2nd graders reading and performing rhythms in a meter of 3. We've learned that the meter of 3 is used in a Waltz. We listened to "The Blue Danube" waltz by Johann Strauss and found the Blue Danube river on our map.

Fourth and fifth graders learning about the Grand Staff this week.

Veterans Day permission slip

Be on the look out for this Veterans Day program permission slip. It should arrive home this evening or tomorrow. If your child will be participating, please sign and return the bottom section of the note to me before Nov. 10.

Veterans Day preparations are underway

In music class we have been learning lyrics to our patriotic songs and reading about the history of Veterans' Day and the branches of our military.  We also have been making decorations to post at our Veteran's Day program and writing letters to present to our veterans at the show.

We are off to a great year!

This week all music classes worked on creating our social contracts, practicing drills and thinking about what music classroom jobs we may need this year.  In the coming weeks we will begin to write our mission statement for music class this year.  We will be learning and practicing the school song as well as begin our preparations for the annual Veteran's Day program.  

Remember there is no school on Monday due to the Labor Day holiday.

Have a restful weekend!

Auditions were in full swing this past week and a half. Here are some of our Golden Ticket winners who made it through to the show on Thursday May 21st.

Talent Show 2015 --Sign Up Now!

 

 

  

Sign up:  April 23-May 1, 2015

  in the music room 7:30-8:00 and during clubs

Music:  must have appropriate language and subject

    must be approved by Mrs. Ripps and the panel of judges. 

 

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS MAY 1ST

NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Permission slips :  will be sent home soon

must be signed and returned by May 1

Students who have NOT turned in a signed permission slip 

will not be allowed to tryout.

Auditions will begin on May 4.  Your child MUST be prepared to audition on May 4th .  If auditions are not completed May 4, they will continue daily until completed.  All participants should be prepared to be called on to audition on daily basis until completed.

Talent Show Date: Thursday May 21, 2015

Times:  First show at 9:00 am    Second show at 1:00 pm

4th graders are researching the Instruments of the Orchestra in the media center. Our next step will be to use the Chatterpix app on the Ipads to create characters who will then share instrument facts with the rest of the class. Can't wait to see the end products!

3rd grade performing Rondo Form

3rd grade Collaboration- creating rhythms using syncopation. Students then used these patterns to perform "Shake the Papaya Down" in Rondo form

Boomwhacker Club

We just started a new session of clubs.  Our Boomwhacker club is having fun discovering what kind of sounds these colorful plastic tubes can produce.  They've also been exploring the xylophones and metallophones and learning to read the music notation and transfer that onto the instruments. 

Today they practiced Old MacDonald and Jingle Bells. 

Having fun with our Orff instruments

We learned about 16th notes in this lesson.  We learned the song "Tideo" and transferred the 16th note pattern into a body percussion activity with movement.  Then layered on top of that, we added our xylophone  arrangement and practiced an ostinato pattern.

2nd grade is practicing writing quarter notes, eighth notes and rests on their ipads. The class performed their rhythms afterward.

Brand new instruments for the music room!

The students have been anxiously anticipating the arrival of our set of Orff instruments. We are SO excited to have a set of Orff xylophones and metallophones in our music room for the first time!  Lots of fun and exciting learning awaits us!

Second grade is practicing keeping a steady beat as they play Bee Bee Bumble Bee. There was lots of excitement and laughter!

Candy bar rhythms

4th grade practicing their candy bar rhythms before performing them for the other groups.

Our Christmas Program 2014 was a great success! The students did a wonderful job! It is amazing what the boys and girls were able to learn in 3 1/2 short weeks since our huge Veteran's Day program! So proud of them!

Upcoming Christmas Program

Our annual Christmas program is coming up quickly!  We have already begun rehearsing and getting ready to spread Christmas cheer!   Some performances from last year will be back, due to popular demand!  I won't tell you which, you'll have to come see the show!

The performance will be December 17.  Time TBA.  The show will be live streamed on www.lytleisd.squarespace.com  website  for those of you who are unable to attend.

Students can wear anything "Christmassy"....red, green, white, sparkly.  Girls may wear a dress if they'd like to.  Boys are welcome to wear a dress shirt or tie as well.  All students must adhere to the school dress code.

More information to follow!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Despite the cold weather, our Veteran's Day 2014 program was a great success! Thank you to our veterans and members of our armed forces, for all you do and all you have done to preserve our freedom!

Parents, don't forget.....

5th grade Recorders

5th graders are learning to play recorders this year.  If you would like to learn more about recorders and  see some of the lessons we are using, you can visit Bethsmusicnotes.com.   It is a wonderful music blog.  Search her blog for "recorders" or "recorder songs"

Your child has access to a recorder for use in class.  However, several students have inquired about buying their own to use at home.  If you would like to purchase one for your child, you may visit one of the following stores:

1. High School Music Service ..........at Alamo Ranch, at Culebra Rd & Loop 1604 in S.A.  

                                            They sell all kinds of musical instruments as well as repairing them.

2.  Sam Ash Music Store.........across the freeway from North Star Mall

3.  Walmart in the toy section

4.  Target in the toy section

5.  Dollar Tree----you can even find one for $1 here. 

                           However, I make no guarantee that it will produce a qualtiy sound :-)   But, it might 

                            encourage them to practice at home.

Recorders are relatively inexpensive.  You can purchase one for anywhere from $1-$10 , depending on the quality you'd like to get.

Happy playing!