Week of April 9

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, I sing with a group called the BG Singers, and we perform our big concert on Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 3:00 at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.  If you are interested, tickets may be purchased here:  https://www.ticketturtle.com/index.php?ticketing=bdp  (They are slightly cheaper if purchased ahead of time.)  If you would like more information, you can either email me or see this flyer:  Goin' Places!

This week, Kindergarteners learned about ABA form using a simple song.  They then came up with movements to perform on the A and B sections to see if they could distinguish when the music changed.  They reviewed high and low sounds and looked at a guitar to see if they could predict which string would make the highest sound and which would make the lowest sound.  All three classes correctly predicted that the thicker string would make a lower sound!

First graders learned about instruments in the percussion family this week.  They realized that all of the instruments we use in first grade are percussion instruments.  Students were able to differentiate between pitched and unpitched percussion instruments, as well.

Second graders played a singing game with "Miss Sue," which they worked on last week.  They also learned a song called "One Small Musician" that helped to reinforce microbeat, macrobeat, locomotor movement, and stationary movement.  Each student improvised four-beat body percussion phrases during the "One Small Musician" activity.

Third and fourth graders began lunch and recess rehearsals this week.  Students have been doing a great job during their extra practice times.  Some students are still having a difficult time with the words in their songs; they should be practicing their songs at home to help with memorization.  If your child has not yet brought in a small flashlight (or one with a strap that he can wear during the entire concert), please have him do so as soon as possible.  They have been working on the song that uses flashlights, and some students have not been able to have the full practice experience with the lights yet.

Fifth graders began to add their speaking parts and more instrument parts this week.  Students were able to see the concert beginning to come together during their music classes this week.  It is exciting to watch the enthusiasm that so many students have when they practice!

 

Music Fact of the Week

Continuing with the Jazz theme for the month of April, take a look at the National Museum of American History's Jazz Appreciation Month page.  Under the "Online Activites" link, there are several games that students would enjoy!   http://americanhistory.si.edu/events/programdetail.cfm?newskey=43