I also can not resist sharing this link. Kudos to composer John Williams who wrote the music for this epic movie series. What would Star Wars be without its music?
Featured: Parmenter 5th Grade - Mrs. Lyons/Mrs. McMullen's Class
Every year I try to find new ways to explore the song, "Skin and Bones." In 5th grade, students finally know enough notes to learn the song on the recorder! We decided to spice it up a little this year by adding a barred instrument accompaniment and some other percussion instruments. Families will get to see a polished version at the upcoming winter concert! Until then, enjoy our behind the scenes practice!
November Celebrity Singers! I just love the personality in these pictures!
JFK 5th
JFK 3rd
JFK 4th
Parmenter 5th
Reminder! JFK 5th grade concert is Friday, December 11th at 9AM. All other concerts will be in January. Concert dates are posted on this blog on the right side of the page.
November Musician of the Month! John Philip Sousa Born: November 6, 1854
December Musician Hints: Born December 17, 1770 in Germany, one of the most influential musicians of his time, began to lose hearing in his 30s. Think "Ode to Joy!"
On behalf of the students at Parmenter School, I'd like to say thank you to the Parmenter PCC for supporting and funding the new recess equipment! The color-coded grade level equipment seems to be working well and I witnessed second graders having a blast with it on Monday!
5th Grade Music HW: Practice 5x a week 10 min each time. This should be a fun way to get in that practice time!
*Parmenter 5th graders are moving at a little different pace due to their classes being on Mondays and their concert being in January. Feel free to practice for fun though!:)
"To Stop the Train" round
Featured: Parmenter 5th grade chorus
This chorus loves a good challenge! They decided to do this round in 6 parts dividing each part by row. Can't wait to see what they'll do next!
"Staccato/Legato" audiated
Featured: JFK 4th grade chorus
Students here were asked to audiate the whole first part of their new chorus song and only sing the last note. Sorry! You'll have to wait for the concert to hear this one!
"Old Abram Brown" round
Featured: JFK 5th grade chorus
This was a really spooky new round I tried this year. While we didn't have time to really polish this idea before filming I wanted to show what the 5th graders came up with in performing their round. Elias had the idea to mix up the parts so that everyone had a different part next to them (very advanced for elementary chorus!) and Shaw had the idea to use movement to show the phrasing of the piece. Check it out!
"All Through the Night"
Featured: Franklin and other New England Music Teachers
A couple of Fridays ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a professional development day with other Franklin music staff that focused on fostering the arts. (Although according to Mrs. Trottier, her K class was debating if I had retired:) Here is what happens when a bunch of Elementary Music teachers get together! If you look closely you might be able to see Franklin music teachers: Mr. Barrett, Mr. Gustafson, Mrs. Fuller, and Mr. Sansoni. I helped create the form of this piece and was the videographer of course!
OUR FIRST CELEBRITY SINGERS!
JFK 3rd
JFK 4th
JFK 5th
Parmenter 5th
Q: What's a celebrity singer? A: A celebrity singer is a student in chorus that demonstrates great effort, leadership, and focus. They also show great singing technique such as good posture, vowel shapes, pitch, breathing, etc. Sometimes I also pick a student whom I feel has shown great improvement. With the help of the educational assistants and celebrity singers from the previous week, I try to chose one boy and one girl per week. Some weeks I can't help myself and pick more! Q: Where did this idea come from? A: I wanted to show students that anyone can join and love chorus and become a singer. It's not just for a certain type of person, everyone was born to sing! I began thinking about celebrities such as Anne Hathaway, Beyonce, Matt Damon, Theodore Roosevelt, etc. that were all in chorus when they were younger. Sometimes the best singers are the people you would least expect! Q: What can I do to help? A: Never tell your child they can't sing! Also be careful about how you joke about your own singing. We're all born with the right equipment to sing. Some of us unfortunately just never learned how to use it!
OCTOBER'S MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH
While Yo-Yo Ma just celebrated his 60th Birthday, here he is at the age of 7 making his musical debut for John F. Kennedy!
If you are reading this you are following my blog! Yay!:)
It was so nice to meet so many great families the last couple of weeks at Parmenter's curriculum night and fall social and JFK's open house! Thank you for signing up for my blog! Enjoy two little sneak peeks of some of the fun in the music room!
Pumpkin Patch (Grades K and 1)
Featured: Mr. McCarthy's K class
Students are working on chanting with a steady beat!
Notes of the Treble Clef (Grade 4)
Featured: Mrs. Adams' Class
Students are learning to read the notes on the treble clef staff!
