A NOTE FROM THE MUSIC
FOLKS - GRADES K-8
Don Ryan, Tim Kelly
Welcome parents, to the Florence
Sawyer
School’s
Music Department. We’re looking forward to another fine year in both the
classroom and on the stage.
We’d also like to give you a brief overview
of the curriculum, performance groups, winter concert dates, and other goings
on in the Music Department. (Teachers:
DR and TK)
ELEMENTARY MUSIC PROGRAM
Kindergarten (DR) is once again scheduled for music
and we'll be concentrating mostly on singing, movement, pitch (high-low),
beat, tempo and basic rhythm (Orff/Kodaly), performed on rhythm instruments.
American sign language is used to add hand motion to our music in grades K-2.
The first grade (DR), will reinforce the
skills acquired in kindergarten and will be beginning basic
sight-reading/singing and the reading of and performance of simple rhythms
(Orff/Kodaly), again with rhythm instruments. Sign language is used for hand
movement. Also included is an introduction to keyboards as well as music from
other lands. Students will be able to progress at each individual’s own pace.
The second grade (DR) is a continuation of
the skills learned in first grade as well as a good part of the fall devoted
to understanding the instruments of the orchestra. Rounds and simple form are
included as well as the relationship of melody and rhythm in song. Basic
keyboard and piano skills are introduced in the spring.
In the third grade (TK), emphasis is on
melody and rhythm. The students study basic music theory and begin learning
the song flute partway through the year in preparation for playing band
instruments at the start of the fourth grade. The song flute classes will be
performing in the spring fourth/fifth grade band/chorus concert.
All fourth grade (DR) students belong to the
combined fourth grade chorus and concerts are performed in December and late
spring. The classes are more of a combination of choral skills and general
music. Also, in the fourth grade, students begin lessons on band instruments
(TK) and also perform in the spring concert. Although band is voluntary,
nearly every student is involved.
Fifth grade (DR, TK) students continue both
band and chorus, with more intense choral and instrumental skills than in
fourth grade, continued general music, and both the winter and spring
performances.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM
The Middle School Music Program is arranged
much differently than the elementary school. Students in grades six, seven and
eight must choose to participate in band, chorus, both band and chorus, or
general music.
The middle school instrumental program (TK)
consists of the combined grades 7/8 band and the separate sixth grade band.
The middle school choral program (DR) consists of sixth through eighth grade
choruses. All the groups perform concerts in the winter and late spring as
well as the occasional “road trip.” Seventh and eighth grade singers and
players are also encouraged to audition for the Massachusetts Central District
ensembles and the band will be participating in the MICCA competition, which
will be held the first weekend in April.
Sixth grade general music (DR) concentrates
mostly on the instruments of the orchestra, classical form, composers and
traditional country music.
Seventh grade general music, (TK) is also for
those not participating in band or chorus. This class involves a "hands on"
exploration of recording techniques. Students will write, perform, and record
scripts using background music and sound effects. The ability to read music is
not a requirement.
In eighth grade general music, (DR) students
spend a good part of the year studying the history of rock and roll via jazz,
folk and blues. Students will be composing original blues compositions. Also
covered are opera, ballet and musicals.
Jazz band (TK) will be offered this year with
rehearsals scheduled after school, on Tuesdays. The IAJE festival will be held
in early May and our participation is a possibility.
CONCERTS
This December, we're going to repeat our
concert format, presenting separate chorus and band concert nights. Tuesday,
December 16, is "Chorus Night." Monday, December 22, is "Band Night."
On the 16th, the grades four and five
choruses will perform on the Sawyer stage from
6:30-7:15 (note the early starting time). At
7:15, parents and students would have to leave as the middle school parents
and choruses will be arriving. The middle school chorus concert will begin at
7:45 and go to approximately 8:30.
December 22, is "Band Night," although the
fourth grade band will NOT be performing. The concert will begin at 7:00, with
the fifth grade band, and we will not have the changeover period. If seats are
available, students done performing are welcome to sit in the audience with
their parents to watch the rest the other performing groups.
The choruses and bands will also be
performing during the day for the students and staff. Parents are not invited
to the day concerts because of limited seating in the auditorium. The day
performances for the choruses are also on Tuesday, December 16. The bands will
perform in the day in Friday, December 19.
WEBSITE
We invite you to peruse our music website.
Concert dates and additional information are posted as well as our current
grades 4-8 chorus music, with midi accompaniment, for practicing at home. Also
included are the grades 6 and 8 general music assignments and resources as
well as grades 7/8 Central District information. The Music Links page contains
links to music dictionaries, online lessons, online metronomes, and a link to
great, free music composition software called Finale Notepad.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
That’s all the news for now. Spring concert
dates for chorus and band are already posted on the calendar page of this
website. If you have any questions and concerns, please don’t hesitate to
contact Don or Tim.
We’re looking forward to another great year
for Sawyer music. As always, thank you for your strong and continued support.
We need it, your kids need and deserve it, and we all truly appreciate it.
Don Ryan
Vocal/General Music
Tim Kelly
Instrumental Music
9/16/08
To: Parents of Grades 4-8 Chorus Members
From: Don Ryan
CHORAL
NIGHT !!
JANUARY
8, 2009
This is a reminder of our
annual grades 4-8 Holiday Concert, Thursday, January 8, 2009, daytime tba, and
evening at 6:30 and 7:45. Participating will be:
Grade 4 Chorus (all 4th
grade students)
Grade 5 Chorus (all 5th
grade students)
Grades 6, 7 and 8 Choruses
We'll be using our usual
concert format, presenting separate chorus and band concert nights. Thursday,
January 8, is "Chorus Night."
On the 8th, the grades
four and five choruses will perform on the Sawyer stage from 6:30-7:15 (note
the earlier starting time). At 7:15, parents and students would have to leave
as the middle school parents and choruses will be arriving. The middle school
chorus concert will begin at 7:45 and go to approximately 8:30.
Grades 4 and 5 students
should arrive at 6:15 and go directly to the gym for preparation,
instructions, and warm-ups.
Grades 6-8 students should
arrive at 7:30 and go directly to the gym.
If seats are available,
students done performing are welcome to sit in the audience with their parents
to watch the other performing groups.
The only problem we
foresee is managing the parking. Please do not park on the road between
Emerson and Sawyer. Because of the two evening concerts, cars will be entering
and leaving simultaneously via that road. Parking is allowed on the road
behind the Sawyer School.
December 22, is grades 5-8
"Band Night," and Mr. Kelly will be sending information home with the band
students.
The day concerts are for
Sawyer students and staff only due to limited seating in the auditorium.
Attendance, day and
evening, by all performers is mandatory. The students have been working very
hard to put a great show together for you. I’m sure you’ll be impressed,
entertained by their efforts, and thrust into the Holiday spirit. We’re all
looking forward to this one.
Concert dress for the
evening concert is as follows:
Boys: black pants, white
shirts, shoes
Girls: black pants or
skirt, white shirts, or white or light colored dress, shoes
*Please, no t-shirts,
jeans, white or colored sneakers. But, do the best with what you have, don't
buy anything.
For the day concert,
students may wear their usual school clothes, as long as it's neat and
presentable.
We are always happily
accepting of help from parent volunteers for the evening concerts to assist
with supervising students in the gym before and after they perform. If you
would like to help us, please contact me at dryan@nrsd.net. You will still be
able to watch your child perform.
If there are any questions
or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
And a sincere thank you
for your strong and continued support.
Don
Ryan (choruses)
12/18/08
