Recorders

It's a very exciting time for the Grade 4 and 3/4 students at Linden Meadows because it is soon time to start learning how to play the recorder!! The Grade 5 students will be continuing on with their recorder journey to get ready for a new band instrument next year. Although it is a simply instrument to learn it can still have its challenges and I would like to talk a little about how to play the recorder.

Always Remember:

1. Sit up tall with recorder pointing down with left hand on top
2. Blow with gentle warm air
3. Cover the holes completely and check your "recorder warts"
4. Listen for beautiful clear tone
5. Clean recorder when finished

If you make a mistake, practice that measure a few times by itself. When you can play that measure correctly three times in a row, try to play the entire piece again correctly.

If you get frustrated, put your recorder away for a few minutes and just sing and clap the rhythm. Try again later after you give yourself a break.

If you feel inspired, compose your own melody on the recorder to share with the class.

Always end your practice time with a song that you love to play. Give a little concert for your family so they can enjoy your music, too!

As soon as all the recorder order money is in I will order them!! In the meantime enjoy this beautiful video of a young girl named Lucie Horsch playing the soprano recorder. This could be you soon!!

-some info taken from Katie Traxler.com

Welcome Back to School!

Welcome Back Everyone! I am excited for another year of music making and seeing all of my wonderful students again. What an amazing summer! I can't wait to hear all of your stories and listen to what you learned from your adventures over the summer. I spent most of my summer with my family at our cottage! We had so much fun playing on the beach, exploring the wildlife, and a little bit of relaxing too. I also had some time to go to Vancouver Island which was such a beautiful place. I even went snorkeling in a river with Salmon!

I have loads of new ideas for songs, dances, composing, and music from around the world! I am also looking forward to new recorder players, musicals, and meeting our new students. See you soon!

Canada Day Assembly

Today, on the last day of school we all worked together to put on the most amazing Canada Day Assembly! We had student speakers talking about what it is like to live in Canada when they have come from other countries, our Grade 3-5 choir singing Canadian Folk Songs and signing O Canada, The Glee club performing "the Power" by Will. I. Am., Grade 5's doing funny Canadian dances, Grade 6's making beautiful power points and being the MC's for our event and the Grade 2 students singing an Ojibway welcoming song. To cap that all off we had 2 bag pipers and 2 drummers from the Lord Selkirk pipe band lead our annual parade around the school yard. Thank You to the tech team and everyone who worked hard to make this happen! Have a fantastic summer!

Have a great summer!

I would like to wish everyone a very happy and fun filled summer! We all know how quick it will go so make sure you spend lots of time doing the things you love and appreciating that you do not have the same routine as during the school year. There are lots of fun ways to be musical over the summer. You can attend concerts, put on concerts with your friends, play singing games, clapping games, play instruments, make an instrument, try creating your own song, listening to music on your ipod and play musical games on the computer. There are lots of games and links on the right hand side of the blog. I can't wait to see you all again in September! Be Safe and Have Fun!

O Canada (Sign Language)

We are in our last month of school! I can't believe it, we have had such a fantastic year. It is definitely not done yet with quite a few events yet to come including our cherished Canada Day Assembly on the last day of school. We take great pride in celebrating our amazing country and this year one of the ways we will express this is by signing "O Canada" while we sing to open the assembly. The choir will be leading this but anyone who would like to join in is welcome. Here is a video which Mrs. Leofloor uses to help us learn the signs. Mrs. Leofloor will teach the choir to take a few of the signs out so as not to have too many to remember but at least we can practice at home.

Grade 1 and 2 musical production of SQUIRM!!

Today we performed Squirm to a very enthusiastic and encouraging school of K-8 students as well as some very proud parents and teachers! The Grade 1 and 2 students were amazing! They knew all of their words, acted out their lines beautifully, and sang their hearts out to our musical all about what makes you "SQUIRM"! Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers who helped us make this production so special. I would like to especially thank the children for all of their hard work to get ready! this is something that we will all remember for a very long time!!

The Harvesters

In preparing to learn the music for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert, Grade 5 Lowdon listened to a piece called "The Harvesters" by John Estacio and were asked to create artwork to match what they were seeing and feeling when they listened to the music. With the help up Mrs. Van Nice the students created some beautiful pieces and three of them were even chosen to have their artwork projected on a big screen at the performance with the symphony. Congratulations Brandy, Jonathan, and Paolo! I loved every piece and have put them in a slideshow to the music that they listened to so many months ago. Enjoy!