MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It's Christmas Everywhere!

On Tuesday, December 13th, George Walton Academy 3rd & 4th grade students performed the musical, "It's Christmas Everywhere!"  This program featured songs, dance, and instrumental accompaniments from different countries.  Children wore traditional costumes from various countries around the world.  Selections performed included "Kling, Glochken, Kling", "Kiyoshi Kono Yoru" ("Silent Night" in Japanese), "Aussie Jingle Bells", "A La Nanita (sung in Spanish), "Sing We All Noel", and a rousing African-American version of "Go Tell it on the Mountain".  The presentation concluded with a reprise of the opening song, "It's Christmas Everywhere!" and a parade of nations.  The appreciative audience gave the students a standing ovation!

A THANKSGIVING STORY

Come join us this Friday, November 18th at 9:00am in the Lower School gym of George Walton Academy.  Our K4 and K5 students will present a program you won't want to miss!

Pilgrim girls and Pilgrim boys

Pilgrim minister and Indian boys and girls

Curriculum Night Video 2016

Lower School Music Curriculum Night 2016

In case you missed it, curriculum night at GWA was a hit!  Parents and family members were able to get a "Snapshot" of a day in the life of a student.  Here's a video that gives you a glimpse into the world of Lower School Music:

GEORGIA CHILDREN'S CHORUS IN ATHENS, GEORGIA

Georgia Children's Chorus, in Athens, Georgia has a high-quality choral training program.  Boys and girls ages 7-18 audition and are placed in a choir by ability and age.  Practices are from August to May, on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, depending on which choir you are placed in.  Choristers explore a diverse repertoire from classical works to authentic international, folk, and ethnic music.  They perform at numerous community events in addition to two major concerts in Hodgson Hall in the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center.  Interested singers should contact the GCC office at 706-543-87ll or email gcc@uga.edu This is a wonderful opportunity for students who enjoy singing more challenging music!

Young Artists Programs in Covington

**CLICK FLYER TO ENLARGE.
Mrs.Vaughn is a GWA parent, and works for the Arts Association in Newton County. They have added new programs to the Oxford Singers groups.  They have begun Oxford Little Singers that start in first grade now. Then, they have Oxford Singing Children that is for 4th-7th graders. Performances include Christmas in Covington in the fall and a spring musical later in the year. This year, the younger children will be doing Honk, Jr. and the older kids will do Hairspray. Registrations are currently being held if your child is interested. For further info contact:

Katie Vaughn|, Office: (770) 786-8188 kvaughn@newtoncountyarts.org

www.newtoncountyarts.org

Young Artists Programs in Covington

Mrs.Vaughn' is a GWA parent, and works for the Arts Association in Newton County. They have added new programs to the Oxford Singers groups.  They have begun Oxford Little Singers that start in first grade now. Then, they have Oxford Singing Children that is for 4th-7th graders. Performances include Christmas in Covington in the fall and a spring musical later in the year. This year, the younger children will be doing Honk, Jr. and the older kids will do Hairspray. Registrations are currently being held if your child is interested. For further info contact:

Katie Vaughn|, Office: (770) 786-8188 kvaughn@newtoncountyarts.org

www.newtoncountyarts.org

Welcome and Welcome Back!

Bulletin boards are done, rooms are decorated, supplies organized, and schedules are prepared.  We are very happy to welcome back all our "old" friends, and excited to meet all our "new" friends.  The Lower School Music calendar is jam packed full of many performances, so fasten your seat belt!
It will be a fabulous year!  Here's the link to the Lower School Music Performance Schedule:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9ivxaC9DoMkSS1adjBYR0R5WUE/view?usp=sharing

Maypole and May Day celebrations

This week, we've been celebrating May Day with a little maypole dancing.  I remember enjoying this when I was in elementary school.  I finally found a tutorial showing how to easily make a maypole, and I couldn't wait to try it out.  This is a big hit in all of my classes.  It brings back sweet childhood memories.  I hope it will do the same for many of you!  Happy May Day! *Here's a link to one of my 3rd grade classes dancing around the maypole:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkXDK4fKiTU

"Arf!"--A Summer Camp Musical

"ARF!" the Musical, Summer Camp

Where:  George Walton Academy in Monroe, GA

Dates:  June 6-10

Time:  Monday-Thursday 9am-12noon

            Friday 4:00-7:00pm with a performance at 7:00pm

Ages:  Those entering 1st-5th grades

Instructor:  Mrs. Debbie Dyer

Cost:  $125.00

*You do not have to be a GWA student to attend.  This camp is open to the public!

This is a dog-filled, delightful musical.  All dog breeds are busy rehearsing for the upcoming dog show, vying for 1st place.  The competition makes for a wagging tail/tale!  Students will receive a practice CD, script, light snacks each day, and a Friday pizza party!  A performance for family and friends will close out the week.

To sign up online, click on this link and look for "Arf!" the Musical

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/GeorgeWaltonAcademy#/selectSessions/1376201

"We The People"

Recently, GWA 3rd & 4th graders presented performances of "We the People".  Patriotic songs, such as "This Land is Your Land", "You're a Grand Old Flag", and "God Bless the USA" were a few of the songs included in the program.  Though all the selected songs were the same for both grades, the 3rd and 4th grade scripts were entirely different because each grade wrote portions of the script.  The patriotic performance was a celebration of our American heritage. Kudos to all the children for a job well-done!

SPRING IS HERE!

K4 and K5 Present:  "The Color Factory" 

Thursday, March 10, George Walton Academy's K4 & K5 classes performed the musical,"The Color Factory".  All colors are important, and when we work together, we can make even MORE beautiful colors.  It just takes TEAMWORK!  Thanks to all the K4 & K5 teachers and the parents for helping make the program a success!  A special "thank you" to Mrs. Patti Lewis for designing and decorating the set and stage.  To all my precious students:
YOU DID A MARVELOUS JOB!  I LOVE YOU!
~Mrs. Dyer

 

"Ain't I Rock Candy"

During part of first grade music today, we sang and danced to an American folk song/dance, called "Alabama Gal".  It's a silly song that ends with the phrase, "Ain't I rock candy".  It means, "Aren't I as sweet as rock candy".  To explain what rock candy was, I showed the students a brief YouTube video which demonstrated how to make it.  Here is the link (Preview the ad before the video):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oUUkAT6xeA  I wanted to share it with you in case you wanted to make a batch over the long weekend (Remember, we have Monday off!).  Music is a fantastic medium for teaching many things--in this case, we learned a bit of our American heritage,  the meaning of a new expression,  learned how to "cook", got exercise AND HAD FUN!!  And you thought all we did was sing songs!  :) 

Have a musical day!
Mrs. Debbie Dyer