We have been busy in music class. All students celebrated the 200th anniversary of the “Star Spangled Banner”. We heard the story of Francis Scott Key boarding the enemy British ship in Baltimore to secure the release of American prisoners; particularly that of Dr. James Beans. Key was armed only with a letter from the great President James Madison in hand. Held captive for the night as the surprise attack of Fort McHenry took place; Key was inspired to pen a poem (later to become our national anthem) as he saw the American flag gallantly streaming over the rampart. McClelland students stood and sang the “Star Spangled “at morning meeting and gave honor to our country’s great history.
Grade 5 has been introduced to Reggae music! Bob Marley has been our muse. Some classes decided to create their very own reggae song complete with a band a vndocals. Other classes used QGrooves on QuaverMusic.com to compose a new song in their style of choice.
The school is alive with the sound of singing from Grade 4 who just finished up a singing unit. Concepts learned were octave, round, canon, major, minor, home tone, triad singing, descant, timbre and V7 (dominant) chords! We practiced singing in both our head and chest voices.
Grade 3 also has been singing and learning about different types of voices: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The more exciting part of our past couple of weeks is that we have begun our study of ukulele! Kids can hold it the proper way; name the parts; name and sing the strings (G, C, E, A) and play a C chord! WOW!
Grade 2 and Grade 1 have become meter experts! Meter is the division of music into groups of strong and weak beats. We focused on 2, 3 and 4. A highlight was last week when we studied meter in 3; put the beat in our feet and learned to waltz!!! Keeping a steady beat is stressed in these early years as it is an essential part of music. We discussed meter in 2 at a marching meter, meter in 3 waltzing meter and meter in 4 walking meter. 2nd grade also learned about Johann Strauss II- "Waltz King" and John Phillip Sousa - the "March King."
Grade 5 has been introduced to Reggae music! Bob Marley has been our muse. Some classes decided to create their very own reggae song complete with a band a vndocals. Other classes used QGrooves on QuaverMusic.com to compose a new song in their style of choice.
The school is alive with the sound of singing from Grade 4 who just finished up a singing unit. Concepts learned were octave, round, canon, major, minor, home tone, triad singing, descant, timbre and V7 (dominant) chords! We practiced singing in both our head and chest voices.
Grade 3 also has been singing and learning about different types of voices: soprano, alto, tenor and bass. The more exciting part of our past couple of weeks is that we have begun our study of ukulele! Kids can hold it the proper way; name the parts; name and sing the strings (G, C, E, A) and play a C chord! WOW!
Grade 2 and Grade 1 have become meter experts! Meter is the division of music into groups of strong and weak beats. We focused on 2, 3 and 4. A highlight was last week when we studied meter in 3; put the beat in our feet and learned to waltz!!! Keeping a steady beat is stressed in these early years as it is an essential part of music. We discussed meter in 2 at a marching meter, meter in 3 waltzing meter and meter in 4 walking meter. 2nd grade also learned about Johann Strauss II- "Waltz King" and John Phillip Sousa - the "March King."