Lynne Tobin’s MUSIC NEWSLETTER – FALL 2011

Middle School

 

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 music classes!

Some autumn highlights in middle school music classes:

 

• 6^th grade students have been studying   Music of Bali and the Gamelan, the first unit of a year-long world music curriculum. Did you know that the earliest metal gamelan instruments were created by melting down weapons and other spoils of war? Students made Balinese-type shadow puppets and performed plays based on Aesop’s Fables with gamelan accompaniment.  6^th graders are also involved in preparation for the December 13 Winter Concert, which involves singing and playing instruments such as xylophones, glockenspiels and metalophones.

 

7^th grade students have been introduced to music of Mediaeval Times (400-1450), the Renaissance (1450-1600) this fall in general music and humanities classes. We listened to the music of Hildegard von Bingen, the most influential woman of the 12^th c and compared the artwork of Breugel and Da Vinci. In Humanities class with Ms Tobin and Mr. Spratt Moran, 7^th and 8^th grade students have constructed blank books in which to record notes and drawings of our discussions and studies throughout the year. This exercise will help build important note-taking skills as well as creating a keepsake document of our studies throughout the year.

 

• 8^th grade students have started their year-long unit on 20^th century music. We began with a quick historical survey of American music, and learned that the Bay Psalm Book (1640) was the first book both written entirely in the colonies and published in the colonies. It was designed to allow a whole congregation to sing psalms together in church and at home

 

In Humanities, 8^th graders listened to the music of French composer, Erik Satie (1866-1925) while learning about the early 20^th c. avant garde movement in art and literature called Dadaism.  I brought in some assemblage art works by one of my favorite living artists, John Gutoskey http://www.johngutoskeystudio.com/gallery and students were charged with bringing in found objects of their own to create art constructions in a Dada style. The results were stunning and showed a true understanding of Dadism! Please see these whimsical and fantastical artworks on display in the north portable room or at pizza lunch on Friday, November 18.

 

            Next up – Nationalism in politics, art and music!

 

                                                                                                      

 

 

Community Sing/Winter Concert

Each Wednesday from 11:55-11:50 am the entire middle school meets in the music room for Community Sing. In addition to vocalizing exercises that bring oxygen to the brain and improve posture, we are starting preparations on the music we will perform for the

 

PATHFINDER SCHOOL WINTER CONCERT

 

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 (don’t 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.

Every middle school student will both sing and play an instrument during this performance, which also includes beginning and advanced string classes - it is very much a TEAM effort.

 

Check your calendar now to be sure you have marked down the WINTER CONCERT on December 13.

 

 

 

String Orchestra News

The Pathfinder string orchestra is working on major scales in the keys of C, G, D and preparing great tunes for the Winter Concert. Beginning string students are quickly mastering the rudiments of their instruments and learning to play fun tunes such as Hot Cross Buns, Twinkle and Jingle Bells!

 

All string students will be featured on the Pathfinder School

Winter Concert on December 13 at Milliken Auditorium!

 

 

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  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, Jessie Williams, Lillian Wege, Maggie Richards and former students Maya Segal and Stephanie Long are members. Lynne Tobin conducts – FREE and open to the public!

 

TSO Holiday Pops 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