Holiday Concert and Cabaret, Take 2

Good ol' Hurricane Sandy really threw us for a loop, but we did not let it stop us! The Holiday Concert is shaping up and the kids are getting excited to get up on those risers and sing. Let's see if we can pack that AP room with love and good cheer.

One event that was impacted by the hurricane was the Fall Cabaret. As promised, the performance is still going to occur. Better late than never! It was announced (a reminder) that sign ups for Cabaret auditions will take pace during lunch next week. The 5th grade students need to know what they are going to perform for their audition and who they will audition with if it is not a solo. The auditions will take place during recess the week we return to school in January. This affords the students the opportunity to polish their performances over Winter Break. I know this has been an eagerly awaited event. I anticipate quite a long list on the audition sign up sheet.

Please visit my original post regarding the Fall Cabaret to review the guidelines for the auditions and participation.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Holiday Concert on Friday, December 21st. The Kindergarteners and 1st graders take the stage at 11:00AM. Let's give them a nice big crowd to entertain!

Hello 4th and 5th Grades!

As we discovered during dress rehearsal yesterday, we are not too sure about the words for Night of Silence.  Our other songs sound great, but Night of Silence is not yet ready for our concert... which is only TWO WEEKS from today!!!!

To help you out, here are the lyrics.  This way you can practice without the video.

NIGHT OF SILENCE

by Daniel Kantor

1. Cold are the people, Winter of life, We tremble in shadows this cold endless night, Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping, Flowers that will echo the sunrise, Fire of hope is our only warmth, Weary, its flame will be dying soon.

2. Voice in the distance, call in the night, On wind you enfold us you speak of the light, Gentle on the ear you whisper softly, Rumors of a dawn so embracing, Breathless love awaits darkened souls, Soon will we know of the morning.

3. Spirit among us, Shine like the star, Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar, Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely, Rising in the warmth of your Son's love, Star unknowing of night and day, Spirit we wait for your loving Son.

To help you a little more, here is a different recording of the song.  This one might be a bit easier to sing along with. 

I hope this helps!  We have no school on Monday. Sorry 4C! On Tuesday we have our next dress rehearsal.  See if you can arrive at rehearsal and knock my socks off with how well you know the song.  Do it!  I challenge you!

- Ms. Mueller

Concert Time!

It is that time of year again, Concert Season!  The LS students are hard at work learning and polishing their concert repertoire. They are excited to share the music with their loved ones.

To help the students learn the music I promised to post practice tracks and videos here so that they can sing along at home. Below are links and recordings listed by grade level.  Not all of the songs are listed.  Some of our songs sound so good there is no need for at home practice!

I look forward to seeing everyone at the concert in December 21st!

Kindergarten & 1st Grades

2nd & 3rd Grades

4th & 5th Grades

Finale!!!  (That means everyone!)

LS Cabaret

The past week has been a bit of an adventure for all of us in the WH community. Hurricane Sandy left many without power and some with property damage.  I feel lucky knowing that we have our wonderful school and classrooms to return to today.

In light of the unexpected six days without school, we will be making a schedule change for the LS Fall Cabaret.  Dr. Ganis and I are currently looking at the calendar and discussing options for an alternate date.  We will update you as soon as possible. We want to make sure that the students have plenty of time to prepare.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Ms. Mueller

Fall Cabaret!

The LS Fall Cabaret will take place on Thursday November 15, 2012 during LS lunch. The Fall Cabaret is open to students in 5th grade. In the past, students have performed voice solos, in small vocal groups, magic shows, dance and comedy routines, and played instruments like piano and guitar. Remember, for the Fall Cabaret we are unable to use the stage. When planning your performance please keep in mind that you will only be able to use the apron of the stage (the part of the stage in front of the curtain) and the floor space in front of the stage.

Sign up sheets will be available during LS lunch on October 30th and November 1st. Auditions will take place on Nov. 6th and 8th during LS recess. If you are chosen to perform please remember to invite your parents to your performance.

IMPORTANT:  Students are limited to performing in one Cabaret per year, therefore, students who are chosen to perform in the Fall Cabaret will be audience members in the Spring.  Students who are not chosen in the Fall are welcome to audition again in the Spring.  This will ensure that a wide variety of students are showcased throughout the school year.

Audition Requirements

You must bring all materials being used for your performance to the audition. This includes any costumes and props.

We have a limited amount of time in which to perform.  All performances must be under 3 minutes in length.

Singers, remember to bring a copy of the sheet music or the instrumental CD/Karaoke track and a copy of the words. Ms. Mueller and Mrs. Bryne must have a copy of the words to approve your selection.

Dancers, if you are dancing to music that has words, please bring a copy of the words.

Pianists, please remember to bring your sheet music to the audition.

REMEMBER: you will be performing in front of Kindergarten through 5th grade students. Please make sure your performance is appropriate for students of all ages, this includes the lyrics to any songs being used. If you have any questions about your selection see Ms. Mueller before your audition.

The Muppets and "mi"

Students in a few different classes pointed out this past week that when we sing our solfege syllables, particularly the pitch "mi," we sound like Beaker from the Muppets.  This made me smile as the little lab assistant has always been one of my favorite Muppet characters.

While Beaker's entire vocabulary is comprised of the word "me", we practice singing musical pitches with a wider variety of syllables, including "mi."  Each grade level is reviewing the pitches they have learned in the past.  This year we will be focusing strongly on the do pentatonic scale, a five note scale that is use in many folk songs and classical compositions.  LS students will be reading, playing, composing and even improvising with these five important pitches.  They will become do pentatonic masters!

So to honor this goal, and the importance of "mi" in it's success, I promised to share my favorite Beaker "mi mi mi" videos for the kids.  Here are two classics from very different genres.  Enjoy!

4th Grade Music Homework

Dear 4th Grade Students,

Here is your music friendly homework reminder.  On the note card I gave you in class, please write your rhythm pattern.  You are creating a flash card like the ones we read in class.

Here are the guidelines:
1) It must be four beats long.  More no, no less.
2) You can choose to use quarter notes, eighth notes, quarter rests, half notes, or sixteenth notes.
3) You need to use at least two different rhythms. If you only use one type of rhythm it would be pretty boring. Mix it up!


Here are some helpful reminders:
- You can draw four hearts on your card to help you keep track of the beats.
- Half notes last for two beats.
- Make sure the pattern is four beats long, not four rhythms.  Four half notes would end up equaling eight beats!!!


Please completed this assignment and bring it to class on Friday (4R) or next Monday (4C.)  If you finish it early you can always give it to me at lunch.

I can't wait to see the patterns you create!

Musically,
Ms. Mueller

VIDEO: Very Rhythmic Caterpillars

This week the 2nd graders shared their Rhythm Caterpillars with their class.  Each student took a turn to read the rhythms in the order in which they arranged them. They were so proud to be able to share what they created. I was so proud to see how well they knew the quarter notes, eighth notes and quarter rests.

Here are just a few students in action.

Very Rhythmic Caterpillars

In second grade we are reviewing our rhythms so that we can become Rhythm Rockstars. We are reading flash cards, mystery songs, and even composing.

Last week we starting learning a poem about caterpillars. We tapped the beat and clapped the rhythms as we spoke the words.  The entire poem was made up of quarter notes (ta), eighth notes (ta-ti), and quarter rests!  Since we know those rhythms so well, we arranged our own rhythm patterns, creating rhythm caterpillars.


First, we arranged the rhythms in the order of our choosing.  We read the pattern to see if we liked it, and made changes if needed.

Next, we glued the rhythms onto craft sticks in order from left to right.  The craft sticks helped our caterpillar's body stay together.

Our caterpillars dried over the weekend and are waiting for us to return to music this week.  Each student will be sharing their rhythm caterpillar with their class.  It will be their first rhythm solo!

Stay tuned.  You just might see some rhythm caterpillar music videos. It will be my first attempt to uploading video.  Wish us luck!

- Ms. Mueller

Welcome Back!

Welcome back for new year at the Wardlaw-Hartridge School!  I am very excited to be joining the teachers and students in the Lower School this year.  We have a wonderfully musical year ahead.  I have so many ideas that I am eager to implement with the students. Here are just a few things we have in the works:

- pitch and rhythm reading
- melodic and rhythmic composition and improvisation
- cooperative learning activities
- movement activities including play parties, folk dances, and creative movement
- Very Hungry Caterpillar "rhythm caterpillars"
- poetry sound scapes
- a Folk Song Investigation
- the Ribbit Rhythm Tournament
- a continuation of the 5th grade Broadway trip
- 4th and 5th grade band starting up again with the new band director, Mr. Rick Fontaine, beginning with a chance for the students to learn more about the instrument from which they will get to choose


Come on over and stop in the Music Room to say hello. I look forward to getting to know all of the Lower School students and families at WH School. Here's to a exciting year of musical discovery!