Music Newsletter Aug 08

Welcome back to school everyone. We are delighted to to introduce Nicole Taylor who has joined the music team and will be bringing her special skills to enhance our programme here.

Grade One and Two students will be exploring rhythm through movement and dance and will be reading simple rhythm patterns using Kodaly time names.
They will be singing a variety of songs based on PYP themes and children's stories.
The Grade Two students will be introduced to the keyboard and will be learning to play and read notes of simple tunes in C position.

Grade Three students will be learning the correct habits for good singing and use these in songs from different countries and styles. In addition they will follow our recorder programme and be playing tunes of up to eight notes (full C scale). Grade Three will extend their knowledge of reading music using rhythmic time names.

Grade Four students will be learning presentation skills for performing to an audience.
They will practice this through singing and performing on instruments.
The students will be learning the violin throughout one semester of the year on a rotational basis.
They will learn the good habits of correct elementary technique in bowing and fingering. They will learn to play tunes of up to five notes both solo and in a string ensemble. Grade Four will also consolidate all of their musical skills incorporating singing, performance, listening, moving, creating, reading and writing.

The Grade Five students will learn more vocal technique whilst learning new songs. This would include correct breathing and phrasing and understanding how to make good vowels and consonants for enhanced tone in singing. The students will learn a short history of jazz through songs, instrumental performance and listening activities. They will also be introduced to a programme of world music by performing a variety of songs, dances and instruments from different parts of the globe. Performance opportunities will arise on guitars and keyboards throughout the jazz unit.

The Mini-Concerts

During the week of September 15th, every music class from Grades Two to Five will feature a mini concert. Students will either perform a song or instrumental piece or will enjoy the concert as an audience member. These concerts are especially beneficial to students who learn an instrument at home but get little opportunity to perform for an audience. The students should rehearse their favourite piece at home during the next few weeks and bring their music and instrument (if required) on their music lesson day during the week of the 15th September.

Orchestra

We ask parents whose child learns an instrument (string or wind) to encourage them to join our orchestra. The orchestra will practice on Thursdays after school as part of the ECA Programme. The orchestra will enjoy many concert opportunities including the school production.
Parents, do you play an instrument? We would love to have you join our orchestra too!

School production

We will soon be auditioning for the school production and this will be open to Grades Four and Five.
If your child has an interest in singing, acting, dancing or playing please encourage them to audition.