3rd Grade

This week 3rd graders are working on composition skills. It's a logical process that starts with creating a rhythm. Our rhythms are combinations of quarter notes, eighth notes, and rests, using pictures of the words "pop" and "pizza." Once we have a rhythm created, we can move our pictures to the staff and assign pitch to each note. We have been able to create all kinds of musical sounds using this process, and the possibilities are endless!

Feburary already?

The past few weeks seem to have flown by!

We are gearing up for Valentine's day in the music room with songs of friendship.

Kindergarten has sung, "Willoughby, Wallaby, Woo," all about putting the letter W in front of our favorite friends' names and our own to create some funny rhyhmes. For example, Jamie becomes Wamie, Ben becomes Wen, Allie becomes Wallie, and so forth.

First grade has sung, "Circle Round the Zero," which is all about finding your friends and sticking with them.

Second grade has sung, "I Sent a Letter," all about writing a letter (like maybe a Valentine card) that has been dropped somewhere. Maybe someone has picked it up! Who might it be?

Third grade has worked on partner reflections. Kids choose a partner and take turns mirroring each others actions. This results in quite a few interesting and creative movements!

Fourth and fifth grade have been hard at work preparing for their music program. Many of the songs they will be performing have several layers of sounds from a variety of instruments and voices. Of course, our "Annie" production will be presented on that night as well, and it is looking better and better all the time.

The Simonton "Annie" cast had the opportunity to perform for the School Board meeting on February 2nd. They were supported and observed by their families, teachers, and community members and it was a really nice way experience performing a few of the songs from our show.

Coming up:

SIMONTON: 4th/5th grade program and "Annie" production on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 PM

RANCH: 4th/5th grade program and "Annie" production on Tuesday, Feb 15, at 6:00 PM

ANNIE!

We started our "Annie" rehearsals at both schools a few weeks ago, and so far things are going great. Here are a few tips to remember:
* Speak VERY loudly (just a little under shouting volume)
* Speak SLOWLY - if you talk as fast as you normally do, the audience won't be able to understand what you are saying
* Always face toward the audience, especially when speaking or singing.
* Practice your dialog and songs with friends or family members. Everything needs to be memorized by the end of January.

Students will wear blue jeans and a black or white t-shirt for the performance, with comfortable closed-toed shoes. In addition, most characters will have extra clothing pieces and/or props needed for their scene.

*Orphans: flannel shirts or hoodies (the more raggedy-looking, the better)
*NY Citizens: binoculars, newspapers or books, cameras, maps, etc.
*Servants in mansion: Aprons or a shirt and tie
*Annie, Grace, and Warbucks: Business-style jackets and/or hats

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

"Annie" Cast

Thank you and congratulations to all who auditioned for "Annie" this week. Students at Ranch were informed of the results on Wednesday, and all of them received scripts. Students at Simonton found out Thursday, but not everyone was able to receive a script (problem with the copy machine). Students need to remember that they will only receive ONE copy of their script, so they must take care of it and bring it to rehearsal every week. Students should have their name on the script to ensure they are using their own.

ANY student involved in the production who would like a practice copy of the CD is welcome to receive one. Just bring me a CDR and I can make a copy for you.

I am so excited. Students, I hope you have a wonderful and fun break, but please make sure you practice so you are ready to jump in when we come back!

"Annie" Auditions - 4th and 5th grade

Both Simonton and Ranch are going to put on a miniature version of the Broadway musical, "Annie." ALL 4th AND 5th graders are welcome to audition. Any student in my class knows that we have been getting familiar with the music and the dialog in class over the last month or so. Audition information has been made available to anyone interested, however, if by some chance a student has not received the audition information, they are still welcome to audition. Each school will be performing the musical separately so a full cast will be chosen from both schools. Auditions will be held in the music room starting right after school on the dates listed below.

RANCH: Monday, December 13th
SIMONTON: Tuesday, December 14th

At both schools the process will be approximately as follows below. All times are APPROXIMATE, as it depends how many students are auditioning. Certain parts of the process may take longer or shorter amounts of time depending on how many students are participating.

3:05 Students are dismissed from class and report to the music room. Students will need to fill out an audition sheet indicating their preferences for casting.
3:10 Auditions will begin. Students interested in a speaking role ONLY (meaning that they are not interested in singing a solo of any length) will audition first. The will read lines with teachers and/or other students
3:20 Brief review of songs, followed by singing auditions. Students may at times sing all alone, or with other students. Students may sing an entire portion of a song, or not. If the teachers have a student stop in the middle of singing, it's perfectly normal. We may have to "cut off" students in the interest of time. It does not necessarily indicate a poor audition.
4:00 Auditions will be over approximately at this time, but again, we may finish earlier or later depending on how many students are there.

Students MUST have a ride home or live in walking distance. Students will be allowed to use the phone in the office following their audition. Students will be in the music room watching each other during auditions. Disruptive behavior during someone else's audition may be grounds for dismissal.

Concert Report

I could not be more pleased with our concert last night! I give my biggest thanks to everyone involved in supporting our concert: parents and families who got their kids where they needed to be and watched the performance, Mr. Hamm for all his support and assistance at Simonton, our high school helpers, Alyssa and Cienna, for all their help at Ranch, our wonderful accompanist, Mrs. Willoughby, from Simonton, and OF COURSE our wonderful 4th and 5th grade choir students! We had a great turn out and enthusiastic audience participation during our last song. We had in attendance the principal at Ranch, Sue Kruse, and also our district superintendent, Gayle A. Blanchard. Following the choir performance, we had the pleasure of hearing the Ranch band play. What a splendid night!

CHOIR CONCERT!

The time is almost here for our Choir Concert: Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at RANCH elementary. The choir from BOTH Simonton AND Ranch will be singing. Students must be at Ranch at 5:15 PM for rehearsal, in the music room. The performance will begin at 6:00 PM, in the cafe. Choir will sing first, and we will be followed by the Ranch Band.

Note: There will be NO after-school rehearsal at Simonton on Tuesday 12/7.

Driving directions to Ranch from the Castlegate area: Head west on Ocotillo to Kenworth. Turn right on Kenworthy and drive north approximately two miles. Ranch Elementary is on the left side of the street, almost to Germann Road.

What to wear: If possible, students are asked to wear blue jeans and black shirts. If the student does not have such clothes, anything dark or otherwise looks nice, neat, and clean will be acceptable.