4th Grade General Music
2024 Musical Production Notes
May 7 Update:
We are in the home stretch for our May 14 musical production. Please see the latest production notes below. Also, please remember that because each student plays an important role in our production, all students must be present for the performance (attendance is a required part of music class). If your student will be unable to attend the performance for any reason, please reach out to me immediately. I am happy to help you work through transportation challenges, and we can often work out a carpool when informed far enough in advance.
Practice Resources:
Individual practice resources can be found in our Google Classroom. Students will need to be logged into Google with their school Google accounts (not a personal account) to access these files.
Parking:
Please drop off your student at the main entrance before searching for a parking spot, following the same procedures as you would for morning drop-off. If you live close enough to walk, that is probably your best option. There are 77 regular parking spots in our school parking lot. Please do NOT park in the four reserved office spots (the spots marked as reserved for visitors are fair game). There are five handicap spots near the flagpole for properly marked vehicles. There are nine bus slots in our bus lot (each bus slot could probably accommodate two cars parked one in front of the other). Once all of our parking slots are filled, drivers will need to venture out for parallel parking on nearby streets. Only door #1 at the main entrance will be unlocked for this event.
Costumes:
My official directive for what to wear is: “look nice.” Lightweight clothing (it’ll be hot on the stage) that would be appropriate for a regular school day is a fine choice. Wear comfortable shoes. Don’t wear high heels (they can be unsafe on the choral risers).
Performance Week Schedule:
Monday, May 13:
7:55-10:55 a.m. -- Full Rehearsal in WLIS LGI/Cafeteria. Students will walk with their classes shortly after morning announcements and be finished in time for lunch.
Tuesday, May 14:
6:30 p.m. -- Door #1 unlocks. We encourage parents to begin dropping off performers at the main entrance at about 6:30, then proceed to search for a parking spot.
6:40 p.m. -- Call Time for performers is 6:40 on stage in the WLIS LGI room.
7:00 p.m. in the WLIS Cafeteria -- Showtime! Our performance will last about 30 minutes.
March 16 Update:
On May 14, 2024, we will perform our annual musical production. Our show is called "Good Thinking," and it is a musical review by Teresa Jennings celebrating good character. Students can find practice resources through our Google Classroom. Parents, look for a letter home between March 25 and March 29 (you can find the letter in PDF format here right now). We will perform at 7:00 p.m. in WLIS LGI/Cafeteria performance space. Because each fourth grade student plays an important part in our production, all students must perform (performing is a required part of music class). Students who are not present for the group performance must complete an alternate individual assignment (unless medically excluded by the school nurse).
General Music Class
In 4th grade general music class, we study a variety of musical repertoire, including songs that tie in with classroom studies in Indiana History. Daily music activities include singing, playing Orff instruments (xylophones, drums, etc.), movement activities, some folk dancing, improvising, and composing our own music.
Note Names Practice -- Choose Your Level
Progress Report Form (Time to show my progress.) -- Use this form to share your progress report with Mr. Helgerman.
Treble Clef Only - Newbie Part 1 (You told me I could do this, but I'm not so sure.) -- Just the space notes, please, with helpers.
Treble Clef Only - Newbie Part 2 (That wasn't so bad, let's try the next step.) -- Mostly line notes, please (may contain some space notes), with helpers.
Treble Clef Only - Beginner Level (Who, me? Are you sure about this?) -- Lines and spaces, D to G, with helpers.
Treble Clef Only - Developing Level (I think I'm starting to get this. Let's add a little more challenge.) -- Middle C to High A, without helpers.
Treble Clef Only - Pre-Expert Level (I'm ready for the highest challenge, but without the timer) -- Low G to High E without helpers, including accidentals, no time limit.
Treble Clef Only - Expert Level (Do your worst! I know this staff.) -- Low G to High E without helpers, including accidentals, 3 minute time limit.
Bass Clef Only - Beginner Level (Uhh, not too fast. I'm not so sure about this Bass Clef stuff.) -- Low F to High B with helpers.
Bass Clef Only - Developing Level (Challenge me, if you dare.) -- Low E to High C without helpers.
Bass Clef Only - Pre-Expert Level (I'm almost ready for the expert level, but without the timer) -- Low A to High G without helpers, including accidentals, no time limit.
Bass Clef Only - Expert Level (I am a Bass Clef boss!) -- Low A to High G without helpers, including accidentals, 3 minute time limit.
Grand Staff Refresher with Helpers (Time to put it all together. Let's start slow.) -- Low E to High A with helpers.
Grand Staff Pre-Expert Level (I'm almost ready for the ultimate challenge, but without the time limit.) -- Low A to High E, including accidentals, no time limit.
Grand Staff Expert Level (You call this a challenge? I am a master of ALL the notes.) -- G to F without helpers, including accidentals, 3 minute time limit.
Alto Clef Only - Beginner Level (I'm learning to play the viola.) -- Low E to High A with helpers.
Alto Clef Only - Pre-Expert Level (Violists Unite!) -- Up to three ledger lines above and below.
Enrichment Level (I have already demonstrated Grand Staff Mastery, and desire a greater challenge.) -- Design your own exercises. Add clefs. Extend note ranges. Change time limits. Go nuts!
Note Construction -- Opposite Direction
Grand Staff Practice Level -- Full grand staff available. They supply the note name, you put it on the staff with appropriate accidentals.
What's New in General Music Class?
This year in music class, we are enjoying the return of many of our normal in-person music class activities, while maintaining a safe environment. We will remain moderately socially distanced in music class, while adding in some of our favorite activities in a sensible way. We will sing with prudent modifications to reduce the spread of aerosol droplets.
As always, we will continue to work on our skills with reading standard music notation, performing on a small scale during Talent Time, listening to great music, learning about musical instruments, and becoming more skilled composers with composition exercises. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 in the community as this remains a fluid situation. Our plan is to safely perform our annual musical production in May. With thoughtful planning and careful action, we can enjoy many of our most rewarding musical activities.
Music Rules
Listen carefully.
Always try your best.
Be kind to people and things.
2024 Symphony on the Go Concert
Each year, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra sponsors a special free concert for the fourth grade students in the Greater Lafayette area. This year's concert will be on Friday, February 9, 2024. We will attend the 10:00 AM performance. We'll travel by school bus to and from the concert as a whole-grade-level field trip. Your student should have brought this letter home recently with a little more detailed information.
2023 Musical Production Notes
May 8 Update:
We are in the home stretch for our May 16 musical production. Please see the latest production notes below. Also, please remember that because each student plays an important role in our production, all students must be present for the performance (attendance is a required part of music class). If your student will be unable to attend the performance for any reason, please reach out to me immediately. I am happy to help you work through transportation challenges, and we can often work out a carpool when informed far enough in advance.
Practice Resources:
Individual practice resources can be found in our Google Classroom. Students will need to be logged into Google with their school Google accounts (not a personal account) to access these files.
Parking:
Please drop off your student at the main entrance before searching for a parking spot, following the same procedures as you would for morning drop-off. If you live close enough to walk, that is probably your best option. There are 77 regular parking spots in our school parking lot. Please do NOT park in the four reserved office spots (the spots marked as reserved for visitors are fair game). There are five handicap spots near the flagpole for properly marked vehicles. There are nine bus slots in our bus lot (each bus slot could probably accommodate two cars parked one in front of the other). Once all of our parking slots are filled, drivers will need to venture out for parallel parking on nearby streets. Only door #1 at the main entrance will be unlocked for this event.
Costumes:
My official directive for what to wear is: “look nice.” Lightweight clothing (it’ll be hot on the stage) that would be appropriate for a regular school day is a fine choice. Wear comfortable shoes. Don’t wear high heels (they can be unsafe on the choral risers).
Performance Week Schedule:
Monday, May 15:
7:55-10:55 a.m. -- Full Rehearsal in WLIS LGI/Cafeteria. Students will walk with their classes shortly after morning announcements and be finished in time for lunch. Masks are entirely optional, but very welcome for this mass singing event.
Tuesday, May 16:
6:30 p.m. -- Door #1 unlocks. We encourage parents to begin dropping off performers at the main entrance at about 6:30, then proceed to search for a parking spot. Wearing masks for this crowded event are optional, but might be wise.
6:40 p.m. -- Call Time for performers is 6:40 on stage in the WLIS LGI room.
7:00 p.m. in the WLIS Cafeteria -- Showtime! Our performance will last about 30 minutes.
April 13 Update:
On May 16, 2023, we will perform our annual musical production. Our show is called "A New Day," and it is a musical review by Teresa Jennings celebrating life in the present moment. Students can find practice resources through our Google Classroom. Parents, look for a letter home between April 14 and April 21 (you can find the letter in PDF format here right now). We will perform at 7:00 p.m. in WLIS LGI/Cafeteria performance space. Because each fourth grade student plays an important part in our production, all students must perform (performing is a required part of music class). Students who are not present for the group performance must complete an alternate individual assignment (unless medically excluded by the school nurse).
2022 Musical Production Notes
On May 19, 2022, we will perform our annual musical production. We are optimistic that we'll be able to return to a live in-person performance this year. Our show is called "Big World, Small World," and it is a musical review by Teresa Jennings celebrating the world we share. Students can find practice resources through our Google Classroom. Parents, look for a letter home during the week of April 4-8 (you can find the letter in PDF format here right now). We will perform at 7:00 p.m. in WLIS LGI/Cafeteria performance space. Because each fourth grade student plays an important part in our production, all students must perform (performing is a required part of music class). Students who are not present for the group performance must complete an alternate individual assignment (unless medically excluded by the school nurse).