Recorders with Ms. Arends

I offer an optional recorder program for third, fourth, and fifth-graders. It's possible, though not very satisfying, to participate without purchasing a recorder, because each week I sanitize recorders (in my dishwasher) and keep them in my classroom so that kids who haven't brought their recorders that day will still be able to play. But a soprano recorder (for third-graders) is only $5, and an alto (for fourth) only $15. (Tenors are another story.)

I require the kids all to play on the same make of instrument, which helps with one of the biggest issues in recorder: tuning. So I collect money the first three weeks of school, then send it to Peripole in Salem, Oregon, and we begin recorder classes when the recorders arrive in October.

Classes will be held during the children's lunch recess every Tuesday. Students who faithfully attend recorder classes may play in concerts in the spring, no matter what level of proficiency they have or have not achieved. Students who twice go to recess on Tuesday instead of attending recorder class may not play in concerts, but are still welcome to come to classes and learn and play.

That's really the only rule I have: the second time you skip class, you're not in the concerts. I hope LOTS of kids will decide to try recorder this year, and I'll do my best to make it so much fun that they won't want to go to recess instead.

I'll send home details on buying a recorder
--for third -graders: Monday, Sept. 13
--for fourth-graders: Wednesday or Thursday, Sept. 15 or 16
--for fifth-graders: Tuesday, Sept. 14

Instrumental Music

Strings--Arden Rundell, parent of a Vista student, is offering a beginning strings class after school on Fridays in the music room!  Check with Ms. Johnson in the office if you are interested.

Recorders--Next week I will distribute information to interested third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders about my recorder program, and we'll order the instruments soon afterwards.

Welcome Back!

Hi!   I'm looking forward to the first day of school on the 7th.

I do hope you'll check here each week to see what your child is doing in music class.   Often information about recorders and/or choir can be found here, too.   And occasionally I recommend a concert.

I promise not to ramble and waste your time.   Thanks for reading!
Kathleen

Interesting Concert Coming Up

If you enjoy piano and/or music history, check out this FREE concert Saturday in Bellevue:
http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001AbyoPARFHBMNbCQvCu5DUwo8BOGEQ0EbNPyS3U5gxMGoHpYgYEhyDPSKvBlWaaxcb4ocD1YoCiponsBy-BJYX0GhSGo26rhdpGtJ02eBwjo%3D
I don't know just how kid-friendly it will be, but the subject matter looks excellent!

Rawson's Children Win Trophy

Last week we held "Lesson Days" in music class, during which students who take music lessons had the opportunity to perform for their classmates. Each class practiced their best audience behavior, trying to do nothing which could be distracting to the performer or to other audience members. I am pleased to announce that Ms. Rawson's First Graders won the trophy for Best Audience! This trophy will be on display in the music studio until the next Lesson Days, which will occur in January, 2011. Congratulations to the winners!

Family Chamber Music Concert (and more Marimbas)

The Seattle Chamber Music Society will have a family concert with poet Jack Prelutsky--a big favorite with kids for his goofy, startling writing--and musical accompaniment. It's called "Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant", and they're presenting it twice:
--11 am Saturday, July 17, in Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, and
--7 pm Thursday, August 12, at the Overlake School in Redmond.
The August one will have free hotdogs and lemonade on the lawn at 6 pm!

Also, weather did not permit YAAMBA marimba to play at Agua Verde this week, so we're going to try again Wednesday, June 16th.

Choir Concerts, and Marimba at Agua Verde

The last choir concert for this school year will take place at 4:10 on June 16th and 17th. This concert has a theme: it seems that the braying of donkeys has been a popular sound to portray in song for a very long time!

Weather permitting, I will be playing Zimbabwean-style dance music with YAAMBA Marimba on this Wednesday, June 9th outside of Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club in Seattle. I understand the food is very good. We're to play from 6:30 to 8:30. I'd love to see you there--especially if you like to dance!
http://www.aguaverde.com/