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