Field trips

5/6 students had a great time visiting Oz's Music Environment this week, gaining exposure to brass instruments. I unfortunately missed a golden photo opportunity: we had Danny on French horn, Aristea on bugle, Isobel on alto horn, Cory, Mikey, and Saul on on trumpet/cornet, Atty on trombone, and Trent on baritone. After practicing their buzzing embouchures, they were able to make a marvelous racket. With conducting and coaching from Oz, they were able to use their previous recorder experiences to help them articulate notes and follow conducting signals. They even played the rhythm to "Hail to the Victors" and sight-read some other rhythms. Students rated this trip an overwhelming thumbs up, and we may return to give kids a chance to try other instruments.

Many thanks to Steve Oz for providing this experience, and to Mr. B for offering to chauffeur us there and back again.

The entire K - 2 crowd will be going to Hill Auditorium to see Sweet Honey in the Rock on Friday. This trip complements our Migrations theme perfectly, as we have been listening to and learning music related to African American migrations. K-2 students have learned to sing one of Sweet Honey's songs, "All for Freedom," and all grades have been discussing how music helped migrating people to express their emotions at leaving home, as well as to remind themselves of home.

In other news, this blog post was typed by my right hand alone, as my left arm was broken in an unfortunate incident with some ice while walking my dog this weekend. Full recovery is expected, but I won't be able to properly demonstrate instrument playing for a while, and may have to miss some days this week.