Last summer I met visual artist and trumpeter Cheryl Pelka while recording a CD of new concert band music.  She shared with me the concept of a new set of visual artwork she had recently created to depict Gustav Holst’s famous composition “The Planets.”   In her concept, people used mobile devices (ipad, smartphones, tablets) to scan QR codes attached to her art work.  The QR code would take the audience member to a recording of the corresponding music for that image allowing the individual to simultaneously hear the music and view Ms. Pelka’s original artwork.   5th graders are getting the chance to experience this 21st century blend of music and digital art.   In addition to listening and viewing students have to answer questions about how the musical and artistic elements of these works  reflect each other.

**Special thanks to Ms. Julia Speer (art) and Mrs. Einertson (5th grade) for their help and collaboration to prepare the non-musical components of this lesson.**

 

Each our wonderful Rocky Mount Foundation auctions off the chance to be a music assistant for the day with Mr. G.  Four winners are selected a boy and girl from grades 3-5 as well as a boy and girl from grades k-2.   This year’s upper grade winners were Owen Palmer and Abby Connors.  They each had a day to serve as my music assistant.  Throughout the day they helped run games, teach songs, practice reading rhythms, and even taught recorder to some of the classes.  They got a true taste of what life is like as a music teacher!

Congratulations Owen and Abby!

(stay tuned to find out who the K-2 winners are)

KINDERGARTEN – We continue to prepare for our Spring musical.  We’ve been learning songs, choreography, and speaking parts.  A special thank you to our parent helpers who have been coming in to help practice lines with students.

1st GRADE – Form is how music is organized into different sections.  We practiced making different forms on the smartboard, then we practiced identifying the form of different songs using flashcards and a special interactive smartboard game.  Last, we used form to help us learn a fun movement routine with rhythm sticks.  Below is Ms. McGee and Ms. Afanador’s classes performing “Cumberland Square” in AB form.

2nd GRADE – We have been working on mirroring movements with scarves while listening to music.  We also learned a call and response song from Ghana called “Che Che Kooley.”  Last we learned an American folk song called “Here Comes Sally Down The Alley.”  It was a busy week!

3rd GRADE – We spent this week building our mallet technique performing pentatonic melodies through the song “Turtle and Frog.”  Students had to learn, internalize, and perform the song on orff instruments.  Once learned we played a rotation game so every student played every instrument in the orff orchestra.

4th GRADE – We learned the note high  D on recorder this week and compared it with low D.  Then we performed “Jingle Bells” to apply our new note in a musical setting.

5th GRADE – We wrapped up our study of the influence of African American culture in music through the spiritual “Chatter With The Angels.”  The performance made use of orff instruments, singing, and improvised recorder solos.

 

On February 17 and February 18 the Roadrunner Chorus had not one, but TWO very exciting performances.  First, on the 17th the Roadrunner Chorus competed at our annual festival competition where they received all Superiors from the three judges.  This is a very high honor!  Then, on the 18th the chorus performed the National Anthem for the Atlanta Gladiators hockey game as part of our annual music fundraiser.  We sold 195 tickets to the game to raise money for the Rocky Mount music program (still waiting on the final $ amount that we raised).  Below are videos from these two performances for you to enjoy.

 

FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE

 

GLADIATORS HOCKEY GAME