I teach general music to Felida's kindergarten through fifth graders. In general music we do a lot of singing, and playing percussion instruments. Through singing and playing instruments we learn some of the fundamentals  of music theory, as well as music history, and ear training. Where possible I integrate with the classroom teachers to reinforce what the kids are learning in class.

Some things happen every year.

     Every year the second graders have a big show. The theme of the show is different every year.

     The third graders also do a show every year. This year we will be going around the world in music and dance.

 In fourth grade we have a large poster project that starts in January.  We also learn how to play recorders; this usually starts in March. At the end of the year we learn pioneer songs to sing during the pioneer day

The fifth graders have a state test called the CBPA in spring. They learn a song for graduation, and I have some kids volunteer to play Pomp and Circumstance on the recorder.

At the start of each year I teach the entire school the Felida School Song, and The Star Spangled Banner. For fun you might ask your child if they can sing them for you.   

  Scientists have discovered that music training has significant influences on the brain development of young children leading to improved memory over the course of a year. The fact that musical training changes how the brain reacts to music might not be very surprising, but researchers also found that the musically trained children performed better in a memory test that is correlated with other skills such as literacy, verbal memory, spatial processing, mathematics and intelligence. (source, Softpedia)

 

It is so exciting to start a new year. I look forward to seeing your students, and teaching them about music. As the year progresses, I will inform you of the exciting things happening in music here at Felida.  

QUOTES "One ideal that music teaches us is how to get along with others. Consider the music I love: jazz. Each member of the group can improvise, but none of it works—for a soloist or an ensemble—if the musicians do not play in balance. If the drummer, who plays the loudest instrument, decides he wants to be much louder than the bassist, who has the softest instrument, you're going to have discord. This group dynamic teaches the importance of choice, and many choices require some form of sacrifice. You must listen. You must have a conversation. The group must work together to achieve its goals."  Wynton Marsalis ________________________________________________________________ "Wes Montgomery played impossible things on the guitar because it was never pointed out to him that they were impossible. " - Ronnie Scott - Jazz saxophone ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "The woods would be very silent if the only birds that sang were those who sang best..." - Henry David Thoreau

.The Fortepiano is the early version of the piano. It was invented by the Italian instrument maker Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700. It was the instrument for which Haydn, Mozart,  and  Beethoven wrote their piano music. Starting in Beethoven's time, the fortepiano began a period of steady evolution, culminating in the late 19th century with the modern grand piano. It was called the fortepiano because it was the first keyboard instrument that could play both loud (forte) and soft (piano) The name has been shortened, and now we just call this instrument, the piano.