darnell music

Mission Statement

The mission of the Darnell ES Music Classroom is to listen, sing, play, and move to music in a non-competitive atmosphere where one of the many rewards is the pleasure of making good music with others.

Welcome!

For family groups new to Darnell, welcome, and welcome back to our returning partners in education! An August newsletter will go home through Class Dojo during the second or third week of school (once we have made connection with our Darnell families in the app).

I have the schedule for Music Classes so that you know which days are Music Days (and when to wear loose comfortable clothing and P.E. shoes to avoid injury while in Music Class).

Please use the navigation at the top of the page to navigate. I post my music schedule, parent resources, curriculum, grading procedures, and much more!

Please contact me with questions or concerns by email or through Class Dojo. Voicemail is also available but is subject to the 24-hour return time window.

Ms. Van Eaton, proud Darnell ES Music Teacher since 2005

📧 Email Ms. Van Eaton 💬 Text Message Ms. V in Class Dojo 📞 Voicemail: (702) 799-6630

🚨 please help 🚨

Below is a list of needs for the Music Room. Thank you for your help.

Kleenex (this is our most urgent need right now)
1 gallon metal coffee cans that are cleaned out (for drum kits)
anything from my Amazon Wish Lists (especially the books!)

Take Note

🧒Pre-K Winter Concert - Dec. 2026

🎤 Winter Choir Concert - Dec. 10 at 6 PM, doors open at 5:30 PM

🎤 Spring Choir Concert - April 29 at 6 PM, doors open at 5:30 PM

🧒Kindergarten Moving-Up Celebration - May 2027

🐞BugZ: The Musical - May 2027

🧑‍🎓Pre-K Moving-Up Celebration - May 2027

🎓5th Grade Moving-Up Ceremony - May 2027

choir info

The Darnell Elementary School Honor Choir is open to third, fourth, and fifth grade students who are interested in improving their singing voice. Hopeful participants must audition due to limited space.

Auditions are held the third week of school. Information will go home with students during the second week of school and will be posted on my Sent Home page. Students who wish to join but miss the auditions in August can audition in January. More information is available on my Choir page.

recorder kits

Students in grades 4 and 5 will continue with their learning and playing of the soprano recorder throughout the year. Students in grade 3 begin recorder in February or March of the school year.
The learning and playing of the recorder is a school district requirement. While the school will provide a fully-sterilized pre-used instrument for each student to use for the entirety of the school year, students cannot take this recorder home with them to practice. I strongly encourage parents and students to purchase their own recorder to use at home.
Purchase of the right recorder will help the student to play better, sound better, and feel better about their playing. In addition, the ability to practice at home will raise their level of understanding and help them perform better on recorder tests.
Recorder Kits cost $8.00-- Please see the Recorder Fundraiser Order Form for more information on how to obtain a recorder for your child. We sell these items as a fundraiser to maintain and repair our classroom xylophones and other instruments.
The Peripole brand Soprano Recorder is black and comes in a yellow zippered case with a neck holder.

how to find the right recorder for my student

You are, of course, able to purchase a soprano recorder on your own. If doing so, please look for a recorder that:

is a "soprano" recorder (correct size & range)
has "German" fingering (easier for new players)
from an actual instrument brand (if there's no brand name it's likely a toy and will not play the correct notes)
comes in a case that you can write the student's name on it in permanent marker

The Nuvo brand soprano recorder is a student favorite. It comes with keys that make it easier to play and comes in different colors. Other reliable recorder brands include but are not limited to Yamaha, Aulos, Harmony, Tudor, and Lyons.
Ms. Van Eaton is happy to inspect any recorders that you may have at home to see if they are real or a toy. Please send it to school with the student and remind them to bring it to Music Class.

what does my student need to succeed in music class at darnell?

1. Students need to be present in class. Absences from school add up to lost instruction. There is no "make-up work" or "extra credit" to replace the time spent in learning experiences.

2. Students must participate to learn. Music education is experiential. Participation is not an option. There is no replacement for the cooperation and collaboration involved in teamwork.

3. Students need to be open to learn new things. Sometimes students don't want to participate because of misconceptions they bring with them. They may have learned these misconceptions from television or the media, but sometimes they learn them from home too.

how can I help my student at home?

Listen to music at home from different cultures, styles, and time periods that's not a part of your usual favorites.
Ask your student about what they learned or experienced in Music Class that week. Ask and discuss what they liked and repeat that experience as a family. Ask them to share a song or dance that they learned in class.
Make music together. Explore online for ideas on creating your own instrument with household items. Explore local community music groups. Take your student to a music concert.
Parents of fourth and fifth graders can encourage recorder practice at home. You can purchase a recorder mute from Ms. Van Eaton for $0.50 to help with this.
Check the Music Class Dojo for newsletters, announcements, and more! You never know what shenanigans may pop up!

Parent resources

Student resources

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