Mrs. Short's Symphony - mrsshortssymphony

4th Grade in Vermillion

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Welcome

Welcome to music at Explorer Elementary.

Music is offered to all students bi-weekly. Classes focus on singing, movement, exploration and instrument performance. My goal is to inspire children to love the art of music making.

If you have questions, contact me at helen.short@k12.sd.us

Accepted into SDSU Honor Choir

Congratulations!

Explorer is proud to announce that Rudy Renville; Julia Sanderson; McKenzie Schaefer; Maddie McElroy and Hailey Harkin were selected to perform in the 2012 Elementary Honor Choir Festival. They are pictured in the above pictures on the far left.

Our district had a total of 17 voices selected to perform in the 150 voice choir. A total of 640 audition tapes were submitted so the competition was tough. These young singers will be working with Mrs. Marcia Patton from Wyoming. Marcia is the director of the Casper Children's Chorale.

Fifth Grade Singers

Boys Perform with Singing Boys of Sioux Falls

Sherwin Distor; Kendall Larson; Joshua Vickery and Nathan Peschke are pictured above holding their star student certificates and music lapel pins to recognize their excellent contribution on behalf of Explorer Elementary. The boys recently performed in a demonstration choir directed by Dr. Henry Leck. The choir sang during the SD Music Educators Conference on October 28th.

Dr. Leck directed the demonstration session and served as guest conductor for the SD All-State Chorus. He is an asssociate professor and director of choral activities at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. We're so proud of these 5th grade students for getting involved and representing Explorer Elementary. Congratulations boys!

Music Schedules

2 Teachers

Two teachers will deliver music instruction at Explorer this year. Mrs. Short will teach all Kindergarten through fourth grade classes, and Miss Melissa Olson will teach the fifth grade students. Miss Olson also works at Freedom Elementary. This is due to our high population at Explorer.

Attachments:

Miss Olson's Schedule

Mrs. Short's Schedule

Something for Everyone

November 22: 5th Gr. Concert, HS Auditorium 7:00 PM

December 16: 2nd Gr. Caroling (TBA during the school day)

March 13: 4th Gr. Seussical (PTO meeting, cafeteria)

March 22: 3rd Gr. Concert, HS Auditorium 7:00 PM

April 25: 4th Gr. trip to Museum of Music & W. H. Over Museum

May 3: 1st Gr. Concert, HS Auditorium 7:00 PM

May 9: Kindergarten Sing, Explorer Gym 2:30 PM

Music at a Glance

My approach to music is from a multi-sensory design. Each lesson usually includes singing, movement and listening. The playing of instruments is integrated to practice or reinforce skills and to accompany songs.

Each month has a different focus:

September: steady beat, singing vocal tone
October: rhythm patterns and note durations; melody vs. harmony
November: new rhythm patterns and note durations; melodic direction
December: musical stories told through opera, ballet, musicals or symphonies
January: reading music from the Treble staff. Grades 3-4-5 concentrate on the soprano recorder
February: meter and time signatures
March: Music in Our Schools Month. Global music, guest musicians and field trip to make students aware that music is within our daily routines; music connects to math, science, history, art, language and cultures; and music is enjoyed as careers or hobbies
April: expression through dynamics and tempo
May: form in music. Some songs are simple, other have 2 parts (AB) or 3 sections or larger. The tone color of instrument voices is also explored.

Besides the above themes, performances are integrated and many composers are introduced to the students. Music is a very integrated area. For a more detailed description, please read my Curriculum page.

February9th Conferences

Mrs. Short is at SDSH Honor Choir

On February 9th, I will be with the Explorer students who are singing in the SDSU Elementary Honor Choir. If you would like to conference with me about your child's music progress, please send an e-mail or call to set up an appointment. I am happy to meet with you before or after school.

E-mail: helen.short@k12.sd.us

Phone: 743-2567, Ext. 4039