Über Creative: Music

The 4^th and 5^th grade GIS chorus had a great time singing at the Oaks Park Oktoberfest this month!  In grade school music, all students learn songs in German and from other folk traditions around the world, and the 4^th and 5^th grade classes have the benefit of a separate additional choir class to learn about singing in unison and parts in an ensemble, and begin choral score reading at school!

But music at GIS is so much more than singing-  movement, drama, and instruments are also  used to help students build skills to both be able to connect with their classroom’s IB units of study, as well as have the experience to enjoy music in its own aesthetic right.

Currently, our first graders are learning about the community of players that it takes to make an orchestra, as well as playing song games and instruments to get a strong sense of steady beat and rhythm in an ensemble.  We are working on our musical listening skills, often practicing audiation, or hearing the music just in your head!

Second graders are working extensively with our classroom Orff xylophones and percussion instruments.  We are working on ensembles with our instruments and voices and starting to practice note reading to prepare us for playing recorders after winter break.  They just can’t wait to bring those recorders home!

Third graders are learning about how their voices work inside their bodies, and how to keep their vocal system healthy.  We are starting the alto recorders and are working on ensembles that incorporate many different types of instruments and our voices.

In fourth grade we are going to be working with our ukuleles again this term.  We are starting with learning song games from different cultures around the world and then learning to accompany and play some of these on our ukuleles.

Finally, in fifth grade we are talking about our own musical culture and interests and how our experiences might be similar or different to children around the world.  We will be reviewing our guitar chords from last year and practicing accompanying ourselves while singing songs from around the world.

As you can see, there is a lot going on in the music room!  Be sure to stop by sometime, you’ll be sure to hear something great from the young musicians at GIS!