Friday, December 1, 2017

December Music Notes

Welcome to this month's news. Please remember to open the tab above to stay current with projects, assignments, and activities that are occurring in Music class.

* Attention: On Dec. 10 and during the week before winter vacation, Dec. 17-20, 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.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

November Music Notes 

Why Music? Read "Music Helps Educate The Whole Student." 

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.

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, February 28, 2018. 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 15, 2018. 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.

Private Music Lessons
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 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!!

Saturday, September 30, 2017

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, 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.
Reminder: Gr. 4 & 5 students must have their recorders (inside a protective case) in the music room by the end of October. You 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. We will begin playing recorder the beginning of November.

ELEMENTARY CHOIR!
Elementary Choir will begin Wednesday, February 28, 2018. 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 15, 2018. Look for future announcements!


Private Music Lessons
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 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!!

Friday, September 8, 2017

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 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 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. A recorder book will be provided 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, February 28, 2018. 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.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Welcome to ES Music!







Hello! I am Mrs. Nerenhausen, your ES Music Teacher. This year will bring you new experiences and connections while making music through song, playing instruments, movement, exploration, and improvisation. I look forward to working with each of you in Room 18 this school year.

                                             M - magical
                                             U - upbeat
                                              S - singing
                                              I - improvising 
                                             C - collaborative


• Listen to "The Eagle Song" and learn the words for our upcoming ES assemblies!

• Interested in Private Music Lessons? This list is for students who want to pursue music training and practice on a particular instrument. This list is subject to change. Talking to other families who take part in private lessons will provide further insight. If you have recommendations to add to the list, please contact me at rnerenhausen@cacegypt.org



Tuesday, May 2, 2017

May Music Notes

All students are preparing for their student-led conferences on Monday, May 22, held in the Elementary Music area in the Elementary Building, Ground Floor. Where will you go? Check it out.
KG - Music hallway
Gr. 1 - Music Room, ES 18
Gr. 2 - Computer Lab, First Floor ES Building
Gr. 3 - Music Room, ES 18
Gr. 4 - ES 42 across from the Music Room. There you will have your music folder to help guide your concert and recorder reflections.
Gr. 5 - ES 42 across from the Music Room. There you will have your music folder to help guide your concert and recorder reflections.

Grade 4 and 5 classes will be presenting their concerts this month! Click here for more information.
Students should keep working on those recorder Practice Bugs! Your concerts are just around the corner on May 16! Check the tab above to review your pieces.

Elementary Choir
Here are the lyrics to your choir songs. Check out the Legend at the top to discover your part. The dot (•) designates both parts one and two at the same time. After memorizing, try singing in front of the mirror. Is your face portraying what you are singing about? Happy practice!! The last choir rehearsal will be Sunday, May 14.

Invitation
Students who take private music lessons outside of CAC or who regularly sing at home are invited to share a piece with the class on the last day we meet. Be sure to bring sheet music if needed, or if you need Karaoke accompaniment with a vocal performance, send the site to me a day ahead of time.

Monday, April 3, 2017

April Music Notes

Kindergarten classes presented their Informances this month with great success! Thank you parents for taking part in their music making!

Grades Four and Five
Keep working on those recorder Practice Bugs! Your concerts are just around the corner next month on May 16! Check the tab above to review pieces for the concerts.

Elementary Choir
You have a new folder at the top of the Music Blog home page. Lyrics to your choir songs are posted.

Friday, March 3, 2017

March Music Notes

Congratulations to Grade One! They had very successful "Informances" with appreciative audiences this past month.

This month Grades 2 and 3 will be performing their concerts in the CAC Theater at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29. Here is the detailed Announcement which includes appropriate attire recommendations.

Please continue to check the appropriate tab above, which will soon contain announcements, homework, and activities for the month.

Elementary Choir Announcement
This is a reminder for the Grade 4/5 Elementary Choir begins Sunday, March 5, 2017 and meets every Sunday and Wednesday from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m.

Friday, February 3, 2017

February Music Notes

Students are preparing for upcoming Informances and concerts. Please check the appropriate tab above, which contains announcements, homework, and activities for the month.

This month Grade 1 will be performing for parents in ES 18 (ground floor, far southeast corner) at the following adjusted times:

Gr. 1M, Sunday Feb. 26 at 11:30 a.m.

Gr. 1C, Monday Feb. 27 at 11:30 a.m.

Gr. 1S, Wednesday March 1 at 11:30 a.m.

Elementary Choir Announcement

This is a reminder for the Grade 4/5 Elementary Choir registration. Interested students need to bring in their registration slip to the music room by February 28 to determine the numbers for the start of this after school activity, which begins Sunday, March 5, 2017 and meets every Sunday and Wednesday from 3:15 to 4:00 p.m. in Room 42 (across from the Music room). Be sure to notify your child's participation with the After-School-Activities Program as well.

If you have any questions, please send me an email to rnerenhausen@g-cacegypt.org