2010 Music Olympics

Students have been participating in the "2010 Music Olympics." Events include Rhythm, Melody, Timbre, Vocal Performance, and Instrumental Performance. Medal Ceremonies will be occurring next week. Ask your child for more details about this fun event!

Research Confirms Brain Link for Words and Music

A very interesting article on msnbc.com about recent research linking words and music to the same areas in the brain; suggesting that intensive musical therapy may help improve speech in stroke patients as well as children with dyslexia and autism.

Click here to read the article.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Sixth grade students have begun their study of Baroque and Classical composers, starting with J.S. Bach. Ask a sixth grader which country Bach was from, which instruments were his specialties, where he worked for most of his life, and whether or not he was famous during his lifetime (and why). Students might also enjoy sharing some of the more quirky facts about Bach, like the fact that he was married twice and had 20 children, or that recordings of his compositions were launched into space with the Voyager space craft in 1977.

One of Bach's most notable compositions, the Toccata and Fugue in D minor, is a superb example of contrapuntal music, where two or more voices or instruments share portions of the melody and weave in and out of one another. After a chance to listen to this piece, sixth grade students were asked to create a piece of artwork that allowed them to connect to the music in a meaningful way. Below you will see several examples of student artwork, accompanied by just a portion of this great masterpiece by J.S. Bach. Enjoy!

Congratulations Third and Fifth Graders!

What a wonderful performance of "Seasons of Sound." Many congratulations to the third and fifth graders for all their hard work in preparing for this music program.

Thanks also to classroom teachers: Mrs. Monroe, Mrs. Saffell, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Gulla, Mrs. Smucker, and Mr. Hale. And to the Related Arts teachers, Mrs. Collins, Miss Ciaffoncini, and Mr. Wilson, who assisted in rehearsals.

Thanks to Mr. Porter and Mr. Hodges for their help in setting up equipment for the performance, as well as to the Bluffsview PTA for their continued support of the music program.

Don't Miss "Seasons of Sound!"

The Third and Fifth Graders are ready to perform their music program, "Seasons of Sound," this week! Don't miss their performance the coming Thursday, February 4th at 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM.

Students are reminded of their call time at 6:45 PM in the music room. Dress is black pants or skirts and a solid color top. Fifth graders should bring their recorders, if applicable.

See you Thursday!

Elementary Honors Choir Update

I just received word from the Middle School Choir Teachers that there have been some changes in rehearsal times for the Elementary Honors Choir 2010. Both Fifth and Sixth grade students will rehearse at the same time, instead of separately as originally planned. Please make note of the following information:

Rehearsal Times (McCord MS):
Wednesdays, Feb. 10, Feb. 17, Feb. 24
All students will rehearse from 6:45 to 7:45 PM
Please arrive 10 minutes early to each rehearsal.

Dress Rehearsal (Kilbourne MS):
Wednesday, March 3
All students will rehearse from 6:45 to 7:45 PM
Please arrive 10 minutes early to the rehearsal.

Concert (Kilbourne MS):
Monday, March 8
50 East Dublin Granville Road, Worthington, OH 43085
Everyone report at 6:30 PM
Concert at 7:00 PM
Concert dress is the Honors Choir shirt and nice jeans

Program Information

Our music program is quickly approaching and before we know it, it will be showtime!

3rd and 5th grade students will perform for their peers on Thursday, February 4th at 1:30 in the afternoon, and then again at 7:00 PM for you and your family. Both performances will occur in the Bluffsview Gym.

In the evening, students will be asked to report to the music room no later than 6:45 PM. Please have them leave their coats with you as you take your seats in the gym. Dress for this performance will be black pants or skirts and any plain color top, preferably with as little design or writing as possible.

Please mark you calendars now, if you have not already, for these special performances. The students have been working incredibly hard and are excited to perform for you! If you find that your child is unable to attend the performance, please send a note to school or write me a quick email so that I can plan accordingly (chogan@worthington.k12.oh.us).

Finally, there will be many instruments and pieces of equipment set up in the gym as you arrive. Please be attentive to younger (and older) children to ensure that things are left in their proper places for our performers. Thank you for your cooperation.

See you on February 4th!