Lynne Tobin’s MUSIC NEWSLETTER – FALL 2011

Elementary Grades

 

The Pathfinder School general music program focuses on developing the musicianship of every child. Learning music is an active process, engaging children in holistic and meaningful experiences that lead to growth and understanding.

 

It has been a beautiful and melodious fall in the PS elementary music classes!

Some autumn highlights include:

• PreKindergarten children are enjoying music classes on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Music education for young children begins with listening, and music skills are first expressed through the body and the voice before extension to the use of instruments. PK students have enjoyed songs, puppets and finger plays in addition to books with strong rhythms and rhymes. Young students love to sing into toy microphones, find the beat with egg shakers and identify the colors they are wearing through musical games and chants.
• Kindergarten students went into astonishing gyrations during October music classes while manipulating our flexible skeleton “Mr. Bones” into poses to imitate with our own bodies (small and large motor skills). We enjoyed arranging various sized pumpkin cut-outs from smallest to biggest (math sequencing) while we chanted and sang seasonal songs. We’re also learning a song for every letter of the alphabet!
• First and Second Grade children are creating sound effect accompaniments to seasonal songs and poems, utilizing a huge variety of instruments (creative choices made through analyzing sounds) including the autoharp, spring drum, slide whistle, temple blocks, Chinese bell tree, wind chimes and vibraslap… they performed the poem  “10 Leaves” for their Kindergarten friends class.
• Third Graders studied the musical play “Tyrannosaurus Sue: A Cretaceous Concerto” by composer Bruce Adolphe (supporting science curriculum), with a workbook which includes engaging activities in listening, writing and drawing …
• Fourth Grade students composed original themes and “sound carpets” for the book “Big Pumpkin” by Erica Silverman (tying music to literature, musical improvisation) and presenting a charming concert for a delighted first grade audience (multi-age activity) and for the entire school at pizza lunch…
• Fifth Graders took a simple song about autumn leaves and spun it into a multi-dimensional performance piece that included Orff instruments, singing and creative movement. Each student had an opportunity to improvise on a mallet instrument, as well as inventing their own unique dance movement as a falling leaf.                  

 

Pathfinder string students are preparing for their first performance of the year, on the December 13 WINTER CONCERT at 6:30 pm at Milliken Auditorium. Every string student will participate in this performance, so be sure it is marked on your home calendar!

 

PATHFINDER SCHOOL WINTER CONCERT

Performers: ALL students in grades 4-5-6-7-8!

Tuesday, December 13 at 6:30 pm at Milliken Auditorium.

 

Dress for the concert is white shirt or blouse, black pants or skirt; dark shoes if possible (do not buy new shoes!) Please be sure your child has appropriate concert clothing. Black jeans are fine. For past concerts, many parents have found reasonably priced black and white clothing at Target and JC Penney.

 

The Winter Concert is a required performance for all 4-5-6-7-8 grade students.

This concert is very much a TEAM effort and each student has a special role!

 

Upcoming community concerts which may be of interest:

 

Singwell Academy Fall Recital

Sunday, Nov. 20, 3 pm, at NMC in the Fine Arts Building.  Free and open to the Public

Pathfinder students Max and Ellie Herman, Mahrle Siddall, Ella Lombardi, Molly Myles, Sofia Danielson join vocal teacher Nicole Philibosian for this lovely afternoon vocal recital.

 

Civic Prelude Strings and Civic Chamber Strings

Sponsored by the Traverse Symphony Orchestra

Tuesday, November 29, 7:00 pm at City Opera House, 106 E Front Street, Traverse City

Come hear two multi-generational community orchestras playing fun music to ring in the holidays! Pathfinder students Margaret Foster, Emma Nance, Sabrina Blank, Konrad Wege, Lillian Wege, Jessie Williams, Maggie Richards and former students Maya Segal  and Stephanie Long are members. Lynne Tobin conducts – FREE and open to the public!

 

 

TSO Holiday Sing for Joy Concerts

December 10 at 7:30 pm and December 11 at 3 pm

The Traverse Symphony performs seasonal music at City Opera House.

Look for Ms Tobin in the cello section!

For ticket information call the TSO office at 947-7120

 

Lynne Tobin 995-3831     ltobin@thepathfinderschool.org