By Mr. Timothy Dries (subbing for Ms. Wilson)

1. Music Standards in the Music CurriculumStandards from MENC, National Association of Music Education By Mr. Timothy Dries (subbing for Ms. Wilson)

2. 1.Singing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music • Songs that we have sang so far include, “The Golden Rule,” “Vacation,” “Listen,” “Sing Me Your Name.” These are shorter songs that we learn in one class period and periodically review in the following classes. In addition, the 5th grade classes have started to work on repertoire for the holiday concert. They will be singing a medley of familiar Christmastime tunes entitled “Swingin’ with Santa Claus.”

3. 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music Most of the classes so far have had opportunities to play the following musical instruments: Sonor Orff instrument pictures: http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/giard/images/reports/sonar_orff_300x294.jpg • Xylophones* • Glockenspiels* • Metallophones* *These instruments are Orff instruments. Designed by the German composer Carl Orff. They are diatonic, and the bars are removable which allows the students to see which notes to play in a given song.

4. 2. Performing on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music (continued) • Wooden percussion instruments (Claves, Guiro, Maracas) • Metal percussion instruments (Cowbell, Tambourine [which has metal jingles]) Guiro picture: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/clip/guiro.html

5. 3. Improvising melodies, variations, and accompaniments • Students will have the opportunity to improvise on Orff instruments as well as other percussion instruments. Improvising is sometimes called “spontaneous composing.”

6. 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines We have discussed musical forms in the 4th grade class. Musical forms are important to understand for composing and arranging music. Some classroom songs call for unique arrangements (“Sing Me Your Name”.)

7. 5. Reading and notating music • Most classes have looked at rhythm cards. We learn to count various rhythms saying, “Ta, TeeTee, and Teeka-teeka” Tee Tee Tee Ka Tee Ka

8. 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music All classes will have opportunities to listen to recordings of great music. • So far, 2nd grade has listened to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons • Other grades will be listening to a jazz recording of a band from Chicago called Air.

9. Extra info • Information about the music books that are used to reach national standards: http://www.kid-sounds.com/gameplan Mr. Dries can be contacted via email at the following addresses: tdries@cedarburg.k12.wi.us timothydries@gmail.com p.s. Mr. Dries does have experience giving beginning piano lessons. Please contact if interested!