Last Post and New Blog from Kittery, ME

This will be my last post on the Dothan Brook School Music blog. I have relocated back to my family and am now teaching music in the Kittery, Maine school district. Grades K-3 general music and grade 7/8 chorus. Alicia Dale will be the new music teacher at DBS. I know she will be a great fit and do a wonderful job!

View my new blog here: http://mitchellschoolmusic.blogspot.com/

Spring Concert 2015 Pictures

Our Spring Concert "Movies and the Imagination" was a great success. Congratulations 4/5 chorus, 5 band, and 4th grade ukuleles on your performances! Click here to view pictures of the concert on the DBS Facebook page.

William Tell Overture with rhythm sticks Grade 3

Grade three has been having fun learning about the William Tell Overture. We played instruments (jingle bells, hand drums, and maracas) to the different parts of the form. Then we did a parachute routine, and we finished with a rhythm stick routine. They know the piece well by now!

3S performing a rhythm stick routine to the William Tell Overture.

I got the idea from here and adapted it for third grade.

Music Share Week June 2-5th

MUSIC SHARE WEEK!

Photo credit: OpenClips

June 2-5, 2015

Dates and times will vary depending on when you have music class.

Music Share is an opportunity for students to share something musical with their peers during music class. They may bring in an instrument from home and store it in the music room for the day if needed, or use any of the classroom instruments we have. They can share anything musical (even a poem, skit, or dance routine!) that they have thought through and planned. Usually we have enough time for each child to share one or two things.

The purpose of having a performance day is to give children an opportunity to perform in front of a small, friendly, known group and learn the etiquette of doing so; to provide a platform for sharing musical ideas and interests; and to give the rest of the class practice at being respectful audience members. Most important, performing is completely voluntary and meant to occur in a casual, stress-free environment.

Here are some ideas for your music share. Be creative! J :

Sing a song

Do a dance

Recite a poem

Show an instrument from home

Play an instrument from school

Create your own instrument

Make up a dance with friends and perform

Do a skit with friends

Share your favorite song on youtube (Links can be emailed to me or I can look them up in advance)

Tell about your favorite musical, play, or singer/songwriter

Share a memory of music class

Choose an activity we have done in music to repeat

And much more!

If you have questions feel free to call the school or email me at moons@hartfordschools.net

Have fun!

Movies and the Imagination

Spring Concert

Grade 5 band, grade 4 ukuleles, and grades 4/5 chorus.

Date:  Thursday, May 21^st, 2015                                                    
Time: 6:30 PM      (Doors open at 6:10 PM)
Place: DBS Gymnasium                                                                          
4/5 Attire for PM Concert Only: Black bottoms and colored top with no writing or pictures.

Procedure

5^th grade chorus members who are not in band and all 4^th graders:

·       Arrive between 6:10 and 6:25 PM.

·       Students will leave belongings with their parents/guardians for safe keeping. 4/5 chorus members will go right to their places on the risers and non-chorus 4^th graders will go to the 4^th grade ukulele seating.

5^th grade band students:

·       Arrive at 6:10 PM.

·       Students will go to the music room to store cases and belongings, place their instruments/music at their band spot, and go to their riser spot if in chorus.

All concert students:

·       We will begin our performance promptly at 6:30 PM. Please note that the doors to the school will not be opened until 6:10 PM.

·       After the performance band will be dismissed first to the music room and meet parents back in the gym, followed by non-band students dismissed to meet parents in the gymnasium.

·       Please remind your child to use the restroom before they arrive or right when they arrive as there will be no time to go once the concert starts.

"La Bastringue" Canadian Folk Dance Grade 2

2nd graders finished up their Canadian studies in music by performing a Canadian Folk Dance called "La Bastringue." I simplified and adapted the original folk dance moves a bit, but the overall idea is the same!

2G/G performing "La Bastingue."

2S performing "La Bastingue"

"Take Five" Beanbag Activity Grade 5

5th graders finished up their jazz unit today by doing a beanbag passing activity to the famous jazz piece "Take Five" by Paul Desmond. The hardest part was switching directions each time a new section started! I got the idea from here.

5T performing "Take Five."