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General Music Classroom Update Page:
(Updated on September 30, 2011)
Letter from Ms. Canice 9/30/2011
This note is intended for families with 5th year students only! Dear 5th Year Families,
We are having a Concert on Tuesday, November 8th at 3:30 pm in the Middle School Environment! The students are really excited to share their work. I am amazed with their creativity and would like the parents to see their compositions. There will be dancing, recorders, singing, African music, and compositions.
Most of the activities in music are done as a group. For example, all of the instruments and members need to be present in an orchestra to perform a piece. In general music, the students often create music or speech in smaller groups. If one person in the small group (2-5 students) is missing, no other student in the classroom knows what was created. As a result the child who is present doesn't have the opportunity perform. For this reason I am requiring that students are present for the next PTC concert which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8th at 3:30 in the Middle School Environment. There is no special dress for the concert. Also, students whose parents don't attend may be picked up in the front at 4pm.
Performing is an important aspect of music. Students gain a sense of accomplishment and gain more enthusiasm after a performance. Students are also are more willing to practice and have more motivation after performances. Performances are also a way for the community to see what the students are learning or what they have accomplished.
I'm looking forward to seeing all of you!
Ms. Canice
claubhan@tmesnm.com
Letter from Ms. Canice 9/14/2011
Classroom Donations
Thank you for the donation from William and Barbara Smith (Alivia Abernathy's grandparents). The school purchased extra mallets, a cowbell, and an agogo bell. The cowbell and agogo bells will be used for an African Drumming group that will meet after school. I am grateful for the instruments that were purchased by TMES and parent donations. There is still a great need for xylophones because students often wait for three rotations before having a chance to play. This process often takes ½ to ¾ of the class period. The instruments are expensive but will last for 20-30 years. TMES owns instruments to start a drumming circle but I am unable to start instruction during the school day because of the limited amount of instruments. My classroom wishlist lists items and the prices. You may give a partial donation instead of the full amount for an item. I know every family is experiencing financial stress due to the economy but want to make sure that parents are aware that there is a need. I am also looking into several grants. Please contact me via e-mail if you have any questions.
Extra Help Hours for Ms. Canice- General Music
Extra help for General Music is on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30-4:00. I will bring all of the students to the front office to be picked up at 4:00pm.
Recorders
Students need to bring their recorders, music, and folders to every general music class. 4 th years are reviewing Hot Cross Buns and Who Has Seen the Wind. Their newest piece is Olympic Theme. 5 th Years are reviewing Who Has Seen the Wind, Olympic Theme, and Ode to Joy. Please make sure that your child keeps their recorder in the recorder bag! If the recorder is out of the bag there is no way to identify who it belongs to. I am looking for a parent volunteer that would be willing to engrave initials on the recorders. Please let me know via e-mail if you have volunteer clearance and would be willing to do this during the school day.
General Music with Ms. Canice Newsletter
August 15, 2011
Dear Parents,
Welcome back! I hope you had a great summer and are ready for the new school year. My summer was filled with World Drum Class, teaching violin lessons, and visiting family. I'm excited for the school year and hope to do more performing and field trips with the students this year. We are considering different venues and will publish dates as they come available.
Syllabus for 3rd -5th Years The 3rd -5th years need to sign and return a course description which they will receive the first day of their fine arts class. Please refer to my on-line class page for a schedule. The course description will describe my grading process and what is expected of the students. Behavior, participation, effort, being prepared for class, and group work determine the majority of the grade. A minor percentage of the grade will be based upon performance and skill.
PLEASE PURCHASE A FOLDER FOR YOUR CHILD TO KEEP THEIR MUSIC IN. Folders prevent music from getting lost. This eliminates wasted class time handing out lost music. Folders with pockets in the inside are sufficient.
General Music Wishlist I am very grateful for all the instruments TMES owns! We started with no instruments six years ago and have slowly bought items over the past several years. Parents have also donated money to purchase instruments. Currently, TMES is in desperate need of more xylophones and tubanos (these are African drums) to complete a class set. It's challenging without a class set because students have to do written work while waiting for their turn on instruments. It often takes three rotations before every student has an opportunity.
The instruments are very expensive but will last for the next 25-30 years. Families are welcome to donate towards these expensive instruments. You may request a specific item you would like to donate towards and this will be noted. Partial or full donations should be made out to TMES and turned into Ms. Canice. Please e-mail me before you send the check so that I am aware that you are making a donation. All the descriptions, item numbers, and amounts are listed on my classroom page on the TMES website.
Recorders 3rd -5th Years Only
3rd -5th years will be learning recorders this year. Third years will start recorders in November and the 4th and 5th years will start right away reviewing pieces they learned last year. Please have your 4th /5th year bring their recorder to the first day of general music class . PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A RECORDER FOR YOUR CHILD BECAUSE DIFFERENT BRANDS OF RECORDERS HAVE DIFFERENT TONES/TIMBRES AND DO NOT MIX WELL. THE SCHOOL PURCHASES THE RECORDERS AND THE PARENTS REIMBURSE THE SCHOOL . 5th years will also learn the Alto Recorder. This is a bigger recorder that has a deeper sound which can be compared to the viola in terms of the deepness of the sound. The plan is to start learning Alto recorders in January. Again, please wait to purchase the alto recorder. I will let you know via e-mail as we get closer to starting.
Families may order two recorders for their child so they have one for home and one for school. If you would like to do this please e-mail me at claubhan@tmesnm.com . I will send out an e-mail once a purchase order is approved to let you know when they will arrive and what the cost will be. Expect an e-mail within the first month of school.
Community Choral Opportunities
There are three different choral groups available for children in 1st grade and beyond. I have listed information for all three below. These organizations will expand on what your child does in school and provide a positive motivational experience. Singing skills are emphasized for musicians no matter what instrument they play.
All three organizations provide partial and full financial assistance upon request. An audition is required for all three groups. Every TMES student should have no problem with the audition process. Please e-mail or talk with me if you need help with an audition piece.
UNM Children's Chorus : www.unmchildrensing.org
Location & Rehearsal Day: National Hispanic Cultural Center Wednesdays
Cost: $110
First Rehearsal/Registration/Audition: August 24th 4:30 pm
Albuquerque Boys Choir : www.abqboychoir.com
Albuquerque Girls Choir : www.albuquerquegirlchoir.org
Location & Rehearsal Day: Central United Methodist Church Tuesday
Cost: $200
Call 450-5021 for an audition
Rio Grande Youth Choir: www.rgychorale.org
Location & Rehearsal Day: Rio Rancho Middle School Saturday Mornings 9:00-10:00
Cost: $70 registration $15 uniform fee
Audition Date: August 13th (This organization will accept new members past the audition date)
First Rehearsal: August 20th
I am looking forward to this year and working with your children! Please e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns.
~ Ms. Canice, claubhan@tmesnm.com
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