Greetings, Garden Families,
The music room has been buzzing with voices, dances, drums, flutes, bells, and ukuleles.
First Grade has been learning about pitch (up and down) and using this concept to sing, dance, and play mallet instruments. We will begin studying the penny whistle soon.
Second Grade has been revisiting the songs from last year and playing them on their penny whistles. We have begun working on singing in rounds.
Third Grade has been expanding on their penny whistle repertoire and working on rhythmic dictation.
The Fourth and Fifth Grade music class has been reviewing and expanding their rhythmic dictation skills. They are also spending a lot of time playing the ukulele.
Sixth graders have been playing away on their drum pads. We are working on the basics: grip, stroke, stick control, and rhythm notation. We are also focusing on hearing and singing Tonic and Dominant chords in the minor tonality.
Families who read the music write-up last year will remember “Record Time.” This is my way of taking the opportunity to recommend a song or an album that I think you might enjoy and would be good for children to listen to from a musical perspective.
This month’s Record Time is Il Fásolo? by Le Poème Harmonique. From the album's website: “Festive songs of the Venetian Carnival and Roman madrigals, bergamascas and chaconnes, refined poetry and songs of the commedia dell’arte are all part of the eclectic works of the composer Fasolo.”
I hope you enjoy,
Ben
