Blending In and Standing Out, part II

Anyone working with children certainly appreciates the challenges of teaching meaningful lessons the week before a break.My answer to this quandary is to hand classes over to my students with something I call Share Day. Share Day in music is my absolute favorite time of the year … I invite every one of them to share a musical talent with their class. Sort of a mini-talent show, students are welcome to share a song, dance, instrument, or anything that may fall under the umbrella of Performing Arts. Even students who just want to see what it’s like to play piano or drum set or ukulele (or whatever!), get a chance to perform. I tell them “listen to your heart, play what you hear and try to give it a beginning, middle, and an end” This past week, as always, I was blown away, not only with the myriad performances, but also with how supportive and encouraging every one of them were for their classmates … It was absolutely beautiful … I wish I could share some footage with everyone, but that would negate everything I’m trying to foster. So, parents out there, please know your children are amazing and I am so incredibly grateful to know them When they are given a chance to shine they rise up ❤️

Mrs. Drake's class

Ms. Lopez's class

Mrs. Baxter's Class

June Share Days are coming!

Please click here to sign up for our June Share Days in Music!

Our first annual Evening of Fine Arts

Please join us this Thursday, June 13th, for our Evening of Art and Music! Everyone should come with their families. We will have food, music, art AND FREE RAFFLES!

We could still use volunteers and it's not too late to RSVP! Please follow the links below to help us make the evening a success.

Click HERE to RSVP

Click HERE to sign up to perform a musical selection!

Click HERE to volunteer!

First and Second Grade Violinists

The first and second graders have been thrilled to learn music through the violin for the past couple of weeks. An extension of our former primary string program, these violin mini-units (approx.8 weeks) provide our students with the unique opportunity to explore music making on an orchestral instrument.

The major goals of the unit include:
Fostering an appreciation of the string instruments
Developing fine motor skills through violin playing
Encouraging musicianship through performance
Understanding principals of tone production and affecting sounds of strings through finger placement

These early experience prepare our children for the third grade primary string program, with regular weekly large group lessons on the instrument, in addition to their regular general music classes once a week. I sincerely hope your child is enjoying our time on the violins as much as I enjoy introducing them to the violin

STONE SOUP---Important Date Change!

Due to scheduling conflicts and rehearsal time lost due to second grade CogAt testing last week, the Second Grade Musical Stone Soup's date has been post-poned until after spring break. Please note the new dates below:

Dress rehearsal:

Date:
Tuesday April 16
Time:
8:45-9:15 AM
Place:
Bear Tavern All-Purpose Room


Evening performance:

Date:
Tuesday, April 16
Time:
7:00-7:45 PM
Place:
Bear Tavern All-Purpose Room

Meanwhile, have a look at our beautiful backdrop designed by second grade parent Laura Oliver!

May Day 2013

Please plan to join us for our annual May Day celebration! The date for this year's festivities is Monday May 6, 2013. Fifth grade students are invited to sign up to participate in our traditional ribbon weaving dances around the May Pole. Permission slips are coming home this week for three after school rehearsals. They will be held on the following Wednesdays: April 17th, April 24th and May 1st.

Share Day is coming!

Please encourage your child to think of a musical talent they might like to share with their classmates during our special "Share Days" in music class. Beginning this Friday, March 22nd and every day next week (Monday 3/25-Thursday 3/28) all students in Ms. Dominick’s music classes grades 1-5 are encouraged to perform for their classmates. This could be in the form of a dance, singing a song, or performing a work on an instrument. Students of martial arts may wish to share some forms or sequences they’ve learned for their Share.

Performance is an important part of any musical training and also may inspire other classmates to learn something new. It is also a wonderful opportunity for students to feel pride in their accomplishment and hard work!

Please understand this is just for the class and not for any sort of formal “audience”—creating a safe place for students to perform is an important aspect of this day. The specific dates for each class are listed below.

All students planning to share should arrange to have any music, instruments and other special equipment with them on their share day. We have a piano available as well as a full drum set for students to use. I can play DVD’s of student performances as well as CD recordings if students have them available. Any equipment may be dropped off in music room 110 and will be completely safe and secure!

Thank you for your support and encouragement! I stress to the students this is a “want to” and not a “have to”. No one is required to perform—being a member of the audience is a valuable and inspiring experience too!

Homeroom Share Day
1 McCann Thursday 3/28
1 Novak Wednesday 3/27
1 Weidman Thursday 3/28

2 Lopez Wednesday 3/27
2 Drake Wednesday 3/27
2 McCarty Wednesday 3/27

3 Evans Friday 3/22
3 Wheeler Wednesday 3/27
3 Overman Tuesday 3/26
3 Machado Tuesday 3/26

4 Belford Friday 3/22
4 Miller Thursday 3/28
4 VanZandt Tuesday 3/26

5 Finnegan Tuesday 3/26
5 Farina Wednesday 3/27
5 Schaal Thursday 3/28
5 Virtucio Monday 3/25

Soup from a Stone? Fancy That!

Second graders have begun rehearsals for this year's second grade musical, Stone Soup! Our two shows are scheduled for: Tuesday March 26, 2013 2:45 PM and 7:00 PM Bear Tavern All Purpose Room Scripts, song sheets and a complete list of costume/prop needs are coming home this week. Thank you to the parents who have already volunteered to help--I really couldn't pull off a grade level show without your support! Hungry soldiers visit a sleepy town hoping for some food to eat and coax the villagers into making a soup that is "fit for a king" beginning with just two big stones!

PSO String Quartet

As part of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra's BRAVO education outreach program, all 2nd and 3rd graders will enjoy a visit from members of the string section on Tuesday January 22nd in the APR. The musicians will perform for the students and explore topics of timbre, harmony, melody and dynamics with them. In May, students in 3rd and 5th grade will travel to Richardson Auditorium on the campus of Princeton University for a full formal children's concert performance. More details and field trip permission slips will be sent home in April.