Peggy Austin

Welcome to Kindergarten Music 2011! We have music twice per week for 20 minutes each.

We have been studying the opera Hansel and Gretel.  We listened to adult and children's voices and learned that opera is a story that is acted out with singing and some dancing.

We have just started a unit on play xylophones and keyboards.

Here is the Trimester 1 Newsletter:  K letter1 2011.pdf

Welcome to Second Grade Music 2011!  I teach all the first grade music classes.  We have music twice per week for 45 minutes each time.

We are currently working on Standard 4, learning to read and write music.  We finished the 1st Grade year reading and writing our first pitches and rhythms on the staff (so and mi and ta and titi).  This year we have added the notes la, do and re.  We have also just added a half note to our rhythms.  We will be using the keyboards to read and play music from notation.

Here is the newsletter from the first Trimester:  2nd letter 1 2011.pdf

Welcome to Third Grade Music 2011!  I teach all the third grade music classes.  We meet for 45 minutes twice per week.

We have been studying the Nutcracker.  We used musical terms to describe what we heard:  tempo, dynamics, form, melody and accompaniment.  We also named instruments we heard and acted out some of the scenes.  We then watched the New York Ballet version of the Nutcracker on DVD.

Now we are working on standard 4:  reading and writing music notation.  We will have keyboards and recorders to help us with this.

Here is the newsletter from the first Trimester:  3rd letter 1 2011.pdf 

Welcome to 5th Grade music!  We meet twice per week for 45 minutes.

November 9th and 10th the 5th graders performed the musical, Jungle Book kids.   

Currently we are working on standard 4:  reading and writing music notation.  We will use the keyboards to help us learn about the grand staff (treble and bass clef used together by the piano.)

Here is the newsletter from the first Trimester:  5th letter 1 2011.pdf

Here is the information and permission slip to join the Songbirds Choir:  Superior Choir Info 11-12[1].pdf

The Songbirds are a volunteer choir of 4th and 5th graders at SES.  We are doing something new this year.  Starting this Fall, Mrs. Schulz will direct a 4th Grade Only Songbirds with a concert in December.  This choir will rehearse on Wednesdays after school.

Also, this Fall Mrs. Schulz will direct a 4th and 5th grade Handbell Choir.  The Handbells will meet on Mondays after school and will ring on the same December concert as the 4th Grade Songbirds.

New Songbirds:  We are starting up again on January 10th and will rehearse 2:40-3:20 on Tuesdays and Fridays (Tuesdays only for the first few weeks).  Our concert will be March 21st at 6:30 in the SES gym.

Information sheet and Permission slip:  Superior Choir Info 11-12[1].pdf

Rehearsal Schedule: 1/10, 1/17, 1/24,1/31, 2/7, 2/10, 2/14, 2/17, 2/24, 2/28, 3/2, 3/6, 3/9, 3/13, 3/16, 3/20

Mandatory Dress Rehearsal on March 20^th will go 2:40-4:00.

Every November the 5th graders perform a musical.  All 5th graders are involved and all the singing rehearsals are done in the music class during the day.  Those wishing a more challenging part can audition for a solo singing or acting part with lines.  These parts rehearse after school.  The children learn about acting, singing, dancing and choreography, blocking and movement.  Students also have an opportunity to work backstage with props and set or running the spot and stage lights.

FAQ 1--I'm often asked questions about how I choose a musical.  First, I have to enjoy the music and think that it is high quality music that offers the students something they can learn musically.  Second, it has to be appropriate and appealing subject-wise to 5th graders.  I find they are not really, as a whole, wanting a love story. Third, I want a piece that has many solo parts rather than just a couple really big parts.  Also, the "chorus" part must be interesting and very involved. (like squirrels or Oompa Loompas)  My purpose for doing a musical is to give ALL children an experience they can take with them for years.  Lastly, it has to be a musical published for our age level.  Many musicals are not available if they are still making a lot of money on Broadway. 

FAQ 2--I'm also asked if I'm relieved when it is over.  For me, as with the kids, it's a let down when it is over.  Performing is a very exciting part of music and when you put this much into a show you feel a little low when it is over.  Granted I'm happy to be able to do my teaching job more easily and to spend more time with my own family.  But I also really love putting the musical together.  It is always amazing to me to see normal kids rise to the occassion and put on such a beautiful show.  It is thrilling to see the kids come out of their shells and really become great performers.  What more could a teacher ask for?