Speciality Highlight January 2026: Music
Happy New Year from the Music classroom! We wrapped up 2025 with lots of music making and fun, and we’re looking forward to a tuneful 2026. Here are some recent highlights as well as upcoming events.
Prior to Winter break, the classes all earned a class period outside singing to the farm animals, which was enjoyed by everyone, including the animals! We were also delighted to have Sergio Messias visit the Second & Third Grade class to help us learn a song in Portuguese, “Alecrim Dourado”. The First and Second/Third Grade classes worked hard to learn “Jingle Bells” on their penny whistles and recorders, respectively, and gave a wonderful performance for the Kindergarten classes. And of course, we continued to learn songs from all around the world, including Sweden, Scotland, and Ghana, in the month of December.
Looking ahead, the classes will be continuing on their instruments, including the First Graders beginning on the pentatonic flute. Spotlight class will occur periodically, with the instrument library available for students in Second Grade and above to check out instruments, ideally to prepare something to share during Spotlight. We will continue our music learning by introducing scale degrees in our regular discussions (using numbers, not solfeggio). Additionally, in Second Grade and above, we will practice more music notation and reading. Projects for the Middle School class will include music composition as well as ensemble work. The Fourth/Fifth Grade and Middle School classes are preparing for a field trip on February 4th to see the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra perform at Woodruff Art Center. The program features pieces about the South, and in class, we are learning about the composers and listening to excerpts from the pieces.
There are weeks available if any family has a song they would like to suggest or come in and share; we’ve so enjoyed having families generously give of their time, culture, and interests to enrich our class! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has volunteered. We’re looking forward to spending time making music together.
Warm Regards,
Ki Stephanie
