Music Class

2016-2017 school year is off to a great start!
I love teaching the M,W, F preschoolers music once a week.
I also love teaching each K-3 class twice a week and the 4th graders three times a week. (The 4th graders have music an extra day because they all learn to play the soprano recorder and will put on a mini-musical in the Spring)

Each class starts their music week with a 3 minute music meditation. I select a student to lead the class with the breathing ball to get us grounded. Most students do a fabulous job with this tradition that I started last year. They know just what to do when they come in.

We had a marathon sing-a-long in October that had us learning some fun songs.
We practice our songs that we will be singing in Mass.

In September we learned more about Johnny Appleseed and enjoyed singing-
The Lord is Good to Me.
Other songs and games include; Punchinello, Apple Tree, Witch Witch, Columbus songs and now Halloween songs.

Our 4th graders are busy learning the first 5 notes on the recorder. They played God Is So Good as a prelude for their recent Family Mass.

Looking ahead- we are preparing for All Saint's Mass which is on Tues. Nov. 1 at noon.

After Halloween, we start learning our Christmas program songs. Each class will have their own song that they sing. The choir will also sing a song.

I am really thrilled with the number of choir students- 35 fifth and sixth graders. Plus, I have a small choir for 7th graders which takes place during 1st lunch on Thursdays.

Keep calm and keep singing!

Welcome back to school! I can't wait to see all of the students back at Hi-C again. I look forward to meeting the new kinders this week and the new students too. The music room is ready and is excited to have musical fun with you.

We will be singing a 'Welcome Back to School' song and sharing what students did over the summer. We will also sing a name song to help remember and learn everyone's name. Students will also learn to sing and say 'hello' in several languages.

A review of expectations will take place. Each day a student can earn 5 points by following the simple guidelines: enters quietly and finds their place, listens to directions, participates, respects others and raises hands to ask and answer questions.

4th graders will be learning to play the soprano recorder in music. This instrument helps to learn how to read music and is fun to play. There are guidelines on how to play it in a group setting and we will review that together. Students will have their own Recorder Express book.

Calling all singers in grades 5-8!
Hi-C Choir is a great way to add to your musical experience at school. Boys and girls are welcome and encouraged to participate in choir. For grades 5-6, Thursday mornings from 8:15-8:55 is when you rehearse in the music room. For grades 7-8, a before school time is when you will rehearse from 7:30am-8:00am in the music room as well. Sign up sheets are on the choir bulletin board in the hallway near the music room. Please fill one out and return it to Mrs. Olson's mailbox by Sept. 10. We lead the songs at the All School Mass and also have a number of extra events that we may share our music. Last year, the choir went on a field trip to The Northwestern College of Music and listened to a performance. We went Christmas Caroling in the Village. We also sang at a special gala event at the U of M for Give Us Wings. We sing an extra song in the Christmas Program and we also have a Spring Concert.
'Your talents are a gift from God and when you share your talents, that is your gift back to God'
Consider joining your friends in choir.

Musical May

Musical May because we have several things happening in music this month.

K/1 - Family Mass- May 6- noon
3rd Grade- had an opera singer read to them and sing
Preschool Family Fun Night- May 6
Choir/Band Concert- Thurs. May 14- 7pm
All School Mass- May 20- noon
Kindergarten Family Night Program- May 21- 6:30
4th Grade Mini-Musical- May 28 at 8:15am

In music class we learned about the cherry blossoms and Sakura Festivals.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Spanish songs.
We are singing songs about Spring and new life. Using maracas, scarves and xylophones.
So many fun things going on in music class.

Keep Calm and Keep Singing............

It's a brand new year!

Hi-C ended 2014 with a terrific Christmas Program! I was so proud of all of the students. They worked hard to learn their songs and actions and it was a success. Thank you for all of the families that attended the 2 programs.
Now it's a brand new year and music is always moving and shaking.
Each class has a warm up song to get students moving. We will be singing songs about the Chinese  New Year and Martin Luther King this month.
We will be using Orff instruments once a week and 4th graders continue to learn to play their recorders.
Happy New Year to all.

November news

Music classes enjoyed watching a video of Dem Bones for Halloween week and sang and danced to the song Dry Bones.

There were other fun halloween music that was enjoyed last week.

Now, we are looking at learning our Christmas program songs a little at a time. We are excited about the theme of Around the World it's Christmas. Auditions have taken place for the speaking roles that 6-8 graders may audition for. 

Mark your calendar for Dec. 18 at 7:00pm (also at 9:00am) for the All School Christmas Program.

Each class has enjoyed taking turns being the 'musician of the week' and sharing music interests.  

The 4th graders played a recorder song at PRIDE and did a great job with God is So Good.

The 3rd graders sang a song at their Family Mass- Michael Row the Boat Ashore.

The choir for grades 5-6 and some past members in 7-8 grade have been rehearsing and will sing at Barnes & Noble on Nov. 13 at 3:30.

They will also sing for the All School Mass on Nov. 19. The next day, Nov. 20 the choir will take a field trip to Northwestern College to watch a youth choir.

Keep Calm and Sing On~

Jean

Jean Olson

Music Teacher PreK-4 &  Hi-C Choir Director

j.olson@highlandcatholic.org

Musician of the week

Music classes are off to a great start.

I am starting something new this year with each class.

One student is the 'musician of the week' for their class.
That student is able to share a song with the class that they like from home (school appropriate) or they can pick a fun song from my list to have the class listen to or dance to.
The musician of the week also is able to play an instrument or sing for the class or share a musical talent. They do not have to share something, but it is encouraged.
Also, the selected student would start any games or activities or be my helper.

I started each class with selecting a student with the first name that starts with 'M' for music. We will proceed down the alphabet all the way back to M, which will take most of the year.

I look forward to hearing what each student has to share with their classmates.

Jean Olson

Music Teacher PreK-4 &  Hi-C Choir Director

j.olson@highlandcatholic.org

Back to school is music to my ears!

I am excited to return to Highland Catholic this year as the music teacher for grades K-4 and choir. I also enjoy sharing music with the M,W,F Preschool students. Preparing the Mass music is another thing I really look forward to.

I will see each class twice a week for 30 minutes. The choir meets 3-4 times a month on Thursday mornings from 8:10-8:55. The Hi-C Choir sings at most of the All School Masses, has a Spring Choir Concert as well as other special events.

The music classes follow a curriculum called 'Game Plan' and it is a wonderful program. It includes singing, movement, instrument playing and games. Game Plan uses solfege (do, re, mi... with hand signals) to help learn to read music and sing in pitch. The 4th grade students learn to play the soprano recorder and parents usually hear their share of "Hot Cross Buns" at the start of the school year.

I look forward to seeing the students return to school and music class.

Mrs. Olson

Music Teacher PreK-4 &  Hi-C Choir Director

j.olson@highlandcatholic.org