We had a wonderful visit yesterday with special treats from Sister Shelby and her daughter Courtney who is going to be a teacher.  Thanks you so much, we really enjoyed the treats, talking with you about our plans for the summer and learning a new song!

Ms. Kowalski’s 4th Grade class

“The Star-Spangled Banner” Lyrics

The lyrics to “The Star-Spangled Banner” are particularly poignant and meaningful during times of national mourning and pride. Be sure you and your children know the words to this anthem that has brought courage and hope to so many.

Lyrics, by Francis Scott Key:

First Verse 
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, 
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming? 
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight, 
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming? 
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air 
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there. 
Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave 
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Second Verse 
On the shore dimly seen, thro’ the mists of the deep, 
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, 
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, 
As it fitfully blows half conceals, half discloses? 
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, 
In full glory reflected, now shines in the stream; 
’Tis the Star-Spangled Banner, Oh long may it wave 
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Third Verse
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Fourth Verse
Oh, thus be it ever when free men shall stand 
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation! 
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n rescued land 
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation! 
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, 
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust” 
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave 
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

A special congratulations goes out to all 8th grade Performing Arts students for a very well run, very well performed Children’s Musical Extravaganza!  I have heard so many encouraging and positive comments about your efforts and I know the children enjoyed it!  I feel very proud of you and your hard work…you reached a point of total independence from your teacher!  That is the goal of any teacher so I would like to thank you all for reaching your goal and helping me reach mine too!  There was even talk that we should take our show “On the Road” and play in a bigger venue.   Wonderful work!

New Date!!  Thursday January 21, 2010.  It is time once again for our annual combined (Gr. 8-12) Instrumental Music concert at Fordson High School and it promises to be a fun time for all!  Students will get the opportunity to perform next to other Middle School and High School musicians as well as sit under the baton of Mr. Scott Guthre, Instrumental Music teacher, Fordson High School.   Details as follows:

Concert Uniform

White Button down shirt

Black Pants or Skirt (no short skirts please)

Black socks

Black or dressy shoes

All must arrive: 5 p.m. go to Band Room

String Rehearsal with Mr. Guthre: 5:00 p.m.

Band Rehearsal with Mr. Guthre: 5:30 p.m.

Auditorium doors open: 5:50 p.m.

Concert begins: 6 p.m.

Concert ends: 7 p.m.

After glow: 7 p.m.

This is a graded Performance assignment for all 8th grade students.  There will be a few 7th graders selected to participate. 

1.  Go online, find and view videos about each voice range

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone

2.  Write the web address for each, save them in your favorites

3.  Try and figure out which range your voice might be

4.  Find an interesting video about the voice and write the site

Due Sept. 9

1. Go online, find and view videos for each instruments listed below:

Violin

Viola

Cello

Double Bass

2. Write the web address for each, save them in your favorites

3. Show each instrument video to your parents

4. Discuss which instrument is best for you

5. Fill in your first, second and third choices

6. Circle the one that you would like to play for the 2009-2010 schools year

7. Have your parents sign on the line below (on original sheet)

8. Have parents fill out instrument card

9. Come room 118 Woodworth on Wed. Sept. 9 or Thursday Sept. 10 from 3-4 pm with the completed sheet and card to get your instrument.  Based on availability.

1. Go online, find and view videos for each instruments listed below:

Flute

Clarinet

Alto Saxophone

Trumpet

Trombone

Baritone/Tuba

Percussion

2. Write the web address for each, save them in your favorites

3. Show each instrument video to your parents

4. Discuss which instrument is best for you

5. Fill in your first, second and third choices

6. Circle the one that you would like to play for the 2009-2010 schools year

7. Have your parents sign on the line below (on original sheet)

8. Have parents fill out instrument card

9. Come room 118 Woodworth on Wed. Sept. 9 or Thursday Sept. 10 from 3-4 pm with the completed sheet and card to get your instrument.  Based on availability.

This Fall our 8th grade Performing Arts Class will be coordinating and performing a children’s musical extravaganza.  Stay tuned for more details!

I would like to take this moment to welcome you to a brand new school year!  I know that 2009-2010 is going to be the best yet!  I am looking forward to being your music teacher this year and have many fun and exciting activities planned for you.  We will be doing some online learning in our 7th and 8th grade Music classes this year so you will need to check this blog often.  Those who do not have home access to a computer may need to visit the Public library for certain assignments.  We (the students and I) will make sure that the blog is updated with all relevant concert and event information. 

Also new this year…Our music classes will be run more like a business.  That is to say that I will be appointing department chairs and managers who will be responsible for a team.   They will be responsible for writing a business plan related to thier particular area as well as identifying specific duties (job description) and recruiting a team.   We will hold team meetings in which they will give me updates on their Departments.  I hope to teach our students relevant management skills that will help them in the business world.  Let’s get started, we have work to do!