform for us. Be sure it is well practiced and prepared. Feel free to bring sheet music if you need it, and if possible, tell us the name of the piece and its composer. If it is an instrument you can carry, bring it to the Music room before school begins on your Music day.

Grades 4 and 5
By now you should have a recorder in the Music Room. As part of your music understanding of notation and learning proper recorder technique, practice is expected on a regular basis; on average, 10 - 15 minutes a day at home should be adequate. Grade 5 students; if you were here last year, find your yellow recorder book for a practice resource. Everyone else will be issued new recorder books in Music class.

With your family, settle on a practice time and place, where you can focus on your music. While playing, the left hand should be at the top of the instrument and the tone should be even.  If the sound is shrill or squeaking, you may be blowing too hard or not completely covering the holes shown on the finger chart (check the front of the recorder book).  Stand in front of a mirror and check your finger placement.

ELEMENTARY CHOIR!
Elementary Choir will begin Sunday, March 5, 2017. This ensemble is for all boys and girls in Grades 4 and 5, and although it may seem a long way off, students won't want to miss this opportunity to sing together, learn new songs, and maintain a healthy singing voice. This After-School Activity will meet every Sunday and Wednesday until the Grade 4/5 Concerts on May 16, 2017. Look for future announcements!

Attending CAC Concerts
As you and your family go to concerts this year, consider what is appropriate behavior when attending performances in the CAC Theater. Click on The Ten Rules of Concert Etiquette so you and the rest of the audience can enjoy the next concert or drama production. Also share The Ten Rules of Concert Etiquette for Adults with your parents.

October Music Notes

Just a reminder:

To subscribe to the ES Music Blog, please enter your preferred email address in the "subscribe by email" widget on the left of this page.

This month, students are continuing to explore their inner-musician through play, movement, singing, and playing instruments. In these activities, music literacy (reading icons/music notation) is reviewed before new rhythms and melody combinations are introduced. Proper playing technique and care for the instruments are also a continued focus.

Students

How to improve and maintain your singing voice:

• Practice using your speaking voice in different ranges, from very high to very low.

• Practice singing the songs from music class.

• Sing along with your favorite tunes at home.

• When reading short stories sing the dialogue of the characters, changing the quality and pitch accordingly.

Attending CAC Concerts

As you and your family go to concerts this year, consider what is appropriate behavior when attending performances in the CAC Theater. Click on The Ten Rules of Concert Etiquette so you and the rest of the audience can enjoy the next concert or drama production. Also share The Ten Rules of Concert Etiquette for Adults with your parents.

Recorder Reminder: Gr. 4 & 5 students must have their recorders (inside a protective case) in the music room by the end of October. Students will be reviewing the names of lines and spaces of the staff in preparation for independent practice at home and successful ensemble playing in the classroom. They will begin playing recorder the beginning of November.

ELEMENTARY CHOIR!

Elementary Choir will begin Wednesday, March 5, 2017. This ensemble is for all boys and girls in Grades 4 and 5, and although it may seem a long way off, students won't want to miss this opportunity to sing together, learn new songs, and maintain a healthy singing voice. This After-School Activity will meet every Sunday and Wednesday until the Grade 4/5 Concerts on May 16, 2017. Look for future announcements!

September Music Notes

Just a reminder: 
To subscribe to the ES Music Blog, please enter your preferred email address in the "subscribe by email" widget on the left of this page. 

This month, students are discovering their inner-musician through play, movement, singing, and playing instruments. Through these activities, music literacy (reading icons/music notation) is reviewed before new rhythms and melody combinations are introduced. Proper playing technique and care for the instruments are also focused upon this month. 

Singers: How can you improve and maintain your singing voice? 

• Practice using your speaking voice in different ranges, from very high to very low. 
• Practice singing the songs from Music class. 
• Sing along with you favorite tunes at home. 
• Choose favorite story characters and sing their lines instead of reading them.

Private Music Lessons
If you take privates lessons, here is an opportunity to perform a favorite piece for your class. The week before Winter Break, there will be time during your Music class to perform for us. Be sure it is well practiced and ready. Feel free to bring sheet music if you need it, and if possible, tell us the name of the piece and its composer. If it is an instrument you can carry, bring it to the Music room before school begins on your Music day.

Connect with private lessons if you are interested in learning songs on a different instrument!!

Grades 4 and 5
By now some of you have a recorder. Be sure to purchase a recorder from the School Store, and you will receive a recorder book when we begin in November. Grade 5; find your yellow recorder book from last year, and get a case for your recorder if you lost the original.

ELEMENTARY CHOIR!
Elementary Choir will begin Wednesday, March 8, 2017. This ensemble is for all boys and girls in Grades 4 and 5, and although it may seem a long way off, students won't want to miss this opportunity to sing together, learn new songs, and maintain a healthy singing voice. This After-School Activity will meet every Sunday and Wednesday until the Grade 4/5 Concerts on May 16, 2017. Look for future announcements!

Attending CAC Concerts
As you and your family go to concerts this year, consider what is appropriate behavior when attending performances in the CAC Theater. Click on The Ten Rules of Concert Etiquette so you and the rest of the audience can enjoy the next concert or drama production. Also share The Ten Rules of Concert Etiquette for Adults with your parents.