YEA, It’s March….which means Spring is just around the corner! Hope everyone had a great midwinter break! I took my first „international‟ trip with my husband. We travelled to Trocones, Mexico. Nothing is more healing than the ocean, sunshine and warmth. I must have beach walked 25-30 miles over the course of a week! A wonderful trip….but it is always nice to come home and sleep in ones own bed. MUSIC HAPPENINGS In Primary, the students are now working on: Quarter note/ quarter note rest with a steady beat, beat vs. rhythm, creating simple melodies, and working with different tone colors: Percussion instruments. The Intermediate grades each have their own area of study. 4th grade: New notes/songs on the recorder and will now work on Meter, Music Math and various rhythm patterns. 5th Grade: The 5th graders are working on their “Get Active, Get Movin’, Get Goin’, Get Fit” performance material. The performance is April 23, at BKS at 7pm. 6th Grade: Through an art activity, the students have become familiar with many of the Jazz terms, and have just finished
the concept of improvisation, a key element of Jazz.
MARCH
Music In Our Schools Month.
There is a special opportunity for you to visit your child‟s General Music class during the week of March 23-27. This invitation is extended as part of the nationwide celebration of 'Music In Our School‟s Month' held in March. This national celebration is chosen to remind everyone of the positive influence music has in our lives-that is has the power to improve learning skills and performance in all areas of study. It has the power to connect cultures and communities, to link students to their history and traditions, and to provide lifelong pleasure. Your child’s music schedule will be coming in a letter from the music room. You are welcome to visit, observe or to participate with your student during one or both of his or her music classes. Please note that this not a performance. We will be studying musical concepts as stated in Shoreline Music Curriculum, National Standards for the Arts and the Washington State ART Essential Learning‟s. I look forward to seeing many of our Brookside parents!
SPECIAL THANKS from the Music Room Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Have you wondered the long term use of the MP3 player/or the I-Pod buds on ones ears? *** Special Thanks to Mr. Eric Lynch, PhD. who created and presented a Power Point to all the 4th, 5th, 6th graders on January 27. A few of the highlights from his presentation: When we are exposed to harmful noise—sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time— sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, causing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) These sensitive structures, called hair cells, are small sensory cells that convert sound energy into electrical signals that travel to the brain. Once damaged, our hair cells cannot grow back. These is usually little to no pain associated with this hearing loss. Hearing loss can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as noise generated by a personal music player (MP3 player).
Although being aware of decibel levels is an important factor in protecting one‟s hearing, distance from the source of the sound and duration of exposure to the sound are equally important. A good rule of thumb is to avoid noises that are “too loud” and “too close” or that last “too long.” Listening to music on earphones at volume level 5, the sound reaches a level of 100 dB, loud enough to cause permanent damage after just 15 minutes per day! Some of the things that can cause too much noise: Target shooting, hunting, wood working, shop tools, video games and arcades, movie theaters, snowmobiling, power boating, hair dryers, blenders, Gas-powered lawn mowers Leaf blowers, musical concerts, and sports events. How to protect your ears? Turn it down! Walk Away Wear ear plugs. Mr. Lynch is the co-founder of Sound Pharmaceuticals, a company devoted to developing drugs to prevent and treat hearing loss. He did his graduate work at Berkeley, and has done extensive presentations in the academic arena/or board room.
EXTRACURRICULAR Music Room ACTIVITIES
Percussion Ensemble
Percussion Ensemble continues to meet on Wednesday mornings at 8:20.
Intermediate Piano Class
Intermediate Piano Class will finish their Winter session on March 17th. A Spring Session will start after Spring Break on April 14th. Permission slips will be sent home before Spring Break 2nd Grade Beginning Piano Class ****A 2nd Grade BEGINNING Piano Class will be offered after Spring Break on Wednesdays, April 15th, from 3:30-4:30. This paid class is for those students who would like a „taste of what it is like‟ to take piano lessons. A formal letter and Permission slip will be sent home before Spring Break As always, if you have questions, please contact me at the e-mail below. Laurie Bell General Music Specialist (K-6) Laurie.bell@shorelineschools.org