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MUSIC

		PHS Music Whistles a Happy Tune – ‘08-‘09
		We have a lot to celebrate in this year’s music curriculum.  Congrats to the over 100 fourth, fifth, and eighth grade students who starred in this year’s talent show – the creativity and diversity of acts made such a positive statement about who we are as a community.
	In kindergarten, we are learning to use our singing voices (already beautiful!) and read, write, and play rhythms on a wide variety of percussion instruments.  Telling stories and building community through music are central to our work together.  One fun thing to try at home: rhythm “questions and answers”.  Another fun thing: “Melody” the bunny (can be done with any stuffed animal or character toy).  Your kids can teach you (:
			In first and second grade, we are singing music from around the world (including a Korean folk song, a Mexican chant, a Dutch play song, and a song from slave times) for a winter concert on December 9th.  Check Friday Folders for times and details.  Later this year, we will study rhythm reading so that we can use rhythm cards to create and play in our own percussion ensembles.  We speak rhythms using simple “fruit” words, such as “pear” (one clap per beat), “apple” (two claps per beat), “watermelon” (four claps per beat), “dragonfruit (fast/fast slow) and “pineapple” (slow fast/fast), and “rest” (silent beat).  To follow up on the scat singing we tried earlier this year, we will also learn children’s playground songs and games to reinforce beat, rhythm, melody, and teamwork.
	Third graders are tackling a mountain and Colorado history theme, in collaboration with the third grade teaching team.  In addition to instrumental music curriculum such as playing a 3-part song on xylophones and participating in a 3-part drum circle, students are engaging in the following thematic explorations: learning to sing a partner song (2 parts sung at the same time) called “I Love the Mountains/City Life”; delving into history by singing/rapping about famous “Mountain Men”; singing “America the Beautiful,” which was inspired by Kathy Lee Bates’ visit to Pikes Peak; singing a Native American song, “Now I Walk in Beauty,” in a 3-part round with metallaphone accompaniment; and, most exciting, writing their own melodic or rhythmic chants to share social studies learnings about Denver and Colorado history.  The third grade musical performance will be on Thursday, May 7th at 6:00 p.m.
			Fourth graders “have the blues” – we are working with the AAB form to improvise melodic solos on xylophone and recorder using the e minor pentatonic scale (E, G, A, B, and D); we’re also studying the notation for “Squeaky Recorder Blues.”  In December we will sing “Good Morning, Blues” and write our own blues poems.  We have also learned to sing and play a Native American round on recorder, “Wendeyaho.” using soft breath and covering our holes.  See Ms. Dawe for a copy of the song that students took home (fingering charts).  Earlier this Fall, we used “Hot Cross Buns” as a great beginner recorder song, learning the first three notes, B, A, and G, and playing in a round.  On Veterans Day, Ms. Riley introduced us to “Taps”, a song often played at military funerals and at the close of day – it challenges us with its big interval jumps from low D up to G, B, and high D.  Check with any music store if you would like to purchase a recorder for under $10 for your child to play at home; we do also routinely have individual practice time and one-on-one coaching during class.  In January and February, we’ll focus on ensemble singing with an American history emphasis, including: “Jazz Round” (a fun song with 2-part harmony and scat syllables); “This Land is Your Land” (a classic American folk song); “50 Nifty United States” (can YOU sing all 50 states in alphabetical order?  Ray Charles’ rhythms & melodies make it easy!); and a 3-part medley of delightful party/play songs from America’s past, “Old Brass Wagon,” “Sandy Land,” and “Skip to My Lou”, all with original student choreography – teamwork in action.  See the fourth grade musical performance on Thursday, April 9th (time t.b.a.).
	Fifth graders are “going green” with their original musical theater production about global warming.  We are singing folk songs in different languages from around the world that honor the earth, including: a challenging Japanese round called “Hotaru Koi” (“Come, Firefly”) – also to be played on recorder in 3 parts; a drumming song from the pygmies in Africa, “Ema Ma”; the well-loved Mexican folk song “De Colores”; Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi”; and a sentimental tribute to our planet called “Blue Green Hills of Earth.”  Students are activating knowledge about recycling and global warming from their homeroom teachers and their interests outside of school, to create original dramatic scenes that break our environmental crisis down into very understandable problems and solutions, often with humorous results.  Check out their memorable performance on Thursday, February 12th.  Later this year, we will build 2nd year recorder playing skills, support the Shakespeare scenes with a historical “Shakespeare Rap,” and prepare a possible song for year-end celebrations/continuations.
		One more musical treat – check out the Posada celebration after school on Thursday, Dec. 11th, featuring violin music from our very own Ms. Klava’s father!
		And, as always, feel free to contact Ms. Dawe, elementary music teacher, with questions or ideas for how to support / enrich the music program.  Ms. Dawe can be reached at 303-322-1811 or leslie_dawe@dpsk12.org