What's Up in Music Class?

     Kindergartners are putting the finishing touches on their performances of "Sakura", "San Sereni", and "Alabama Gal".  Soon we'll be learning about the Australian Aborigine didgeridoo and doing some dances/movement activities from Shenanigans, a group from Australia.
     First Graders learned about the end of Bach's life and learned a little about the "Water Music" of another important Baroque composer, G. F. Handel.  They continue to practice reading and writing the pitches G, E, and A, as well as quarter notes and rests, and eighth notes.
     Second Graders successfully performed their "Earth Sounds" round in their Earth Day program.  An upcoming discussion about accent will lead into learning about measure lines and duple and triple meter.
     Third Graders have been working with the pitches B, A, G and E.  They've been writing beamed eighth and sixteenth notes (and a few chose to go on to write thirty-second and even sixty-fourth notes.)  Soon each will write a rhythmic composition.
     Fifth Graders have begun a unit on drumming.  After learning the "open" and "dead" strokes, they've been practicing to play them with either hand and to play them on designated beats of the measure.  The unit will culminate with small-group compositions.