Busy Time For Music

We have begun our Christmas Program preparation!!!!  Our program will be on Wednesday December 6th. PK and Kindergarten classes will have their program at 10:00 a,m, in parish hall.  It should last about 45 minutes at the most.  Then 1st through 4th grade will be that afternoon at 1:00, also in parish hall.
Children may wear pretty dresses, jeans and a Christmas sweater.  They may wear Santa hats, etc. as long as it doesn't interfere with their playing of the instruments.  Just remember that we are sitting on the carpet and we need to sit like ladies and gentlemen.

Mr. Shildt's 4th grade class played before Mass on Oct.25th.  They played beautifully. You should be very proud of your children.



Here is a short video of Mrs. Evan's children practicing for Mass.  There are also some photos of the class working on their piece.  There are photos taken of Mrs. Hinderman's class playing  a play party game called "Charlie Over The Ocean".

Our Short Week is Filled With Joy and Music

Today during Mass as I listened to our students sing it absolutely brought tears to my eyes.  I know their voices are as incense to our Lord.  Their voices are sweet smelling and so good for our hearts.  I am so blessed to be the music teacher at All Saints.  The opportunities that I am given to work with the students and bring their talents to the surface is very gratifying and I am so grateful.

I have included photos from Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade.  We are playing percussion with our Halloween songs in the Kindergarten and Second Grade classes.  The First Graders are working on their song for Mass.

There is Music in The Air

Hand Chimes were able to play their last time during Mass with the help of both Mrs. Stafford and myself.  I'm grateful for willing hands in our All Saints Family.

Our second grade, Ms Choe's class shared their singing and playing of our instruments before Mass began.  It is rewarding to see their faces after they have played and they know they did a great job.

Music Continues On

We are coming to the close of our first nine weeks and I am sad to see the Hand Chimes class come to a close.  They have been a great addition to our Mass this year.

Another addition to our Mass was the duo performed by Ariana and Joel.  We enjoyed "Bells Are Ringing".

In our early childhood classes we are reading and singing books.  Our favorites are Big Pumpkin, The Lady With The Alligator Purse, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat. and There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.  We use instruments for the characters and play them when we hear our character.  We are also learning the Italian terms for loud (Forte or F) and soft (Piano or P).

Our upper elementary are working on music for Mass.  We will soon start preparing for Christmas.  We always are preparing!!!!!

Our Fall Classes

Every class is working so hard and their brains are tired by the time we have finished class.

Hand chimes have been playing for Mass on Wednesdays and they are such a great group.  They work well together and they help one another be the best possible.

I have introduced unpitched percussion instruments to the PK Classes.  We play our instruments on certain words in the songs we sing or we play them instead of singing or saying certain words.  They must use their ears, remember how to play their instrument correctly, and remember what word to listen for during the song.  We also are learning what "Home Base" means.  Home Base is putting your instrument on the floor and not playing until you are asked to get ready to play.

PreK is singing songs that are connected to fall.  We are learning the song, "Ten Red Apples".  It is helping us to count backwards from ten and recognize our numbers that are written on the apples.  As we sing we put our apples in the basket.

First through Fourth graders are working on song that we will share during Mass.  The children play one melody and rhythm while they sing something entirely different.  Also the different voices of the instruments play their own part.  Some parts blend and some are the same.  Our glockenspiels play moving melodies and sometimes we are the little note all by itself at the end of a phrase.  The basses have repeated patterns and they keep us together.

We are starting some Halloween songs with the PK and Kindergarten children.  We use the instruments in those songs.

The children are learning that all of our music has patterns.  If we miss a pattern it is really noticeable.  they understand that they must repeat the pattern for the music to be done correctly. By adding our voices it helps us to play.  We listen for certain words and that gives us clues that we are to change or come in.  Music is a puzzle that fits together when done correctly and we are smoothing out the rough edges.

Our students are doing great work and they are a joy to teach.

Honor Choir is growing and the students work diligently to lead the student body during mass.  This week at Mass (10-4-17) the choir will sing with the hand chimes during Communion. 

                                          It brings a smile to my heart when I hear all of them.