Christmas: A Comparison of Secular and Sacred Christmas music

In music class, we've talked about the meaning of the terms "secular" and "sacred".  We've sung "novelty" Christmas songs such as "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and "The Grinch", and we've had tons of fun doing so!   We've also sung "sacred" Christmas carols such as "Away in a Manger", "Joy to the World", "O Come All Ye Faithful", and "Silent Night".  In our 3rd & 4th grade Christmas musical, we sang many secular songs, but we ended with Linus' recitation of the Christmas story from the Bible, followed by a sacred Christmas carol.   Here is my Christmas present to all of you:  Linus' recitation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPpcWGRb0k  and Josh Groban's presentation of my favorite Christmas carol, "O Holy Night".https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU  Merry Christmas, and God bless us, everyone!

Stop by and see us!

Parents of K4-4th grade students:

YOU ARE INVITED
              TO
CURRICULUM NIGHT
                at
            GWA
Thursday, October 22nd
             from
       5:30-6:50 pm

Come and see what
my music students
are learning!

We Do MORE Than Sing!

Here is Mrs. May's K5 class performing "Beethoven Bear's Song".  They are demonstrating the difference between the music terms, "forte" and "piano", through singing, movement, and playing different rhythm instruments.  https://youtu.be/pGqMaIC3Nv4  Great job!

ATTENTION GWA LOWER SCHOOL STUDENTS!  Here is some info on auditions for an upcoming play that will be performed at "On Stage Playhouse" in Monroe, GA.:

"THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER"

On Stage Playhouse, 215 High School Ave., Monroe, GA

For more information visit www.onstagewalton.org

 

Auditions will be held:

 

Sept. 24, 6-8pm and Sept. 26, 2-5pm

All actors will be asked to sing in a chorus. Several solos and small group vocalist parts are available. Anyone interested in being a soloist, please come prepared with a song to share, or willing to sing a favorite carol.

*Please come any time during the audition dates and times. Auditions will last about 30 minutes.

LARGE CAST NEEDED!! 

FATHER (Bob Bradley) - -38 years old

MOTHER (Grace Bradley) - 35ish
BETH BRADLEY - the narrator, 10-11 year old
CHARLIE BRADLEY - 8-9
RALPH HERDMAN - 12-13
IMOGENE HERDMAN - 11-12
LEROY HERDMAN - -11
CLAUDE HERDMAN - -10
OLLIE HERDMAN - 8-9
GLADYS HERDMAN - 7-8
ALICE WENDLEKEN - 10-11
MRS. ARMSTRONG - 50ish
MRS. SLOCUM - 35-60
MRS. CLARK - 35-60
MRS. CLAUSING - 35-60
MRS. MCCARTHY – mid 40s
MAXINE - l0-ll
ELMER HOPKINs - 12-13
HOBIE - 9-10
DAVID - 8-9
BEVERLY - 7-8
FIREMAN - 25-30
FIREMAN - 25-30
SHIRLEY - 5-6
JUANITA - 5-6
DORIS - 9-10
REVEREND HOPKINS - 40s

 

WELCOME BACK!

I'm excited to see all my students again!  I've missed you over the summer.  I've got a fabulous year planned for you, and can't wait to get started!  Hurray for a new school year!

Summer Fun!

George Walton Academy offers MANY wonderful summer camps for kids of all ages!   These camps are at the GWA campus, but are open to the public.   Here is a sampling of the camps offered:  GWA Lego Adventures, Princess & Pirates Camp, Photoshop Basics, Art Camp, and MANY more.  Mrs. Donaldson and I are also leading, "101 Dalmatians Music Camp" and we would LOVE to have you join us.  For all the details of our camp and the many others, follow this link:https://campscui.active.com/orgs/GeorgeWaltonAcademy#/selectSessions/974403
Hope to see you there!

Field Day 2015

 

On May Day (May 1st), all of my music classes were cancelled for Field Day, so I created a montage of my students sharing this special day at George Walton Academy!  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Thanks to our PE teachers, Coach Mitchell and Coach Sorrells, for organizing such a fabulous outing for the students!  You rock!

Go West! 2015

All of my 3rd and 4th grade students did a SPLENDID job on the musical, "Go West!"  Here is just a sampling of all the children did.  Thank you for all your hard work!  I'm very proud of all of you!

 

 

Music Rocks!

Today, in 1st grade, we discussed "folk songs" and one in particular, "Alabama Gal".  We talked about the origin (it's from Tennesse) and terms to know when we dance to it ("reel" and "sashay").  We also discussed the meaning of one of the phrases, "Ain't I rock candy", which was an old-fashioned way of saying, "Hey, I'm pretty fabulous (like rock candy!).  I showed the children pictures of rock candy and then a brief video on how to make it.  This is the link to it on youtube:  https://youtu.be/-oUUkAT6xeA  Please preview the first couple of seconds because it usually contains a commercial, and some are not the most appropriate for children.  The video itself is great!  *I reminded the students they must NOT attempt this alone as it involves boiling water.  Try it out!

On another note, isn't it wonderful that in one 30 minute period our class learned about American History and traditions, Geography, a song & dance, the meaning of new words and phrases, AND how to make an old-fashioned treat--rock candy!  I love my job!

"Lemonade!" the musical

Congratulations to K4 and K5 classes on their presentations of the musical, "Lemonade!"
All of you did a MARVELOUS job!  Here is "Mother Goose" spreading a little sunshine and joy to Mrs. Dyer. 

Congratulations!

Philip Mashburn, with GWA Lower School Principal,

 Mr. Kevin Cloud

Congratulations to 4th grader, Philip Mashburn, for earning his BLACK BELT in
our Recorder Karate program!   Philip had to master a series of songs in increasing difficulty, including, "Amazing Grace", "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Ode to Joy".  Way to go, Philip!

LEMONADE!

Get ready for your extra dose of "CUTENESS"!  Our K4 & K5 students will have two SEPARATE performances of the musical, "Lemonade", and you won't want to miss them:

 

K4  “Lemonade”  Practices 8:30-9:30am Tues & Wed, March 10^th and 11th and Performance Thursday, March 12^th, 9:00-9:30 am in the LS Gym

K5 “Lemonade” Practices 11:00-12:00 noon Tues & Wed, March 10^th and 11th and Performance Thursday, March 12^th, 11:00-11:30 am in the LS Gym

We hope to see you in the Lower School Gym of George Walton Academy to watch our talented children perform! 

Go West! Musical for 3rd and 4th Grades

GO WEST!  the musical, is tons of fun, but also is chocked full of historical information!  For further facts about America's Western Expansion, check out this website designed especially for kids:http://www.ducksters.com/history/westward_expansion/   The site details Frontier Life, Famous Gunfighters, The Transcontinental Railroad, The Oregon Trail, and The Pony Express, just to name a few!  It's interesting reading--Check it out!  Look for our performances the end of April:

3rd grade “Go West!” Practices 10:30-11:30 am Tues & Wed April 21& 22 and Performance Thurs. April 23 from 10:30-11:15am LS Gym

4^th grade “Go West!”  Practices 12:30-1:30 pm Tues & Wed April 21 & 22 and Performance Thurs April 23 from 12:30-1:15 pm LS Gym


Learning history through music makes it so much more fun!  ~ a GWA student

Fabulous job!

1st and 2nd grade students,  you did a FABULOUS job in each of your performances!  Even though there were illnesses and cancelled school days, you learned your lines, songs, motions, and dances!  Did you notice that after our programs, THE SUN was shining brightly!  Your song, "The Sun" was so amazing that it coaxed him out to say hello!  Thank you making me proud to be your music teacher!  I love you all!

 

 

Mrs. Dyer with our 2nd grade "Rooster Big"

Just in Case!

ATTENTION PARENTS:
In the event that GWA is closed tomorrow (Thursday, February 26th), our 1st & 2nd grade performances of "Nuts!" will be moved to Friday morning, February 27^th  (same times):

1st grade performance   8:30-9:15

2nd grade performance   9:30-10:15

Performances will be held in the Lower School Gym.  If school is cancelled on Friday, Mr. Cloud and I will have to discuss a make-up date and let you know that at a later time.

Everyone stay safe, and I hope to see you soon!

Musically Yours,

Mrs. Debbie Dyer
Lower School Music

Fasten Your Seatbelts!

Lower School Music is off to a fast start with a busy New Year! 


Here are just some of the things we are doing this week:

K4 & K5 classes are "ringing in the New Year" with a new song that involves playing bells, dancing, smiling, recognizing their birthday, AND promising to be a little kinder to everyone this year!   We also introduced our Spring musical, "Lemonade!" and discussed the term, "musical" (a story told through songs and speaking/acting, and usually characters are dressed in costume).

1st & 2nd grades began our classes with a VERY SERIOUS SONG called "One Green Jelly Bean"!   The students even created some extra verses.  Before the song ended, we were all laughing!  Our Spring musical, "Nuts!"  was introduced and we discussed the theme, which is "the circle of life".  

3rd grade continues to practice the flutophone.  We are reviewing the three notes we've learned, "B-A-G".  We are adding new songs, notes, and musical symbols!  We'll be well-prepared to play the recorder in 4th grade.

4th grade is concentrating on Recorder Karate and working toward earning "belts".  I sent home info that tells the students how to access the music online so they can practice.  This is the website:  www.musick8.com . I am offering a new way to test for belts:  While playing the music provided online, video your child playing the recorder using your iPhone, iPad, or other device, and then email it to me at ddyer@gwa.com  If they play it accurately (as we demonstrated in class), I will reply that they've earned their "belt"!   The next time they come to music, the belts are awarded!  Isn't technology wonderful?!

Some colleagues discovered a new website, "Interactive Sites for Education".  http://interactivesites.weebly.com/  It has a collection of fun learning activities for many areas of study, including MUSIC!  My 3rd & 4th grade classes looked at "Composing Your Own Music" and tried it out in class.  If my students want to compose music through this online game and email it to me (the site provides a way to do that), they can earn ONE noteworthy! 

Keep Calm and Make Music~
Mrs. Debbie Dyer