Welcome back!

Chorus:
4th, 5th, and 6th grade students are eligible to join the NSE choral program. New sign-up sheets will be coming home soon as there may be schedule adjustments. We will keep you informed.

Choral Program (4-6):
• 2 part harmony
• memorization of lyrics
• choreography
• solo auditions
• variety of music genres will be performed
• holiday and spring performances for peers and parents
• teamwork, discipline, following general directions

General Music k-6:
Elementary General Music Curriculum Summary
Kindergarten will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• learn how to hold available percussion instruments
• read, write, and perform basic rhythmic patterns
• “Learning Song Unit” (numbers, ABCs, body parts, etc.)
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• prepare and perform a graduation ceremony for parents
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• be introduced to the Star Spangled Banner
• create motions and rhythms for various songs

First Grade will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform basic rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• group performance will be emphasized
• create motions for ‘action’ songs
• be introduced to band instruments
• use a microphone to sing solos

Second Grade will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform basic rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• collaboration in groups will be emphasized for a rhythm writing unit
• introduction to string instruments
• styles of music will be discussed
• identify instruments using listening skills

Third Grade will:
• sing together and alone
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform basic rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• recorder unit- holding instrument, fingerings, breathing, posture, note/rhythm reading, performing solos, duets
• playing ostinato patterns on xylophone bells
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• identify instruments using listening skills

Fourth Grade will:
• sing together and alone using harmony
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform advanced rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• perform a steady beat and perform motions with songs
• ability to join the chorus and/or band program
• perform ostinato patterns on bells, boomsticks, and percussion instruments
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• in-depth classroom discussions of musical genres
• identify instruments using listening skills
• meter unit (meter in 2, 3, and 4)
• aural listening unit- listening quizzes

Fifth Grade will:
• sing together and alone using harmony
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform complex rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• ability to join the chorus and/or band program
• perform ostinato patterns on bells, boomsticks, and percussion instruments
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• identify instruments using listening skills
• relate musical interests to classroom topics
• song mapping (group project- listening skills/creativity)
• aural listening unit- listening quizzes
• sound image/special effects unit: story writing
• partner song unit
• meter unit (numerator, denominator, rhythm chart, math)

Sixth Grade will:
• sing together and alone using harmony
• perform instruments together and alone
• read, write, and perform complex rhythm patterns
• prepare for and perform a holiday show for an audience
• ability to join the chorus and/or band program
• perform ostinato patterns on bells, boomsticks, and percussion instruments
• vocabulary quizzes each marking period
• thorough introduction to instrument families with playing demonstration
• identify instruments using listening skills
• relate musical interests to classroom topics
• aural listening unit- listening quizzes
• partner song unit
• meter unit (numerator, denominator, rhythm chart, math)
• artist report and presentation
• tone chime unit (reading notes/rhythms, counting, dynamics, group performance, and overall musicianship)
• prepare and perform a graduation ceremony for parents
• pitch vs. no pitch (percussion unit)
• sound order and choosing a medium: individual classroom creativity assignment

New Blogs will be posted for major assignments, big units, or concert information.

Congrats!!!

Mrs. Schwartz would like to congratulate all the Spartan Chorus members for a fantastic spring concert. You were so amazing. She is so proud of you!!!!!

3rd Grade Recorder Assignments: McCabe/Tenaglia: Pg 6 # 9 & 10, you must write the letters in Lynch: Pg 6-7 # 11-14 Smith: Pg 5 #4-8 Selgrade: Pg 5-6 # 4-10, you must write the letters in 9 & 10 Laudeman: Pg 5 # 4-8 6th Grade Artist Research Assignment Objective: To find specific information about an approved singer/group and present the findings to the class. Worth 20 points for 1 page report (typed or handwritten) and 5 points for presentation (2 pts for info., 1pt for clarity, 1 pt for eye contact, 1 pt for volume). Students are expected to use complete sentences and proper grammar and spelling! Requested information: 1. Birthday (death-date if it applies) 2. How did person/group get into music? 3. Hit songs (may include up to 5 songs) 4. Awards (Grammy, nominations, or no awards at this time) 5. Entertainment (acting, movies, T.V. show interviews, etc.) 6. Style of music 7. Personal information/interesting information 8. Why do you like this person/group? This assignment will also include a graphic designed CD cover to be completed with Mrs. Zink. Due date: 2nd week of March (Kessler)