Beatful Experiences
Elementary Music has kicked off this school year with a reminder about what we are trying to accomplish as children on the pathway to being musical people: We are Tuneful, Beatful, and Artful. As tuneful people, we think melodies in our heads, create melodies, and sing melodies with beautiful singing voices while matching pitch. As beatful people, we participate in dances while keeping the beat in our feet, we play instruments on the beat and with the correct rhythm, and we tap and clap the beat to our favorite songs. As artful people, we appreciate art for art's sake while showing phrasing and expression of music in our bodies.
Students in Grades 2-5 have participated in several Beatful experiences this week:
Grades 2-3 participated in a circle dance called "Brian Boru's March," and Grade 2 even got to use the parachute during their dance!
Grades 2-3 kept the beat as they played simple chords on Orff instruments (xylophones, metallophones), singing solos, and singing as a group during the song "Very Nice to Know You."
Grades 4-5 participated in a line dance called "Gallopade" set to Renaissance music.
Grades 2-5 sang a very fun song called "Good Morning" and put the B section in their bodies with body percussion (stomp, clap, pat).
As you can see, we are already on the way to becoming beatful. I wonder if your child has shown you a beatful musical experience this week as you've been together. That might be a great question to ask your child during your time together this weekend!
