NEED TO KNOW
Blue Bugs #10: I love this point in the year when the kids truly and honestly understand how to read music, how to play it on the bells, and are ready to move forward!
HOORAY FOR SPIRIT WEEK! Thank you so much to those who participatied by sharing about your amazing young musicians! Your student got a thank-you prize in class today and I've loved seeing your shares! It's been delightful for me to see everybody's sharing, and it's always fun to hear from people about how great your kids are doing and to hear from people who want their own kids to be just like yours! If you have local friends with questions, send them to my FAQ-for-new-students page, MusicAdventureswithPaigeMoore.blogspot.com. If they're not local, have them check out letsplaymusicsite.com to find a teacher near them.
REGISTRATION FOR FALL CLASSES: Thank you to those who have registered for next year! If you haven't, head to this link for all the information. Expectations both in and outside of classes are greater when compared to 1st year. I feel confident about where your kids are and advancing them to 2nd year, but am willing to hear if you think they should repeat. This is a checklist of what skills they should have before going to 2nd year.
1. Can sing and sign solfege (mostly) accurately at the same time.
2. Knows the solfege signs.
3. Understands the concept of a step, skip, and a leap on both the staff and the bells.
4. Understands that their claps should match the syllables of the bug names.
5. Usually gains an understanding of new concepts and skills.
6. Usually pays attention during activities.
SPRING BREAK: No classes next week for Spring Break! Check your calendar for any questions, and I'll see you the next week (March 25) for the next parent day!
END-OF-YEAR RECITAL: Our recital will be held on Saturday, April 12 at 5pm. Of those who responded to my survey, it was the preferred date. If you are unable to attend that date, thank you for understanding. First year students will wear LPM shirts (that I will give out during class once they arrive) with denim or black pants/shorts/skirts/leggings. We'll choose performance songs later. Get it on your calendar now!
GOOD TO KNOW
DINOSAUR SONG: Your kiddo is reading music! They played the "Dinosaur Song" on bells while reading the written notation. They did it by looking at the patterns of steps and skips. You should be so proud of them! Here is a Skills Video to get a visual of the Dinosaur Song on the bells if you'd like to see it again!
DICTATION: The homework assignment is the first step of a skill called "dictation," where you write down music that you hear. In 3rd year, I play a few notes on the piano starting on DO and using guiding questions, the kids write what they hear. This is the first step in developing that skill!
FUN TO KNOW
Music changes lives! Check out the musical journey these kids have taken in this video.
