Concert season is here!
Reminders for all:
Grades K-5: Advent Program
Monday, December 16th at 6:30pm
Doors to the classrooms and church open at 6pm
Clothing: uniform or NICER! NO Jeans, sweatshirts/pants, graphic t-shirts
Grades 6-8: Middle School Winter Program
Friday, December 20th at 11:15am in the gym
Can't wait to see your children perform and to see you in the audience!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, December 13, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thanksgiving!
Hi everyone,
Happy almost end of the trimester! A quick reminder about grading: grades K-4 receive the 4-1 on skills and participation as well as a comment, and 5-8 receive a letter grade, a 4-1 on skills and participation and a lovely comment. Remember that a 2 in the skills department is FINE--as the year progresses that skills number will go up since they will learn more grade necessary skills. Keep an eye out for the report cards in the next week or so! Let me know if you have any questions about your student's grade.
Advent prep is going well--the students should know both of their songs by now and we are just working on the final blessing song as well as the song that we sing while classes are getting off and on the altar. Hopefully you are hearing the songs at home!
Middle school program: Christmas is on the way! All of these grades are working hard in class and at home practicing what they will perform in a few weeks.
Please make sure to email/contact me if your child will not be at these programs, this is our focus this month and next, so they will lose points for not being there without having a note (being sick is unplanned of course and we can talk about makeup assignments at that time).
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving---see you next week at the start of the second trimester!
Mrs. Miller
Happy almost end of the trimester! A quick reminder about grading: grades K-4 receive the 4-1 on skills and participation as well as a comment, and 5-8 receive a letter grade, a 4-1 on skills and participation and a lovely comment. Remember that a 2 in the skills department is FINE--as the year progresses that skills number will go up since they will learn more grade necessary skills. Keep an eye out for the report cards in the next week or so! Let me know if you have any questions about your student's grade.
Advent prep is going well--the students should know both of their songs by now and we are just working on the final blessing song as well as the song that we sing while classes are getting off and on the altar. Hopefully you are hearing the songs at home!
Middle school program: Christmas is on the way! All of these grades are working hard in class and at home practicing what they will perform in a few weeks.
Please make sure to email/contact me if your child will not be at these programs, this is our focus this month and next, so they will lose points for not being there without having a note (being sick is unplanned of course and we can talk about makeup assignments at that time).
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving---see you next week at the start of the second trimester!
Mrs. Miller
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Preparing......
Hi!
'Tis November and in the music room that means that we are preparing for our December performances! Grades K-5 are learning their Advent program songs (the theme is "Sing out to the Lord!") and grades 6-8 are working on their Winter program music which is Christmas oriented.
EVERYONE has music to learn in class, but reinforcement at home is necessary! All grades have either the words to their songs at home, or sheet music to practice on their instruments. Please encourage your child to work at home! What we do in class then becomes the homework between classes, so practice those songs at home! =)
As we get closer to the programs, I will include reminders, but for now....put these dates on your home calendars/phones!
Advent Program:
Monday, December 16th at 6:30pm
Church
Middle School Winter Program
Friday, December 20th at 11:15am
School gym
Please let me know with an email or note if your child is not going to be at the program---I hand out makeup assignments to those who are gone for these programs since this is a graded event for music class.
Hope that you begin to hear the songs in your house soon!
Mrs. Miller
'Tis November and in the music room that means that we are preparing for our December performances! Grades K-5 are learning their Advent program songs (the theme is "Sing out to the Lord!") and grades 6-8 are working on their Winter program music which is Christmas oriented.
EVERYONE has music to learn in class, but reinforcement at home is necessary! All grades have either the words to their songs at home, or sheet music to practice on their instruments. Please encourage your child to work at home! What we do in class then becomes the homework between classes, so practice those songs at home! =)
As we get closer to the programs, I will include reminders, but for now....put these dates on your home calendars/phones!
Advent Program:
Monday, December 16th at 6:30pm
Church
Middle School Winter Program
Friday, December 20th at 11:15am
School gym
Please let me know with an email or note if your child is not going to be at the program---I hand out makeup assignments to those who are gone for these programs since this is a graded event for music class.
Hope that you begin to hear the songs in your house soon!
Mrs. Miller
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
October
Hi all,
How is it that I have been back a few weeks already? Time does go by fast!
A few things:
Upcoming concerts:
Monday December 16th at 6:30pm is the Advent Program for grades K-5
Friday, December 20th at 11:15am is the Middle School Program for grades 6-8
In class:
www.quavermusic.com
Many grades have been introduced to Quaver and his marvelous world of music. There are 30 units that will be used throughout the years for different grades and there is a free online component! Once you sign up, you can play music games, create music, and save what you have done! Eventually I would like to have the older students utilize the website at home and also complete assignments for me. I am excited to use this program and it's all thanks to the Archdiocese Fulcrum Foundation Star Teacher grant that I was awarded last May. Check out the website and see what we have been doing in class!
Keep an eye on this blog, there will be more regular postings now that I am back into the swing of things here at school.
Have a great week and happy early Halloween!
Mrs. Miller
How is it that I have been back a few weeks already? Time does go by fast!
A few things:
Upcoming concerts:
Monday December 16th at 6:30pm is the Advent Program for grades K-5
Friday, December 20th at 11:15am is the Middle School Program for grades 6-8
In class:
www.quavermusic.com
Many grades have been introduced to Quaver and his marvelous world of music. There are 30 units that will be used throughout the years for different grades and there is a free online component! Once you sign up, you can play music games, create music, and save what you have done! Eventually I would like to have the older students utilize the website at home and also complete assignments for me. I am excited to use this program and it's all thanks to the Archdiocese Fulcrum Foundation Star Teacher grant that I was awarded last May. Check out the website and see what we have been doing in class!
Keep an eye on this blog, there will be more regular postings now that I am back into the swing of things here at school.
Have a great week and happy early Halloween!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, May 24, 2013
Shine and Show!
What a night--Ms. Larkin sure knows how to transform our school! The Ancient Greece themed Shine and Show was a wonderful night which started the moment we walked into the school.
The PreK, 1-4 graders did a great job singing music from the movie "Hercules" for their parents and I always enjoy the runway filled with the unique style of our 5th, K/8th graders.
Can't wait to see what the theme will be next year!
As the year starts to wind down, make sure that your middle schooler turns in all tests, projects, and assignments on time. Two days late means that they receive a zero in the gradebook!
I'll keep you posted on any other major projects that the kids are doing in the final weeks of school.
Have a great 3 day weekend!
Mrs. Miller
The PreK, 1-4 graders did a great job singing music from the movie "Hercules" for their parents and I always enjoy the runway filled with the unique style of our 5th, K/8th graders.
Can't wait to see what the theme will be next year!
As the year starts to wind down, make sure that your middle schooler turns in all tests, projects, and assignments on time. Two days late means that they receive a zero in the gradebook!
I'll keep you posted on any other major projects that the kids are doing in the final weeks of school.
Have a great 3 day weekend!
Mrs. Miller
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Middle School
While the younger students are getting ready to perform next week, here is what grades 5-8 are up to:
5th grade: Instrument essay! We have been working for 2 weeks on it and it is due on Monday, May 20th! This is a huge part of their 3rd trimester grade!
6th/7th band: back to the book, but will be talking about next year's band/music choices on Wed, May 22nd
7th music: We have been discussing Musicals this month. The test will be on Wed, May 29th and we will also be talking about next year's band/music choice on May 22nd.
8th: all are completing a 8-16 measure composition to be performed in class the last week of May.
All of the final assignments are being completed in class, so hopefully your child is not getting stressed about these final items in music!
If you have any other questions, please let me know!
Mrs. Miller
5th grade: Instrument essay! We have been working for 2 weeks on it and it is due on Monday, May 20th! This is a huge part of their 3rd trimester grade!
6th/7th band: back to the book, but will be talking about next year's band/music choices on Wed, May 22nd
7th music: We have been discussing Musicals this month. The test will be on Wed, May 29th and we will also be talking about next year's band/music choice on May 22nd.
8th: all are completing a 8-16 measure composition to be performed in class the last week of May.
All of the final assignments are being completed in class, so hopefully your child is not getting stressed about these final items in music!
If you have any other questions, please let me know!
Mrs. Miller
Shine and Show
Here are the details for next week's Shine and Show performance for grades PreK, 1-4:
Thursday, May 23rd at 6pm in the cafeteria
6pm: meet downstairs to start getting ready
IF you are there before 6pm, please make sure that students stay with their parents! Thanks!
6:15pm: we start singing songs from Hercules
6:40ish: we are done! Make sure to collect your student and then look at the rest of the artwork around the main building!
7pm (roughly): Recycled fashion show in the gym
I look forward to seeing everyone next Thursday!
Mrs. Miller
Thursday, May 23rd at 6pm in the cafeteria
6pm: meet downstairs to start getting ready
IF you are there before 6pm, please make sure that students stay with their parents! Thanks!
6:15pm: we start singing songs from Hercules
6:40ish: we are done! Make sure to collect your student and then look at the rest of the artwork around the main building!
7pm (roughly): Recycled fashion show in the gym
I look forward to seeing everyone next Thursday!
Mrs. Miller
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Upcoming events
What a great performances we had last Thursday from the Middle School students!
Grades 6-8 performed in front of the school in the afternoon and came back that evening to play/sing for their parents. I am proud of all of them and hope that you enjoyed the music!
Next up to perform....PreK, 1st-4th grade!
Shine and Show
Thursday, May 23rd from 6-8pm!
Come see the artwork, hear the younger students sing, and watch the fashion show!
This week I sent home a letter discussing what the younger students will be performing that night, a timeline of when they are performing, and on the back, words for their songs.
These students have started to work on the songs and I can't wait to hear all of these Hercules songs come to life in the cafeteria in 3 weeks!
Watch the NewsFlash for reminders starting next week and I hope to see you there!
Grades 6-8 performed in front of the school in the afternoon and came back that evening to play/sing for their parents. I am proud of all of them and hope that you enjoyed the music!
Next up to perform....PreK, 1st-4th grade!
Shine and Show
Thursday, May 23rd from 6-8pm!
Come see the artwork, hear the younger students sing, and watch the fashion show!
This week I sent home a letter discussing what the younger students will be performing that night, a timeline of when they are performing, and on the back, words for their songs.
These students have started to work on the songs and I can't wait to hear all of these Hercules songs come to life in the cafeteria in 3 weeks!
Watch the NewsFlash for reminders starting next week and I hope to see you there!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Festival and Upcoming performances!
Band festival!
Wow! What a field trip! The 7th grade band students were gone all day last Friday rehearsing with 100 other middle school students on 4 pieces that we brought with us. They worked with guest conductors to rehearse the pieces and those conductors heard us as a group of 17 perform 2 pieces that we brought with us. At the end of the day, we had a concert that a lot of parents were able to attend. I really enjoy giving this experience to the students since they can be part of a large group, hear instruments that we don't have in our group, and work with other middle schoolers from other schools. I can't wait to participate in this event next year!
Thanks to the drivers as well as the two parents who stayed all day! Mrs. Prescott and Mrs. Sandstrom made sure that I was eating and drinking all day!
Upcoming performances:
Middle School Spring Concert!
Thursday, April 25th at 2:!5pm and 6:30pm in the gym
Details:
Students may wear NICE free dress that day to school
Band students are to bring a labeled folding music stand (if they have one) to school that day
Please be back to the school at 6:10pm to warm up before the performance
This is a mandatory event! If there is a conflict, please let me know!
Can't wait for the middle schoolers to show you what they have been working on!
Shine and Show
Thursday, May 23rd from 6-8pm
Enjoy all of the artwork throughout the school, check out the recycled fashion show, and see grades PreK, 1-4 perform songs in the cafeteria!
A letter will be going home at the beginning of May with more details.
Wow! What a field trip! The 7th grade band students were gone all day last Friday rehearsing with 100 other middle school students on 4 pieces that we brought with us. They worked with guest conductors to rehearse the pieces and those conductors heard us as a group of 17 perform 2 pieces that we brought with us. At the end of the day, we had a concert that a lot of parents were able to attend. I really enjoy giving this experience to the students since they can be part of a large group, hear instruments that we don't have in our group, and work with other middle schoolers from other schools. I can't wait to participate in this event next year!
Thanks to the drivers as well as the two parents who stayed all day! Mrs. Prescott and Mrs. Sandstrom made sure that I was eating and drinking all day!
Upcoming performances:
Middle School Spring Concert!
Thursday, April 25th at 2:!5pm and 6:30pm in the gym
Details:
Students may wear NICE free dress that day to school
Band students are to bring a labeled folding music stand (if they have one) to school that day
Please be back to the school at 6:10pm to warm up before the performance
This is a mandatory event! If there is a conflict, please let me know!
Can't wait for the middle schoolers to show you what they have been working on!
Shine and Show
Thursday, May 23rd from 6-8pm
Enjoy all of the artwork throughout the school, check out the recycled fashion show, and see grades PreK, 1-4 perform songs in the cafeteria!
A letter will be going home at the beginning of May with more details.
Friday, March 29, 2013
March!
Hello everyone!
March has flown by! So many activities in the music classroom keep me busy that time flies by!
K/1: have been singing a lot and working on volume and tempo
2nd: using Lummi sticks to work on reading and playing rhythm
3rd: used Boomwhackers to start reading music on the staff and now are getting ready for the Barnes and Noble book fair! (see below)
4th: Recorders.....keep on practicing consistently and we are getting much better!
5th: harmony and Mass singing are our main topics right now
6-8: Concert prep! (see below)
Upcoming events:
7th grade band---Middle School Band festival on Friday, April 12th in Battle Ground
Last year was the first time that I took a band to this event and it is a great way for the students to interact with other conductors and students their age. This all day event has the students rehearsing for half a day, performing in front of judges pieces that we have been working on, and a concert to perform for their parents. Whew! It is a long day but a great one!
Prek-6:
Barnes and Noble book fair!
Sunday, April 14th
Come and see Prek-6 perform in a variety of ways: poems, plays, singing, and performing!
Middle School students:
Spring Concert---Thursday, April 25th at 2:15pm and 6:30pm
Look for a flyer to go home right when we get back from break that has more details.
Have a wonderful, blessed Easter and a great spring break! I look forward to seeing you again the second week of April!
Mrs. Miller
March has flown by! So many activities in the music classroom keep me busy that time flies by!
K/1: have been singing a lot and working on volume and tempo
2nd: using Lummi sticks to work on reading and playing rhythm
3rd: used Boomwhackers to start reading music on the staff and now are getting ready for the Barnes and Noble book fair! (see below)
4th: Recorders.....keep on practicing consistently and we are getting much better!
5th: harmony and Mass singing are our main topics right now
6-8: Concert prep! (see below)
Upcoming events:
7th grade band---Middle School Band festival on Friday, April 12th in Battle Ground
Last year was the first time that I took a band to this event and it is a great way for the students to interact with other conductors and students their age. This all day event has the students rehearsing for half a day, performing in front of judges pieces that we have been working on, and a concert to perform for their parents. Whew! It is a long day but a great one!
Prek-6:
Barnes and Noble book fair!
Sunday, April 14th
Come and see Prek-6 perform in a variety of ways: poems, plays, singing, and performing!
Middle School students:
Spring Concert---Thursday, April 25th at 2:15pm and 6:30pm
Look for a flyer to go home right when we get back from break that has more details.
Have a wonderful, blessed Easter and a great spring break! I look forward to seeing you again the second week of April!
Mrs. Miller
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Oregon Symphony!
What a great field trip! Thank you to the chaperones, Miss Cestnik, Mrs. Cestnik, Ms. Gotshall, and Mrs. Senko for making this trip possible!
I have heard back from most of the students about the experience and though they don't normally listen to symphonic music on a daily basis, the theme of "Fascinating Rhythms" kept them interested the entire time.
The narrator was great explaining the theme as well as each piece before it was performed. The music varied from Beethoven, clapping music, to a Sousa march, to a new piece that was in the style of conga music.
I look forward to sending the 4th graders again next year to the symphony and hope that the 5th graders (who have gone to the symphony twice now) are beginning to get excited about band instruments in the fall!
Mrs. Miller
I have heard back from most of the students about the experience and though they don't normally listen to symphonic music on a daily basis, the theme of "Fascinating Rhythms" kept them interested the entire time.
The narrator was great explaining the theme as well as each piece before it was performed. The music varied from Beethoven, clapping music, to a Sousa march, to a new piece that was in the style of conga music.
I look forward to sending the 4th graders again next year to the symphony and hope that the 5th graders (who have gone to the symphony twice now) are beginning to get excited about band instruments in the fall!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, February 8, 2013
February
Hello!
Happy February! It already seems like the holidays were a long time ago!
A few things that are coming up:
4th/5th grade are heading to the Oregon Symphony on Tuesday, Feb. 26th! This Youth Concert is a great way for the students to be exposed to a professional ensemble as well as learn more about classical music. I always look forward to this experience with the students!
7th grade band: we are getting a lot of sheet music! The festival in April is 2 months away, but we are already working on music to perform with the large ensemble as well as our St. Joseph group.
Hope that all of your students are working hard on their Boomwhackers, recorders, band instruments, and voices this winter!
Mrs. Miller
Happy February! It already seems like the holidays were a long time ago!
A few things that are coming up:
4th/5th grade are heading to the Oregon Symphony on Tuesday, Feb. 26th! This Youth Concert is a great way for the students to be exposed to a professional ensemble as well as learn more about classical music. I always look forward to this experience with the students!
7th grade band: we are getting a lot of sheet music! The festival in April is 2 months away, but we are already working on music to perform with the large ensemble as well as our St. Joseph group.
Hope that all of your students are working hard on their Boomwhackers, recorders, band instruments, and voices this winter!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, January 11, 2013
Happy New Year
Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season! It was really nice to relax a bit with my family!
Here are some things that are happening in the music class:
K-3 are listening, singing, and learning about other cultures though my book called The Singing Sack. They look forward to this month every year!
4th: RECORDERS!!! We have begun! My hope is that you are seeing progress at home!
5th: Lots of singing and review of musical concepts in class and Mass prep is always done amongst that. The kiddos are doing a great job cantoring and singing at Mass this year!
6th-8th band: New notes and quizzes are the name of the game in the winter months. They will always receive a week of notice before a quiz.
7th/8th music: We are learning about the Blues! During this time we are looking at what we listen to at home and are comparing it to the Blues--it has made for some interesting discussion!
I hope that all of you are getting back on schedule and are looking forward to the coming weeks when we celebrate Catholic School's week.
Mrs. Miller
Here are some things that are happening in the music class:
K-3 are listening, singing, and learning about other cultures though my book called The Singing Sack. They look forward to this month every year!
4th: RECORDERS!!! We have begun! My hope is that you are seeing progress at home!
5th: Lots of singing and review of musical concepts in class and Mass prep is always done amongst that. The kiddos are doing a great job cantoring and singing at Mass this year!
6th-8th band: New notes and quizzes are the name of the game in the winter months. They will always receive a week of notice before a quiz.
7th/8th music: We are learning about the Blues! During this time we are looking at what we listen to at home and are comparing it to the Blues--it has made for some interesting discussion!
I hope that all of you are getting back on schedule and are looking forward to the coming weeks when we celebrate Catholic School's week.
Mrs. Miller
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