Well, the holidays are over and it is back to regular business in the music room! Most of our classes are doing a review of a rhythmic or melodic element they learned just before the holidays. Kids learn a great deal about music concepts through singing, games and playing instruments in class. They are focused on correct posture for singing, following directions, multi-tasking and learning to collaborate to create a performance. When they come home and say they played a game, in music class, please know it is so much more! Hopefully you are hearing songs being sung at home, talking about improvisation, line and space notes, and yes...the recorder being played!

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends!!!  Please be sure to show off your recorder talents to visiting friends and family, too!!!

We will be wrapping up our recorder studies in 4th and 5th grades before Winter Break...jsut in time for 3rd grade to really get into it!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving, and safe travels to those who are doing so!

Welcome back to school!!!  We have one week gone already and I honestly have to say that it feels as though we've never left!

The kids have been working already--for the first time in 20 years we played instruments on the very first day.  I think this was one of my better ideas--they were so excited!! I am hopeful that we can continue that excitement as the year goes on.  Learning about music--how to create it, how to analyze it, how to perform it--is very important.  However, nothing is more important than coming to love it, whatever role it may play in your life.  Whether you play an instrument or just the radio, music plays some part in everyone's lives.  I hope to help our kids find the joy that only music can bring to life...while learning along the way!

Welcome back to our music class!  This time of year is always one of my favorite times in music class.  We have many new songs, 3rd graders are really starting to get into recorder, 5th graders are starting DARE songs, 4th graders are finishing up their rhythm study and heading into the science of sound and 2nd graders are just about to begin their study of instruments of the orchestra.  I love seeing the kids succeed in music--music truly is for everyone!  It has been a great year filled with musical discovery and already these first few days back after break have been jam packed with learning.  Please take a second to check out a specific grade level page to see more specifically what your child may be learning currently.  I am hopeful that he or she can tell you a little bit about what they've done, and please know that some of this stuff is pretty difficult!  I am really very proud of their work!!

Well, the Halloween celebrations are over and we are fully into fall--yea!  The kids have been doing some creative work in class and I really couldn't be more proud of their efforts so far.  I've added videos and pictures to all of the grade level pages so please if you have a minute go check them out!  

As the season continues we will really get into creating and responding to music performances in the older grades.  Third grade will begin its final prep for recorders, and hopefully they will make an appearance in time for some Hot Cross Buns music during winter break.  It takes some time to get started with them, so while that may seem a long way off, it'll be here before you can sing "Jingle Bells." :-)

It's almost that time!  All students in 3rd, 4th & 5th grade will be playing recorder during music classes this year.  Please look for an order form to come home soon with information regarding purchasing a recorder through the music department.  It is NOT MANDATORY that any child purchases a recorder--we have plenty school-owned instruments available for borrowing.  It is mandatory that all 3rd, 4th & 5th grade student play the recorder as it is a part of our elementary music curriculum.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.  Again, look for the order form to come home both electronically and hard copy in the coming days.

5th Grade Choir Sign-Up sheets went home yesterday both hard copy and electronically.  If your child is interested in being a part of our after-school group please complete the form and return it to school  no later than Friday, September 22.  Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 27 after school until 5pm.  :-)

Welcome back to school!!  Hopefully everyone is relaxed and ready to begin another school year.  We have worked very hard this summer preparing for our music classes and are very excited to see all of you.

Music classes are filled with opportunities for children to sing, dance, create, perform, and enjoy music all while learning the fundamentals of music.  In the music room, music is learned for the most part by doing.   For example, we learn about composers by actually composing.  Much of our time is spent playing instruments, dancing, and singing; however, we also play music games to help maintain interest and enthusiasm. We also take time to assess student knowledge and skill through age-appropriate worksheets and in-class performances. 
 
During music class students are expected to participate in all activities to the best of their ability.  Proper posture for singing is explained and encouraged as well as proper instrumental technique (holding mallets properly, treating the instruments kindly, etc).  Students are also expected to respect one another during music class, especially when classmates perform alone or in small groups.
 
 
While musical knowledge is important and stressed within the music room, we also feel that it is essential to instill a love of and an appreciation for music. We do take time to “sing for the sake of singing.”  Music is an inherent part of our history and culture. That being said, it is important that we take time to enjoy music for the art that it is.  Our curriculum is based upon the National Standards for Music Education, and in striving to teach to these standards, children have the opportunity to express their individual creativity, learn about music as a “science,” and share in the beauty of music as an art. It is our belief that by laying a strong foundation in our elementary general music classes we are setting students up for success within the many musical opportunities that lie ahead for them in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District.

On Saturday, June 25, 2016, the PSO is presenting a Sensory-Friendly performance entitled "Heroes and Inspirations."  They are planning several pre-performance activities, including a resource fair to help discover many of the accessible recreational activities in the Pittsburgh Region.  This performance is unique in that the house lights are left partially on, ear-plugs and fidgets are available to guests, and several other modifications to a typical performance that should help to make the overall experience of going to the symphony more enjoyable for those with sensory-related needs.  To read more about this exciting event and to access the pre-performance videos and Spotify links, please click the button below.  It will take you directly to the PSO's website where you can read more about the event, find out how to submit original artwork for the event, and purchase tickets should you choose to do so.  I am in no way encouraging anyone to go or to spend money, and I am not receiving anything from the PSO to spread the word.  I just really believe we are very fortunate to have a world-class orchestra here in Pittsburgh that is sensitive to the needs of all of its patrons and see this as a terrific opportunity for those who may otherwise not attend a performance to be able to do so.