Fourth Week of School!

This week both choirs received two new songs, to add to their two old ones. On Monday, since it was a half day we worked on some theory worksheets. They were reviewing note names and all about time signatures. We talked about 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 time signatures and what each note is worth in each measure.

Tuesday we worked on marking the new music, each part makes a mark next to their line so that they can follow the music easier. Both choirs also received a foreign language piece. 7/8th grade choir will be singing, "Si Vis Amari" and the 6th graders will be singing "Ose Shalom". We spent some time in class going over pronunciation for each of those songs.

Wednesday we completed the theory worksheets. The students worked with partners and then altogether as a class. We corrected the note name portions in class and then clapped the time signature portions as a class. Progress reports were passed out to the students today.

Thursday we worked on the new music. The 6th graders learned one of their new songs all the way through. The 7/8th grade choir worked on all four songs.

Friday I let the kids vote on what we did because everyone had been participating all week. No surprise that they picked--to finish "Seven Brides For Seven Brothers"!

The choir shirts have been ordered and will be in October 10!

Third Week of School!

Hey folks! The choir program is up, running, and quite busy. This week we spent Monday, Tuesday and Thursday rehearsing for our first concert of the year. Each class has two songs that they are working on right now. The 7th/8th grade choir are going to have some rainmakers in their midst. The 6th grade choir is sounding really good on their two part pieces.

On Wednesday both choirs watched part of the PBS documentary JAZZ, directed by Kenneth Burns. We watched the first half of the second DVD. It talks about the beginnings of jazz in both Chicago and New York, introducing Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington and their music.

Friday we continued to watch "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". The scenes that seemed to be favorites were the dance off at the barn raising and the fight that insues. Friday was also the day the choir t-shirts were ordered. We will have them Oct. 10!

Second week of school!

This week was really busy in choir class. The kids continued working on Theory worksheets Monday and Tuesday. They were specifically about note names and note values. Ask you students what a quarter note, half note and whole note each look like. See if they can describe what each of the corresponding rests as well. You might also check to see if they remember where "A" on the treble clef or bass clef is located. It is always in the same place (2nd space and 1st space respectively).

Wednesday we had our first "Clappy duet". The students worked with partners on clapping five lines of a rhythm. Each student had their own rhythm line to clap while clapping against their partner's rhythm.

Thursday the kids performed the Clappy duet and vocalized to pick voice parts.

Friday was pretty exciting--both classes got their music. I passed out 2 songs this week and will be adding two more songs. Each choir will be singing four songs in the fall concert on Oct. 23. The kids are sounding great for their first try. That's what has impressed me with this group of kids, they're willing to try whether its right or not. Way to go!
Ms. Crain

First week of school!

The year has started out fabulously! All but two kids have turned in their contracts! If you did you have an "A" for choir, if you didn't you have a "F". On Wednesday we did a listening assignment, comparing and contrasting the "Ska" and "Reggae" music styles. On Thursday we worked on note name and rhythm worksheets. Friday we watched our first movie musical--"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". By watching the musicals we can start talking about careers in music and the arts.