We are thrilled to welcome our newest musicians to Erwin Valley. Throughout the Fall we'll be singing, learning how to play classroom instruments and even learning to read music rhythms. Keep checking for updates and asking your child what was learned in music class today!
Back-to-music in Grade 2 means reviewing names and sounds of rhythm note and rest values, remembering the difference between steady beat and rhythm, and putting it all to use by learning to play the recorder. More information will be coming home about the recorder and the tremendous value it can hold for our young musicians. Ask your child what he/she learned in music class today!
Fall is a perfect time for 4th graders to try out a jazz song. We'll be reviewing reading notes on a staff, finding and performing those notes on our classroom percussion and barred instruments and even trying our hand at some improvisation. Since 4th graders are eligible to choose a band instrument to learn with Mr. Killian, we'll be taking a look and listen to the families of instruments in the band and orchestra. Ask your child what a sousaphone is and why it was developed!
Fall songs and rhythms, listening to famous pieces of music, playing classroom instruments and even learning how to draw music notes and rests are all on the back-to-music agenda. Ask your child what he/she learned in music class today!
Grade 3 begins the Fall with a beautiful song called "Like Me and You." The lyrics describe the similarities among children all over the world. Students will review reading music on a staff by learning and performing an accompanying part on our xylophones and metallophones. Be sure to ask your child to sing the song for you at home!
For many students, 5th grade is the last opportunity they will have to experience a general music class. For this reason, the focus of 5th grade music is exploring as many styles of music as we can fit into the year. We'll begin with the the medieval chant style; the earliest form of written music in the western hemisphere. We'll be reading music as much as possible to strengthen that skill before heading to middle school. Students will play a variety of classroom instruments including xylophones, and ukuleles as we try our hands at playing a song or musical example from each style that we explore. Ask your 5th grader what a troubadour was and what instruments he might have played.