Thursday, November 19, 2009

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday
Advanced Band:
Not such a good day for the band today. Every time they get a new song (No matter the level of difficulty) they seem to SPAZ on me! If its not one thing, its another! We need to work on working things out for ourselves, instead of having me hand it to you all on a silver platter!
New songs today are: Away in a Manger and Mendelssohn. Both songs are very short, so for the concert, you will be playing them twice. Keep working on precise rhythms in Joyful and Triumphant. You heard the recording today...keep in mind all the things we discussed, and put them to good use!
Also: Practice cards have been late, or non exisitent from most of you. Of all times of the year, this is one of the most critical times to be practicing. Always remember that you are free to come into my room any day that I am here!

Beginning Band:
I was pleased with how well the beginners are progressing. While we still have alot to work on (Mostly talking in class and not paying attention) they are seemingly trying their best. We have to also work on all the questions that are being asked during class. (mostly questions that only benefit the individual, not the entire group). Individual questions are fine, but at a minimum!
Our songs for the CHristmas program on Dec 9th are # 38- Jingle Bells 78- Up on the Housetop #79- Jolly Old St. Nick. We also welcome Jared to the group! We have another trumpet!

3rd grade finally finished up the music ace lesson on learning how to read the notes on the piano. Their written test will be in 2 weeks, due to no school next Wednesday. (Keep all that info in there!!)

8th grade bells are going to be stunning at the Christmas Program! I can't wait for everyone to hear them. We still have a few issues to work out, but thankfully we still have two more rehearsals, a time to play in chapel and a time to play in church!

Thursday:
Primary Praise is singing this Sunday at the 11:00 A.M. service. PLease make sure you are there by 10:40 wearing white tops and dark bottoms. I will send a note home with the students tomorrow, if you don't read this! They will be singing a song about Noah and the Ark.

Jonah's wailers are still dilligently working on the music for the Christmas play, and strangely enough, I think they like the songs more than the little kids do! They are mad at me for giving them the ballads, (slow songs) though... ahh what are you going to do???!!!

Advanced Band had a little better day today. I think they got the idea that this is not the time to be asking silly questions about; reeds, music, whats a sharp?, I don't recognize this tune...etc etc! We recorded Joyful and Triumphant today, and realized what we really sound like. That may motivate them to practice more than anything else!

Beginning Band is still playing 38, 78, and 79. The drummers got their assignments today as to who is playing what instrument on what song. I believe they all wrote it down.

Oh 7th grade bells... you are getting jipped! We haven't had a class in what seems like a month, and so our Christmas songs are going to have to be easy and short! Technically speaking, we only have one more rehearsal (yikes!) Hopefully Mr. B can give us time to practice some more! Our songs are: Oh little town of Bethlehem, Oh come Oh come Emmanuel, and Angels from the realms of glory, which will be sung by the congregation and played by the 7th graders. We will make it through though! Don't worry!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Tuesday oh Tuesday

All groups are steadily working on getting ready for their respective programs, so there is not much to report, other than this:

2nd graders: There are still some 2nd graders who want to bring in their "instrument" for their composition. They still have one more week before they need to have them here. Remember, they need to be "non pitched" and something that they can leave here until Christmas.

Advanced Band members- Sorry that I haven't been keeping up with your assignments online, but here is what you need to be practicing for the December 9th concert: Santa's Holiday- Currently measures A-B needs to be practiced at home. Be mindful of the key signature! Joyful and Triumphant- The entire song- working out notes and rhythms. Please know that you can always do more than I ask of you. If you get bored with it, make it more interesting by adding dynamics and maybe even record yourself at home and play it back to decide if you really like it!

That's all for now!

Christmas Program- Dec. 16th WORDS TO MEMORIZE!

I have 3 weeks before my Band and Bell Program (Dec 9th) and 4 weeks until my Christmas Play.............AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! Where does the time go?

Ok, Now that I got that out of the way... here are the words that you child has to memorize for the Christmas Play on Dec. 16th

Pen and Ink- All Students
Pen and Ink, all over everything, night and day, that’s all they want! Blood and sweat, is all I have to give, never even time for me to play, hardly even time for me to pray, lookin out for a bright and glorious day, when will something better come our way?

Pen and Ink that’s what I’m pushing here. Get to work! It’s all they say. You’re too slow! Is all I ever hear. Pen and Ink is all I’ve ever known, work my fingers straight to the bone, wish I had a life to call my own

Speech chorus: (k, 1, 2) Work work work work, (56 times) (grade 3, 4,) move the presses, move the presses, faster faster (6 times) (grade 5, 6 ) Gotta meet a deadline (8 times) (7, 8) Pen and Ink Pen and Ink!

There must be a better way, until then I’ll slave away at…

Pen and Ink, all over everything, night and day, that’s all they want! Blood and sweat, is all I have to give, never even time for me to play, hardly even time for me to pray, lookin out for a bright and glorious day, when will something better come our way? When will something better come our way?


Senseless Census- Grade 3, 4, 5

All this counting causing quite a fuss, reminds me of a former exodus! Counting is the job I do, I hope that I can count on you, heating up my trusty abacus.

All this counting causing quite a row, calculating every sheep and cow! One by one and two by two, Wow! The population grew! What was Caesar thinking anyhow?

Senseless! Taking this Census! You can count on it to make me lose my mind! Senseless! Taking this Census, counting folks that I can’t even find!

All this counting’s causing quite a fuss! Nobody is a minus, each a plus! Every day the number’s greater. You’re heating up my trusty abacus.

Senseless! Taking this census! You can count on it to make me lose my mind!
Senseless! Taking this Census, counting folks that I can’t even find!

Senseless! Taking this census! You can count on it to make me lose my mind!
Senseless! Taking this Census, counting folks that I can’t even, every Matthew, Mark and Steven! Counting folks that I can’t even find! (Spoken); Stand Still!

Looking For the Light Grade 6, 7, 8

In a world of darkness and misery. In a time that’s dim with despair. On a night when all seems so hopeless looking out for someone who cares!
Looking for the light to shine, waiting for the sun. Praying He’ll send a sign. Is this the one? Is this the one?

Everything we see lies in shadow. Nothing that we feel seems quite right. Searching for a time when the world will know there is a beacon of light!

Looking for the light to glow, waiting for the sun. Praying for the day we’ll know. This is the one! This the one!

Looking for the light to shine, waiting for the sun. Praying He’ll send a sign. Is this the one? Is this God’s Son?


Glory, Glory, Hallelu Grade K, 1, 2

Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory,glory to God! Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory, glory to God! Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory,glory to God! Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory, glory to God!

Born in the city of David, a child who is God’s chosen one. Glory to God in the highest!. This is His: God’s only son!


Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory,glory to God! Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory, glory to God!

He will be born in manger, a wee little baby boy, no one to Him is a stranger. This is the news of great joy, great joy!

Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory,glory to God! Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory, glory to God! (Hand claps on beats 2 and 4) Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory,glory to God! Glory, glory, glory Hallelu, glory, glory to God! Give Him the Glory!


The Greatest Story is You Grade 6, 7, 8
Verse One is song by a soloist
So many stories so often retold tales of the old and the new. Each tell of wonder and things to behold but the greatest story is you!

Jesus is born! He is the King! So now I see and know that it’s true, the greatest story is you!
Here in this manger a miracle lives, a baby so meek and so mild. No longer a stranger which God freely gives, a savior for every child.

Jesus is born! He is the King! So now I see and know that it’s true, the greatest story is you! Jesus is born! He is the King! So now I see and know that it’s true, the greatest story is you! The greatest story, behold the glory the greatest story is you! Is you!

The Kings of Swing- The Swingettes!

Repeat the Sounding Joy- All Student and Congregation

Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare him room. Let heaven and nature sing and heaven and nature sing and heaven and heaven and nature sing.

Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. Oh come ye oh come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him; born the king of angels. Oh come let us adore him, oh come let us adore him, oh come let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm all is bright. Round yon virgin, mother and child. Hoy infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace! Sleep in heavenly peace!

He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove. The glories of His righteousness and wonders of his love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love!
Share the News- All Students

Share the news! With everybody here! Spread the word! Tell everyone! God is here it’s time to celebrate! Everybody go and tell someone. Can’t you see a new day has begun. God has sent his one and only son. Jesus Christ he is the chosen one!
Share the news with everybody here! Spread the word! Tell everyone! God is here!It’s time to celebrate! Everybody go and tell someone! Can’t you see a new day has begun! God has sent his one and only son! Jesus Christ is the chosen one!



Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Only full day of school for the music teacher...

This is a very short week for me! I don't teach on Monday, Tuesday is a full day, then two half days, in which I teach very little! Kind of stinks when you have TWO Christmas programs to get ready for!

Kindergarteners started learning their songs for the Christmas program. Words will be sent home this week!

2nd grade started their compositions this week. They will be creating and performing their own music, in groups for the next quarter. Have your student bring in anything that will make noise!

1st grade spent their music time today learning the songs for the Christmas program! Good start on Pen and Ink!!

Jonah's is really looking forward to this play, because they have all the music basically memorized all ready! Way to go! And we welcome Mariah to our class. Glad to have another soprano voice!

6th graders are steadily getting better on their song for the December 9th concert. JOy to the World!!

Good news also spent their time today working on Pen and Ink, as well as starting Sensless Census. They are loving it! This should be a great play!

4th graders started writing their own song today. Eventually, they will have an 8 measure song that they will be able to play on either; orff instruments, or their recorder! How exciting!!

Have a great short week!!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Second Christmas program- Bells and Band note to parents

Here is the note I sent home about the second Christmas program:
November 3, 2009
Dear Parents of 5-8,
Greetings in the name of our Lord! I have wonderful news. This year’s Christmas Program is a play! As most of you know or could figure out, the band and the handbells are going to be virtually impossible to fit into this program. So it was suggested that they have their own, separate, special concert! I am thrilled because the band and the bells rarely get to perform at Christmas time. This gives them a wonderful opportunity to really express what they have learned. The date of this program for the band and handbells is Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 P.M. It will run one hour. Students should arrive 30 minutes prior to the program, at 6:00P.M., and are expected to stay until the end. Please dress in white tops and dark bottoms. Gentlemen may wear a tie.
In Christ we play and ring!


Mrs. Heidi A. Scheiderer

Oh man...

Today was the All Saints Day Celebration with Peace Warren, St. Luke CT and St. John, Fraser. All things considered, the event went very smoothly. I hope some of you were able to attend this morning!

I had jonah's Wailers today instead of band, since the band played this morning and their class was yesterday in preparation for the event. We started our songs for Christmas and for their Festival which occurs in late Feb (or early March) this year. We are doing the songs from the Christmas play and the two songs for festival are All Good Gifts and Beautiful Savior, in SSA. It should be very beautiful!

3rd grade music was all messed up today because over half the class was at a Brownie field trip. SO basically I had a class full of boys! We continued on in our pursuit of learning how to read the piano keys and we learned how many notes are in one octave today!

8th grade bells started learning their Christmas songs, one is called Joyful Canticle and the other is called Christmas Joy. How hard is this counting: 1-2 3-4 and 1!!! AHHHHH I about lost my cool when they couldn't put together the concept that they were supposed to be playing: "Joy to the World"!! but I am ok now, because by the end of class, they got it. I just want them to be able to think for themselves!

Great Day!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

ICE CREAM!!!

Yeah for the ice cream social tonight. Too bad I can only make it to half of it!

Kindergarten saw the violin today, and thought for sure that I was going to hold it wrong, and make it sound terrible! Well, I definitely held it correctly, but they were right when it came to making it sound terrible! Unfortunately, I wanted Kyle to come in and demonstrate it for us, but he had to be taking the MEAP. (Sorry Kyle!) So I did the best I could with explaining an instrument I never learned how to play. We also watched a video on Youtube that showed a 5 year old girl playing Vivaldi's Concerto # 1 on violin. Can you even imagine? Here is the link if you are interested! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7ILP7bbd-g&feature=related

2nd grade learned about the highs and lows, fast and slows, etc of music today. They drew a picture to represent each of those musical terms. Should be interesting to see what they drew for me!

1st graders have learned all about how to use their voice, and today they had to decide about what they heard in 4 examples. How many voices do you hear, and is it a child's voice or an adults voice. Sometimes it was difficult to determine the difference between an adult female and a young adult female. We also learned a tongue twister- Let's see if you can say it! "The big black bug bit the big black bear and made the big black bear bleed, black blood." Have fun!

Jonah's will be singing in chapel tomorrow, so "Look what God is Doing" will hopefully sound beautiful!

6th grade bells made it all the way through their song, yet, we still need work, considering we had to count out loud all the way through it! We are getting there!

Good News sang with all their heart today! They are starting to really learn what it means to sing in two part. And that can be difficult at age 8,9, 10! When they get to Jonah's Wailers I won't have to teach them how to do that, and we can move on to three and four part!

4th grade chimes is really kicking along. We made it to measure 16 today! Well, some of us did, and others of us... maybe still back at measure 1!!

See you all tonight!!