HELLO MILLER FAMILY!!

It is an exciting new day as we start the 2014-2015 school year!  This year promises to be full of fresh new ideas, fun learning activities and even a surprise or two!  Stay in tune with the excitement by subscribing to this blog.  Updated information will be sent to your email as soon as it is posted.

We would also like to welcome a new staff member to our building, Ms. Maureen Conway!  She will be in the building on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings teaching all 5th grade music classes and Mrs. Baskin’s Kindergarten class.  Let’s extend a warm Miller welcome to Ms. Conway!

All 4th grade students will learn to play the recorder this year.  Isn’t it exciting?  We do have used recorders student use, but you can also purchase your own from any music store.  We use the YAMAHA brand and can be found at music stores such as:

Wonderland Music, 13519 Michigan Ave, DBN 48126 (near City Hall) 313-584-8111 (Price on 9/2/14 – $9.95)

Anderson Music, 650 N. Telegraph Rd, DBN 48128 (near Bryant M.S.) 313-278-0100  (Price on 9/2/14 – $8.47 includes tax)

Marshall Music, 6500 Allen Rd, Allen Park 48101 (Southfield Rd)         313-383-5560   (Price on 9/2/14 – $10.59 includes tax)

Some music stores give Dearborn students a discount so let them know you are from Miller Elementary.

All 5th grade students will have the opportunity to learn a band or orchestral instrument this year!  Our Instrumental Music teacher is Mr. Greg Gozzard.  He is nice, funny and a great teacher!  If you had the chance to hear the 5th grade orchestra and band last year you will already know the great fun that awaits you!  Mr. Gozzard will be coming to talk to you very soon.  Those who are interested are encouraged to sign up right away so you can shine by concert time!  I can’t wait to hear your first instrumental concert!

Soooooooo, let’s get ready to have a GREAT school year!

Sincerely,

Ms. Susan Harden

Vocal Music Teacher

Miller Elementary School                    

hardens@dearbornschools.org

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We are so excited to be able to have the Soul Performers visit our school to perform  for us on February January 26, 2011!  Please follow the link provided below for more information on the group.

https://singersofunitedlands.org/default.aspx

We had a great time at the Singers of United Lands assemblies!  Many of the students had the opportunity to ask questions and even meet the performers.   A big THANK YOU to Paddy – Australia, Sergio – Colombia, Kayla – Canada and Lulu – Zambia.  We enjoyed your visit and wish you a great tour of the United States!  If you would like to send an email to any of the performers please visit their website (Singer of United Lands) and click on their picture.

To all Woodworth students:  It has been a pleasure to be your Music Teacher at Woodworth and I will surely miss you all.  Make sure to wake up every day and try your best at whatever you do.   I am now teaching Music K-5 at Miller Elementary School and I really enjoy it.  Good Luck to everyone and keep up your musical studies!

Ms. Harden

Here are a few photo memories:

Please turn in all instruments, books, music and folders to Ms. Harden effective immediately.

Welcome all new Music Connections students!  The 3rd marking period is under way and there are a few things that you will need very soon.  The first project in the class is a Chant Writing project which consists of learning chant writing and Language Arts skills.  You will create and perform your own chants with choreography and teach them to the full class.  This entails cooperative group work.  The second project is done in the piano lab.  You will learn to read and write musical notes, notate a song by ear and learn to play what you write while reading the notes.  You will even learn to use precise piano fingerings!  For the duration of this project each student will work independently.  Extra worksheets with higher level piano skills are available for those students who complete the required work.  For this project you must have the following:

1.  Headphones or ear buds

2.  1/4 inch plug (fat tip) on the end of the headphones

If you have earbuds (ipod type) already you will need to purchase a 1/4 inch adaptor to attach so it will work with the piano.  If you do not have headphones they can be purchased from local stores.  Suggestions:  Heaphone/adaptor sets can be purchased at target for $9.99.  Adaptors can be found at Radio Shack for $3-5.  Avoid Dollar store adaptors.  You can also try Best Buy.   Students have already been informed of what is needed.  We will begin using them every day starting January 5/6 and will continue until the end of the marking period which ends on January 29.  It is extremely important that each student have their own.  Good luck to all of our aspiring pianists!

We are all set to take our Performing Arts students “On the road” to Perform a children’s musical at Henry Ford Elementary school on December 15, 2009!  The students have been working to learn the songs, choreography, flow and leads for the show.   They will even direct it from beginning to end!  Targeted audience K-2.  Show time(s) TBA, but will be during the school day.

The uniform for all performers is a solid, bright colored shirt, blue jeans (no rips please) and comfortable shoes.  The brighter the shirt the better!

Remember to take care of your voice!  Try and drink plenty of water to hydrate your vocal cords.

Run through the daily warm-ups before you begin to practice singing.  If you have a piano play notes and then sing them.   Learning the daily warm-ups on the piano can help you practice at home.

Practice your lyrics and notes until fully memorized.  If you find a spot that you forget the words that is a clue that it is not yet memorized!  Keep working!

Play scales everyday.

If you want to improve your playing abilities practice 20-40 minutes everyday. 

It is not enough to work a piece of music unitil you can play it.  To maintain that level you must continue to practice.  Endurance is only achieved by continuous practice – you will notice difference.  The music will get easier and you will sound better!

Know all notes, rhythms, bowings, fingerings, dynamic markings and be able to play them in every song.

Remember:  There is always something that you can perform better in your concert music.   Strive for excellence!

Boys

    White button-up shirt (long or short sleeve)

    Black dress slacks (or suit slacks)

    Long tie

    Black socks

    Black or nice dress shoes

Girls

    Black pants or black skirt (knee length or longer

    White button-up blouse

   Dressy shoes (high heels are difficult to walk in and not practical for stading on risers in a choir.)

Please, no miniskirts with or without leggings.