October 30th

Division 1 choir has started and there has been a great turn out of students and lots of enthusiastic participation.  We are preparing two songs right now for the Remembrance Day Assembly on November 10. 

In Division 1 we have been reviewing the names of the barred instruments and the playing technique in music class and accompanying poems and songs with these instruments.  We will be focusing on reading and identifying rhythm patterns in songs, mapping the melody, and then transferring the rhythm and melodic patterns on to an instrument.  In Division 2 the students have been preparing a drumming ensemble to a performance level.  Each drumming ensemble is 5 – 6 parts that are played at the same time and it requires great concentration and listening skills to execute a great balance of sound and precision of the rhythm parts.  In November we will be focusing on composing our own drumming ensembles.

This week in music class in Division 2 we have been discussing, "What is a complementary rhythm pattern?".  In drumming music, all rhythm patterns are complementary, which means that they fit together or complete each other.  We have been looking at examples of complementary patterns and we are practicing writing our own patterns and then playing them on drums to see what they sound like.  This is the first step to composing music for a drumming ensemble.

Division 1 students are continuing to practice reading and playing rhythm patterns with Ta, Ti Ti and Rest on a variety of instruments.  We have also been listening to examples of classical music and discussing what they hear: "Is the music fast or slow? Is the music loud or quiet? Is the music high or low in pitch? What instruments do you hear?  How did the song make you feel? What do you think the song is about?".

On Wednesday, October 14 choir will begin for students in Grade 1, 2, and 3 who have expressed an interest and have returned their forms.  We will be practicing at lunch recess, 12:20 - 12:45. If anyone is interested in and did not get a choir form, please come and see me on Tuesday.

Have a great long weekend!  Happy Thanksgiving.