Weekly Update:August 29

Dear Parents,

I am enjoying learning more about your scholars. This past week was shorter, but active. In music class, first and second grade students listened to the "Swan Dance" and the "Elephant" from Saint Saen's Carnival of the Animals, and they watched a video of a ballet. Third through Fifth grade students listened to Handel's Messiah and watched a video of a performance. This week, first and second grade will listen to the wonderful music of Archangelo Corelli and watch a short performance video. The higher grades will be listening to music from Bach, Vivaldi and Handel to prepare for their first music test the following week. I have included a few links to videos that students are watching. I think they have enjoyed them, so I hope you will enjoy them, too.

In addition to listening, we started to add pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments to the songs we are singing. We began to explore the wonder of sound, pitch, vibrations and resonance. It is such a joy to see the excitment in student's eyes when they start to explore how sounds are created.

This week, September 3, is Curriculum night. Art, Spanish, PE and Music will be located in the Art room. Please come visit us!

Truly Yours,

Dr. Janet Norman

Links:
Handel's Hallelujah Chorus

Archangelo Corelli: Baroque Trumpet concert

Saint-Saens Dance of the Swan

Vivaldi's Autumn

Weekly Newletter for August 22

Dear Parents,

This week was an eventful week with our first fire drill and first full week. I was delighted that two of our fourth grade students asked to do more research on one of the composers we have been studying: Antonio Vivaldi! Good job! As much as I know about music, I can always learn more, as I did from my students this week.  Thank you! This week, first and second grade will be listening to excerpts from Saint Saens' "Carnival of the Animals" and Third through Fifth grade will be listening to "Hallelujah" from Handel's Messiah.

Dr. Janet Norman

Weekly Update: August 14, 2015

Hello Parents and Students,

We have completed our first week of classes and it was exciting to meet all of our students. This week in music class, students were introduced to J.S. Bach and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and the concept of the beat. We also practiced breathing and choral position. This week, we will be continuing with the Baroque Period, and students will begin to explore pitch through the use of Kodaly hand symbols, starting with "do." I also created a procedures power point. I will be sending copies home with students this week. Feel free to explore this together and contact me with any questions you might have.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Janet Norman

Welcome Letter to the Parents

Dear Parents,

I am excited to be working with your scholars in Music Theory and Performance. My goal is to foster in music students their sense of wonder in the great composers, such as Bach, Mozart and Beethoven and to engage them in the exploration of the design and beauty of music. Music evokes powerful emotions and visual images in us. Your scholars will begin to understand why music composed centuries ago is still loved today and still inspires us. A well-crafted composition involves a combination of math, science, history, grammar and emotion.

                                                                                                 

We will explore the different Periods of Western Music:

Baroque Period from August to October

Classical Period from October through December

Romantic Period from January to March

Contemporary Period from March through May.

Within each unit we will learn patterns of music theory, develop basic sight reading skills, and listen to different instruments.  Throughout the school year, we will look at the history of various traditional folk songs and the meanings of the lyrics.

I look forward to working with your child.  Please feel free to contact me anytime with questions. My email is Jnorman@archwaytriviumeast.org. I will also post weekly newsletters and any interesting or helpful links, such as lyrics for performance songs, dates and times of performances, etc. at my blog site, archwaytriviumeast.blogspot.com – Dr. Janet Norman’s Music Class.

I am looking forward to a wonderful school year.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Janet Marie Norman

Welcome

       Welcome, Parents and scholars! I am excited to explore together the wonder and beauty of music throughout this school year. On my blog, I will be posting a weekly newsletter with helpful information and updates. I will also be posting the dates of our performances and links to songs and music. Please visit this spot regularly to information on important dates and links.  I looking forward to a wonderful year.

My Bio: I received my Doctorate of Musical Arts from Arizona State University in 2009, and I have been teaching music since 1984. Although my main instrument is the piano, I have been singing with choirs since I was 5 years old. I have taught Music Theory to all ages from young children through college classes. I chose to teach with Great Hearts because the type of education your child will receive is of the highest quality. I will be expecting the same scholarly values taught throughout the school. I expect form everyone a positive attitude, willingness to learn and open ears to listen, listen, listen.

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Janet Norman