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
Friday, May 4, 2012
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
Friday, December 16, 2011
Holiday concerts!
Merry Christmas!
It was so wonderful to see all of the students perform the last 2 days! I am very proud of their performances and hope that you are as well!
Upcoming events:
4th/5th OR Symphony field trip in March
Middle School concert in late April
Shine and Show performance for the younger students at the end of May
Junior Rose Festival parade for all band students in early June
So much to look forward to in the new year!
Hope that all of you have a fantastic time with family the next two weeks and can't wait to see you in January!
Mrs. Miller
It was so wonderful to see all of the students perform the last 2 days! I am very proud of their performances and hope that you are as well!
Upcoming events:
4th/5th OR Symphony field trip in March
Middle School concert in late April
Shine and Show performance for the younger students at the end of May
Junior Rose Festival parade for all band students in early June
So much to look forward to in the new year!
Hope that all of you have a fantastic time with family the next two weeks and can't wait to see you in January!
Mrs. Miller
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
December performances!
Hi everyone!
'Tis the season for music performances! I can't wait to see everyone perform next week! We have been working hard on our music since last month and the time is almost here for you to hear it!
Reminders:
PreK-5: Advent program Wednesday, Dec. 14th, 6:30pm, in the church
Drop off your student in their classroom at 6pm and then head over to the church which opens at the same time.
Clothing: Clean uniform or NICER! No jeans, sweatshirts/sweatpants, shorts, or graphic t-shirts
I love seeing everyone dressed up for this event!
6-8: Middle School Winter Concert: Friday, Dec. 16th, 11:15am, in the gym
Come on out to hear our middle schoolers perform!
Clothing: Clean uniform or NICER! Yes, you can wear your nicer clothes to school that day! Please follow the same guidelines as the Advent program.
I look forward to seeing all of you in the next week when your child performs!
Happy Holidays!
Mrs. Miller
'Tis the season for music performances! I can't wait to see everyone perform next week! We have been working hard on our music since last month and the time is almost here for you to hear it!
Reminders:
PreK-5: Advent program Wednesday, Dec. 14th, 6:30pm, in the church
Drop off your student in their classroom at 6pm and then head over to the church which opens at the same time.
Clothing: Clean uniform or NICER! No jeans, sweatshirts/sweatpants, shorts, or graphic t-shirts
I love seeing everyone dressed up for this event!
6-8: Middle School Winter Concert: Friday, Dec. 16th, 11:15am, in the gym
Come on out to hear our middle schoolers perform!
Clothing: Clean uniform or NICER! Yes, you can wear your nicer clothes to school that day! Please follow the same guidelines as the Advent program.
I look forward to seeing all of you in the next week when your child performs!
Happy Holidays!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, November 4, 2011
December performances!
Hi everyone!
There are a few changes to the December performances that I wanted to share.
Advent program: Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30pm in the church
This program is for PreK-5th grade students.
Middle School Winter program: Friday, December 16th at 11:15am in the gym
This program is for 6-8th grade students.
Please remember that these programs are mandatory for each student. If they are not at their performance on the 14th or 16th, then I need to have an email or letter from the parent explaining why the child will not be there. This is a graded assignment in my gradebook and their grade will lower if they are not in attendance. If I have a letter from the parent, then the student will complete a make-up assignment.
Let me know if you have any other questions--I look forward to seeing you next month!
Mrs. Miller
There are a few changes to the December performances that I wanted to share.
Advent program: Wednesday, December 14th at 6:30pm in the church
This program is for PreK-5th grade students.
Middle School Winter program: Friday, December 16th at 11:15am in the gym
This program is for 6-8th grade students.
Please remember that these programs are mandatory for each student. If they are not at their performance on the 14th or 16th, then I need to have an email or letter from the parent explaining why the child will not be there. This is a graded assignment in my gradebook and their grade will lower if they are not in attendance. If I have a letter from the parent, then the student will complete a make-up assignment.
Let me know if you have any other questions--I look forward to seeing you next month!
Mrs. Miller
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