Kindergarten-6th Grade
Music Activities
Music Activities for Grades K-6
Music Class (which is held three times weekly for one half hour) is the primary activity that the children from grades K-5 have. 6th graders are given the choice of pursuing a general music curriculum or singing in 6th grade chorus, which will be a performance based class. The curriculum we follow for General Music Class is sequential, which means we tie what we have learned previously into what is being learned or what will be learned. The children are sometimes asked to perform for a civic event such as a Women's Club meeting. But the highlights of the year come on the nights of the Elementary School Concerts, which are shortly before Christmas, and just before school is dismissed for the summer.
The Senior High School Musical:
The children are invited to see a matinee performance of the High School Musical on the day before the show opens to the public. The importance of this is that it gives the children a chance to see a student performance, given by their friends, family and often their older role model students. We also hope that it will stimulate their own interest in performing one day. Occasionally, a musical is chosen that requires parts to be played by Elementary students. When this is the case, a note is sent home with the children announcing auditions for appropriate roles, and the children are chosen by audition. This always causes great excitement, and when the children are anxious to attend an evening performance as well, the older students appreciate it too! They work VERY hard on this performance, and are so encouraged when the audience support is large.
Christmas Concert:
Christmas Concert is an important performance for the children. A great deal of time is spent in preparing for this concert, and it is important that the children participate in the concert, and is actually quite important that parents and family members come to support their efforts. A large portion of their quarter grade comes from their participation in the concert. It is the first performance of the year for new 5th grade band members.
Solo and Ensemble Contest:
Sixth grade Chorus members will be given the opportunity, as an elective to perform for the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest. I will help them to select a song, and will prepare a CD on which their vocal parts will be recorded. This enables the students to practice their solos at home. The students have the opportunity to learn vocally appropriate literature, can sing in a variety of languages, and have individual and small group voice lessons.
Spring Variety Show
All students are permitted to participate in the annual "Warren's Got Talent" Variety Show. We will try to balance the show with a varied group of acts, and depending on response may have to audition to be sure there are not too many acts participating.
The Spring Concert
The final performance of the year is given by all students in grades K-6. The 5-6th grade band performs, and the elementary classes perform two numbers for this concert, and like the Christmas Concert, their attendance is strongly requested.
Junior High Promotion
6th Grade members of the ARMS band join with the 7th graders to perform in the band for the promotion ceremony for the entrance processional and the dismissal recessional of the class.