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McGregor Music Department Why is music so important? Well, it’s like author Pat Conroy said so eloquently, “Without music, life is a journey through a desert.” Music makes the world a better place. Reading and writing are fundamental and necessary skills, but truly, what would the world be without music and the other arts? The arts give life meaning. Involvement in music and the other arts encourages self-discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and have actually been shown to improve achievement in other scholastic areas. We are fortunate in McGregor to offer our elementary students music every day for 25 minutes. During this time, students explore note reading, they improvise and compose their own music, and they dance, play, and learn about other cultures. The foundation of the music program is singing, although students also learn to play xylophone, unpitched percussion, recorder, and guitar. Feel free to stop in and observe a music lesson! Please call for times. For Junior High and High school students we offer band and choir, and the opportunity to be involved in both. There are also extra-curricular musical opportunities, like Swing choir, Jazz band, and drum line, as well as optional voice and instrumental lessons for our students. Our High school students have the opportunity to compete at Sub-section and State contests, which take place in March and April. Please call if you have any questions about the music program. My extension at school is 229. - Julie Jacobsma
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Check out these great music websites with your child at home! http://www.musictechteacher.com/musicquizzes.htm This site has great games and quizzes to review notes, rhythms, intervals, piano keys, composers, etc. The games are fun and rewarding for kids in grades 4 and up. This is the N.Y. philharmonic’s site for kids to learn about instruments, music, musicians, and more! Morton Subotnicks’ website for young students. This is a great site for review note names. Click on “games” and choose from treble or bass flash games. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s magical doorway to a world of musical fun and learning! http://www.artopod.com/groovelab/ Groove lab drum machine! http://www.themusicinteractive.com An interactive website for music games, activities, and computer aided instruction software for students. http://resources.kaboose.com/games/music.html Super-fun for every age! Guitar tuner online, create your own music and cool grooves, and games and puzzles! A little of everything. http://www.philtulga.com/resources.html Cool activities integrating English, Art, Science and Music.
***When in doubt, go to http://delicious.com/jjacobsma, to view all of my favorite websites that I use with kids! Enjoy! What can you do to support the music program in your school? 1. Sing with your child at home! Especially with students under the age of 5! 2. Ask them what they learned in music/choir/band that day at school. 3. Discuss music with your child. Find out their likes and dislikes and communicate yours to them. 4. Encourage your child to practice at home, whether it is recorder, singing, or their band instruments! 5. Remember to be an advocate for the arts. Show your support by attending concerts and communicating the importance of music, dance, theater, and visual art! |
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