Piano club not only met for the last time this past Monday, but they also went out with a bang at the GSA Art Fair! What a fantastic event! Thank you so much Ms. Cashel for inviting us to perform at the art fair. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate all of the Arts in schools. Beginning and Intermediate Piano students did an awesome job with their piano recital. I could not be more proud of each of them. Every student practiced, worked hard, and did their very best! Great job!
Thank you to the parents for coming to the recital and supporting the music and art program. Your caring and support is deeply felt and appreciated. Thank you also to the parents who helped set up chairs, and who helped carry the piano up the stairs and into the gym! We are so lucky to have you! I hope that all of my students have a wonderful summer. Keep playing and practicing!
Love from Mrs. Caughlan
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Lemondrops and Gumdrops
If all the raindrops, were lemon drops and gumdrops, oh what a rain that would be!
This week, Kindergarten friends have been learning about meteorology! During our rain unit, we learned the classic song "If all the Raindrops" and talked about what kind of candy we would like it to rain. Friends were asked to pick one type of weather, and two candies or desserts that they wish their weather would bring and draw them on umbrellas! They look great! What fantastic musicians and artists!
We learned to sing this song this week. Ask your child to sing it to you!
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, Oh, what a rain that would be.
Standing outside with my mouth open wide.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, Oh, what a rain that would be!
This week, Kindergarten friends have been learning about meteorology! During our rain unit, we learned the classic song "If all the Raindrops" and talked about what kind of candy we would like it to rain. Friends were asked to pick one type of weather, and two candies or desserts that they wish their weather would bring and draw them on umbrellas! They look great! What fantastic musicians and artists!
We learned to sing this song this week. Ask your child to sing it to you!
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, Oh, what a rain that would be.
Standing outside with my mouth open wide.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops, Oh, what a rain that would be!
Friday, April 18, 2014
This Week's Friday Video
Happy Friday!
K-2 Students enjoyed learning about China and Chinese instruments this month. Please enjoy our Friday video from this week featuring music from "Kung Fu Panda" by The Piano Guys.
K-2 Students enjoyed learning about China and Chinese instruments this month. Please enjoy our Friday video from this week featuring music from "Kung Fu Panda" by The Piano Guys.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
When Testing- Choir Club
Choir club should memorize these lyrics for our upcoming MAP assembly performance. Movements/dance suggestions and ideas are due to me this Friday. Our current movements and blocking are provided below the lyrics. I can't give you all of it due to copyright laws, but here is a recording for most of the song.
When Testing
spoken: I know some hints. I know some hints.
I know some hints to take a test.
I know some hints. I know some hints.
And they will help me do my best. (Emma: Listen up!)
When testing, I will always read the directions,
read the directions well.
When testing, I will always budget my time
so I'm done when I hear that bell. ( Molly/Kristina: Pencils down!)
I will read the whole question and all of the answers I could choose from.
I will check my work carefully, keeping my focus till I'm all done testing.
When testing.
I know some hints. I know some hints.
I know some hints to take a test.
I know some hints. I know some hints.
And they will help me do my best. (Alex: Listen up!)
When testing, I will always read the directions,
read the directions well.
When testing, I will always budget my time
so I'm done when I hear that bell. ( All: Pencils down!)
I will read the whole question and all of the answers I could choose from.
I will check my work carefully, keeping my focus till I'm all done testing.
When testing.
Testing.
When testing.
Testing.
Moves:
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Right)
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Left)
I know some hints to take a test. Line switch. "Y" arms.
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Right)
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Left)
And they will help me do my best (Muscles) Emma listen up!!
When testing, I will always read the directions, Reading motions. Kristina walks with book
read the directions well.
When testing, I will always budget my time Wristwatch motion. Ashley walks checking time
so I'm done when I hear that bell. Molly with Cowbell ( Molly/Kristina: Pencils down!)
Work on ideas for this section, and for what to do at the very end.
I will read the whole question and all of the answers I could choose from.
I will check my work carefully, keeping my focus till I'm all done testing.
When testing.
End
Testing.
When testing.
Testing.
When Testing
spoken: I know some hints. I know some hints.
I know some hints to take a test.
I know some hints. I know some hints.
And they will help me do my best. (Emma: Listen up!)
When testing, I will always read the directions,
read the directions well.
When testing, I will always budget my time
so I'm done when I hear that bell. ( Molly/Kristina: Pencils down!)
I will read the whole question and all of the answers I could choose from.
I will check my work carefully, keeping my focus till I'm all done testing.
When testing.
I know some hints. I know some hints.
I know some hints to take a test.
I know some hints. I know some hints.
And they will help me do my best. (Alex: Listen up!)
When testing, I will always read the directions,
read the directions well.
When testing, I will always budget my time
so I'm done when I hear that bell. ( All: Pencils down!)
I will read the whole question and all of the answers I could choose from.
I will check my work carefully, keeping my focus till I'm all done testing.
When testing.
Testing.
When testing.
Testing.
Moves:
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Right)
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Left)
I know some hints to take a test. Line switch. "Y" arms.
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Right)
I know some hints. Clap Clap (Left)
And they will help me do my best (Muscles) Emma listen up!!
When testing, I will always read the directions, Reading motions. Kristina walks with book
read the directions well.
When testing, I will always budget my time Wristwatch motion. Ashley walks checking time
so I'm done when I hear that bell. Molly with Cowbell ( Molly/Kristina: Pencils down!)
Work on ideas for this section, and for what to do at the very end.
I will read the whole question and all of the answers I could choose from.
I will check my work carefully, keeping my focus till I'm all done testing.
When testing.
End
Testing.
When testing.
Testing.
Music Lesson
"If it was easy, everyone would do it"- Jonathan Roche.
Music can be very hard work. I teach my students all the time that the only way to get better at anything is through practice, effort, and hard work. Thankfully, our pianos stay in the same place. The piano recital is almost a week away. Keep up the hard work! This is for anyone who plays piano or is currently "carrying" something heavy... :)
"I really should have studied flute
Harmonica, or chimes.
A Clarinet is nice and light.
A fiddle would be fine.
But I had to take piano,
And my teacher is a brute.
He lives up seven flights of stairs.
(I wish I played the flute.)
-Shel Silverstein
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Summer Camps
Looking for something fun to do this summer? The St. Louis area offers tons of great summer camps all about music! I have provided information for several of those camps below. Many of these programs offer year round lessons and activities as well. Which one works for you???
1.
School of Rock isn't just a movie. It's also a legitimate school for rock music. "School of Rock offers one and two week camps for kids of all ages and skill levels during the summer, winter and spring breaks." They offer group and private instruction in guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals.
Daily camp activities include:
School of Rock Summer Camp
2.
St. Louis Children's Choir is a group I had the honor and pleasure of being a part of when I was in High School. They follow a belief I feel very strongly in: every child can sing. They believe "children learn more about themselves (and others) through live music making." The choir is currently in it's 36th season. They have been recognized nationally for top quality vocal instruction accepting singers ages 6-18. The Children's Choir has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, The Ambassadors of Harmony, the Bach Society of Saint Louis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and choruses from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster University. The choirs have received national and international recognition travelling on musical tours to Japan, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Russia. While the St. Louis Children's Choir accepts singers through a short audition, auditions are not necessary for the summer camp.
Summer Camp Information:
3.
"Encore Academy is a school for performing arts dedicated to having fun while developing skills in singing, acting and dancing." Classes at Encore Academy are available for ages 4 to 13. This year their summer camp is inspired by the movie "Frozen", a movie that all my kids have been talking about!
Summer Camp Information:
Camp information can be found here:
Encore Academy Summer Camp
4.
1.
School of Rock isn't just a movie. It's also a legitimate school for rock music. "School of Rock offers one and two week camps for kids of all ages and skill levels during the summer, winter and spring breaks." They offer group and private instruction in guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and vocals.
Daily camp activities include:
- Daily Rehearsals
- Music Workshops
- Live Performances
- Group and Private instruction
- Lots of fun and rock n' roll
School of Rock Summer Camp
2.
St. Louis Children's Choir is a group I had the honor and pleasure of being a part of when I was in High School. They follow a belief I feel very strongly in: every child can sing. They believe "children learn more about themselves (and others) through live music making." The choir is currently in it's 36th season. They have been recognized nationally for top quality vocal instruction accepting singers ages 6-18. The Children's Choir has performed with the St. Louis Symphony, The Ambassadors of Harmony, the Bach Society of Saint Louis, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, and choruses from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster University. The choirs have received national and international recognition travelling on musical tours to Japan, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Russia. While the St. Louis Children's Choir accepts singers through a short audition, auditions are not necessary for the summer camp.
Summer Camp Information:
- July 7-11, 2014
- Monday -Friday
- 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Age for the camp: children currently in 2nd-5th grade, who will be entering 3rd-6th grade in the fall
- Everyone is welcome and auditions are not necessary for summer camp.
- Students will spend the camp:
3.
"Encore Academy is a school for performing arts dedicated to having fun while developing skills in singing, acting and dancing." Classes at Encore Academy are available for ages 4 to 13. This year their summer camp is inspired by the movie "Frozen", a movie that all my kids have been talking about!
Summer Camp Information:
- Camp Dates:
- June 16-20
- 9:30 to 2:00
- Students will learn songs from the movie "Frozen" along with other Disney and Broadway Tunes.
- Camp will introduce children to musical theater.
- Students will learn basic acting, singing, and stage movement
- Camp activities include:
- Drama games
- Theatrical and musical coaching
- Performance preparation
- Dressing in costumes for performances
- Daily craft and lunch in the park
- Final performance for family and friends the last day of the camp.
Camp information can be found here:
Encore Academy Summer Camp
4.
Have a little one at home who likes music? This camp is for children aged birth to 6 years and their caregivers! Kindermusik is a family camp that lets you and your children play, learn, sing, dance, create and share in the fun of making music together. The deadline for sign-up is May 15, 2014. The camp is given in different locations as well for your convenience.
More information for the camp can be found on the Webster University website:
Take the Tour
Monday, April 14, 2014
3rd Quarter Music Awards
Wow! I say all the time that I have some great students in my classes. Picking students for music awards at our awards assembly was definitely a challenge. If I had it my way, I would have picked at least 10 kids from each class. Below are the music award winners from our assembly.
Great job everyone! Keep it up!
Great job everyone! Keep it up!
Ms. Cates Class
Addison
Being a great leader and giving %110 every day!
Alyssa
Being a great leader and giving %110 every day!
Most Improved:
Lance
He has become an outgoing participant and is a positive role model!
Ms. Murphy
Ava
Setting a great example and being a great singer!
Kierra
Being a great singer and a leader!
Ian
Being a great singer and active participant!
Most Improved:
Harrison
Being a great singer and participant!
Owen
Being a great participant!
Ms. Williams
Genevieve
Great musicianship!
Ms. Hirner
Memphis
Is always on task and is a great leader!
Mr. Jones
Andrew
Being an active musician!
Most Improved:
Mevlut
He has taken a real interest in music and has become a positive example in the classroom!
Ms. Wensler
Poppi
Being a vocal leader!
Joseph
Joe is an active musician and participant in class!
Most Improved:
Quinten
Being a positive example!
Ms. Wolf
Phoenix
Putting forth her best effort every day!
Landon
Putting forth his best effort every day!
Most Improved:
Bera
He has become a great participant!
Ms. Ziegelmeier
Dominic
Dominic did a great job at our concert, learning a new speaking part only minutes before the concert began! He is very helpful and dedicated!
Ethan
Does a great job in class and is a hard worker!
Friday, April 11, 2014
MAP Assembly
Choir Club will be performing at our MAP assembly on April 25th. Provided below is a link so a short recording of the song for at home practice.
Can't wait for our next performance!
When Testing
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Piano Recital
Thanks for visiting!
We have officially selected our piano recital pieces! Provided below is information regarding the recital.
- Piano club will have their recital on Monday, April 28 at 4:00pm in the gymnasium.
- The program should conclude by 4:30pm.
- Refreshments for the art fair have been graciously provided by Ms. Cashel. We are welcome to them as well.
- Mrs. Caughlan and your child will select their performance piece together. Each student will perform a different selection.
- As always, music should be practiced at home in order to be fully prepared for the performance.
- Performers must be present at piano club on Monday April 28th if they wish to perform. I will escort the musicians to the gymnasium following the recital.
- GSA uniform is acceptable for this performance, however if your child would like to dress up for the recital, I encourage them to do so. Performers may bring a change of clothes and change during club time.
- Following our performance, there will be a second short recital given by Ms. Sarah's piano/violin studio. Many of these performers attend GSA. I strongly encourage my students to attend this recital as well to observe the skills of their peers and see students at more advanced levels to understand how they can grow as a new pianist!
- Please contact me if you have further questions!
ecaughlan@gsastl.org
Recital Assignments
Here are the song selections for the Piano Recital! Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns about the choices.
M.C.- Rockin' Rabbits
K.F.- Mary's Lamb
I.N.- Saints Go Marching In
V.S.- My Son John
A.Z.- Little Engine
A.B.- On the Swing
A.B.- On the Swing
All- Yankee Doodle
ecaughlan@gsastl.org
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