This Thursday at 7pm will be Reflections Night at SK, our annual showcase of music and art programs. I can't believe it's almost here! We've been hard at work in the music room to make the show fun and rewarding for students as well as parents. Back in April, I had K-2 classes brainstorm their most enjoyable activities or performances in music, then vote to choose the class favorites. Kindergarteners chose the Ballad of John Henry and a Chinese New Year parade. First and Second grade classes each chose a singing game and to play instruments or drums. Third and fourth graders chose to focus on the recorder song that would earn them their next recorder belt, "By the Fireside," rather than revisiting previous pieces. Our fabulous art teacher then worked with the students to create props for each performance.
I also aimed to include substantially student-created aspects in each performance, ranging from choreography by the Kindergarteners to an entire recorded track by 5th and 6th grade students. (We have been incredibly fortunate in having some musicians from Community Records work with the 5th and 6th graders, but more on that later.) The process of creating a performance as a group has involved a lot of decision-making, conflict, and compromise. While this hasn't always been pleasant, students are learning important lessons in teamwork and musicianship. As a music teacher, it has been a bit scary to let go and let students decide, rather than telling them what to do and how it should be done. However, I'm often pleasantly surprised by the results. I hope this final project will represent the students' hard work and joy in music.
