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 ❤️

Students in Fourth Grade music classes just finished composing and notating original songs for the recorder in G pentatonic. This week they began their unit on Instruments of the Orchestra. Students will learn about the method of sound production for each instrument and will design and create their own woodwind, string, brass, or percussion instrument.

BT Treble Makers and BT Family Night at Trenton Thunder!

The BT Treble Makers are scheduled to sing at this year's BT Family Night at The Trenton Thunder! We will sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch--please come on out and join the fun!

Click HERE for more information and to print out a ticket order form!

I Dream a World

Bear Tavern Elementary and Toll Gate Grammar School students presented “I Dream A World” on March 12 at the Hopewell Valley Performing Arts Center. The performance was the culmination of four weeks of study with artists-in-residence Pauline Houston McCall and Robb McCall of RaisingMusic.org in Philadelphia. During that time, the students crafted clay busts of their own faces and placed them on colorful mats where they wrote their dreams for a better world under the instruction of staff teachers and artist Houston McCall. Musically, the students composed and performed six songs with musician Robb McCall about how they could improve the world around them, dealing with issues such as homelessness and bullying. It was an enriching and enlightening experience for everyone! What a fantastic job done by all involved!

Mrs. Miller's 4th Grade

During our study of syncopation the students learned this clapping duet from the Orff volumes and made their own arrangement. The first line is played alone with students clicking the sticks, the second line is played alone tapping sticks on the floor, and then both lines performed together for the duet.

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!

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

PSO Percussion Trio Pictures!

The students really enjoyed their time with the percussion trio on Monday!

Princeton Symphony Orchestra BRAVO

The fourth grade enjoyed a visit from the percussion trio of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra on Monday 10/24. As part of their BRAVO education outreach program, musicians of the orchestra travel to local elementary schools and share their talents and knowledge with children in second through fourth grade. Pictures to come!