Ms. Waldron's Music Room

2010-08-26T18:55:00.006-05:00

WELCOME BACK PCA KIDS!!

To those of you who are my veteran PCA students, and those of you who are new to me, we will be spending this year taking our musical skill and knowledge to the next level. I've found in the past few years that my students are so musically talented, that each year I need to tweak my lessons to match the growing knowledge and skills of the students (which is awesome!). I look forward to the continued growth of the students as a challenge to continually meet their changing needs, while creating a fun musical experience. This year will be no exception to my goals to continue our understanding of the fundamentals that create music (and build upon that), discuss how music from the past relates to today, continue to meet high performance expectations, as well as compose creative and aesthetically pleasing pieces. I look forward to all this year has to bring!

2010-05-18T08:54:00.005-05:00

8th grade:

We have finished up our unit on Chance music with performances. We will spend the remainder of the year practicing for their final clapping test and leaning about political music of the 20th century. We will focus on rap and rock music that has made a statement or impact on society.

7th grade:

We will be taking knowledge gained from our practice of Bass and Treble clef and apply it to composition. Section 7-1 will have a pre-made rhythm that they will need to apply treble and bass clef pitches to, then perform. Section 7-2 will work in groups of 3 to write rhythms, then apply treble and bass pitches to for a possible performance. Section 7-3 are working individually, writing rhythms, then applying treble and bass clef pitches. Due dates: 7-1 June 10th, 7-2 June 11th, 7-3 June 14th. The rhythmic requirements for sections 7-2 and 7-3 can be found below:

-Step #1: Write 12 measures of rhythms following these guidelines: -Must use between 1 and 10 quarter notes and no more than 3quarter rests. -Must use eighth notes. No set amount. -Must use at least 4 sixteenth notes. -May only use 1 half note and no half rests. -No whole notes or whole rests. -May not use any dotted half notes or rests. -Must have a time signature of 4/4

6th Grade: Students should have already handed in their sources and facts for their first graded check point. Students are now moving onto their rough draft of their newspaper. Once their draft is approved they will move onto actually making their newspaper. Here is the link for requirements:

www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=54723

Due Dates: 6-1 June 15th, 6-2 June 8th, 6-3 June 9th.

2010-02-25T10:16:00.012-05:00

8th Grade: These students are beginning their unit on Impressionist music which will lead into 20th century music. Students will be identifying the ideals of the Impressionists through listening to the music of the time, and finding commonalities of Impressionist art. Students will also continue learning more complex rhythms, and re-visiting Bass clef.

7th Grade: We are in the process of finishing our Jazz unit PowerPoint presentations. We will be moving onto more work with notation, specifically learning how to read Bass clef, as well as working on reading more difficult rhythmic patterns.

6th Grade: We are finishing up our unit on the orchestra. Students have been tested on 3 of the 4 families of instruments, and have one remaining quiz on the basics of the orchestra. We also begin a study of music history through different time periods. Students will be involved in a webquest for this unit. Use the following link: www.zunal.com/webquest.php?w=54723

5th Grade: These students are learning about notation in grids that can be seen with some African music. Students will use tools learned to create their own African style composition using the grid notation system.

4th Grade: Students are working on "Land of the Silver Birch." The students will be working on a more difficult xylophone part than they are accustomed to, but will also use patterns that have been worked on in the past.

3rd Grade: Students are beginning their unit with the Recorder. Through playing this instrument students will reinforce knowledge of rhythms, while also learning to read pitches, and how to play a woodwind instrument. Students will learn proper technique in holding the instrument, as well as how to create a good sound.

2nd Grade: Students are working on the instrumental part of the song "ABA." Students learned and were tested on the vocal part in Mr. Howell's class, and will extend their experience of the song through learning and performing an accompaniment on xylophones.

1st Grade: Students are beginning to play a 'broken bordun' on the xylophones. This is a big step in motor skills, requiring students to alternate hand motions on the instrument while maintaining a steady beat. We are also continuing reinforcement of rhythmic reading through performance. Students are also working on movement activities through the use of the story Snowmen at Night.

Kindergarten: Students will continue learning a variety of introductory folk songs while providing their own accompaniment on xylophones. Students are working to perform and maintain a steady beat on these instruments. We are also continuing our work with reading and performing rhythms. We have begun our study of the Carnival of Animals. We have read the book as a class, and listened to musical examples. Students will begin to create movements that represent the animal and musical sounds heard.

2009-11-09T19:35:00.003-05:00

8th Grade: We are beginning our unit on opera. We will study basic terminology and complete a comparative analysis of La Boheme with Rent and Moulin Rouge. This study will teach about the genre, as well as the between opera and musicals. Students will be tested on 'clapping sheet #2" in the upcoming weeks, as well as treble & bass clef.

7th Grade: We are continuing our study of jazz. Students are currently learning about Scott Joplin and ragtime music. In the upcoming classes students will begin researching their jazz musician for their presentation/reports. We are also working on 'clapping sheet #2' and they will be tested on treble clef pitches.

6th Grade: We are finishing our unit on the Star Spangled Banner. Students will be tested on all the words of the 1st verse of the Star Spangled Banner. All words must be memorized. Students will also be completing a quiz on treble clef pitches. We are also working on their "clapping sheet #2"

5th Grade: We are currently working on the spiritual "This Train." One of the more difficult aspects of this song is an unpitched percussion parts that is rhythmically very different than the text. There will be 1 vocal part and 4 instrumental parts to accompany.

4th Grade: We are currently perfecting the 1st instrumental part, and learning the 2nd instrumental part of "The Baker." The 1st part has proved difficult, but these students have met he challenge.

3rd Grade: We are currently finishing up the song "My Paddle's Keen and Bright" and will begin working on the "Clock Story." The "Clock Story" will include a song with 2 instrumental parts, as well as a story with the students making pre-set sound effects.

2nd Grade: Students are beginning work on their Holiday Concert Music. We will intermix other music work while they are memorizing their concert repertoire.

1st Grade: Students are beginning work on their Holiday Concert Music. We will intermix other music work (note reading, movement) while they are memorizing their concert repertoire.

Kindergarten: Students are beginning work on their Holiday Concert Music. We will intermix other music work (note reading, movement) while they are memorizing their concert repertoire.

2009-09-28T09:52:00.004-05:00

Topics Being Covered

8th Grade:
-Reviewing Treble & Bass Clef
-Clapping sheet #1 (quarter/eighth/sixteenth/half notes, quarter/eighth rests)
-Beginnings of Musical Theater

7th Grade:
-Review Treble Clef
-Clapping Sheet #1 (quarter/eighth/sixteenth/half notes, quarter)
-Beginnings of Jazz

6th Grade:
-Review Treble Clef
-Clapping Sheet #1 (quarter/eighth/half/dotted half notes, quarter rests)
-Patriotic Music (history of Star Spangled Banner and other patriotic songs)

5th Grade:
-Ding Dong Canon by Orff (1 vocal part, 4 instrumental parts)
-Reading and performing rhythms
-Review of solfege

4th Grade:
-Wee Willie Winkie (1 vocal part, 4 instrumental parts)
-Reading and performing rhythms
-Review of solfege

3rd Grade:
-Very First Day of school (vocal only)
-Dog Named Blue (1 vocal part, 2 instrumental parts)
-Reading and Performing rhythms
-Review of solfege

2nd Grade:
-Nanny Goat (1 vocal part, 2 instrumental parts)
-Reading and Performing rhythms
-Review of Solfege

1st Grade:
-Paige's Train (1 vocal part, 1 instrumental part)
-Reading, performing, and notating rhythms
-Movement: fast (quick feet) vs slow (walking) vs skipping
-Echo clapping and body percussion

Kindergarten:
-Grinding Corn (Hopi Indian Song with 1 vocal and 1 instrumental part)
-Reading, performing, and notating rhythms
-Movement: fast vs slow
-Echo clapping and body percussion

2009-06-17T14:55:00.001-05:00

Pca Percussion Ensemble on TV!
I was poking around online and found part of the percussion ensemble's performance at legislative hall on tv! If you go to the side bar and click on the date "Thursday,June 11, 2009" and fast forward the video to about 26 minutes, you can see our group. Enjoy!
Here is the link: http://www.whyy.org/tv12/deltonight.html

Also, don't forget we're on the web too at:
http://www.schooltube.com/video/37807/Providence-Creek-Academy-Percussion-Ensemble-Clave

2009-06-11T16:50:00.001-05:00

Percussion Ensemble hits the internet! Please check out our group at this site and leave some great comments and ratings. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

http://www.schooltube.com/video/37807/Providence-Creek-Academy-Percussion-Ensemble-Clave

2009-04-26T14:17:00.003-05:00

Upcoming Due Dates & Quizzes for Middle School:

Grade 6: All patriotic songs and reports due this cycle!
Radis songs/reports due-April 27th,
Smith songs/reports due-April 28th,
Schluetter songs/reports due April 29th

Grade 7: All classes are working on their jazz musician presentation. Presentations will begin the week of May 18th.
Lambert presentations due-May 18th
Hudson presentations due-May 19th
Kuhners presentations due-May 20th

Grade 8: You will have 2 more quizzes this school year. One on bass clef, and one on 20th century music.
Bullen bass clef quiz-May 5th
Decker bass clef quiz-April 28th
Muldoon bass clef quiz-April 29th

Monday, May 4th is the last day to have work in for progress report grades. Progress reports go out May 7th. If you need to retake any quizzes, please make arrangements prior to May 1st.

2009-03-30T10:15:00.000-05:00

-Under Construction-

2009-01-06T20:31:00.004-05:00

Welcome to Music in 2009!

I hope everyone had a nice holiday....and of course is ready for more music. Here is what is going on in the music room:

Kindergarten:
These students are continuing to learn to sing on pitch consistently, as well as work on playing a steady beat. Students are also using rhythm sticks to read and perform rhythms. That's right, your children already know how to read music! We are also exploring the music of Saint Saens through his work, Carnival of Animals. We have been reading a story titled Carnival of Animals that uses his music, and the students are creating movements to match the animals and their actions in the story. Needless to say we are having lots of fun!

1st Grade:
These students are continuing to learn to sing on pitch consistently, as well as work on playing a steady beat. Students are also using rhythm sticks to read and perform rhythms. In the upcoming weeks students will learn the story of Peter and the Wolf. Through this work written by Prokofiev, students will learn to associate certain melodies and instruments with characters in the story.

2nd Grade:
These students are currently finishing up their singing tests on their music from the Winter Concert, and are now working through the story Snowmen at Night. This story was accompanied by the music of Vince Guaraldi (of Charlie Brown fame). The students identified action words and came up with movements to match those action words in the context of the story and the music. In the next few classes we will return to playing instruments.

3rd Grade:
These students are finishing their singing tests from the music performed at the Winter Concert. We have also begun recorder. Although we are not really making music yet with the instrument, we are all coming along, learning to create a good quality, as well as how to hold the instrument, and learning how to read pitches. The students will also begin working on the story song The Clock Story. This story will have the entire class, singing, and all playing different instruments throughout the story to create sound effects.

4th Grade:
We have just finished up the song Colors of Autumn and have just begun working on Wintery Wintery Day. These songs are in a minor key, which is helping the students get used to different tonalities, and understanding how these different keys can set the mood for music. This song has one vocal part and 3 instrumental parts.

5th Grade:
We have just finished the song This Train and are beginning the song Dancing Snowflakes. This song has one vocal part as well as 3 different instrumental parts. The students will also do an analysis of this piece, identifying pitches and rhythms.

6th Grade:
Students have completed their quiz on pitches. Any student who failed the quiz (which was taken at the beginning of December) has until their next class to complete the retake. This cycle students began taking their clapping quiz on rhythms including, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, quarter notes, quarter rests, half notes, and dotted half notes. We have been working on this clapping sheet since the beginning of December. The students progress reports will include 2 clapping quiz grades, as well as their pitch quiz grade. We are also continuing our work on the Star Spangled Banner. Students have learned the history of this song, and have also read through all 4 verses of the song. We have had a discussion about the 4 verses and their thoughts on those verses that are not sung. Our study of patriotic music will result in a project where the students apply their knowledge of this song genre.

7th Grade:
This cycle students began taking their clapping quiz on rhythms including, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, quarter notes, quarter rests, half notes, and dotted half notes. We have been working on this clapping sheet since the beginning of December. The students progress reports will include 2 clapping quiz grades. Students are also continuing to work at their own pace on bass clef, sharps, flats, and enharmonic pitches. All students will be tested on bass clef before the end of this marking period. We are also continuing our study of jazz. So far we have discussed the origins of jazz music, and the well known blues musician, Robert Johnson.

8th Grade:
This cycle students began taking their clapping quiz on rhythms including, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, quarter notes, quarter rests, half notes, and dotted half notes. We have been working on this clapping sheet since the beginning of December. The students progress reports will include 2 clapping quiz grades. Students are also continuing to work at their own pace on bass clef, sharps, flats, and enharmonic pitches. All students will be tested on bass clef before the end of this marking period. We are also continuing our study of opera. Thus far we have discussed basic vocabulary (which the students will be tested on before the end of the marking period), as well as the life of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

2008-10-27T17:41:00.007-05:00

Grade 8: Students have recently been quizzed on their knowledge of whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes. We have been spending a quite a bit of time this year making sure that all students are not only able to identify these notes, but also be able to write music as well as perform the rhythms being discussed. Students have already completed one set of performance (clapping) tests, and are now working on our next set of rhythm tests.

Students have also been leveled in class on their ability to read pitches. Many students who were in track one have passed a test proving their comprehension of treble clef and are now beginning to learn to read music in bass clef. Students who began the year in track two are continuing their work on reading and writing music in both bass and treble clefs.

This cycle we are also beginning our unit on opera. Students will learn about the different vocal parts found in operatic music, as well as terminology for the different parts of an opera, as well as information regarding the composers of this type of music.

Grade 7: Students have recently been quizzed on their knowledge of whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes. We have been spending a quite a bit of time this year making sure that all students are not only able to identify these notes, but also be able to write music as well as perform the rhythms being discussed. Students have already completed one set of performance (clapping) tests, and are now working on our next set of rhythm tests.

Students have also been leveled in class on their ability to read pitches. Many students who were in track one have passed a test proving their comprehension of treble clef and are now beginning to learn to read music in bass clef. Students who began the year in track two are continuing their work on reading and writing music in both bass and treble clefs.

In the upcoming weeks we will begin our unit of study on jazz music. This will cover the cultural history of jazz, the music, as well as the performers who created the music.

Grade 6: Students have recently been quizzed on their knowledge of whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes. We have been spending a quite a bit of time this year making sure that all students are not only able to identify these notes, but also be able to write music as well as perform the rhythms being discussed. Students have already completed one set of performance (clapping) tests, and are now working on our next set of rhythm tests.

In the upcoming weeks we will begin our unit on patriotic music. This will include the history of the Star Spangled Banner, as well as talking about the multiple verses of the song, and memorizing the words to the first verse. Students will also study other patriotic songs, then write their own patriotic song.

More info to come for grades K-5

2008-09-01T16:50:00.003-05:00

A new year with new music.

Welcome back to school everyone! I hope you all had a great summer!

This year, as with every year, I will take the students of PCA to a higher level with their musical education. The middle school students will not only have quizzes based on materials learned, but will do projects to apply the knowledge learned in each unit of study. All middle school students will continue to work with notation. Some students will extend their knowledge of notation to new clefs, while some will continue to work on notation in treble clef. Also, this year all middle school students will be tested on their ability to perform rhythms.

The 4th and 5th grade students will have 2 music classes this year. One class with myself, and another music class with Mr. Howell. This extra music class will allow those students to learn more on recorder (with Mr. Howell), as well as perform more on percussion instruments with me. These students will also do many more listening and analysis projects, and do some rudimentary composition.

Kindergarten through 3rd grade students will continue to work on the basics of music. These students will play pitched percussion instruments as well as many other instruments to help learn these concepts. Students in these grades will also do many listening projects to expand their musical knowledge of the world.

As in other classrooms, every students grade will be divided into an academic grade, and a citizenship grade. Students are encouraged to participate as much as possible, and to ask questions as they arise. Middle school students are expected to keep a folder which will be checked periodically. Elementary students are not required to keep a folder.

With regards to performance opportunities, I will be leading the elementary chorus (grades 4 & 5), middle school chorus (grades 6, 7, and 8), and the percussion ensemble (grades 6, 7, and 8). I look forward to teaching more challenging music, as well as putting on another year of great concerts.

If you have any questions please contact me via email or phone. I look forward to another great year!.

2008-02-15T14:12:00.003-05:00

Grade 8:
We are finishing our study of 20th century composers. In the last few weeks students were introduced to the music of Debussy, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, and Cage. We discussed the impact of their music on the world. We have also discussed what was going on in terms of art movements during this time as well. Their knowledge of these composers will be tested in the next few class periods. The goal is to transfer what they have learned about these composers into their own piece of music.

Grade 7:
Students have just completed the first half our of unit on Jazz. We have discussed the roots of jazz, and the first artists in the jazz movement, such as Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Scott Joplin, and Duke Ellington. Students will be tested on their knowledge of these musicians. The second half of the unit on jazz will focus on Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis.

Grade 6:
In preparation for the field trip to the Delaware Symphony, students are studying the instruments of the orchestra. We will discuss the different families of instruments, what instruments are found in each family, as well as how each instrument creates sound. Students will be tested on their knowledge of the 4 families of instruments. In conjunction with their art class, students will create their own instrument, using the knowledge gained from our unit of study of existing instruments. Students will have to design an instrument that could theoretically work.

Grade 5:
We have begun our unit on the song This Train which is a spiritual. Students will be performing an accompaniment on pitched and non pitched percussion as well as singing. Once the recorder orders are received we will begin our work with the instruments. Students will continue to extend their knowledge of pitches and rhythms.

Grade 4:
We have just begun our unit on the song Wintery Day. This song will deal with different time signatures and tonalities than the students are accustomed to. We will be singing, as well as performing accompaniment on pitched percussion. Once the recorder order is received we will begin our work with the instruments. Students will continue to extend their knowledge of pitches and rhythms.

Grade 3:
We have begun learning the instrument accompaniment for the song My Paddle's Keen and Bright which is in the style of a Native American song. Students did a rhythmic analysis of this song in addition to performing the song. One the recorder order is received we will begin our work with the instruments. Students will continue to extend their knowledge of pitches and rhythms.

Grade 2:
We have begun to learn the song Coffee Grows which is an American Folk Song. Students will learn about form through this song while singing and performing an accompaniment. We are also continuing our work of learning to read and perform rhythms.

Grade 1:
Students were recently tested on their progress regarding reading and performing rhythms. This is a concept that we will continue to work on throughout the year, and for years to come. We are still working to create movements appropriate to different songs. We are also performing rhythmic chants.

Grade K:
Every class we incorporate exploratory movements to different types of music. We are also working to maintain a steady beat when performing songs. Students are also working to find their singing voice through age appropriate music.

2007-11-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone!
It is the end of the 1st marking period, and it certainly did go fast. Here is a quick update as to where everyone is:

8th grade:
We are continuing our study of opera. So far we have discussed Monteverdi as well as Mozart. Our next two composers of interest are Verdi and Wagner. We will learn about their lives as well as their music. The students will be quizzed on their knowledge of basic opera terminology as well as their knowledge of these 4 composers. We will also continue our study of pitches and rhythms.

7th grade:
We are continuing our study of musical theater. So far we have completed the beginnings of musicals up through Showboat. We will learn about some of the big name musicals, as well as about some of the performers, and creators of the shows. We will also continue our study of pitches and rhythms.

6th grade:
We are beginning our unit on patriotic music. Students will study various patriotic songs, and gain an understanding of how they are written and why they are written. All students will be required to learn all the words to the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner. The students will not only learn the words of the song, but also it's history. We will also continue our study of pitches and rhythms.

5th grade:
The 5th grade is starting to dig into the world of musical notation. Many of the students are already familiar with the basics, but we will get more practice reading and writing music this marking period. We have begun our exploration of notes through their next piece, Dancing Snowflakes. This song will have a vocal line as well as 4 instrumental parts to accompany the piece. We will be doing orders for anyone who needs recorders in this upcoming marking period.

4th grade:
The 4th is also continuing their study of music notation. We have studying the notation of The Colors of Autumn. This song helped introduced the idea of 6/8 time signature. This song will have one vocal line with 3-4 instrumental parts to accompany. We will be doing orders for anyone who needs a recorder in this upcoming marking period.

3rd grade:
We have begun our music for the Holiday Concert (December 18th). They will be performing one "crazy carol" as well as a song about Kwanzaa. We have also been working on notation.

2nd grade:
We have begun our music for the Holidy Concert (December 18th). They will be performing one "crazy carol" as well as a song about Santa Claus. We have also been working on notation.

1st grade:
We have begun our music for the Holiday Concert (December 18th). They will be performing the song "We 3 Kings" as well as a Hanukah song, and one standard carol. We have also been working on aural recognition of rhythms as well as various movement activities.

Kindergarten:
We have begun our music for the Holiday Concert (December 18th). They will be performing the following songs "Christmas ABC's", "Welcome to this House", and "Jingle Bells." We have also been working on aural recognition of rhythms as well as various movement activities.

2007-09-20T10:24:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone, and welcome to the 2007/2008 Music Room. This year we will continue to expand on concepts practiced from previous years. I am happy to say that we have made great progress musically in all grade levels, and I hope to continue that growth. This year we are offering many different music groups for grades 6-8. Full band rehearsals are now taking place in the school day in addition to the small group lessons. Middle school chorus has become an elective and is now 28 people strong, quite a bit of growth from last year to say the least. This year I am also happy to say that the Percussion Ensemble has returned and will be performing in the Winter and Spring Concerts.

As for what is going on in the General Music Classroom, here is all you need to know:

Gr 8: We are continuing to practice notation. We are reinforcing pitches and rhythms learned last year, and will be learning a few new rhythms this year. The 8th grade students are also beginning their unit on opera. We began by discussing what their preconceptions of this kind of music was, and are learning what is true, and what is false about their thoughts. We will discuss various composers, as well as vocabulary pertaining to opera, and will study one opera which is yet to be determined.
*Please make sure your child has their parent form signed as well as a music folder.*

Gr 7: We are continuing to practice notation. We are reinforcing pitches and rhythms learned last year, and will be learning a few new rhythms this year. The 7th grade students are also beginning their unit on musical theater. We will study the history of American musical theater, as well as talk about some of the more famous shows. We will also discuss what goes into making a musical and will have a vocabulary formed from that discussion.
*Please make sure your child has their parent form signed as well as a music folder.*

-More to come for other grade levels-

2007-04-21T19:54:00.000-05:00

Grade 8:
We are beginning our final unit of study for the year, protest music as well as music that comments on society in general. Students will be studying different genres of music as well as artists to discover how music can reflect society. Students will also learn the basic form of most styles of popular music. Students will use the knowledge gained in this unit to write their own song in whatever genre they are comfortable with.

Grade 7:
Our final unit of study for the year is musical theater. This unit is bringing together many things we have already studied this year as well as last year. Students will learn the history of the American musical, as well as the key players in putting a musical together. (image courtesy of pbs.org)

Grade 6:
The sixth grade was recently lucky enough to attend a performance by the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. This was a great opportunity for the students to see and hear a live performance. I was happy that the unit on instruments of the orchestra was able to come together in seeing this live performance.
For our final unit of study students will be studying various patriotic songs. Students will be required to memorize the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner. Students will then write their own patriotic song in whatever genre of music they prefer. If time allows this year we will learn the parts to Mbira Jam on the xylophones.

Grade 5:
The 5th grade are continuing to work on recorder. By the end of this year the 5th grade will have learned how to play G, A, B, C, and D on the recorder in the context of various pieces. We are also beginning our final vocal and instrumental piece for the year, This Train. Students will be required to learn the words, and be able to perform all 4 instrumental parts.

Grade 4:
The 4th grade are continuing their work on recorder as well. Students will learn one more note this year, C. We will continue playing recorder for a few minutes a day to keep it fresh, but will now refocus on vocal and instrumental music.

Grade 3:
The 3rd grade are continuing their work on recorder. Students will reinforce their knowledge of the notes G, A, and B so as to have a strong foundation for next year. We have returned to vocal and instrumental music with the song Land of the Silver Birch. I am proud to say these young students were able to sight sing through the song. This is something they had not yet done this year but were still quite successful.

2007-03-05T10:27:00.000-05:00

Grade 8: We are finishing up the first act of the Magic Flute. By now students should have a good grasp of all the characters in the opera as well as basic plot points. Students should also have a basic understanding of terminology used in opera.

Grade 7: We are continuing learning about jazz using the performers as the gateway to understanding different genres. This marking period we have covered Ragtime through Scott Joplin, Louis Armstrong (who played many types of jazz), and are beginning to learn about Duke Ellington.

Grade 6: Students are continuing and hopefully finishing their instrument creation project. We will start presentations of our projects on March 22nd, so be ready!

Grade 5: Students are continuing their mastery of G, A, and B on the recorder. Students will also begin writing their own music for recorder using those notes. They will be responsible for the notation and performance of their piece.

More to come for the lower grades...so stay tuned!

2007-02-09T17:15:00.000-05:00

What to expect in the month of February:

8th grade:
Students will finish up watching Amadeus and begin diving into Mozart's work, The Magic Flute. While reading the story students will be able to listen to and see select arias and recitatives found in this opera. The unit will wrap up with a test on voice parts, the basics of the opera, and the story of The Magic Flute.

7th grade:
Students will continue their survey of jazz. We have just finished up our first portion of this unit, the blues and the beginnings of jazz in Africa. We will continue our journey of jazz with a study of the major names in jazz history such as Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davies, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Billie Holiday. Students will discover these artists through their music.

6th grade:
Students are finishing up their unit on instruments of the orchestra and will shortly begin their unit on patriotic music.

5th grade:
Students will continue their mastery of recorder (pitches B A G). Through their performance on recorder students are learning to identify and label pitches and rhythms. Students will also learn new songs to sing as well as rhythmic poems.

4th grade:
Students will continue their mastery of recorder (pitches B A G). Through their performance on recorder students are learning to identify and label pitches and rhythms. Once students reach a level of comfort with the three major pitches we will begin splitting our class time between recorder and new vocal pieces.

3rd grade:
Students will continue their mastery of recorder (pitches B A G). Through their performance on recorder students are learning to identify and label pitches and rhythms. Once students reach a level of comfort with the three major pitches we will begin splitting our class time between recorder and new vocal pieces.

2nd grade:
Students have been performing various vocal pieces while performing an accompaniment on pitched percussion. Students are reinforcing steady beat through broken patterns on xylophone. Students are also continuing their study of solfege and Kurwen hand signs. Students will be working on rhythmic speech with body percussion accompaniment.

1st grade:
Students have been performing various vocal pieces while performing an accompaniment on pitched percussion. Students are continuing to reinforce a steady beat through rhythmic patterns in speech, body percussion, and on pitched percussion. Students are also using creative movement to increase their listening skills. Rhythm identification is also a constant in every class meeting.

Kindergarten:
Students have been performing various vocal pieces while performing an accompaniment on pitched percussion. Students are continuing to reinforce a steady beat through rhythmic patterns in speech, body percussion, and on pitched percussion. Students are also using creative movement to increase their listening skills and identification of music basics such as "high" and "low." Rhythmic identification is also a constant in every class meeting.

2007-01-13T23:19:00.001-05:00

New Year, New Music

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a nice relaxing break. As for me, I was able to make the most of my break in terms of musical experiences. I was lucky enough to see Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC over our holiday break. I have to say it was one of the best live performances of any genre of music I have ever seen. I am happy to say that with this new musical experience, I will have more knowledge to bring to the classroom.

As for happenings in the music classroom:

8th Grade:
We have begun our unit on opera. Students have been introduced to the following:

Voice types-soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, and bass
Arias vs. Recitatives
What makes an opera an opera

We are currently watching the movie Amadeus as a background on the life of Mozart, and to further their knowledge of opera before beginning our survey of Die Zauberflöte.

There is extra credit available to 8th grade students that is due on the 18th. Students are to find research what is fact and what is fiction in the movie Amadeus.

7th grade:
The 7th grade is currently studying jazz. We have begun with the roots of jazz in African music, how the music changed when it was brought to America, and how it developed into the blues. So far the students have evaluated African music, work songs, music of street vendors, country blues, and have just begun the city blues. From the roots of jazz we will do a brief study of ragtime, swing, and bebop.

The extra credit available to 7th grade this marking period deals with research on a jazz musician of their choice. Due January 18th.

6th grade:
In preparation for a field trip in April, the 6th grade students are studying instruments of the orchestra. Students are learning about the 4 families of instruments found in the orchestra, as well as learning general facts including how to identify the individual instruments in each family.
A great website to help better understand the instruments of the orchestra is: nyphilkids.org.

The extra credit for 6th grade is to do research on any instrument not usually found in the standard orchestra of today. Students may research an instrument from the past. Due January 18th.

5th grade:
We are continuing our work on recorder. Students are learning proper playing technique as well as how to read pitches and rhythms. We have been performing non melodic music that is to reinforce note reading. The first song we will work on is Suo Gan.

4th grade:
The 4th grade students have just begun their exploration of the recorder. As with the 5th grade and 3rd grade students are learning proper playing technique as well as how to read pitches and rhythms. They are also learning about canons through the song Breakfast is Great.

3rd grade:
The 3rd grade, like the 4th and 5th grade, are learning how to play the recorder. We are working on proper playing technique, as well as reading pitches and rhythms. These students are also singing the song Hiyo Ipsy Miya, a Navajo Happy song.

2nd grade:
In second grade we recently learned the song Rocky Mountain. Through solfege as well as rhythmic analysis of the piece students were able to quickly master this music. Students are still having tests on this piece. Students are also playing a steady bordun on xylophone. We also have explored movements for words from the story Snowmen at Night, which they read with Miss Crumlish.

1st grade:
Most recently 1st grade has been working on aural skills. We have been playing games with instruments to fine tune motor and aural skills. One such game is called "pass the rhythm." A rhythm is played and each student is to perform it on their instrument. This lesson also serves to teach names of different unpitched percussion instruments. Students are currently being tested on the song 10 Little Speckled Frogs. Students are continuing to work on rhythmic analysis and creative movement.

Kindergarten:
Our youngest students are working on proper singing technique using solfege and various age appropriate songs. We have been reinforcing steady beat as well as different aural skills, such as repeating melodic phrases, identifying high and low, as well as repeating rhythmic patterns. Students have also been working on notation skills, both reading and writing different rhythms. Identification of form in music as well as the reinforcement of aural skills are being practiced via creative movement.

2006-10-19T10:24:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the PCA Music Room

Grades 6-8

Students in the middle school are currently working on rhythmic notation and identification of pitches and rhythms. If help is needed to better understand music notation there are many free sites to help practice while at home:

www.musiclearningcommunity.com

www.musictheory.net

www.emusictheory.com

All of these sites have tutorials as well as interactive drills for students to practice their rhythmic and pitch identification skills.

Grades 3-5

Recorders are being ordered next week. I am hoping to receive the order by early November. Once I receive the order, the recorders will be sorted and tagged, then distributed.

Grades 3-5 are continuing to work on the following concepts:

-Steady beat

-Singing with solfege syllables as well as Kurwen hand signs

-Performing muliple accompaniment parts for a single piece

-Proper singing technique

-Notation: pitches and rhythms

-Improvisation

Grades K-2

The lower elementary grades will be working on the following concepts:

-Notation: stick notation

-Singing with solfege syllables as well as Kurwen hand signs

-Performing simple accompaniment to songs

-Responding to music through motion

-Performing rhythmic poems

-Improvisation

-Proper singing technique