March 2-6

March 2-6, 2020

Another week has flown by and your Griffins are gearing up for the Spring Concert! By now all grade levels have reviewed "America" (My Country 'Tis of Thee) and working hard on their first concert piece. These scholars are showing focus, dedication, and wonderful musicianship, as they learn to shape beautiful phrases, sing with pure vowels and enunciate their consonants. 

Here's a look into the first week of March in your child's classroom: 

Kinder: 

• Students are practicing singing with their high and low voices and showing the contour of the melody with their bodies
• Our first concert song is almost 100% memorized and they are starting their second song this week! 
• We will be reviewing our February Composer of the month, Robert Schuman

First: 

• Students now know the name for "a beat with no sound"
• First graders are practicing sight-reading rhythms that contain a quarter rest
• Our first concert song is memorized and being polished, so they are starting their second song this week!
• We will be reviewing our February Composer of the month, Antonin Dvorak

Second: 

• Students are able to perform "four sounds on a beat" with the rhythm syllable "ta-ka-di-mi"
• Second graders know how to write four sixteenth notes
• Our first concert song is extra long! Second graders will learn the second verse of "I Vow to Thee My Country" a wonderful text set to a favorite melody by Gustav Holst
• We will be reviewing our February Composer of the Month, John Philip Sousa

Sixth: 

• Students have learned proper singing stance, controlled and measured breathing in the choral context and are practicing performance mode
• Sixth graders are practicing sight-reading rhythms in 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time signatures
• We have reviewed the construction of a Major Scale, describing the intervals using Major and minor 2nds 
• We are almost done learning our first concert song and will begin introductions to the Kyrie Canon this week

The main focus as we prepare for the Spring Concert is healthy singing. While loud singing sounds confident and strong, soft singing shows that our young musicians are being sensitive to the message of the music and the health of their instrument. 

As a singer, which all Griffins are, the health of our bodies is essential! During this time of year, sicknesses are abundant! Remind your little musicians to wash their hands often and drink lots of water!!! 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I am working hard to make sure your students are ready for the concert and get all those essential, foundational skills for being a successful musician and music lover. 

Thank you for all your support each week and for making sure your scholar is ready to learn!

-Ms. Widdowson

kate.widdowson@greatheartsnorthernoaks.org

February 10-14

February 10-14, 2020

Hello Griffin Families! Welcome back to your K-2 and 6 music blog! The fall semester was full of so many exciting changes and experiences including our much anticipated Winter Concert! With it came many challenges and learning opportunities, but ultimately was a reflection of the hard work of your students. Congratulations, and thank you for your support! 

As it is the time of year when many people resolve to better at something, I have made mine to maximize the tool that is our blog. The past semester has proven that it takes extra concentration to make it happen. To celebrate the new year, please join me in using the music blog to benefit our student musicians. 

I wish to make this a place that informs you of our goals in the music classroom, keeps you updated on our progress and can help you help your student! Please email me with any questions about music class without hesitation! 

kate.widdowson@greatheartsnorthernoaks.org

This week Ms. Widdowson will not be at school on Thursday, Feb. 13th and Friday, Feb, 14th, as the annual TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) Convention is being held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in lovely downtown San Antonio. This is an opportunity for music teachers to come together, refresh our approach, deepen our pedagogical practices, strengthen our understanding of elementary curricula and expand our music libraries. We will be learning about the best and most effective strategies for teaching your little ones. 

That being said, we have some HIGH expectations and HUGE goals for what we want to get done this week! 

While I am gone, our lovely ATs will be taking care of music class and helping make sure our scholars don't miss any content: 

This week in music: 

Kinder: 

• We will be giving a new name to "Bird" voice and "Bear" voice! 
• Students will improvise their own motions to a new song
• Good musicians are able to hear music in their heads; this week we'll be practicing audiation or inner-hearing
• Kindergarteners will learn about Robert Schuman, a prominent German composer!
• We will preview our second song for the Spring Concert!

First: 

• We will be giving a new name to "a beat with no sound"
• Students will practice performing an ostinato while singing familiar folk songs!
• Musicians must know many articulations such as staccato and legato. First graders practice these styles throughout music class.
• Your student will learn about Antonin Dvorak, a world-famous Czech composer!
• We will preview our second song for the Spring Concert!

Second: 

• We will show what four sounds on a beat looks like!
• Students will improvise a melody that contains the Solfege syllable Re
• Second graders will learn FOUR new songs this week!
• Second graders will show their responsibility by leading warm-ups and breathing exercises
• Your student will learn about John Philip Sousa, the classic American composer of marches!
• We will preview our second song for the Spring Concert!

Sixth: 

• We will practice using Curwen hand signs and Solfege syllables during warm-ups and rehearsal
• Sixth graders will review known rhythm elements and demonstrate their sight-reading by performing rhythm patterns
• We will learn about the minor and Major Second intervals and how these intervals make up the construction of the Major Scale
• Your student will learn how to identify and differentiate between an Aria and a Recitative through defining characteristics and listening examples
• We will practice audiation or inner-hearing 
• Sixth graders will learn about Antonio Vivaldi's masterwork Montezuma 

Looking forward to another week with our wonderful music scholars!

- Ms. Widdowson