Tuesday 18 December 2018

Carol-fest 2018

Christmas Around the World!

This was one of my favourite concerts. We had 145 students participating in Grades 1, 2 and 3 with 45 readers, 6 soloists and several instrumentalists. Each grade performed 5 songs and Jr. Choir performed 9 in total. That is quite an amazing feat to memorize all their words and learn the actions in just over a month (we began after Remembrance Day).

I have included a few photos that I managed to take while conducting. I apologize for not getting every class. Hopefully, parents can send me their photos at maryellen.martin@cssd.ab.ca

Again, thank you students for a wonderful concert and for being such amazing students to work with. It truly was a gift!

Musically yours,
Mrs. Martin













Thursday 13 December 2018

Carol-fest Reminder



Carol-fest is just about here. The students have been working hard on their music, their speaking roles and their art for bulletin boards outside of their classroom.
Reminders are as follows:
1) Please have your child dress in concert attire - Sunday best or Christmas colors. Try to wear something that is not every day attire. Note for girls: Wear flat shoes or very low heels; please no high heels. It is hard for the girls to maintain their balance on the risers and it alters their height on the risers.
2) We have a dress rehearsal in the morning on the 18th for Div. 2 and an afternoon performance for parents. If your child is not able to attend for whatever reason, please let both your homeroom teacher and myself know (maryellen.martin@cssd.ab.ca).
3) The concert for parents on the 18th will begin between 2:15 and 2:30pm. Doors will open at 2:00p.m.
4) Afterwards, please stay to help with stacking chairs and then check out the Div. 1 hallway bulletin boards. The student artwork is lovely!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Martin

PS. Have a look at some of their art work below:




Wednesday 5 December 2018

December Carol-fest 2018

The theme for this year’s Carol-fest is 
Around the World at Christmas and it will begin around 2:15pm
on Tuesday, December 18th (doors will open at 2:00pm). It is for parents and grandparents. The concert features Gr. 1, 2 and 3 students as well as the Junior Choir. Each grade will be reveal Christmas customs and sing songs related to their countries of study. Concert attire should be Christmas colors or Christmas best. It’s time to get dressed up! We are looking forward to celebrating the Christmas season with music and poetry. Hope to see you on the 18th of December.  

Mrs. Martin
Music Teacher
Junior Choir Director

Monday 3 December 2018

December News

December is the time for Ho, Ho, Ho,
December is the time for love,
December is the time for lots of snow,    
December is the time for love!

Here's what's going in Music over the next couple of weeks:

Kindergarten:

  • We are continuing to work on class routines by always beginning our Music class with a greeting and a circle song like "Good Morning when it's Morning". 
  • As this is concert month, after our warm-up, we practice our pageant melodies which utilize actions and different tempi. 
  • Concert date again is December 20th and the short performance will take place in the music room.

Grade One:

 

  • Our focus in December is preparing our songs for the concert. We have 3 carols to learn: O Tannenbaum, Jingle Bells and Tingalayo.
  • Concert date again is December 18th at 2:15 p.m. 
  • In between our concert songs we are also focusing on the concept of high/low through playing Orff instruments and re-telling stories as we play. 
  • Also, important concepts are beat (a steady pulse that stays the same) and rhythm (some sounds are short and some are longer). 

Grade Two:

  • We have been spending time learning to play a steady beat pattern on the Orff instruments. Mallet technique is very important and students need to avoid pointer fingers or clicking mallets when the teacher is speaking,
  • Carol-fest is on December 18 and so we are busy learning songs for it: Pat-a-Pan (France), Buon Natale (Italy) and Here We Come a Caroling (England). 

Grade Three:
  • We have had fun adding an Orff accompaniment to Sing Noel working on our mallet technique. This song also has us reviewing the rhythm patterns.
  • Carol-fest is on December 18th at 2:1 5pm and so we are busy learning songs for it: Fum, Fum. Fum (Spain), Behold that Star (Bethlehem) and Go Tell it on the Mountain (African American Spiritual)
  • Students readers are asked to continue their practice at home in front of a mirror of an audience to work on facial expression and eye contact.

Thanks for tuning in to our Music blog!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Martin








Thursday 8 November 2018

November Concert News (K to Gr. 3)

Grades 1, 2 and 3 

This Christmas season, Carol-fest will highlight the classes of Gr. 1, 2 and 3 along with the Junior Choir in a performance about Around the World at Christmas. Students are requested to wear Sunday best or Christmas colors. Parents and grandparents are asked to mark this date on their calendar: December 18th at 2:15 p.m. Doors will open at 2:00 pm. (Note: We are having an afternoon concert this year due the accompanist's availability).


Kindergarten
As the Kinders and I are just getting to know one another and still learning to discover a singing voice together, Mrs. Textor and I will be presenting an informal Christmas gathering in the music room on December 20th for each class. The pageant is entitled, "That Wonderful Night" and will be presented during the school day. More information about an exact time will come at a later date. 

I sincerely hope you can come share and support the musical gifts of our young St. Brigid students.
Any questions? Please email me at maryellen.martin@cssd.ab.ca

Warm regards,
Mrs. Martin
Music Teacher and Junior Choir Director

Sunday 4 November 2018

November Monthly Music News

After Halloween and Faith Day, I feel refreshed and ready to begin new units
and concepts as this beautiful season of fall continues.
Here is a summary of what we have been learning:

Kindergarten
  • Always important for the first few months is establishing classroom routines and expectations. Students are following the leader using different locomotive movements.
  • Students are using their 4 voices (i.e. speaking, singing, whisper and a calling voice - no shouting please!). Finding and using a singing voice for call and response questions can be a challenge. Please encourage your child to vocalize at home by imitating sounds such as: owl hoots, cat meows, wolf howls, sirens etc., (i.e. anything that lifts their voice out of the basement and into the attic!)
  • Students also have been exposed to playing several non-pitched instruments to maintain the beat.
  • Beginning this month, we will start learn songs to celebrate peace and about the birth of Jesus for on concert on December 20th. We will need to memorize lyrics, incorporate actions, follow a conductor and stand on the risers with very quiet feet. More information about this informal music room event with come in the near future.
Grade 1
  • Like Kindergarten, we have spent time establishing routines and reviewing our 4 voices. 
  • Our focus thus far has been on maintaining a steady beat on our laps and on instruments while singing or reciting poems. 
  • I have noticed that most Gr. 1 students have found their singing voice and so we are singing responses to simple questions such as: What are you doing for Halloween? 
  • Movement involving pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns have been seasonal favorites.
  • In Hymn Sing, we have been preparing songs for our liturgies. 
  • This week we are starting songs for our concert "Christmas Around the World". Countries of study are: America, Jamaica and Germany. Student readers will be chosen in the weeks to come and parents will be notified in regards to rehearsing with their child at home.
Grade 2
  • We have been reviewing the rhythm concepts of ta, ta rest and titi. It has been accomplished through rhythm card practice and: red (ta), yellow (titi) and echoing  4-beat rhythm patterns by student leaders.
  • We have also reviewed where so and mi live on a 3-line staff and tossed some bean bags on a large felt staff to name line, and space notes on a 5 line staff.
  • A more challenging skill has been to add sound effects and accompaniment on the Orff instruments. It takes a lot of concentration and focus!
  • Students have also started to sing a few songs for Carol-fest. In Music class, we are learning about music from England, Italy and France. Student readers will be chosen in the weeks to come and parents will be notified in regards to rehearsing with their child at home.
Grade 3
  • The focus is Gr. 3 thus far has been on partner games and group work. We have completed 3 group projects: a Name Game where they were vagabonds travelling around the world, Song Time and another had to do with changing the lyrics to a familiar song (i.e. Are you Sleeping?), adding body percussion for interest. Working in a group is an important skill and we are learning how to share ideas, thank people for their ideas and to make good use of their time.
  • We have also been singing ostinato patterns, singing in canon (one group enters a phrase behind) and trying partner songs (2 different songs sung at the same time).
  • Students have been listening and responding to a variety of instrumental music such as: The William Tell Overture and Turkey in the Straw.
  • This month we are learning how to square dance and will begin to practice songs for for Carol-fest. In Music class, we are learning about music from Africa, Spain and the town of Bethlehem. Student readers will be chosen in the weeks to come and parents will be notified in regards to rehearsing with their child at home.

Friday 7 September 2018

September 2018 Music News



Division One Music Program - Taught by Mrs. Martin
The goal of the Music program is to teach students the elements of music through singing, playing, creating, moving and listening. Kindergarten to Gr. 3 students will receive two classes in the music room on days 2, 4 or 6 as well as a group hymn sing on Day 2 in the afternoon.
Students will be engaged in singing (by themselves and in groups), using hand-signs (developed by Kodaly) to show pitch, utilizing Orff instruments in solo and group ensembles, playing games, learning dances, as well as creating and responding to all genres of music.  Reading and writing music, in tune and part-singing, instrumental skills, composition, and the enjoyment of music are the concepts woven into the lessons. 
The Music program is enhanced by school-wide presentations and liturgical celebrations. Students will also have opportunities to perform, both informally and in concert settings. 
Music education is incredibly important to the overall development of a child. At St. Brigid School, students have the opportunity to participate in Music classes, the choir program, and Hymn Sing, where they practice learned singing skills and repertoire. 


JUNIOR CHOIR NEWS

The St. Brigid Junior Choir will begin in late October for all students who love to sing in Grades 2 and 3. It is an extra-curricular activity, which requires dedication and a responsible attitude as well as a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. Practices will be held every Day 6 @ 12:30 pm. Students who normally go home for lunch will need to bring a lunch on Day 6. Parents of interested students should look for a choir information and permission note going home after Thanksgiving.  Our first choir practice will be on Friday, October 26th. 

Looking forward to a fun-filled year of music!
Musically yours,
Mrs. M. Martin