Dec. 9/10

Kindergarten

This week has been so much fun for me with Kindergarten! I have been able to spend some time in with them and the Green Fools mastering their Circus Tricks!  They are amazing.

Grade 1/2

• Exploring with our voices - we had a lot of fun making crazy sounds
• Played some Christmas singing games
• Used the Boomwhackers to play Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
• Learned about the half note (2 beats) and a whole note (4 beats) 

Grade 3/4

• Finished our presentations
• Played music Jeopardy!

Choir Dec. 10

Today in choir we ran all of the numbers we have been learning. We are so ready for our show.

Please continue running the numbers at home, especially the Nutcracker Megamix.  The end of this is fairly challenging with all of the lyrics.  We spent some extra time on this today!

Thanks for all of your hard work parents and kids! I know this doesn't happen on its own :)

Choir Dec. 3

Last week in choir was amazing.  We got through all of the numbers! The kids blew me away as we reviewed the ones we have done in the past as well.

I know that this week there will be a few classes on field trips on Tuesday.  Don't worry, we are just reviewing all of the songs.  Please keep working on these at home, the concert is coming up quickly.

Choir Nov. 26

Only two weeks left of choir rehearsals until the show.  I believe that information regarding the shows went out in the Monday connect this week but here it is as well.

There will be two shows on the 17th of December.  A matinee at 1:30 and an evening performance at 6:30.  There will be an invitation going home to you regarding the night performance.  Each family will receive two tickets to the evening performance.  This is only because there is 180 kids in choir and if everyone brings 2 people we will reach capacity in the gym.  We understand that this is hard when there is siblings and grandparents however we will be having a matinee for anyone else who choses to come and watch! If you are not using your two tickets for the evening and would like to give them to someone else please do.

Today we learned the No Christmas Blues.

One song left for next week!!  Chillin'

Nov. 25/26

Kindergarten

• Moving our bodies to the beat, this is still very difficult for some of our friends here in kindergarten 
• Playing a variety of instruments to the beat
• Dancing to choreographed dances 
• Learning about Hanukkah, the festival of lights and the menorah

Grade 1/2

We are working on listening to music.  This is itself is difficult, just to sit and listen.  We are discussing and drawing how a piece makes us feel, what images it brings to mind.  The songs we listened to are:

Aquarium by Camile Saint Saens

Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg 

Nocturne by Chopin

Jupiter by Gustav Holst

Grade 3/4

The Kindness pod continue to work on their compositions.  This week they chose and practiced with their instruments.  They have one more week of rehearsals and then they will present.  

The Joy Pod began presenting this week and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out! Way to go.  More presentations next week!!

All Choir Songs

Here is a list of all the choir songs so that you can find them easily.  I will put the ones we haven't done up here as well.

NorthPole Musical

Hoofin' It

The No Christmas Blues

Chillin'

The Nutcracker Megamix

The Heart of Christmas

Choir Nov. 19

Today we learned the entire song of Hoofin' It.

I am loving this song. The singers all caught on soooo quickly.

Almost all of the speaking parts have been handed out as well as solo parts. Practice Practice!!

For Hoofin' it, the second verse begins with 2 solos and then a small group.  I have changed the words from I to he.

Talia: Come on, reindeer don't say no! You gotta let him be a part of the show.
Rachel: On some foggy Christmas Eve, he can dance if you believe.

Small Group: You can call him any name. He doesn't want to play that game. He just wants his one
                     big chance to shine his light and go into his dance.


Next week we will be learning The No Christmas Blues.

Nov. 18/19

Kindergarten

• played a lot of music games
• showed pitch of notes with our body
• created our own actions for others to try
• learned about singing the blues
• Acted as pirates

Grade 1/2

Peace Pod - Began a listening activity.  We listened to Aquarium by Camile Saint-Saens and Peer 

                   Gynt By Edvard Grieg.  As we listened we drew.  

Harmony - Finished practicing our compositions and shared them with the class.  We practiced being 

                 a good audience when someone performs and being brave while we performed.

Grade 3/4

Kindness - Added dynamics to our compositions. Practiced so that we would have our compositions 

                 memorized.

Joy. - Final practices of our compositions using instruments. Making sure we are ready to perform      

          next week.

Solos and Speaking Parts take 2

Thank you everyone for your patience.

I have started to give out the speaking roles.  If your class has come to music this week then I have given out your speaking roles.  If they have not then you have not been given yours and will receive yours tomorrow.  There is a sheet attached that says the following:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

You have a speaking part or singing part in the North Pole Musical, Dec. 17^th.  Matinee 1:30 and Evening 6:30.

What does that mean for you?!

·     Please work on this at home and have your wordsmemorized

·     Please be aware of which song your part comes after

·     You do not have to dress as the character you are playing in the script

·     Please be there for the shows. You are important.

·     Constantly check the blog for information about practices for your scene or song as well as links to the music.

Thank you!!!

Jennele Coulson

I met with the kids who auditioned for solos today.  They were all amazing and I am so proud of them.  Here is the results, please practice: 

Hoofin' It (2 solos): Talia, Rachel

          (Small group): Zianna, Maddox, Ellie, Charlotte P, Sarah H, Isabelle, 

                        Kinsley, Jayna, Kaylan, Svea, Jaclyn F, Troy, Charlie, 

                        Tanisha, Vista

Chillin' (4 solos): Mackenzie C, Kyle, Marley G, Evelyn

The Heart of Christmas (2 solos): Lyric, Katie W

                       (Small group): Adara, Kylah, Abeeha, Adlyn, Olivia O, Nika, 

                                   Raquel, Addison, Breanna L, Ellyanna Y, Anna,

                                   Madi P., Scarlett, Madison B, Makayla B

Thanks so much to everyone who auditioned.  If anyone has any questions please email me. jabaine@cbe.ab.ca.

We will be working on the speaking and singing parts at school over the next few weeks. It is really helpful if you have the parts memorized and ready to go.

Solo auditions and speaking parts

Wow what fabulous voices we have at Eric Harvie!! Everyone did amazing today at their solo auditions.  If you did not come for your audition and are regretting it please let me know!!

I did touch base with everyone that had signed up for a singing part and either heard them or they changed their mind but please if you were missed come and talk to me.

I am just finishing up writing the speaking parts and getting the solos set.  I am hoping to have this for you by Tuesday.

There are three songs that have solos...

The Heart of Christmas

Chillin' 

Hoofin' It 

There is also two small groups singing in The Heart as well as Hoofin' it.



If you have signed up for a speaking role please know that your part MUST be memorized!!!

Nov. 4/5

Kindergarten

• learned a song for the Remembrance Day Assembly
• Discussed piano (quiet) and forte (loud) 
• played singing and movement games 

Grade 1/2

Peace Pod - continued working on our Remembrance Day songs

Harmony Pod - worked on our rhythm compositions.  Shared with friends and are getting ready to 

                           present them next week.

Grade 3/4

• learned a song for Remembrance Day Assembly
• continued working on our compositions
• some groups decided the form of their songs
• some groups were practicing with the instruments they have chosen

Choir Nov. 4

Today we finished the Nutcracker Megamix!  Please, Please, Please practice it.  It is really hard... There are A LOT of words to memorize and it is fast!!!  We didn't get to Hoofin' it like I had hoped but we will begin it next week.  We are in good shape.

Solo auditions are this Friday.  Please learn the beginning of The Heart of Christmas!

Oct. 28/29

It was a Halloween filled week with a tiny bit of Remembrance Day material sneaking in!

Kindergarten

• Began to learn Peace Like a River
• Played spooky singing games with the parachute

Grade 1/2

Peace Pod - began learning In Flanders Fields.  There is a link in an earlier post for you to practice

We also had some time to play a Halloween singing game with the parachute

Harmony Pod - began learning Peace Like a River and we played Halloween parachute games

Grade 3/4

• Learned Peace Like a River
• Played a variety of Halloween singing and beat keeping games

Choir Sneak Peak at new song!!!

Here is the next song we are going to learn.  There is a potential solo or two in this song. Enjoy.

Hoofin' It

Peace Pod Remembrance Day Song

Here is the music for Flanders Fields.  Please make sure to be listening to it at least.  There is many versions of the song.  This is the closest I could find to our version.  We are doing a slightly different chorus but other than that it is the same.  The one lyric change is they sing "the dead were loved" we sing "loved and were loved".

Thanks!

Flanders Fields 

Oct. 21/22

Kindergarten

We began Halloween songs!!!

• playing cooperative music games
• making up parts of the song
• brainstorming ideas
• moving like our favorite Halloween costumes

Grade One and Two

Harmony Pod - We began our Halloween compositions, using spooky symbols to represent 

                       music notes, we created our own 8 beat rhythmic phrase.

Peace Pod - Played Halloween games and sang songs

    *Next week we will be beginning our Remembrance Day songs for our Peace Assembly.

Grade Three and Four

Kindness Pod - Put the finishing touches on the song Brave for our Peace Assembly on Friday.  (It's gonna be good!!!)

Joy - Played Halloween games!!

Choir Oct. 22

We missed you today Joy Pod!! Don't worry, we didn't go on too far without you.  

Today we reviewed North Pole Musical, focusing on the ending.
  
We learned all of The Heart of Christmas. Keep in mind that the beginning is 2 solos and a small group singing.

We began the next part of Nutcracker but we didn't get very far so we will redo this one next week.  

You can find the link to these three songs on the post below that says Choir Oct. 15.  

Thank you to everyone who has been practicing, it is very helpful and shows!! 

Costumes!!

We talked a little about costumes but I said we would talk more lately.  The singers can wear what they would like however I would love it if they looked nice.  They don't have to be fancy, just no sweatpants or pj's please.  Some students go all out fancy and that is fine as well.  If you want to add on some Christmas add ons please do. 

Students who have asked for speaking parts... you will have a character, for example.. snowman 1.  You do not have to dress like a snowman that is just your character for this scene.  

Solos and Speaking Parts

You will receive your speaking parts after solo auditions are finished and parts are assigned.  I appreciate your patience, there is a lot of you and I want to make sure everyone has something!

Any questions, please email me jabaine@cbe.ab.ca

Oct. 15th

I hope everyone had a fabulous long weekend and Thanksgiving!! I ate lots of Turkey and enjoyed some family time in Banff!!

Kindergarten

• Worked on different ways to show the beat on our bodies
• Played the hand drums and rhythm sticks
• Began some Halloween themed songs and movements
• Played a game with the song London Bridges

Grade 1/2

• Spoke about dynamics and used piano (quiet) and forte (loud) when saying a rhyme
• Had student volunteers to lead the class in call and response
• Listened to the Marriage of Figaro
• read a story of a crazy chef and did actions that go to this music
• Used Drums, Bells, Tambourines and Egg Shakers to play along to the music

Grade 3/4

• Kindness Pod really is starting to pull their peace assembly together.  We have so many elements going into one song
• Joy Pod continued to work on their compositions. Today they added instruments to their compositions.  We still need some practice but we are going to take a small break for some Halloween songs and games!

Choir Oct. 15th

I can't believe how much we have accomplished in such a short time.  We have learned all of North Pole Musical (Which is the opener and the closer!!), we have learned the first 3 songs of the Nutcracker Megamix, and we started The Heart of Christmas.  The entire first verse of the Heart of Christmas is going to be solos and small group singing.  SEE BELOW FOR INFO ABOUT THIS!!
We come in on the first chorus and then sing the rest of the song.

Here are the song links again...

North Pole Musical

Nutcracker Megamix

The Heart of Christmas


IMPORTANT SOLO INFORMATION

As we talked about today, solo auditions will be held on Oct. 8th at some point during the morning.  I will be calling all of those interested to the music room and listening to everyone sing the beginning verse of The Heart of Christmas.  Please practice the beginning of the Heart of Christmas so that you know it for auditions.  ***You can have a solo part or an acting part, you will not be considered for both**. Please leave me a comment or email me is you have any questions, jabaine@cbe.ab.ca

Oct. 7th/8th

Thanksgiving!!!

This week we focused on Thanksgiving. 

Kindergarten

Our focus was on feeling fast and slow beat.  

• Sang about eating Turkey! The song went slower the more turkey we ate...until we fell asleep.
• Listened to Air and Badinerie both by Bach
• moved how the music made us feel
• decided which piece was fast and which was slow
• tried to find the beat
• used beat to speed our singing up or slow it down
• played the hand drum to show beat

Grade 1/2

Our focus this week was solo singing and pitch matching

• Played Five Fat Turkeys
• identified different Timbre's of voices
• sang solo and matched pitch
• played a fun guessing game

Grade 3/4 

Continued working on our compositions.  Last week they decided the form of their song, this week they added dynamics (volume) to their pieces.  They could choose from:     ff (fortissimo)

                        f (forte)

                       mf (mezzo forte)

                       mp (mezzo piano)

                       p (piano)

                      pp (pianissimo) 

                        

Choir Oct. 8th

AMAZING JOB EVERYONE! Have I told you how much I love choir! It's one of my favorite things to do. The sound we make together is incredible. Nothing compares.

Today in choir we learned the rest of North Pole Musical!!  We also learned the second song of the Nutcracker Remix! You can find the link for both of these if you scroll down to the post that says Choir, Oct. 1.

Please keep practicing these songs!!

Yesterday and today I asked all the classes who would like speaking parts and who would like solo/small group singing opportunities.  If you were not here today or you missed for some reason please let me know!!

Thanks everyone. You're hard work is appreciated and already paying off.

Sept. 30/Oct. 1

Peace Assembly - Friday Oct. 4th 11:00 a.m. is brought to you by HARMONY pod!!

Kindergarten

• we focused this week on high/low sounds (pitch)
• used our bodies as a scale for the notes
• played the Boomwhackers  
• played listening action games

Grade 1/2

• Harmony Pod has been hard at work learning Peace songs
• Peace Pod - working on our compositions
• sharing in partners, small groups and the large group!! 

Grade 3/4

• Kindness began working on their peace assembly.  Here is the link to the song Brave by Sara Bareilles
• Joy Pod - worked on their compositions adding their to two others
• looked at form and decided what the form of their song would be and how many times they would repeat each part

Choir Oct. 1

WOW!!

I can't even begin to explain how excited I am.  We got started today with a ton of energy and incredible voices.  These kids are amazing!

I am still trying to figure out the best sing to eat ratio for time.  Please know that I told the kids today to eat quickly without chocking (of course!) and that if I started and they were still eating to please make sure that they were not singing with food in their mouths but to finish eating and then join in.  

Helping in the music room is Mrs. Danchuk and Mrs. Mask.  Hurray!!!

Today we learned the first verse and chorus of North Pole Musical as well as the first song of the Nutcracker Megamix (My favorite song of the show!!) I asked the kids to try to sing through the songs twice before next choir.  If they are able to do more, GREAT!!

Here are the links for the songs

North Pole Musical

Nutcracker Megamix

FYI
The students were asking if there would be speaking parts - YES!

In a few weeks I will ask who is interested in a speaking line (everyone who wants a line will get a line although some may be in a small group of speakers)

Will there be solos? - YES! That is the plan

In a few weeks I will be asking who is interested in solos, if you have a solo or small group singing part you will not also have a speaking line unless the line goes with the solo.  I will hold solo auditions where I ask the students to prepare a little bit of singing and come meet me at a lunch hour to sing for me and then I will put them in a part. 

If you sign up for these parts it is up to you to practice them at home!!! Myself and Mrs. McLean will work at school with you but you need to know them. 

Last but not least
There was a little confusing with a couple of students as their name wasn't on a list for lunchroom to know they were coming to choir.  I apologize, I am not sure how that happened.  It has been fixed I believe!! Thanks for your understanding. 

Sept. 23/24

Important News!!!

Choir is looking excellent.  So many singers have signed up.  We begin choir next Tuesday!

Kindergarten

• singing through call and response
• action songs
• Moving to the music
• showing high and low notes with our bodies and scarves
• Using our body as a scale
• do - re - mi - fa - sol - la - ti - do

Grade 1/2

• Harmony Pod continues to work towards their Peace Assembly.  
• Link coming soon to practice song at home
• Joy Pod  - Fall Compositions
• reviewing rhythm/ note names ta, ti - ti, and rest
• writing own 4 beat phrase using pictures and rhythms 

 Grade 3/4

• Speaking on the beat
• Composing our own songs
• Review rhythms we know
• ta, ti-ti, tika tika, rest
• working in small groups

North Pole Musical

I received the music for North Pole Musical (choir performance) today and I am so excited.  I thought I would give you a sneak peak.  Here is the opening number!

North Pole Musical

Enjoy!!  See you Oct. 1 at lunch time.  If you still would like to sign up for choir you still can.

September 16/17

The Details

Choir forms are going home through out this week.  Please write down the information about practices and the performance.  

Kindergarten

• building confidence up to sing by ourselves.  
• Turning our speaking voices into singing voices 
• Matching pitch (same notes as I sing)
• Listened to Vivace by Handel and played the rhythm sticks
• Moved in different ways to the beat
• learned the rhythm names ta and ti-ti

Grade 1/2
Harmony

• Began working on our Peace Assembly - we are rewriting the words to A Little Help from My Friends to relate more to us
• stay tuned for more information about the assembly!

Peace

• continued working with rhythm sticks and counting the rhythms ta and ti-ti
• sang a beautiful fall song 
• used to Orff instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels) to accompany our song
• introduced the half note and its rhythm name (two-a or two-o)

 

Grade 3/4

• warm-up: Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?  Almost all students can speak on the beat! Way to go.  Love the silly voices coming out as well
• Learned about 16th notes with the rhythm name tika tika and reviewed ta and ti-ti
• Played through Old Town Road on rhythm sticks
• Bjork introduced us to the term dynamics (volume) through the song It's Oh So Quiet
• pianissimo, piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, forte, fortissimo 

Choir Form

Today the teachers hated out choir forms to those who are interested.  Here is the information in case you didn't get a form and were curious.  

September 13, 2019

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students, 

This year choir will be offered for students in Grades 1 to 4. Choir will rehearse on Tuesdays during lunch hour. Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, October 1st and conclude with an evening performance on December 17, 2019. I will be communicating more details of this as we get closer to the date.  Please stay connected with the music blog ehsmusic.blogspot.com.  

We will be performing a mini-musical called North Pole Musical.  Here is a synopsis of the show please note that it has a Christmas theme;

Auditions are underway for the 400th Anniversary of North Pole Musical, and everyone is in a panic! The dancing Reindeer are “hoofin' it,” but don't know what to do with Rudolph and his 4 left hooves. The elves are tired of always getting the short end of the stick, and are singin' the blues. The snowmen are “chillin'” but worried about the funky hot lights, and the toys are trying to do the entire Nutcracker Suite in 3 minutes! The annual Christmas show keeps getting bigger and bigger each year. But, wait a minute! Is bigger really better? See how Santa finds a way to remind everyone of the true meaning of the season.

Students will quickly eat their lunch in the music room and then rehearse for the remainder of lunch. All interested students are welcome! 

If your child is interested in attending choir, please sign the form below and return it by Friday, September 27^th 2019. Please also ensure that your child is committed to attending all the practices as well as the performance, and is genuinely interested in this activity. I do understand that some families go away for the holidays. If you are planning to be away on Dec. 17 and your child will miss the performance, but would still like to come to the practices, please note that below. 

If you are interested in joining choir I have extra forms for you if you would like. 

Thanks Jennele

Sincerely,

Jennele Coulson

September 9/10

Welcome To Music!

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Jennele Coulson.  I have the pleasure to teach music to you amazingly talented students! It has been so great to come back this year.  Some of you know that I took last year off for the birth of my daughter Alice.  I also have a beautiful son called William.  

The Nitty Gritty Details

Yes, there will be choir this year.  I haven't worked out the details yet but you will get information soon.  It will begin Oct. 1 at lunch time and will end with a Christmas mini-musical.  

This Week

I have met with every class this week!  It was so nice to see everyone.  Here is some highlights!

Kindergarten

• focus on getting comfortable, understanding beat
• instrument introduction: djembe (an African drum)
• How can we keep the beat with our bodies, with our voices
• difference between speaking, whisper, singing and shouting voices
• We DANCED!!!

Grade 1/2

• Read Music Class Today!
• Played a singing game: Little Sally Walker
• Reviewed our rhythms ta (quarter note), ti-ti (eighth notes) and quarter rest
• Instrument Introduction: rhythm sticks

Grade 3/4

• Read The Really Awful Musicians
• Played Who Stole The Cookie From The Cookie Jar (speaking on beat)
• Old Town Road - Kidz Bop version (Form/ Thoughts in a song)

Fun Question For You!

Would you rather be a lion or a tiger? why?