May Day Festivities

Recently in my music classes, the students learned about the history of May Day, which is May 1^st.   A tall pole decorated with long, brightly colored ribbons, and with flowers on top, is central to the celebration.  Traditional folk music is played while participants dance around the May pole.  Though the meaning of May Day has changed through its history, today it is a symbol of Spring.  

During the 1800’s in England,  villages created their own song, or their own version of a popular folk song, and went from house to house every May Day, singing the town song and delivering a “branch of May”(flowers and greenery) to each home.  This “May Day caroling” would end in the center of town, around the May pole.  First and Second grade classes at GWA recreated this tradition by taking flowers to different people around campus, singing a May Day carol, and wishing them “a joyful May”. We presented May Day bouquets to over 16 different groups or individuals.

Pictured below is Mrs. Pulliam’s 1^st grade class.  They took flowers and sang to Mrs. Rebecca Ratliffe and Mrs. Carolyn Phillips in our Lower School Media Center.

Also pictured is Mrs. Franklin’s 3^rd grade class as they prepared to dance around the May pole in Music.

Georgia Elementary Honor Chorus 2017

The Georgia Elementary Honor Chorus was held this past weekend in Athens, Georgia, at the Classic Center.  Representing George Walton Academy were Evie Carter, McNair Shannahan, and Rosemary Ferguson.  These students were selected by Lower School music teacher, Mrs. Debbie Dyer, based on their musical skills and exemplary behavior.  Over 500 fourth and fifth grade students statewide joined together to perfect challenging music they had been preparing with their music teachers over the past few months.  The concert was held before a packed audience.  Congratulations to these talented young ladies!