First Graders arrangements of Autumn Leaves

First graders completed their unit study of quarter and paired eighth note rhythms with original arrangements in this rondo form composition entitled "Autumn Leaves." please click on the link below to hear each homeroom's unique version of the piece. Using the fall leaf colors of red, orange, gold, yellow and brown leaves, students worked in small groups to compose original rhythms to perform on unpitched percussion instruments. Our final performance of their leaf compositions was filled out with the students singing the song "Autumn Leaves" in between each group's 8-measure compositions.

An interesting idea for our school

I love the idea of spontaneous music making and always appreciate visiting a playground with musical exploration opportunities with my own children.

Source: creativestarlearning.blogspot.com via Britt on Pinterest

PSO BRAVO! Percussion to Visit on October 4th

The PSO BRAVO! Percussion Trio will visit Bear Tavern on October 4 at 9:00 a.m., and present a teaching performance for the fourth graders.  Including xylophone, drum kit, timpani, ratchets, bells, and even pots and pans, this fun and interactive introduction to orchestral instruments has been offered to us as a grant from the Princeton Symphony Orchestra for many years, and is always a big hit with students and teachers. Be sure to ask your fourth graders how they liked it! If your schedule permits, please come hear the program in the music room! Parents are welcome, please remember to sign in at the main office!

Welcome Back!

September has come and gone and our music classes are in full swing! Kindergarteners and first graders are working on keeping a steady beat while singing, moving and playing instruments. They love to play on the instruments and are always excited to explore music on the barred xylophones. Sounds our voices can make and thinking about music changing speed (tempo) are common goals each week, as well as connecting to the weekly theme in their homerooms. The Tree Song, by Peter and Mary Alice Amidon and Andy Davis, is a favorite and provides wonderful space for peaceful movement, stretching and thinking about the change of seasons. In second grade third grades we are focusing on melody, pitch, melodic direction and reading notated music. Second graders are working collaboratively to create rhythmic speech patterns to perform on un-pitched percussion instruments; third graders are improvising using notes in the C pentatonic scale and the rhythm of the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill. Singing and sight-reading pitches on the staff are also among our goals each week. Fourth and Fifth graders are exploring music and how it relates to them in their daily lives. Defining music, the power of music and ways music connects people in communities have engaged students in thoughtful conversations with one another. All students in upper elementary are beginning small group composition projects to be written, rehearsed and performed for their classes at the end of Unit 1. Students will begin using GarageBand to create unique arrangements and compositions for this creative unit project.

May Day!

The rain came in the morning of May 1st but was finished just in time for our annual May Day celebration. The moment the second graders stepped out for their dance, the clouds floated away and we had blue, sunny skies!Please check out the podcastof all the dances and ribbon weaving.

Brass Quintet Visit 5th Grade

The 5th graders thoroughly enjoyed their time with the Brass Quintet from the Princeton Symphony Orchestra

All 5th graders and 3rd graders will travel to Richardson Auditorium on the campus of Princeton University to hear the full orchestra perform Peter and the Wolf in May.

Princeton Symphony Woodwind Trio

Second graders were treated to a mini-concert with members of the woodwind section of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday January 18th. They were captivated by the bassoon, oboe and clarinet and enjoyed listening to the performers playing for them!

BT Winter Music Notes Newsletter

Please follow the link below to see the most recent issue of BT Music Notes!

Bear Tavern Winter Music Notes