Ms. Zarin - Music

Chorus, Of Course!

Dear Chorus Parents,
In case you've heard your child talking about there being no chorus practice this coming week, what he or she is saying is correct.  We will not be meeting this week on Thursday, April 24th. 
Rehearsals will resume the following week on Thursday, May 1st. 

On May 1st, please be sure that your child is picked up promptly at 3:45 p.m., since I have to set up and get ready for the first grade PTA performance which is that same evening.

With a song in my heart,
Laurie Zarin

March Memos

Aah...Spring is in the air!

In Kindergarten the children differentiated between sound and silence in an instrumental/speech piece that was shared through the urging of an insistant little leprechaun.  They have also experienced fast and slow through an action song whose tempo changes ranged from ridiculously slow to impossibly fast.  We are now learning about vibrations and the relationship between size and sound.

In 1st grade....Well, I can't say too much about that, since I don't want to let the cat out of the bag. Suffice it to say that the children have been working on their skills through the music that we are preparing for our upcoming PTA performance, which is on Thursday, May 1st, at 7 P.M.  Many thanks to all of the parents who have volunteered to help out!

2nd graders have been working with AB form, ostinati (repeated patterns that occur while something different is occuring), pentatonic pitch patterns, and instrumental technique through several fun and silly songs.  They have also performed rhythm patterns from notation, and improvised some of their own.

3rd grade students have learned about rondos and codas through a piece for big and small drums. They also figured out how to notate this entire piece rhythmically, and then did a great job performing it with rhythm syllables.  They have also begun to sing rounds.

4th and 5th grade students determined where repetition and contrast occurred in a challenging drum piece, and labeled its form.  This piece was based on a Benjamin Franklin saying and a playground chant, and required concentration, cooperation, teamwork, timing, and pacing. 

The children have also recently begun to play the recorder!  It is very important that they have their instrument at each and every music class.  Please support your child's progress by encouraging at least 10 minutes of daily practice at home.  With consistent practice, your child (and you) will notice an improvement in his/her playing skills, and this will further motivate the desire for continued development.  Ask your child about 'Practice Bugs'! 

February Footnotes

   

Kindergarten has enjoyed vocal exploration with pathway cards and soft sculpture creatures. Pitch-matching skills have been reinforced while playing several singing games, and also through a vocal improvisation game. The children have also had great fun learning about mallet technique while exploring a variety of pitched percussion instruments. This improvisational activity required a great deal of focus, since they had to watch for signals that guided them on when and how to play. When we do this again, more signals will be added.

1st Graders have been focusing on the elements of rhythm, melody, and form. Rhythmically, they are becoming increasingly skilled at deciphering notated patterns, and have identified notated patterns that they have performed in songs. Melodically, they have learned about line and space notes, and have used manipulatives to 'notate' patterns heard aurally.  In the area of form, they have selected shape cards to represent sections of a song that are the same or different.

In 2nd Grade, the children have performed repeated rhythmic body percussion patterns as an accompaniment to a song (ostinati), and used their listening skills to aurally locate repeated melodic patterns. They have decoded rhythmic patterns in unfamiliar songs and on flashcards, and used their higher level thinking skills to determine the connection between a song's melodic direction and its accompanying body percussion motions.

3rd Grade students have had fun with a cup-passing game which incorporated a repeated rhythmic pattern. This game will be revisited, providing the children with progressively more challenging variations. The children also enjoyed a partner-changing game whose song provided the opportunity for careful listening. They are presently working on a hand drum piece that will be used to highlight AB, ABA, and rondo form.

4th Grade students recently performed four different speech patterns simultaneously (vocal ostinati), which was great for their concentration and musical independence. They are now involved with aural and visual recognition of melodic and rhythmic notation.

5th Graders have been learning about major scales through the use of pitched percussion. They have also been participating in a variety of movement activities to help them with the concept of meter and strong beats.

4th and 5th graders will be starting the recorder in March! At that time, they will need to bring their recorder, a pocket folder, and some notebook paper to each music class. 4th graders will also need a shoelace that can be attached to their instrument so it can be worn around their necks. More recorder-related info will be coming your way in future blogs.

Chorus, Of Course!

Chorus Parents,                            

Here is a copy of the informational letter about your child's upcoming performance in this week's Talent Show.
WHO……………………The Garrison Mill Chorus                            

WHAT………………….Talent Show

WHEN……………………Friday, February 29, 2008/6:30-8 PM

WHERE…………………Garrison Mill cafeteria

ARRIVAL TIME………6:00 PM

MEETING PLACE……Music Room

OUTFIT…………………Blue jeans, class t-shirt, tennis shoes

                                *If your child does not have a class

                                 T-shirt, perhaps he/she can borrow

                                 one from a friend.  If that option

                                 doesn’t work, any GM T-shirt can

                                 be worn. (I have a few, if you would

                                 like your child to borrow one.  Just

                                 let me know).

We are looking forward to being a part of this year’s Talent Show, and have been working on a fun song to share with you!  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Laurie Zarin

Music Specialist

January Jots

Happy January! 

In kindergarten, vocal exploration has had its 'ups and downs' as the children followed the light-up-in-the-dark propeller on a stick with their voices.  They have accompanied a song with original motions, created new silly rhyming text for another, and responded to a French lullaby through movement.  Pitch-matching and steady beat skills continue to receive attention through a variety of activities.

In first grade, the children have begun using solfege hand signs and syllables ('so' and 'mi'), and are in the beginning stages of singing from melodic notation.  Rhythmically, they are doing a great job reading rhythm patterns using stick notation/icons, and are about to to be introduced to the quarter and eighth note symbols.

Second graders have been having fun with rhythm.  For example, the children enjoyed playing Colored Hoops, a game where each of the three colors used, represented a different rhythmic note value. While background music was playing, the children walked around the room, and every time they stepped into one of the hoops, they had to perform that hoop's specified note.  The children are now rhythmically decoding familiar songs and aural patterns, and are about to create an instrumental accompaniment based on ostinati (repeated patterns).

In third grade, the children have been challenged by a rhythmic game called Read and Remember, where
they performed one pattern while looking at and memorizing the next.  Great Big House in New Orleans helped them visually identify repetition and mi-re-do patterns in notated music, and while enjoying its corresponding singing game, cooperation and teamwork were reinforced.  We will finish off the month of January with a French singing game that will focus on triple meter, phrase structure, and ABA form.

Fourth and fifth graders have participated in a Swedish folk dance whose tempo gradually accelerated to the point of being nearly impossible to move to.  What fun that was!  The children have also spent some time learning/reviewing how to identify the names of the line and space notes in the G Clef, and have been playing a number of games to reinforce this skill.  Recorder time is just around the corner, so please be on the lookout for a letter that will include important ordering information.

Chorus, Of Course!

Noteworthy Information 
Dear Chorus Parents,
Here are a couple of changes in the dismissal time for our next two chorus rehearsals.

Date........................................................Dismissal 
Thursday, January 17, 2008 (this week )...............3:15 P.M.
Thursday, January 24, 2008 (conference week).......1:45 P.M.

After the 24th, we'll be back on our regular 3:45 P.M. dismissal time.

With a song in my heart,
Laurie Zarin

Chorus, Of Course

Chorus Parents:  Here is a copy of the letter about this Thursday's Krogering outing...

Hurray for the Garrison Mill Chorus and instrumental ensemble!  Their recent school and PTA performances were quite a success as they filled the cafeteria with melodious tones and beautiful sounds.  The children applied what they have been learning during their rehearsals, and their hard work and efforts certainly paid off.

So how about if we take them out for a road trip?  This week, on Thursday, December 13, 2007, after school, we have the opportunity to perform for Kroger, our Partner in Education.  This particular store is located at the corner of Shallowforkd and Johnson Ferry Rd.

Our concert attire will be blue jeans, the 5th grade Garrison Mill T-shirt, tennis shoes, and white socks.

You will need to arrange trarnsportation for your child to and from Kroger.  On Thursday, December 13th, the children will come to the music room as usual, but will be dismissed tdo leave for Krogers at 2:20 P.M.  Please pick your child up from Garrison Mill by the front doors at 2:25 P.M.  Allow approximately 10 to 20 minutes for the program.

* If you make arrangements for somebody else to provide transportation to and from the Kroger performance, please complete both sections of the following form, which gives the school permission to release your child to the care of whoever you have made the necessary transportation arrangements with.

* The bottom half of the following form must be completed by all parents/guardians. Please return this completed form to Ms. Zarin by Thursday, December, 2007.

Sincerely,

Laurie Zarin
Laurie Zarin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

My child has permission to travel in a vehicle with _________________ on Thursday, December 13, 2007, so he/she can participate in the Garrison Mill Chorus performance at the Kroger which is located on the corner of Shallowford and Johnson Ferry Rd.  My child will leave Garrison Mill at approximately 2:25 P.M., and will return to a previously designated destination after the performance is over.         

I agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Cobb County School District, its Board of Education, and its employees, agents, or assignees, as well as its approved adult trip supervisors ("District Indemnitees") from and forever promise not to sue them on any and all claims, demands, rights, causes of action, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees), whether known or unknown, that I, any other parent of guardian of the above-named student, or the student may have or may allege to have against the District Indemnitees or which may be brought against the District Indemnitees arising out of or in any manner relating to the student's participation in the field trips, including but not limited to the rendering of emergency medical procedures or treatment.   

Name of Student (Please print):   
            
Name of Parent/Guardian (Please Print):

Signature of Parent/Guardian:    

Date:                                                                                                                                                                                                

Chorus, Of Course!

Chorus Parents,

Here is a copy of the letter I tried to send home with your child today (Friday, November 30th).  Unfortunately, there were technical difficulties, and the copy machines that my computer prints to had thoughts of their own and were not in the mood to cooperate.  I will try again next week so that you can have a hard copy to refer to.

DECEMBER PERFORMANCE DETAILS

• WHO...........................................Garrison Mill Chorus
• WHAT.........................................Winter Concert/PTA
• WHEN.........................................Thursday, December 6, 2007
• WHERE.......................................Garrison Mill Cafeteria
• CONCERT ATTIRE ...............Girls and Boys: Solid black pants; White long-sleeve, button-down shirt (Oxford style, if possible); Dark shoes (no tennis shoes, please)
• CONCERT TIMES....................8:30 A.M., 9:30 A.M., and 7:00 P.M. (7:00 P.M. is the approximate evening performance time.  Our evening program will actually begin as soon as the PTA meeting is over.  Please remember that parents are responsible for arranging transportation to and from the evening performance).
• ARRIVAL TIME..........................6:00 P.M. --- Pre-Concert warm-up, which will start promptly
• MEETING PLACE.......................Music Room
• MONDAY REHEARSAL............December 3, 2007        (2:30 P.M.-3:45 P.M.)
• TUESDAY REHEARSAL..........December 4, 2007         (7:20 A.M.-7:50 A.M. - morning rehearsal, with instrumental ensemble)
• THURSDAY REHEARSAL.......December 6, 2007           (2:30-3:30 P.M. --- Earlier dismissal  time)                              

Thank you so much for giving your child this musical opportunity. We are looking forward to sharing what we have learned with you.  Parents, siblings, friends, and relatives are welcome to attend.  I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Laurie Zarin

Music Specialist

       

November Notes

It seems that the cool autumn weather has finally kicked in.  Let's take a look and see how things are falling into place in music...   

Kindergarten has been learning about high and low, and the relationship between size and sound.  While the tuba and piccolo have helped exemplify this concept, the children have also become familiar with several other orchestral instruments.  Vocal and timbre exploration, steady beat, and experiences with a scraped percussion instrument (the guiro) will bring November to a close.

1st graders were recently introduced to singing high and low sounds by following visual symbols.  This was preceded by various vocal, listening, instrumental, and movement activities that focused on the melodic concept of up-down/high-low. The children have also been gaining skill in determining, deciphering, and performing rhythmic notation for known songs and rhymes.  Several games, including one that utilizes human notation and another that incorporates popsicle sticks, will be played during the final week of November.  These will provide additional opportunities for performing, notating, and creating rhythm patterns.

In 2nd grade, the children have enjoyed vocal exploration through the use of pathway cards with lines/pictures that show how to move the voice.  Perhaps you could ask your child to create his/her own pathway picture, and then sing from it.  Or maybe he can teach you one of our call and response or steady beat action songs, or vocally improvise about what he is wearing, his family, or another topic that you can suggest.  November will finish with an activity that emphasizes a song's phrase structure, a partner game that uses a rhyme, steady beat/sequenced motions, movement, spatial reasoning, and cooperation, and rhythmic game that is sure to be both challenging and great fun!

3rd grade students have been learning about verse-refrain/AB form, rhythm/beat, and have figured out a mystery tune by performing its rhythmic notation.  They are now performing this piece in instrumental groups, with each group being assigned to a specific rhythm symbol, or the beat. This requires a great deal of focus and concentration, as well as an understanding of how each type of note fits into the beat.  We will repeat this activity several times, so that everybody will have the chance to experience each of the parts. 

4th grade...Wow!  Great performance for the PTA on November 8th!  The children reaped the benefits  of their hard work, effort, perserverence, and teamwork, and enjoyed a positive, successful, and memorable experience!

Many thanks to Michele Wicker, who made those wonderfully sparkleful props, to Sandy Olsen, who organized and worked on the scenery committee, to all of the parents who made and mounted the scenery, and to Patti Puckett and Foster Peterson, for the video of the performance.  Also, thank you to the 4th grade teachers, Jean Haas, Becka Lopez, Dave Bare, the administration, and the PTA. (I hope I haven't left anybody out!)  I couldn't have done it without you, and truly appreciated your assistance.

5th grade has been working on ensemble performance skills, as well as playing technique on pitched and unpitched percussion instruments.  They are presently working on a challenging piece that has many different parts.  The children are learning about the importance of listening not only to the part they themselves are playing, but to the other complementary parts as well, so that everything fits together rhythmically, melodically, and harmonically.  They are also learning about the importance of working together to create a musical experience and to achieve a common goal, and taking personal responsibility for contributing to the whole through independent thinking, counting, and listening, for the benefit of the entire ensemble.

 

Many thanks to Michele Wicker, who made those wonderfully sparkleful props, to Sandy Olsen, who organized and worked on the scenery committee, to all of the parents who made and mounted the scenery, and to Patti Puckett and Foster Peterson, for the video of the performance.  Also, thank you to the 4th grade teachers, Jean Haas, Becka Lopez, Dave Bare, the administration, and the PTA. (I hope I haven't left anybody out!)  I couldn't have done it without you, and truly appreciated your assistance.

5th grade has been working on ensemble performance skills, as well as playing technique on pitched and unpitched percussion instruments.  They are presently working on a challenging piece that has many different parts.  The children are learning about the importance of listening not only to the part they themselves are playing, but to the other complementary parts as well, so that everything fits together rhythmically, melodically, and harmonically.  They are also learning about the importance of working together to create a musical experience and to achieve a common goal, and taking personal responsibility for contributing to the whole through independent thinking, counting, and listening, for the benefit of the entire ensemble.

Chorus, Of Course

Dear Chorus Parents,

Here is a copy of the letter that was distributed to chorus members on Thursday, November 13th, 2007.  Please note that the location of the Kroger performance is Johnson Ferry and Shallowford (not Sandy Plains!)

Dear Parents,

Due to last week’s fifth grade field trip and next week’s Thanksgiving break, we are missing several of our Thursday rehearsals.  Since our December 6th PTA performance is fast approaching, I have scheduled some make-up practices for the children.  Please note that there are changes in our regular dismissal times, as well as a few practices on days other than Thursdays.  Here is the schedule for the next few weeks.

Garrison Mill Chorus Rehearsals/Changes

·        Thursday, November 15th….......Rehearsal (2:30 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)

·        Monday, November 19th.……...Make-Up Rehearsal (2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.)

·        Tuesday, November 20^th……....Morning Rehearsal (7:20 a.m. -7:50 a.m.)

·        Thursday, November 22nd…......NO REHEARSAL (Thanksgiving break)

·        Monday, November 26th............Make-Up Rehearsal (2:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.)

·        Tuesday, November 27^th……....Morning Rehearsal (7:20 a.m.-7:50 a.m.)

·        Thursday, November 29th….......Long Rehearsal (2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.)

·        Thursday, December 6th….….....Rehearsal (2:30 p.m.-3:45 p.m.)

      *Please feel free to provide your child with a snack for any of the

       afternoon rehearsals.  As always, a bottle of water is a good idea.

All of our remaining rehearsals are extremely important, so please make every effort possible to have your child at each of them, for the entire allotted time.  This will ensure that he/she will feel secure with the music, and it will also influence the overall success of our chorus!

December Chorus Performances

·        Thursday, December 6th: Garrison Mill cafeteria, at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 7:00 p.m. (after the PTA meeting)

·        Thursday, December 13th: Kroger (Johnson Ferry and Shallowford), at 3:00 p.m.

·        TBA:  If any additional performance is scheduled, details will be provided ASAP.

I will let you know more about these performances within the next few weeks. Please remember that you will need to arrange transportation for your child to and from all December performances that occur after regular school hours or off campus.

                           

I am so glad that your child is in chorus, and appreciate your continuing support! 

Sincerely,

Laurie Zarin

Music Specialist