What a great job everyone did at the concerts that were performed in the last 24 hours! I am very proud of all of the students--we have been working hard on our songs since the beginning of November!
Take some time off, relax, have a wonderful 2 weeks off with your family, and I look forward to seeing you back in early January with some new ideas and concepts!
Happy holidays!
Mrs. Miller
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Program information
Hi everyone!
We are knee deep in preparation for the December programs! Please keep an eye on the weekly NewsFlashes so you can stay up to date on what is going on.
Here is the information:
Advent Program: Monday, December 17th at 6:30pm in the church, doors will open at 6pm
Please drop off your student in their classroom by 6:15pm so they can walk over to the church as a class.
Clothing: Dress up! A clean uniform is great, but if you want to wear something different, here are a few reminders for that evening: NO jeans of any kind, no sweatshirts, sweatpants, graphic t-shirts or shirts with words on them.
Middle School Program: Tuesday, December 18th at 11:15am in the gym
Grades 6-8 are gearing up to sing and play their instruments for you!
A few reminders:
BAND students: please bring a labeled folding stand to school that day (if you have one)
ALL students: you have been given the opportunity to wear NICE free dress that day! Please use the same guidelines as the Advent program.
I look forward to seeing all of you on campus for these wonderful events in a few weeks!
Happy (almost) Advent!
Mrs. Miller
We are knee deep in preparation for the December programs! Please keep an eye on the weekly NewsFlashes so you can stay up to date on what is going on.
Here is the information:
Advent Program: Monday, December 17th at 6:30pm in the church, doors will open at 6pm
Please drop off your student in their classroom by 6:15pm so they can walk over to the church as a class.
Clothing: Dress up! A clean uniform is great, but if you want to wear something different, here are a few reminders for that evening: NO jeans of any kind, no sweatshirts, sweatpants, graphic t-shirts or shirts with words on them.
Middle School Program: Tuesday, December 18th at 11:15am in the gym
Grades 6-8 are gearing up to sing and play their instruments for you!
A few reminders:
BAND students: please bring a labeled folding stand to school that day (if you have one)
ALL students: you have been given the opportunity to wear NICE free dress that day! Please use the same guidelines as the Advent program.
I look forward to seeing all of you on campus for these wonderful events in a few weeks!
Happy (almost) Advent!
Mrs. Miller
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Concert Prep!
Here we go! It's November and all of the students are getting prepared for the December concerts!
Upcoming events:
Advent Program: Monday, December 17th at 6:30pm in the church for grades PreK-5th
Middle School Winter Program: Tuesday, December 18th at 11:15am in the school gym for grades 6-8
Please make sure that I know in advance if your child cannot be at the concerts! Also check the weekly NewsFlash for more information.
By now, all of the students have the words to their songs or the sheet music. I strongly encourage everyone to practice at home so they can remember the songs!
On a different topic: watch the 7/8 music students perform tomorrow at our Veteran's Day assembly!
Let me know if you have any questions about the concerts!
Mrs. Miller
Upcoming events:
Advent Program: Monday, December 17th at 6:30pm in the church for grades PreK-5th
Middle School Winter Program: Tuesday, December 18th at 11:15am in the school gym for grades 6-8
Please make sure that I know in advance if your child cannot be at the concerts! Also check the weekly NewsFlash for more information.
By now, all of the students have the words to their songs or the sheet music. I strongly encourage everyone to practice at home so they can remember the songs!
On a different topic: watch the 7/8 music students perform tomorrow at our Veteran's Day assembly!
Let me know if you have any questions about the concerts!
Mrs. Miller
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
October
Midway through October here is what is going on in the music room:
Singing in kindergarten and moving to the tempo
Rhythm identification in 1st and 2nd grade
Lummi sticks in 3rd grade
Boomwhackers in 4th grade
Recorders and Mass prep in 5th grade. Great job singing student cantors at our last All School Mass!
We had our first quiz this month on our band instruments in 6th grade!
7/8 music: singing and learning more about Gospel music.
7 band: Concert B flat scale, eighth note/rest rhythms
8 band: Chromatics and reviewing how scales are set up.
The transition to Halloween music and Holiday program songs is coming soon!
Let me know if you have any questions! It is wonderful to see your child in my room!
Mrs. Miller
Singing in kindergarten and moving to the tempo
Rhythm identification in 1st and 2nd grade
Lummi sticks in 3rd grade
Boomwhackers in 4th grade
Recorders and Mass prep in 5th grade. Great job singing student cantors at our last All School Mass!
We had our first quiz this month on our band instruments in 6th grade!
7/8 music: singing and learning more about Gospel music.
7 band: Concert B flat scale, eighth note/rest rhythms
8 band: Chromatics and reviewing how scales are set up.
The transition to Halloween music and Holiday program songs is coming soon!
Let me know if you have any questions! It is wonderful to see your child in my room!
Mrs. Miller
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
September!
Is September almost over already? So much has been going on at school between Sausage Fest, Rachel's challenge, and teaching that the month has flown by!
A few things that are happening right now:
Kinders: are singing songs that involve steady beat and movement
1st/2nd graders: are signing songs that are reviewing what rounds are and adding instruments keep the beat.
3rd graders: are reviewing rhythm by using Lummi sticks. They are having a great time!
4th graders: are using Boomwhackers to review and learn the notes on the music staff. This is critical once we start to play the recorders in January.
5th graders: we have been getting used to our new role as the choir for All School Mass! We are also reviewing notes/rhythms since we'll be using our recorders starting next week.
6th graders: BAND!! Honking and squeaking are prevalent right now, but there has been so much improvement--keep it up!
7/8 music students: we have been learning more about spirituals along with Mass prep this month. A short quiz next week will close that unit before we start a new one.
7th band: We have started where we left off last year and are learning more about the upper register for the clarinet. Ask your student what "grenadilla" means. =)
8th band: Year 3! We are finishing up sixteenth note combinations and soon will really work on how scales work--both major and minor.
It has been so wonderful to see so many parents this month and catch up! Let me know if you have any questions!
Mrs. Miller
A few things that are happening right now:
Kinders: are singing songs that involve steady beat and movement
1st/2nd graders: are signing songs that are reviewing what rounds are and adding instruments keep the beat.
3rd graders: are reviewing rhythm by using Lummi sticks. They are having a great time!
4th graders: are using Boomwhackers to review and learn the notes on the music staff. This is critical once we start to play the recorders in January.
5th graders: we have been getting used to our new role as the choir for All School Mass! We are also reviewing notes/rhythms since we'll be using our recorders starting next week.
6th graders: BAND!! Honking and squeaking are prevalent right now, but there has been so much improvement--keep it up!
7/8 music students: we have been learning more about spirituals along with Mass prep this month. A short quiz next week will close that unit before we start a new one.
7th band: We have started where we left off last year and are learning more about the upper register for the clarinet. Ask your student what "grenadilla" means. =)
8th band: Year 3! We are finishing up sixteenth note combinations and soon will really work on how scales work--both major and minor.
It has been so wonderful to see so many parents this month and catch up! Let me know if you have any questions!
Mrs. Miller
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Welcome back!
Happy start of the school year!
I hope everyone had a nice summer filled with family time, outdoor activities, and sunshine!
So far, I have seen most of the students in the building and can't wait to sing, play instruments, and move to music with them!
This week, beginning of the school year notes are going home to all students. The letter addresses grading, expectations, and performances for the year. Grades 5-8 are to sign and return their letters by the end of next week as an assignment in my gradebook.
As the year progresses, I'll update all of you on what is happening in each grade and post reminders about performances.
Hope all is going well this first week of school and have a great Labor day weekend! I look forward to working with you and your child this school year!
Mrs. Miller
I hope everyone had a nice summer filled with family time, outdoor activities, and sunshine!
So far, I have seen most of the students in the building and can't wait to sing, play instruments, and move to music with them!
This week, beginning of the school year notes are going home to all students. The letter addresses grading, expectations, and performances for the year. Grades 5-8 are to sign and return their letters by the end of next week as an assignment in my gradebook.
As the year progresses, I'll update all of you on what is happening in each grade and post reminders about performances.
Hope all is going well this first week of school and have a great Labor day weekend! I look forward to working with you and your child this school year!
Mrs. Miller
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
June
How is it the end of the year comes so fast? So many wonderful activities have happened in the music room, but I am ready for a little rest, to be outside and play with my family, and start thinking about next year.
The last big event in the music room was the Junior Rose Festival parade last Wednesday. How did we get lucky enough to have the one dry day last week? We were lucky.
Well, we did a great job and it was a fantastic experience for all of our 6th/7th grade band students. They received a Silver rank in the non-competitive section of the parade! Nice job!
I hope that all of you have had a great school year and I look forward to seeing you in late August!
Mrs. Miller
The last big event in the music room was the Junior Rose Festival parade last Wednesday. How did we get lucky enough to have the one dry day last week? We were lucky.
Well, we did a great job and it was a fantastic experience for all of our 6th/7th grade band students. They received a Silver rank in the non-competitive section of the parade! Nice job!
I hope that all of you have had a great school year and I look forward to seeing you in late August!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, May 25, 2012
Performance
Shine and Show! I hope that you enjoyed hearing your Prek, 1, 2, 3, 4 grade students singing or playing their recorder in the cafeteria last night! It was fun to have the kids singing songs that reflected the theme of "Hollywood."
Upcoming events:
Band students: the Junior Rose Festival Parade is a little under 2 weeks away! Last minute reminders will be sent home on Wednesday and I hope that you are getting as excited as I am to perform! Please make sure that you are able to come to these last 3 practices--especially since OLL will be here with us.
The end of the school year is coming and I look forward to all of the special end of the year events that our school does: Jog a thon, Field day......Graduation....
Look forward to seeing all of you at school the next few weeks!
Mrs. Miller
Upcoming events:
Band students: the Junior Rose Festival Parade is a little under 2 weeks away! Last minute reminders will be sent home on Wednesday and I hope that you are getting as excited as I am to perform! Please make sure that you are able to come to these last 3 practices--especially since OLL will be here with us.
The end of the school year is coming and I look forward to all of the special end of the year events that our school does: Jog a thon, Field day......Graduation....
Look forward to seeing all of you at school the next few weeks!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, May 4, 2012
Shine and Show!
Our next performance!
PreK, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will be in the cafeteria performing Hollywood themed music (except for the 4th grade, they're playing their recorders).
Look out for the letter that your child will receive next week with more information!
Mrs. Miller
PreK, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders will be in the cafeteria performing Hollywood themed music (except for the 4th grade, they're playing their recorders).
Look out for the letter that your child will receive next week with more information!
Mrs. Miller
Spring performances!
Whew! Last week was busy!
The Middle School concert went very well! It was great to see that all of the work they had put in paid off! They performed twice; once for the students in the afternoon and once in the evening for their parents.
The next morning, the 7th grade band drove off to Battle Ground and performed as a school in front of judges and also combined with all of the other schools there to rehearse and perform a concert for their families. What a great experience for them! I can't wait to have them go next year!
Update on what the middle schoolers will be working on now: band students are heading back into the book as well as getting ready for the Junior Rose Festival parade next month.
The 7th grade music students are going to spend this month learning more about opera and the 8th grade students are going to work on a final project for me.
Good to see so man parents last week at the concert! I hope you enjoyed it!
Happy May!
Mrs. Miller
The Middle School concert went very well! It was great to see that all of the work they had put in paid off! They performed twice; once for the students in the afternoon and once in the evening for their parents.
The next morning, the 7th grade band drove off to Battle Ground and performed as a school in front of judges and also combined with all of the other schools there to rehearse and perform a concert for their families. What a great experience for them! I can't wait to have them go next year!
Update on what the middle schoolers will be working on now: band students are heading back into the book as well as getting ready for the Junior Rose Festival parade next month.
The 7th grade music students are going to spend this month learning more about opera and the 8th grade students are going to work on a final project for me.
Good to see so man parents last week at the concert! I hope you enjoyed it!
Happy May!
Mrs. Miller
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Spring part 2
K-5 news!
Kinders: We are working on really noticing the difference between high, middle, and low notes in a song. Our songs have been using only 3-5 pitches so this is making it easier to identify them. The other concept is that we are working on long and short sounding notes in a song. Today for example we looked to see what the pattern was in the song we were using and clapping the short and long notes!
1st grade: We have been using our ears a lot this winter! The students have been introduced the the instrument families and what happens to the sound when the instrument is big or small!
2nd grade: This month, the 2nd graders have been working on rhythm on the lummi sticks. They have been using a CD for verbal directions, or rhythm flashcards to play the rhythm correctly. We are getting good at identifying notes!
3rd grade: After some time back on the lummi sticks, the 3rd grade is working on reading music using plastic pitched tubes called Boomwhacers.We are gradually introducing new notes so we can play more music!
4th grade: Recorders have taken over our year! We are currently working on ties, and reading/playing 7 different notes on our recorder. What a world away from playing Hot Cross Buns in January.
5th grade: The main focus of this spring is different types of ensembles. The Oregon Symphony started this, we are singing/discussing vocal ensembles now, and will get to band ensembles right before our instrument essay in May. Keep working on identifying those instrument and voice types!
Our next concert isn't until the end of May for most of these grades. I'll keep you posted as to when and where your child will perform next.
Happy Spring!
Mrs. Miller
Kinders: We are working on really noticing the difference between high, middle, and low notes in a song. Our songs have been using only 3-5 pitches so this is making it easier to identify them. The other concept is that we are working on long and short sounding notes in a song. Today for example we looked to see what the pattern was in the song we were using and clapping the short and long notes!
1st grade: We have been using our ears a lot this winter! The students have been introduced the the instrument families and what happens to the sound when the instrument is big or small!
2nd grade: This month, the 2nd graders have been working on rhythm on the lummi sticks. They have been using a CD for verbal directions, or rhythm flashcards to play the rhythm correctly. We are getting good at identifying notes!
3rd grade: After some time back on the lummi sticks, the 3rd grade is working on reading music using plastic pitched tubes called Boomwhacers.We are gradually introducing new notes so we can play more music!
4th grade: Recorders have taken over our year! We are currently working on ties, and reading/playing 7 different notes on our recorder. What a world away from playing Hot Cross Buns in January.
5th grade: The main focus of this spring is different types of ensembles. The Oregon Symphony started this, we are singing/discussing vocal ensembles now, and will get to band ensembles right before our instrument essay in May. Keep working on identifying those instrument and voice types!
Our next concert isn't until the end of May for most of these grades. I'll keep you posted as to when and where your child will perform next.
Happy Spring!
Mrs. Miller
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Springtime!
So many things going on right now in the music room!
Springtime in the music room means that the middle schoolers are preparing for their concert!
Reminder that our Middle School Spring concert is a mandatory event for all 6-8th grade students.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 2:15pm and 6:30pm
Other upcoming middle school events:
Middle School Festival--7th grade band only
Friday, April 27th ALL day
We will be adjudicated on two pieces of music and are also preparing 4 other pieces for the festival. The day is broken into two pieces: adjudication and rehearsal for these 4 pieces. At the end of the day, the students participating in this event perform a concert!
Junior Rose Festival Parade
6th/7th band students
Wednesday, June 6th at 1pm in Portland
Starting after spring break, all of the students will be participating in weekly rehearsals after school!
Information has been sent out for these events, but more will be coming as we get closer to them.
I'm so excited to give these opportunities to the middle schoolers!
Mrs. Miller
Springtime in the music room means that the middle schoolers are preparing for their concert!
Reminder that our Middle School Spring concert is a mandatory event for all 6-8th grade students.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 2:15pm and 6:30pm
Other upcoming middle school events:
Middle School Festival--7th grade band only
Friday, April 27th ALL day
We will be adjudicated on two pieces of music and are also preparing 4 other pieces for the festival. The day is broken into two pieces: adjudication and rehearsal for these 4 pieces. At the end of the day, the students participating in this event perform a concert!
Junior Rose Festival Parade
6th/7th band students
Wednesday, June 6th at 1pm in Portland
Starting after spring break, all of the students will be participating in weekly rehearsals after school!
Information has been sent out for these events, but more will be coming as we get closer to them.
I'm so excited to give these opportunities to the middle schoolers!
Mrs. Miller
Sunday, January 29, 2012
January
Hello!
Happy Catholic School's week! I look forward to seeing all of you off and on this week. Last night's Dad's Spaghetti dinner and Night of Entertainment was fantastic and can't wait to participate in all of the activities planned for us this week.
Highlights for the month:
K-3rd: We have spend the month doing two things: learning about different cultures through song and story and getting ready for our Friday performance for our Grandparents/Special friends! Come check out the performance Friday morning!
4th: RECORDERS! We are working our way through the Recorder Karate book. So far Hot Cross Buns has been an instant hit and look forward to seeing how the students do with the rest of the songs. Please make sure to have your 4th grade student practicing 3 times a week for 5-10 minutes.
5th: We are working on the structure of music. What kind of pattern does it have? How can we identify those patterns?
4th/5th grade parents: Permission forms will go home next week about our OR Symphony trip.
6th: Back to the book we go after our first concert in December. This month and next we really get through some pages in the band book. Beware of quizzes!
7th band: Back to the book for us as well! We are getting some much needed new rhythms--16th notes--under our belts as well as some new scales. Also beware of quizzes!
6/7 band: We are marching!!! Junior Rose Festival parade here we come! Put Wednesday, June 6th at 1pm on your calendars! Watch out for a note home in the coming weeks that will discuss marching practice.
7/8 music: European music history is our theme this winter. We are taking notes, watching videos, singing songs all based on music that has been around the last few hundred years.
Have a great CSW week!
Mrs. Miller
Happy Catholic School's week! I look forward to seeing all of you off and on this week. Last night's Dad's Spaghetti dinner and Night of Entertainment was fantastic and can't wait to participate in all of the activities planned for us this week.
Highlights for the month:
K-3rd: We have spend the month doing two things: learning about different cultures through song and story and getting ready for our Friday performance for our Grandparents/Special friends! Come check out the performance Friday morning!
4th: RECORDERS! We are working our way through the Recorder Karate book. So far Hot Cross Buns has been an instant hit and look forward to seeing how the students do with the rest of the songs. Please make sure to have your 4th grade student practicing 3 times a week for 5-10 minutes.
5th: We are working on the structure of music. What kind of pattern does it have? How can we identify those patterns?
4th/5th grade parents: Permission forms will go home next week about our OR Symphony trip.
6th: Back to the book we go after our first concert in December. This month and next we really get through some pages in the band book. Beware of quizzes!
7th band: Back to the book for us as well! We are getting some much needed new rhythms--16th notes--under our belts as well as some new scales. Also beware of quizzes!
6/7 band: We are marching!!! Junior Rose Festival parade here we come! Put Wednesday, June 6th at 1pm on your calendars! Watch out for a note home in the coming weeks that will discuss marching practice.
7/8 music: European music history is our theme this winter. We are taking notes, watching videos, singing songs all based on music that has been around the last few hundred years.
Have a great CSW week!
Mrs. Miller
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