Music: Grades 3-6

 

Welcome to the Music Blog for Grades 3-6!

 3rd Grade

This last quarter, third grade students learned how to sing and identify notes in the pentatonic scale (Do, Re, Mi, So, and La). They also learned about the 3/4 Time Signature and dotted half notes. Third grade scholars did a wonderful job maintaining a steady beat playing with egg shakers and rhythm sticks as they listened to Camille Saint-Saens "Elephant" from Carnival of the Animals. This piece, along with their winter concert music, has helped reinforce their understanding of the 3/4 Time Signature.

Composer of the Month: Joseph Haydn

To listen to one of my favorite compositions by Haydn, click here: The Surprise Symphony

 4th Grade

This last quarter, fourth grade students spent time reviewing quarter rests, quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes. They also learned about the following dynamics: Piano, Mezzo Forte, Forte, Crescendo, and Decrescendo. Fourth grade scholars were introduced to the concept of syncopation through singing the Canadian folk song: The Canoe Song. These young musicians did an excellent job playing a variety of percussion instruments to accompany themselves as they sang along.

Composer of the Month: Felix Mendelssohn

To listen to one of Mendelssohn's compositions, click here: The Wedding March

 5th Grade

This last quarter, fifth grade students learned about half steps, whole steps, and accidentals (sharps, flats, and naturals). It was wonderful having student volunteers come to the piano and play half steps and whole steps for their classmates to aurally identify. Fifth grade scholars also learned about syncopation through the singing of a song from Africa called Kye Kye Kule. These scholars have been excelling with the singing of their winter concert music as well. Their voices are just lovely!

Composer of the Month: Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (Felix Mendelssohn's Sister!)

To listen to a composition by a talented female composer, click here: Notturno in G Minor

 6th Grade

This last quarter, sixth grade students reviewed sharps, flats, and notes on both the treble and bass clef. They also learned about the Florentine Camerata, and watched a portion of Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo. These scholars had the opportunity to learn about instruments from the Renaissance era which include: the lute, theorbo, and clavichord. As students have started preparing for the upcoming winter concert, we have discussed the importance of having a singer's posture and proper breathing techniques.

To watch Monteverdi's tragic yet beautiful Italian opera, click here: L'Orfeo