Thursday, January 30, 2014

The Votes Are In!

The 5th grade chorus at JFK recently submitted pop songs for their big end of the year spring chorus concert! In order to be considered students had to submit lyrics and the song had to be approved by a parent. From those choices I narrowed it down to the top 7! Voting will occur tomorrow and next Wednesday during general music.

Feel free to take a sneak peek!

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4tBUdyDwAF9YgA8BfEPuF1uT3s6tPCXW

*Disclaimer - Please monitor you children when using YouTube. While the following videos were screened, I have no control over comments or ads that may show up while watching.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Bravo!



Bravo to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade choruses! Their hard work and enthusiasm really brought their music to life in last month’s concerts! I’m excited to introduce their new spring concert music!


Parmenter 3rd Gone Gone Gone

Parmenter 4th Wake Me Up

JFK 3rd Gone Gone Gone (Day after the Concert)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axuwt1H3r3A#t=28

JFK 4th Wake Me Up


JFK 5th Cups

What does Mrs. Mac look for when selecting music? First and foremost, the music must be appropriate in terms of subject matter but also appropriate developmentally for their voices. While I too love pop music, much of this music is not designed with young voices in mind. From there, I have five other qualifications.
1. Round and/or partner song – Great way to introduce students to singing in harmony!
2. Music from another country – Teaches students to appreciate and accept different kinds of music and, in turn, other people and traditions!
3. Pop song – Kids love them! And helps students personally relate to music and chorus. 
4. At least one fast and one slow song – Both tempos teach different skills needed in music and singing.
5. Opportunities for solos – Gives students an opportunity to shine and build confidence!

Picking music that the students will love but will also help them grow as people and musicians is extremely important to me!

4th Grade: Recorders were sent home in January
along with a green letter introducing RECORDER KARATE. Please make sure recorders are consistently put in backpacks after practicing. Your support in encouraging your children to practice a minimum of 5 times a week, 10 minutes each time is crucial. Come June you will be amazed at what they can do!

5th Grade (JFK): Friday, January 24th students were introduced to RECORDER OLYMPICS. A yellow letter was sent home explaining this program. Recorder Olympics is very similar to Recorder Karate but incorporates more challenging music including music they will be performing in April with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. More information regarding this field trip will be sent home in March.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Concert Correction!

Friday, January 17th 4th and 5th grade concerts are at 9:00 (4th grade parents) and 9:45 (5th grade parents.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Important Upcoming Dates!

Parmenter Show n' Tell: Monday, 1/13 for Mrs. Mac's music classes only
Parmenter 3rd and 4th Winter Chorus Concerts: Tuesday, 1/14 9:00 (3rd grade parents) 9:45 (4th grade parents)
JFK 3rd Grade Winter Chorus Concert: Wednesday, 1/15 2:00
JFK 4th and 5th Winter Chorus Concerts: Friday, 1/17 8:45 (4th grade parents) 9:30 (5th grade parents)
*Reminder students should dress up!*

Busy week! Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Monday, January 6, 2014

4th Grade Parmenter MixCraft

Parmenter 4th grade projects! Check them out!

What is MixCraft?
Mixcraft 6 is a powerful music production and multi-track recording workstation that comes packed with thousands of music loops and dozens of audio effects and virtual instruments. Mixcraft 6 music recording software enables you to record audio, arrange loops, remix tracks, compose with MIDI and virtual instruments, add effects, score and edit video, and mix and master your tracks to create polished, professional compositions. This program is only for PCs but very similar to GarageBand for Macs.

What were the students' objectives?
*4th: We can perform an 8 measure piece on the recorder using the notes B and A.
*4th: We can record, arrange, and evaluate using the program MixCraft.

4th Grade:

Mrs. Murphy's Class:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w7tkvbfcqmypbk0/OISWxkCdvg

Mr. Tighe's Class:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/g0ctg2olom6qld4/C5BdIy0_kk

Ms. Christ's Class:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kil09vxiull3jf9/CxTC4MqcXS

Friday, January 3, 2014

December Celebrity Singers and January Musician of the Month!

December Celebrity Singers!!!

3rd JFK

3rd Parmenter

4th Parmenter
4th JFK

5th JFK (Also pajama day:)

January Musicians of the Month come from...

CHINA!

As China celebrates their New Year this month, we will be celebrating music from China. This year, we will look at the Chinese instrument, the pipa, along with China's pipa virtuoso, Wu Man. Wu Man resides in Boston and plays frequently with a previous musician of the month, Yo-Yo Ma.
Wu Man is the best known Chinese classical and folk pipa player but is also known for bridging Chinese music to other genres as well. She has even played an electric pipa! Special thanks to a JFK dad, Mr. Tarantola for completing my survey and recommending this outstanding musician!