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1st Graders have been learning about ballet and listening and responding to the music of the Nutcracker by Pyotr Llyich Tchaikovsky. In the Nutcracker March, students act out the form of the piece dancing as soldiers or mice and using their hands and arms to move like snowflakes during the frenzy of activity in the middle section. In the Russian Dance, or Trepak, students are using scarves to accentuate beats and patterns throughout the music. Students moving to Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy are using their magical wands to paint musical pictures using both the steady beat and special phrases to inspire their movement.
2nd graders explored the concept of form in music while learning about the composer Leroy Anderson and his famous piece called "Sleigh Ride". In this video, you can see them working together to identify different sections and respond to these sections with their cups.
Our 5th grade Chorus is small but mighty! Here are two songs students have been rehearsing each week. Although we will not be gathering for a performance this winter, we are really looking forward to putting on an extra special concert in the spring for family and friends. We will continue to work towards that goal as we learn new music and develop our sight reading skills.
An important part of our daily routine in the music room is to begin each class with a greeting game or song. This month, our 2nd graders have learned a new greeting game that lets them sing independently, work with a partner, and act like a turkey! This particular greeting begins with one "lead turkey" who chooses a partner to gobble with. The number of turkeys flocking around the circle multiplies with each repetition. Students are practicing tuneful singing and rhythmic patterns, developing gross motor coordination, internalizing the form of this two part game and they are having fun with all of it!
Chorus students spent rehearsal today learning about Diwali. Several students who celebrate this holiday shared their favorite family traditions with us as an introduction. All 82 students were up and dancing to begin their day with positive energy and shared fun. This traditional dance, called Dandiya, has origins in Gujarat, India and is designed to be done in large groups. Dandiya is closely associated with the Navratri festival (usually occurring in October), but is also commonly done at Diwali (late October or November), and at other special occasions and gatherings, such as weddings. Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists all celebrate Diwali, although for each faith it marks different historical events and stories. The focus of the celebration centers around new beginnings, good over evil, and lightness or darkness. Happy Diwali! 
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