What a year!
Don’t stop the music! Didn’t miss a beat! Play on…
In 2019-2020, the students at St. Marks enjoyed playing in rock bands, ensembles and working on performances- until we were sent home! We finished out the year with an instrument building project in which the students made 4 types of instruments from items they found around their house (idiophones, chordophones, aerophones and membranophones.) I was most impressed with the slapper-tube idiophones made by the Ritchies!
This year, I adapted the curriculum to handle multiple environments; in, out, all about! The younger students assembled a music research journal using Google Slides. They studied musical instruments, dance and festivals from around the world. Their studies culminated in a presentation on their own musical heritage.
The older students studies songwriting on a Digital Audio Workstation, SoundTrap (think Garage Band meets Google Drive). They worked on 6 music writing projects over the year. On your Music Festival Day, they hosted a dance party for the younger students with completely original music. Listen here. It was a blast!
We also started a ukulele ensemble this year- that was a huge hit! More than 10 students loaned ukuleles to play at home and the ensemble had 20 members.
I have big hopes for next year! I can’t wait to resume choir, band and string ensembles. I’m looking forward to another fabulous Christmas program and Spring Music Fest!
