Upper Elementary Music Concert – May 24/13

Come out and support IST students in Grades 3, 4 & 5 as they showcase their learning in Music. 

The concert starts at 7:30AM in the Elementary Hall.  We hope to see you there!

The Music Team

Early Years Music Notation

Our EC 1 & 2 classes had a chance to explore music notation in a new way this week.  Using colourful 3D shapes, each student made a pattern our of eight shapes.  They were given tone chimes in matching colours to their shapes, and then asked to play their rhythm on the chimes.  They were then given a chance to exchange with their neighbour and play someone else’s pattern.

We spoke a lot about music notation, and how writing our music allows others to play our song.  We extended our learning into today’s lesson, and students traced their pattern onto paper and coloured in their patterns.  We will share our “songs” with another class next week and see if we can play someone else’s music.

IB Learner Profile Song

Grade 4 students at IST wrote two more verses to the Learner Profile song this term.  They wrote verses about RISKTAKER and THINKER.  As a school community, we have now composed verses for two thirds of the attributes.  We still have four to go before the end of the school year, but I think we can do it!

When I posted about the article published in IB World Magazine earlier this year (http://istmusic.wordpress.com/2013/01/22/ist-music-students-in-the-news/), some of you wrote and asked for a video.  So, we filmed the students singing and accompanying themselves this morning.  Here you go!

The January issue of IB World Magazine is now available for online viewing at the following link (p.8): http://issuu.com/internationalbaccalaureate/docs/ib_world_jan_2013/1

Thanks for your support.  Again, the lyrics and music to the song can be found HERE.

May the force be with you…

Grade four students shared their new understanding about energy and how it is used.  In Music, students learned about the energy that can be used to make sound on boomwhackers.  They shared this understanding as the introduction to the assembly this morning.  Enjoy… and may the force be with you!

The Benefits of Music Lessons

The Benefits of Music Lessons
Taken from: http://musiceducationaustralia.wordpress.com/the-benefits-of-music-lessons/

Considering music lessons for your child? Here are a few good reasons why you should…..

Extra-curricular activities generally expand thinking and enrich a child’s experience by introducing a new element in their lives. But music also provides a useful and much sought-after practical skill with multiple uses. Other benefits include:

The fun factor – Music is a universal source of pleasure and inspiration. When kids make their own music, pleasure + power = self esteem.

The skill factor- Music provides a child with an additional competence to add to their fund of personal resources. A child who can play even a simple tune is already a high achiever.

Getting organised – Involvement in music helps a child develop organisational skills. They learn to look after their instrument, and to work to a schedule when it comes to lessons, practice time and rehearsals.

The power of persistence – Practice does make perfect – The routine of practice will help a child develop self-discipline, and as they progress, to understand and enjoy the rewards of commitment.

The choice factor – Gives kids the kind of power that is usually absent in much school-based learning. They can choose their instrument and which style of music they want to play. They can also choose the degree of effort they allocate to the activity.

The physical factor – rhythm training helps develop coordination, which is a distinct physical plus. Playing any instrument is more physically demanding than playing on the computer – a factor to consider given the sedentary nature of the lives of the ipod generation.

Brain Benefits – Numerous studies have shown that music training aids brain development. Making music involves coordinating physical, intellectual and emotional functions to a creative end, and that’s bound to give the brain a work-out.

The learning edge – Music lessons give kids another way to learn. The practical aspect of music provides a different way for them to experience the process of building up skills and knowledge from scratch.

The no-fail factor. Getting kids involved in music is a way of making them winners. They can work at their own pace, and there needn’t be any pass/fail factor. For kids who enjoy a challenge, there is the option of examinations, but for many, just learning to play will be an end in itself.

The appeal of cooperation. Whether the child takes individual or group lessons, he’ll experience cooperative rather than competitive learning. He’ll be working with his teacher with the goal of improving his own skills. Many kids enjoy that focussed attention.

Teamwork – Performing in an ensemble, whether it be choir, band, orchestra or quartet gives a child a new teamwork experience. This is particularly valuable for the child who never gets picked for a sports team and who will never excel on the sports field.

The mentor factor – Every kid needs mentors. Music will give your child an additional point of contact with other responsible adults. Having a mentor provides a focus of interest, something to aspire to and the experience of positive interaction with a skilled professional.

Social currency – Young musicians are in hot demand everywhere, for church choirs, parties, weddings, and community service activities, particularly with the old and the disabled. Kids who can play or sing have something special to contribute, and they quickly discover that their skill is greatly valued.

Student-led Conferences in Music

Students had a chance to share their learning with parents at conferences this past week.  It was wonderful to have so many parents out supporting their children!  Mr. Kowbel, Mr. Jeremiah and myself enjoyed the regular ebb and flow of parents and students throughout the day, and the excellent examples of musical learning that were shared.  Here are some photos from our day.

And a video for you… enjoy!

EC Extending their Learn

EC took the Learner Profile song and added their own actions to extend their learning. They willbe sharing their actions at Friday’s assembly. Way to go!