WELCOME 2020!

March 31

Happy #MIOSM! Today is the last day of Music in Our Schools Month for 2020. Don’t let the celebration end!Make music every day! Listen to your favorite music, find new music, &support music in and out of school. #MusicChangesLives! #NCGME

March 30

Happy #MIOSM! In 2018 Kacey Musgraves releasedher fourth studio album. Celebrate todaybylearning about women in Country music. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1966 Barbra Streisand staredin her own TV special. Celebrate todaythinking about your favorite musical moment on TV. Share your thoughts with someone. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 29

Happy #MIOSM! In 1795 Ludwig van Beethoven had his debut performance as a concert pianist. Celebrate todaybyreflecting on your first musical performance. Share yourthoughts with a friend. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM!In 2005 Mariah Carey released“We Belong Together”. Celebrate todayby learning more about the career of Mariah Carey. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 2019 Billie Eilish releasedher debut album. The album won several Grammysawards. Celebrate todayby exploring other Grammy winning recordings.#NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 28

Happy #MIOSM! In 1986 Lady Gaga wasborn in NYC. Celebrate todaybycomparing &contrasting Lady Gaga’s “Born the Way” to“Cheek to Cheek” from her collaboration with Tony Bennett.#NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1928 W.C. Handy died in New York. Celebrate today by learning about the Blues. If you have time,learn the 12-barblues &perform it using an instrument or technology. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 27

Happy #MIOSM! In 1945 Ella Fitzgerald & the Delta Rhythm Boys record “It’s Only a Paper Moon”.Celebrate todaybylearning about scatsinging& Ella Fitzgerald. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1948 Billie Holiday performedto a sold our crowd in Carnegie Hall. Celebrate todayby learning about Billie Holiday & the importance of Carnegie Hall. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 26

Happy #MIOSM! In 1982 Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder releasedtheir single “Ebony & Ivory”. Celebrate todaybylearning about other famous musical collaborations. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 2019 Billboard removed“Old Town Road” from the Hot Country Charts because it didn’t embrace enough elements ofcountry music. Celebrate today by learningabout famous collaborations between Hip-Hop artists and other musical artists. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 2019 Billboard removed“Old Town Road” from the Hot Country Charts because it didn’t embrace enough elements of country music. Celebrate today by discussing with someone what elements make a song belong to one genre or another. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 25

Happy #MIOSM! In 1983 Motown Records celebrated their 25thanniversary with an all-starconcert. Celebrate todaybylearning about Motown. Share your favorite Motown song with someone.#NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1942 Aretha Franklin was born. Celebrate todayby listening to “Respect”. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1947 Sir Elton John was born. Celebrate todayby listening to “Candle on the Wind” and discuss how he changed the song after Princess Diana died. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 24

Happy #MIOSM! In 1965 Bobby Darin, Harry Belafonte, &Peter, Paul & Mary take part in a protest against voter discrimination in Montgomery, AL. Celebrate todaybylearning about music of the Civil Rights Movement.#NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 23

Happy #MIOSM! In 1743 “The Messiah” premieredin London. Celebrate todaybylearning about George Fredric Handel. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 22

Happy #MIOSM! In 2018 the Broadwaymusical “Frozen” openedin NYC.Celebrate todaybyperforming your favorite song from Frozen. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 21

Happy #MIOSM! In 1964 Judy Garland gavea legendary performance at Carnegie Hall. Celebrate todaybylearning about important performance venues throughout America.#NCGME#MusicChangesLivesHappy #MIOSM!

In 1685 Johann Sebastian Bach was born. Celebrate today by learning about Bach’s vocal music.You could even perform a Bach chorale! #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 20

Happy #MIOSM! In 1990 singer Gloria Estefan fractured her spine. A year later she released the single “Coming Out of the Dark” to celebrate her returnto the music industry. Celebrate todaybylearning more about Estefan and her influence on Latin Music. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 19

Happy #MIOSM! In 1962 Bob Dylan released his debut album.Celebrate todaybylearning about how Dylan’s music has been used in social & political movements. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 18

Happy #MIOSM! In 1992 Donna Summer receiveda star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Celebrate todaybylearning about and listening to Donna Summer’s music. #NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 17

Happy #MIOSM! In 1984 Van Halen’s “Jump” reached No.1 on the US charts. Celebrate todaybylistening to “Jump” &learning about how electric instruments have been used in popular music.#NCGME#MusicChangesLivesHappy #MIOSM!

In 1919 American Jazz pianist Nat King Cole was born in Montgomery, AL. Celebrate todayby learning how technology was used after his death to create theduet“Unforgettable”with his daughter Natalie Cole.#NCGME#MusicChangesLives

March 16

Happy #MIOSM! In 1974 the 1^st performance was held at the new Grand Ole Opry. Celebrate today by learning about the Grand Ole Opry & listening to Opry member’s recordings. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 2011 the US Postal Service released five “Latin Music Legends” stamps. Celebrate today by learning about performers featured on stamps and listen to their music. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 15

Happy #MIOSM! In 1968 LIFE Magazine calls Jimi Hendrix the “most spectacular guitarist in the world”. Celebrate today by playing the guitar, learning about Jimi, or another famous guitar performer. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 14

Happy #MIOSM! In 1993 The Dave Mathews Band performed a benefit concert for the Middle East Children’s Alliance. Celebrate today by reflecting on how you can use music to help others. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 13

Happy #MIOSM! In 1995 Boyz II Men won a Soul Train Award. Celebrate today by learning about Boys II Men. Compare and contrast various vocal ensembles. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 12

Happy #MIOSM! In 1987 “Les Miserables” opens in NYC. Celebrate today by learning about musical theatre. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1955 Charlie Parker Dies. Celebrate today by learning about Be-Bop & the music of Charlie Parker. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1963 the Beatles had to perform without John Lennon because he had a cold. Celebrate today by performing with two other people as a trio. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 11

Happy #MIOSM! In 1997 Paul McCartney was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Celebrate today by learning about how we recognize musicians in our country (Kennedy Center Honors, Grammys, etc.). Who would you recognize with an award? #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1968 Otis Redding’s “Sittin’ On The Dock of the Bay” was awarded a posthumous gold record. Celebrate today by listening to a recording of the song. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 10

Happy #MIOSM! In 1992 Natalie Cole won a Soul Train Award. Celebrate today by learning about Natalie Cole and how her music spanned both pop and jazz styles. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 9

Happy #MIOSM! In 1961 the Supremes released their first single, "I Want A Guy." Celebrate today by listening to one of the Supremes hit songs. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1997 Notorious B.I.G. died leading Sean Combs and Faith Evans to release “I’ll Be Missing You. Celebrate today by comparing “I’ll be Missing You” to “Every Breath You Take” by Sting. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 8

Happy #MIOSM! In 1980 the 1^st rock festival was held in the Soviet Union. Celebrate today by listening to or playing your favorite rock song. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! The month of March was an important month for Giuseppe Verdi – 8 of his operas had their premieres in March. Celebrate today by learning about Opera. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 7

Happy #MIOSM! In 1994 the US Supreme Court ruled that song parodies are covered by fair use. Celebrate today by learning about Copyright. Compare & contrast a parody song to an original song. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 6

Happy #MIOSM! In 1808 the 1^st college orchestra in the US was founded at Harvard. Celebrate today by finding a recording of the orchestra from your favorite college or university. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1970 the Beatles released “Let it Be”. Celebrate to today by listening to or playing your favorite Beatles song. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 5

Happy #MIOSM! In 1853 Steinway & Sons was founded. Celebrate today by playing the piano. If you can’t play an acoustic piano, you can always use an app. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

Happy #MIOSM! In 1907 the 1^st radio broadcast of a musical composition aired. Celebrate today by listening to the radio. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 4

Happy #MIOSM! In 2012 vinyl record sales increased for the first time in years. Celebrate today by asking people how they prefer to listen to music – radio, streaming, CDs, or vinyl. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 3

Happy #MIOSM! In 1931 “The Star Spangled Banner” became the official US National Anthem. Celebrate today by watching your favorite video of a National Anthem performance. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 2

Happy #MIOSM! In 1965 The Sound of Music was released in theaters. Celebrate today by channeling your best Maria & sing using solfège! #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

March 1

Happy #MIOSM! Celebrate today by sharing your favorite song with someone. #NCGME #MusicChangesLives

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I found an interesting article about promoting vocal exploration in children that I would like to share with you. It is geared mostly to very young children, but it can also be applied to older students as well.

Parent “Tell Me” Sheet

The Importance of Vocal Exploration

If you hear your child imitating sirens, or making rollercoaster ride sounds, don’t be alarmed, they are simply practicing vocal exploration. Singing is the birthright of every child with a normal speaking voice and in order for children to learn how to sing, it is vital that they understand how their voices work. The vocal cords are like muscles which need to be stretched or flexed in order to work at their maximum potential (Bridges, 1993). All children need help “finding their voice” and vocal exploration gives the child a fun way to learn.

Some Practical Tips

1. Allow a child to hear a good singing role model. Children’s vocal cords or vocal folds are much shorter than adults; therefore their singing pitch should be higher. A good singing role model will help a child find their singing or head voice in their upper register and make sure songs are pitched appropriately.

2. Encourage any effort a child makes to vocalize and sing. Often a child has been told they can’t before they learn they can. All children are born musical and given the confidence and training any child can learn to sing.

3. Some children have difficulties with auditory processing. When detected early, these issues can be addressed.

4. Other physical problems can interfere with the development of singing. A chronically hoarse voice, sinus or ear infections, or other health problems can make it difficult for a young child. Although these obstacles make it more difficult, over time, many of these children can still learn to use their singing voices.

When working with the very young, it is important to teach them to attend with focus. Listening to sound is imperative. Does the pitch ascend or descend? Can their voices imitate what they hear? Are the sounds high or low? This is the beginning of pitch discrimination. As children are exposed to a wide variety of songs, rhymes and musical experiences, tonal memory is developed. By creating an awareness of tonal patterns a musical foundation is laid. And finally, when children discover they have flexible vocal cords the world of singing opens before them. Like any other musical skill, with time and practice as well as by being exposed to a correct vocal role model, children will connect their voice and their ear and learn to sing. So keep encouraging your child in vocal exploration. Every time your child says, “Whoops! Uh-oh!” Or sighs with inflection they are using vocal exploration and that’s what will help them find their unique singing voice. By Connie Greenwood, First Steps in Music instructor

© C. Greenwood, 2017

***************************************At Bon Air we will be keeping a steady beat both on instruments and by moving to music, Arioso singing (creating simple songs by singing instead of speaking), as well as singing simple songs and games. More details will be coming later about the various grade level programs we will have this year.

At Stewart, we will be learning about form, dynamics, style, and instruments of the orchestra.

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BAM night is on Friday, March 20 at the Huston Middle School from 5-9 PM. Admission is free so come up and view some great student artwork and some fantastic musical performances. If your child would like to perform a solo and or small group performance in the Library please contact me to sign them up.

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I am really looking forward to a great year and I would like to share just a few reminders for in the music classroom. Of course we have our building classroom expectations once again this year:

• Be Safe
• Be Responsible
• Be Respectful

I have also developed some music class specific expectations:

• Make good choices
• Use kind words
• Show respect to classmates, teachers, and the music
• Involve yourself
• Care for our room and instruments