New Interactive Recorder Sites for Beginners!

Fourth Graders have JUST started learning to play the recorder.  Fifth and Sixth graders have spent several class periods reviewing what they learned on recorder in previous school years.  If your child is excited about playing the recorder and would like some extra practice at home, check out some of these interactive websites that I discovered over the summer:

Click Here for an interactive fingering chart from Plank Road Publishing.  Shows the note on the staff, the pitch name, how to finger the note, and what it should sound like.

The next two sites are amazing learning tools.  You must have a microphone activated either externally or internally for these websites to work.  In Recorder Express, playing exercises are "train" themed.  In Joy Tunes Interactive, playing exercises are "adventure" themed.  Both can be played with or without creating a user profile, although if you create a free account, student progress can be saved in the game.  Both websites allow students to play recorder right at the computer, with the microphone picking up their sound and advancing them as they play correct notes.  They are really neat websites!

Students, if you try any of these out, let me know!

Fall Update

♫ Welcome back to school! We’ve gotten off to a great start this year, and I am excited for what’s to come. Fourth Graders are about to start learning how to play recorder, First Graders are learning to read music notes, Fifth and Sixth Graders are playing and singing more challenging music, Third and Second Graders are improving instrument playing skills and folk dancing skills, and Kindergarteners are learning how to sing and move to music. There’s so much going on in the music room already, and it’s not quite OCTOBER!


♫ It’s time to join The Music Makers… If you have a child in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade who loves to sing, please encourage him/her to join our school choir, The Bluffsview Music Makers. Students rehearse one day a week throughout the school year (or more as concerts approach) during lunch recess time. Participation in our school choir is a wonderful way to extend what we learn in the classroom and apply it in a performance setting. Plus, it’s fun! Last year, The Bluffsview Music Makers performed at the Veteran’s Day Assembly, sang holiday carols at a local senior living facility, and gave their own concert in the spring. Similar activities are in the works for this year as well. Interested students should check the announcements outside the music room or see Mrs. Daubney for more information.

♫ Concert Dates are set for the year. Don’t miss these great performances:

          o Wednesday, February 6th – 5th Grade Music Program, 1:30 and 7:00 pm

          o Wednesday, March 20th – 3rd Grade Music Program, 1:30 and 7:00 pm

          o Monday, May 6th – Music Makers Spring Concert, 1:30 and 7:00 pm

Fourth Graders Learn About The Treble Clef!

Fourth Graders are learning about the Treble Clef in preparation for beginning recorder study later this month.  These fun songs help them remember the names of the notes in the lines and spaces - the MOST IMPORTANT thing they will learn in 4th grade music!

EGBDF: These are the notes on the lines of the Treble Clef.

FACE: These are note on the spaces of the Treble Clef.



Enjoy!  :)



Officially Mrs. Daubney!

So many students were excited about the news of me getting married this summer... I just had to share one picture from our wedding!

What Are YOU Doing This Summer?

Well Bluffview Bears, we've been on summer break for a month now.  What have YOU been up to?  I am very excited that in the next month I will be taking a class about using SmartBoards in the Elementary Music Classroom at Central Connecticut State University.  This is an advanced level class, which I am particularly looking forward to because I have taken several introductory level classes already, and hope to learn new things about the SmartBoard that I've not seen before.  Plus it's rare to find a technology course that is specifically designed for elementary general music classrooms!

In August, I will be getting married!  So don't forget that when we come back to school, your music teacher will no longer be Ms. Hogan - because I will be Mrs. Daubney!  Enjoy the rest of your summer,  Bluffsview Bears!

Capriccio! Youth Choir - Auditions Happening Now!

If your child loves to sing and is looking for an outlet for that talent outside of school, please consider having them join the Capriccio! Youth Choir.  Capriccio! Vocal Ensemble is a Worthington-based community choir, directed by WKHS Vocal Music Teacher, Larry Griffin.  Many Worthington teachers and staff are part of the ensemble, including Ms. Hogan!  The Capriccio! Youth Choir is an extension of the adult group, and several current and former Bluffsview students have been members of the choir.  Placement auditions are happening right now for the 2012-2013 season.  For more information about Capriccio! Youth Choirs, Click Here.

Music Makers Party This Friday!

To close out the school year, we will have one last Music Makers meeting this Friday, May 18th and it will be a celebration!  We will have a few snacks and will watch the video of our daytime "Pirates!" performance.  Special thanks to Mrs. Kelly who volunteered to bake some cookies for us.  See all you Music Makers then!