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!