Tuesday, December 17, 2013

3rd Graders: BA Superhero!

Here is how you can play along with BA Superhero's theme song at home.  The tempo has been slowed down (for now!)

3rd Graders- Here's How to Become Recorder Masters Over Vacation!

Dear 3rd Graders,
Since we won't be playing our recorders together for a while here is a fun way to practice at home! 
Click here to play "Recorder Master!"    This game is also available as an app for iPad.
Have fun!:)

Mrs. Thorn

Friday, December 13, 2013

5th Grade Chorus Performs "Jinglin' Bells"

You sounded incredible!   Can you believe we only have one more concert together?!
Thank you to Michael Hutchinson for recording this video!




Thursday, December 12, 2013

The 4th Grade Chorus Performs "Winter Light"

This performance leaves me speechless.   I am so proud of your hard work and dedication.  I can't wait to hear what we accomplish in the Spring!




Wednesday, November 27, 2013

3rd Grade- Lyrics for "I'm Gonna Eat."

Dear Ms. Goldberg's Class,
You can use these words to sing a round with the Mini Ms. Goldberg's Class at home.:)
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Love,
Mrs. Thorn

I'm gonna eat on Thanksgiving Day.
I'm gonna eat on Thanksgiving Day,
*Turkey with stuffing and cranberries,
I'm gonna eat on Thanksgiving Day.
Sweet potatoes and corn and peas,
I'm gonna eat on Thanksgiving Day.
When I'm done my belly's so full, down I lie.
But before I can count to 1,2,3 
I'm up for the pumpkin pie.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

East Hills Third Graders Get Ready for Thanksgiving!

Third grade classes practiced the concept of singing in unison and as a round with the song "I'm Gonna Eat."

Ms. Goldberg's Class sings "I'm Gonna Eat" in unison.



Mrs. Tahany's Class sings "I'm Gonna Eat" as a two part round.

Friday, November 8, 2013

2nd Grade- Together

If you would like to listen to the song "Together" click here!
You can listen to part of the song for free by clicking on the "play MP3" button, or purchase the whole song for $0.99 (with permission, of course!)
Thanks to Leo Benaharon in Mrs. Bravo's for giving me the idea to post this!:)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Lyrics "I've Been Working on My Costume"


For those 5th graders who wanted the lyrics for home:

Chorus:
I've been working on my costume all the live long day.
I've been working on my costume, Watch out!  I'm on my way.
When you see me at your door bell you'll know what I mean.
I've been working on my costume,
'Cause it's Halloween!

Verse 1:
Little bit of this, little bit of that,
Itty bitty pillow to make me fat.
Wig upon my head, sheet from off my bed,
All because it's Halloween.

Chorus

Verse 2:
Crazy kind of nose, crazy kind of beard,
Don't know what I am, but I look weird.
Paint is on my face, powder every place,
All because it's Halloween.

Chorus

Verse 3:
Aunt Matilda's hat, Uncle Louis's vest,
No one's gonna know me from all the rest.
Red pajama top, Mother's kitchen mop,
All because it's Halloween.

Chorus

For JJEMs.

Kusimama

Ching-a-Ring Chaw
(You will be singing this in unison.  Sopranos and Altos will be singing the melody together.)

Click on the titles to view the rest of the videos:






Monday, October 28, 2013

"Big Pumpkin" Audio


If you would like to listen to the audio to the book Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman, check out this video!



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

5th Grade Chorus- "Merry Merry Joy Joy"

Click here to find a recording of Merry Merry Joy Joy.  You can listen to the majority of the song for free or download it for $0.99

Third Graders- "Just A" and "A and B Blues"

Just A


"Trick or Treat" by Justin Roberts

This video is a performance of the catchy Halloween song "Trick or Treat" by Justin Roberts. Thank you, Jared Chapman, for reminding me to find this video! Click here to check it out!

Friday, October 18, 2013

NYSSMA Forms are Now Available!

Any students interested in participating in the NYSSMA solo festival for voice, piano or guitar may now print out their forms and return them to Mrs. Thorn.   All preparation for the solo festival takes place with a private piano, guitar or voice teacher.   Please follow all deadlines carefully!   Click here for all NYSSMA forms.

4th Grade- BA Marching Monster

Thank you to Jack and Olivia Abajian for finding a video of BA Marching Monster for you to enjoy!   Click here to watch it!  Practice along, but count your rests carefully!!!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Just B- Third Graders

Congratulations on earning your recorders! Here is a reminder about how to get ready to play your first note, B!

Your own mini Mrs. Thorn




Play along with Just B or listen and follow along!




Salamander Step Dance- 5th Graders

Hi 5th Graders!   Here is a link to a recording of our new recorder song Salamander Step Dance  if you would like to practice along with it at home.   Click "Play MP3" to listen for free.  It will not play the whole song, but it will play most of it!   You can also download the entire song for $.99.   Have fun!

Stand Up and Use Your Voice


Wednesday, October 9 was National Unity Day where students unite against bullying.  Five members of the 5th grade chorus performed the song Stand Up by Sugarland for the morning announcements.   Here is a short video of Natalie Ashirzadeh, Ariella Babaev, Julia Diamond, Emme Fliegler and Elena Lynn performance.


Friday, October 4, 2013

Our 5th Graders Have Many Musical Talents!

Our fifth graders have been spending a lot of time discussing the different musical talents of themselves and others.  Singing, dancing, playing instruments, listening, memorizing music, conducting are just a few.   In teams, students focused on one musical talent, discussed the strengths of those musicians (for example, instrumentalists have the determination to practice) and worked together to create an illustration of that talent.  Through this project students are discovering that they all have talent in music!

During Mrs. Gallagher's music time Andrea, Naima, Julia, Michael and Caleb
worked together to discuss the strengths and musical talents of dancers.

East Hills fifth graders are certainly talented singers.  After learning the song Let Us Sing Together in unison, we tried singing as a round in two (or more) teams.  Rounds are challenging because the teams are singing the same song, just beginning and ending at different times.  When the teams are singing the correct notes and rhythms during a round beautiful harmonies are created!



Mrs. Varasano's Class sings Let Us Sing Together as a two part round.


Thursday, October 3, 2013

5th Grade Chorus "Winter Day" Videos

Dear 5th Grade Chorus,

Thank you so much for a wonderful rehearsal this morning. You sang some really beautiful, complicated harmonies! I am excited to hear what happens next! Sing along with your part and when you're comfortable with that, sing your part along with the other team's video. We'll sing a virtual duet!! Each video starts at the beginning of Winter Light, and ends at measure 11 ("It's a winter day.")






Soprano

Alto

Winterlight Videos for 4th Grade Chorus

Dear 4th Grade Chorus Members,
I am so impressed with your hard work and dedication.  Again today we had great attendance and you really sang some sophisticated music today.   If you would like to practice Winterlight at home you can now practice along with these videos.   Both videos begin at the beginning of the song and end at the top of page three.  We did not get as far as page three in chorus yet, but feel free to get ahead of the game and take a listen, or sing along!

The beginning of the song is in unison (soprano and alto sing together.)   We break into our parts at the bottom of the page.  Sopranos,  Please make sure you are following along with top staff marked "S."  Altos, you will continue following the bottom staff marked "A." Remember to sing with hot air and open your throat for the high notes, and no lazy letters!


When you feel ready you can try singing a duet with me!   Just play the video from the other team and sing your part on your own while I sing the other part!

I am so excited for next Wednesday!

Mrs. Thorn :)




Soprano


Alto

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

We're Off and Singing! A successful, fun start to 4th Grade Chorus!

Very early in the morning on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, sixty-eight 4th graders came to school for their first chorus rehearsal.   Luckily, it was also Pajama Day, so it was an option to roll out of bed and get ready to sing!

I was very impressed with how well our students began to adapt to the chorus rules and how quickly we were able to get SINGING!   That's what we all got up extra early to do!

With only ten rehearsals left until our Winter Concert on December 12, I am certain we will be prepared and ready to put on an amazing show for our audience!

 Byron is smiling and ready to sing!
 It was a sunny start for Lanie, Emme, Ariana, Sasha and Callie.

Ruthie in her PJs.
Cary and Gabe wait patiently to sing.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Hot Dog!

The second graders have been enjoying their first two weeks of music at East Hills by learning the East Hills School Song, playing the xylophone and metallophone and playing a movement game called Ding Dong.   Ask your second grader what they do when they hear the words "hot dog" while playing.   Movement is a great way for children to practice, beat, rhythm and listening skills.  It's also FUN!  :)


Mrs. Cushing's Class had a great time dancing and moving.


The third graders took a break from preparing for recorder to play a movement game as well.  While playing Get Funky, Mrs. Alter's class thought about how playing a movement game can help them prepare for their future recorder playing.  They discussed that listening will be important as well as self control when learning the recorder.  While playing a game we use listening and self control to make sure we are safe, staying in our personal space and following directions.  It will take A LOT to know when to play your recorder and especially when to stop.

Mrs. Alter's Class gets funky!



Friday, September 13, 2013

Mark Your Calendars!

Here is a list of East Hills concert dates for the 2013-14 school year.

  • Thursday, December 12, 2013-  4th Grade Winter Concert (chorus only), 9:30 AM in the East Hills Gym
  • Friday, December 13, 2013-  5th Grade Winter Concert (chorus, band and orchestra)  9:30 AM in the East Hills Gym
  • Thursday, March 20, 2014-  2nd Grade Concert,  9:30 AM in the East Hills Gym
  • Friday, May 9, 2014-  3rd Grade Recorder Concert, 9:30 AM in the East Hills Gym
  • Friday, June 6, 2014-  4th Grade Spring Concert (chorus, band and orchestra), 9:30 AM in the East Hills Gym
  • Wednesday, June 11, 2014-  5th Grade Spring Concert (chorus, band and orchestra), 7:00 PM at Roslyn High School.
I am looking forward to seeing you cheering on our students at these events!


It's a Contest to Name Our Music Room Website!

I hope everyone is enjoying the first weeks of school.   It has been a blast to catch up with all of the students after a long vacation!   It's amazing how much they grow and mature during that time!

This week and next week I will be introducing students to our new Music Room Website!   As I have showed them we have all been in agreement about one thing.  The title of the site is BORING!  That's why I am asking the most creative and fun people I know to help me create a fun, orginal, exciting name for our music site.  I have challenged the students of East Hills from grade 2 to 5, to think of one or more names for the web site and submit them to me by Friday, September 27, 2013.   On that day I will open this box, read all entries and choose the new name for our music website!  An annoucnement will be made the week of September 30, 2013.

Our Contest Box


 




Friday, September 6, 2013

Welcome to Mrs. Thorn's music blog!   Visit often to read information, see photos and watch videos about the East Hills Vocal Music Program, including 2nd through 5th grade music classes and 4th and 5th grade chorus. 

After a great summer spent with my husband, my son Alex and a lot of family and friends, I am looking forward to seeing all of my music students at East Hills.   I am especially excited to meet all of the new 2nd graders!  

4th and 5th grade parents will soon receive a letter from me concerning chorus.   4th Grade Chorus will rehearse every Wednesday morning from 8:10-8:50 AM starting September 25th.   5th Grade Chorus will meet every Thursday morning from 8:10-8:50 AM starting September 26th.  If your child is interested in singing in our chorus and you have concerns about before school transportation please consider car pooling with another student.  Another option is taking the bus.  A letter will be sent from the office with information about bus transportation.  We learn something new every week in chorus so it is important that the children be at as many rehearsals as possible.  We also have a lot of fun, and I don't want any students to miss out!

Thank you so much for stopping in!   I am looking forward to an amazing year of music making with your children!


This is my son Alex.   He tested many instruments for us to make sure they were ready for the first day of school!