Welcome Back!

All 4, 5 , & 6 music classes will be receiving chorus permission slips during the first general music class this week. Mrs. Schwartz will be accepting permission slips until Friday, September 11th. Chorus will begin the week of September 13th. Please see below for the information on the permission slip:

NSE Choral Program

Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,
As a 4th, 5th, or 6th grader, you are eligible to join the North Schuylkill Elementary Choral Program. As a member of this program, you are expected to regularly attend rehearsals and extra rehearsals near concert time (during school time only). You are also expected to attend the concerts. They are set for December 16th and May 11th in the HS auditorium. Times and ticket information will be more detailed closer to the concert.

Chorus members will rehearse in the morning upon arriving to school. In general, chorus meeting times will be from 8:20-8:55 AM. Students arriving on a later bus will have alternate opportunities to rehearse after 3:00 PM on designated days. Miss Shughart, the band director, and Mrs. Schwartz will share these times as alternate rehearsals. Sixth grade will meet on Monday mornings, fourth grade on Wednesday mornings, and fifth grade on Friday mornings.

During chorus time, students will be expected to sing 2-part harmony, learn choreography, memorize lyrics, work as a team, audition for solos, and have fun. As always, appropriate behavior is a must! Please provide an email address so Mrs. Schwartz can keep you up-to-date on rehearsals, progress, and concert information.

Sincerely,
Michelle Schwartz, Elementary Choral Director, mschwartz@northschuylkill.net

Fill out the sign-up sheet and return to Mrs. Schwartz by Friday, September 11th. Detach here.
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Student Name: __________________________________ Grade/Teacher: _________________
Email Address: _________________________________________________________________

I understand that I am expected to attend as many rehearsals as possible, the winter and spring concert, follow the directions I am given, and sing and perform to the best of my ability. If I do not behave appropriately, I understand that I could be removed from the program.

_____________________________________ ____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature

Chorus Announcements

3-23-15

Dear chorus parents, students, and guardians,

Please note the following dates regarding the upcoming spring choral rehearsals and concerts:

May 6th: Morning rehearsal for 5 & 6 chorus members (for combined piece), NSE gymnasium
May 7th: All-day rehearsal for 5th chorus, NSE gymnasium
May 12th: All-day rehearsal for 4th chorus, NSE gymnasium
May 13th: All-day rehearsal for 6th rehearsal, NSE gymnasium
May 14th: CONCERT DAY!!!! Concert dress will be ‘rock & roll.’ NO inappropriate graphics or shorts.

4TH grade will perform at 6:30 PM (call time will be 6:00 PM and report to the high school gymnasium) 4th grade will be permitted to leave following their performance!

The 5th and 6th grade portion will begin at 7:30 PM (call time will be 7:10 PM and report to the high school gymnasium)

Rotation of February 5th-12th

Kindergarten will be learning a song about the 100 Days of School Song.

First grade will sing and perform motions to the song Going Over the Sea. We will also discuss the rhyming words and numbers used in the song.

Second grade will finish the song I'm Letting It Go by singing 2-part harmony and performing ostinato patterns on the boomsticks.

Third grade is assigned to play song # 1 on the recorder for a performance grade. The next homework assignment is song #2.

Fourth grade will begin a Bon Jovi Unit.

Fifth grade will begin a unit named The Evolution of Music Technology.

Sixth grade will finish their Jingle Writing unit and perform their advertising items for me. Performances may take more than one class.

CHORUS MEMBERS: PLEASE USE YOUR CDS TO PRACTICE AT HOME. MOTHER NATURE SEEMS TO HAVE IT IN FOR US GETTING PRACTICE TIME AT SCHOOL. I AM COUNTING ON YOU TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO LEARN YOUR LYRICS ASAP!!!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Kindergarten will be learning a song about frogs and creating motions to 'hop' on the beat to the music.

First grade is singing Shortnin' Bread and performing body percussion on beats 2 and 4. We will then add instruments.

Second Grade is learning a song called Winter Fun. They will work in small groups to create and perform their own choreography.

Third grade will be bringing home recorder papers. Please read carefully and return to Mrs. Schwartz.
We will review the music staff and go over recorder basics.

Fourth grade will sing and play ostinato patterns on the bells to a song called Snowy Winter Days. Students will be able to sing and play independently. They will also be given time to complete a survey for Mrs. Schwartz to create future general music lesson plans based on their current interests.

Fifth and Sixth grade will have a brief review followed by a staff note quiz. They will also be given time to complete a survey for Mrs. Schwartz to create future general music lesson plans based on their current interests.

Chorus information for grades 4-6

Please note the upcoming music department dates and information:

December 8th: All-day 5th grade chorus rehearsal in the high school auditorium. If students did not preorder a hoagie from the cafeteria, they should pack a lunch. All students are permitted to bring extra water bottles and wear gym clothes for rehearsal.

December 10th: All-day 4th grade rehearsal in the high school auditorium. If students did not preorder a hoagie from the cafeteria, they should pack a lunch. All students are permitted to bring extra water bottles and wear gym clothes for rehearsal. All 4th graders will need to bring a baseball cap to use as a prop for rehearsal and the concert.

December 11th: All-day 6th grade rehearsal in the high school auditorium. If students did not preorder a hoagie from the cafeteria, they should pack a lunch. All students are permitted to bring extra water bottles and wear gym clothes for rehearsal.

December 16th: NSE Spartan chorus concert for grades 4, 5, and 6 in the high school auditorium, 7 PM. Students may wear dress-code clothing or dress up clothing. Students are to arrive between 6:15-6:30 PM and report to the high school gymnasium. Parking will be available in the upper and lower lots at the high school with all lobby/auditorium doors being opened at 6:15 PM. The lower lobby entrance is handicap accessible.

Oct. 30-Nov. 5

Grades K, 1, 2, and 3 will continue learning the holiday concert music. Choreography will be added.

Grade 4 will be composing basic melodies to perform on the boom sticks.

Grades 5 & 6 will continue composing music to be performed on the boom sticks in small groups. New elements will be introduced/added to the compositions; dotted half noted, quarter rest, and G above the staff.

General Music Happenings

Grades K, 1, 2, and 3 will begin learning the holiday concert music this week.

Grade 4 will be playing basic melodies on the boom sticks in small groups.

Grades 5 & 6 will be performing student written compositions on the boom sticks in small groups.