Kindergarten students are developing tuneful singing voices and keeping a steady beat. Each class we have some “beat leaders” who lead the class in following classical music with a steady beat. This week we started listening to the first two minutes of Offenbach’s
Gaite Parisienne. Ask your child to demonstrate a steady beat
while you listen.
1st graders are about to learn some very important rhythms! Stay tuned for details. In the process, we sing
Snail, Snail and identify how many sounds we hear on a beat. In the meantime, ask them to sing
Apple Tree while keeping the steady beat or the rhythm.
2nd graders are working on strong and weak beats to prepare for learning 2/4 meter. We practice by bouncing a ball while singing “Bounce high, bounce low, bounce the ball to Shiloh.” Ask your child to demonstrate the strong and weak motions. We’ll also be learning the folk dance
Bobolinka this week.
3rd graders are learning a new rhythm - a note that lasts for two beats. We’re preparing for it by singing the folk song
Brother John.
We continue to practice our understanding of solfa notes do, mi, sol and la. Ask your child to sing a solfa pattern for you (an easy place to start is “sol-mi-sol-mi”). Hand images: SOL (on left), MI (on right).
4th graders are learning French folk song
Au Clair de la Lune. Listen to a
beautiful guitar arrangement here. We’re working on the words in French: “Au clair de la lune, mon ami Pierrot. Prête-moi ta plume pour écrire un mot…”
5th graders have just started studying instruments! The brass teacher (trumpet and trombone) is Mr. Rathbone. Ms. Chanler teaches woodwinds (clarinet and flute). Mr. Tally teaches strings (violin, viola, and cello). 5th graders should return their loan contract forms, and then they’ll be able to practice at home. Instrumental class is on Wednesdays and Fridays – don’t forget your instrument!