Chorus AC GCMC Concert details

Tonight @Mary Lin's Auditorium
586 Candler Park Dr NE
Call times
4:30 - GCMC
4:45 - ChorusAC

6:00 - Concert begins

GCMC:
Jingle Bells recorder (bring your recorder!!) and review your xylophone parts (Good Dogs, Excellent Cats...)
Ms. Relyea's African xylophone song
Still, Still, Still
Jingle Thing

Chorus
Carol of the Bells
Ode to Peace
Last Christmas
Jingle Thing

AC
Hine Ma Tov

Quavermusic.com login

This week 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders had an introduction to the marvelous world of Quavermusic.com, an online music curriculum subscription that has student account access for materials, games, and assignments.

With free student accounts at QuaverMusic.com, teachers can open a world of opportunities including custom assignments, assessments, and some really fun activities!

Below is a rap written by an amazing 3rd grader, and the drumset part was built using Qbackbeat in the Student area of Quaver.

Go to Quaver and create your account!
Quavermusic.com

Quaver Name: your nickname (your choice, make sure you can remember it!)

Password: 123456

email: your apsk12 email

Class code:

3^rd LXE9P

4^TH 8KNJ8

5^TH 7V7JT

I can make assignments and suggestions through the Teacher resources, or your child can just choose a musical skill they'd like to explore and develop!

December Events and Good Cheer

We're sad that our Virginia Highland Tour of Homes caroling is cancelled due to a rainy forecast, but some fifth graders filmed a song that I hope will begin to get you into a festive mood. Also, we hope you'll join us for some other fun events this month!


The Christmas Waltz
Zomo, Gigi, Wizzmo, and Emerson. sing this classic (and Dr. Carstarphen's favorite!) 

Come and sing for fun on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5-6pm at Hope Hill 

(no uniform necessary--dress in festive attire as you wish!)

GCMC and other singers will perform the National Anthem at the Hawks game! Please contact Ms. Turgeon asap if you want tickets, which cost $21 or $25.

The Grady Cluster

Elementary Chorus Concert

Thursday, December 20, 2018

at 6pm

Mary Lin Elementary Auditorium

586 Candler Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30307

Featuring Choruses from

Hope-Hill

Colleen Kingston, Director

Mary Lin

Jon Marvel, Director

Morningside

Melanie Relyea, Director

Springdale Park

Brianne Turgeon, Director

and the

Grady Cluster Music Club

Scare-oling

4th Graders are Not Afraid of the Dark

Based on a poem by Ken Nesbitt, we have been working on this challenging song written by Michael Kurth. While we're not performance ready, we thought Halloween was a great day to try to bring some drama to the text!




5th Graders are seeking the Ghost of John. Why would they want to find a ghost??

Our Orchestra Heroes

ASO's Bass player Michael Kurth & Bassoon players Laura Najarian, Andrew Brady, Juan de Gomar (usually Contrabassoon), and Anthony Georgeson talk about the repertoire for the ASO Heroes of the Orchestra concert 2018. Don't forget to wave and cheer for them when you see them!

Stories of Sibelius

Maestro Stephen Mulligan's Story of Sibelius, courtesy of GPB and Sarah Zaslaw 

Dear Ms. Turgeon,

Your students who performed at the recent VHCA board meeting were terrific, especially realizing the school year has just begun and the limited time you’ve had to meld new with old.  Nonetheless, as a group they were fabulous and put on a terrific performance.

You mentioned they’re working hard toward playing “Finlandia" in an upcoming show.  I imagine you’re aware of the significance of that piece back-in-the-day when it was the champion march for many years as the Finnish sought independence amid the Russian revolution — The song played many times under pseudo-titles which kept the movement alive.

My grandfather Carletto (Carlo) Franzoni ran fine hotels in Europe and the US at the time.  One of his hobbies was collecting autographs of famous musicians who were invited to play in the hotel’s bar or lobby.  They usually would give him a signature along with a short musical score.  Five of those keepsakes I have framed at home.  One is Jean Sibelius’ “Finlandia"… Mr. Sibelius visited his Hotel La Palma in Capri on April 15, 1926 during Sibelius’ depression/ramp-down years., at the time my grand dad was the general manager.

I thought you’d get a kick out of this attachment/autograph in Jean Sibelius’ handwriting.  Thanks again for the terrific performance and your focus on the children — it’s appreciated, and was noticed.


Chip Franzoni

Dear Mr. Franzoni,

I am so touched by your thoughtful note, and the beautiful story about your grandfather and Sibelius! What an absolute treasure you have!

With regards to Finlandia, in advance of our trip to hear the Atlanta Symphony in October, the students have been studying about all of the music they will hear, and the story about Sibelius and his musical resistance to Russia has really caught their imaginations, and of course the melody will be one that they will treasure for their whole lives.

I have a Sibelius story that I have told the students about, but not as personal as yours: In 2011 I was a leader on a choir tour with Atlanta Young Singers (a local children's choir) through Finland on our way to Estonia for a singing festival. Each year on the Baltic states hold a celebration to remember The Singing Revolution, a musical uprising in the that happened in the late 80s early 90s, again in resistance to Soviet control. While in Finland our first stop was at the Memorial monument in Sibelius's honor, and later we toured Sibelius's home, and we even had the chance to sit in his composition room in Ainola.

I think it is important for students to know the context of the music we sing and study, and the way that music can shape community and create a sense of pride and unity even under duress. I cannot wait to share your story with my students!

Again, I am grateful for your willingness to take the time to share your story and your photos. What a lovely thing to do! And thank you for your kind words about my students. They really are a terrific bunch!

I have a blog for our class information for my school community, and I also communicate on other social media for school. Do you mind if I share your story and your photos?

Warmest regards,

Brianne Turgeon, Music/Chorus Teacher

Ainola, Sibelius's home

SPARK AC & Chorus & GCMC Gig Info 9/20 • 9/21 and 9/25

Dear SPARK Musicians,

Don't forget to go to the Google Classroom for AC, Music/Chorus, and GCMC to access rehearsal tracks and resources.

Thursday, September 20 Virginia Highland Civic Association Annual Meeting AC only AC ONLY Virginia Highland Civic Association--at Inman MS. Call time (dressed, fed, & watered) at 6pm, perform at 6:45pm. Finished by 7:10ish. Star Spangled Banner, Lift Every Voice and Sing, Finlandia (verse 1 & 2 + Zoe on flute), Night Blooming Jasmine, When I Rise Up, Believer?, ICTTWAGBF?, Keep it in Time some other songs & solo performers possible.

Friday, September 21 NO AC—instrumentalists (MW, PR, RL, AM, DE, EM) only until 3:30pm     Grady HS Football GameCALL TIME 4:00pm in the Chorus Room--enter by the 10th Street parking lot The SPARK AC, Chorus, and GCMC will join our cluster school choruses to perform the National Anthem before the game. Uniform: Black pants/skirt and shoes with Music@SPARK or GCMC shirt Dress for the weather. The Grady HS Home seating is on the side near Monroe Dr. Timeline: National Anthem Performance is between 5:00-5:15 PM. Football game begins at 5:30 PM. PARENTS Chorus/AC-only Parents attending the game will meet students in the stands after the performance. AC/Band kids will join the band after we sing Parents not attending the game should make arrangements for your child to be monitored by another parent/family. If your child is just coming to sing I will bring singers to the 10th Street Grady HS parking lot when we finish. Probably around 5:40pm I hope.

Tuesday, September 25     Grady Cluster Friendship Festival The SPARK AC, Chorus, and GCMC will perform their own individual sets at this cluster-wide concert, and then again for a cluster-wide finale piece.   Uniform: Black pants/skirt and shoes with Music@SPARK or GCMC shirt Timeline: Students should be dropped off at Grady HS Auditorium (entrance from 10th Street by Piedmont Park/Stadium) by 4:00pm Performance begins at 6:00 PM. PARENTS, please attend this performance and bring your family and friends.  Your child has worked hard to learn the music and you will be so proud!

Chorus and AC Info

Music@SPARK shirt Payment Link
You can also access the payment link at "Pay School Fees " on the very bottom of the SPARK website: https://springdaleparkelementary.org/  You can fill out the amount to be paid on the form.

Music@SPARK Shirt = $11.00 (same as last year--if you're child has a shirt that fits, you're done!)

GCMC registration = $15

The following families may also pay for Honor Chorus on the Pay Fees link
GMEA Fifth District Honor Chorus (6 singers) = $50 KW, AY, EM, ZD, CB, PK

GMEA Statewide Honor Chorus (5 singers) = $50 AY, CB, KW, (2 spots available)

4th & 5th grade:
Music@SPARK Chorus/AC Calendar 

Chorus/AC Availability survey 
Your child gets 10 SPARKwwarts points for their team when you complete the survey!

3rd, 4th, 5th grade:
Join Remind text list by sending @SPARKmu to 678-820-3901 or email sparkmu@mail.remind.com
Your child gets 10 SPARKwwarts points for their team when you sign up!


Why join (and stick with) chorus?


Grady Cluster Friendship Festival Hope-Hill, Mary Lin, Morningside, SPARK, Inman, Grady choruses



AC Sight-singing skills


AC Fancy


AC Fabulous


And Chorus/AC Fun

 Center for Civil and Human Rights

Community Sing Along

December Concert with Cluster Choruses

National Anthem for GSU basketball

Canadian Anthem for the Gladiators ice hockey

 Caroling with Dr. Carstarphen

 Statewide Honor Chorus in Athens

ASO Bassist and Composer Michael Kurth has written "Not Afraid of the Darkness" for our Chorus and AC.  

Welcome Back! AC and GCMC information!

Hello SPARK parents!

I hope you had a fabulous and restorative summer! Here are some things you should know:

• ADVANCED CHORUS (AC) begins Friday, Aug 16--we have our first gig at the Center for Civil and Human Rights on Saturday, August 24! AC rehearses on Fridays until 4:30pm.Ms. Turgeon will call for students to come to rehearsal after dismissal
• Grady Cluster Music Club (GCMC) begins August 22nd and rehearses at Hope-Hill on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm (see info below)
• Chorus is made up of students who are in Ms. Turgeon's Music class during the school who wish to perform at events. After school rehearsals are not required, but Chorus members are invited to drop in for GCMC (Thursdays at Hope-Hill until 5pm) or AC (Fridays at SPARK) any time.

No Audition is necessary for any SPARK ensemble.

If you love to sing and make music, come, even if you think you aren’t a great singer. If you practice you’ll improve!

How do I join? GCMC--come to Hope-Hill on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm and fill out the registration form
AC--Ask your parents to send a note to your homeroom teacher so they know you’ll stay on Fridays. Attend rehearsals. RSVP when you cannot attend a gig or rehearsal. We perform a lot. If you can’t make a gig, be sure to RSVP to Ms. Turgeon a week in advance. Please.

Not sure? Attend a few rehearsals, and see if you like it!

Our first gig:

Saturday, August 24 8am-12:30pm AC/Chorus/GCMC are invited
Educators Open House at the Center for Civil and Human Rights Center for Civil and Human Rights (on Pemberton Place near World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium)
This is an outdoor performance.

• 15-25 minute sets at 9am, 10:30am, and noon.
• A limited number of wristbands to tour the CCHR may be available for singers.
• The CCHR staff are offering a guided tour for our singers after our final performance at noon!
• See the Civil Rights Songs tab above for repertoire and practice videos.

AC/Chorus/GCMC Calendar draft

Many dates are still TBD, based on school and venue availability as of 8/2

APS Board Meeting

Gladiators Game

CCHR

Center for Civil and Human Rights

 

Grady High School

Fifth District Honor Chorus

Caroling for Virginia Highland Civic Association
Tour of Homes

Community sing along with Atlanta Young Singers
at Hope-Hill

GMEA Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus

Chorus and AC on the run

GCMC at the Hawks game

Grady Cluster Music Club (GCMC) meets on Thursdays at Hope Hill from 3:30-5:00pm. The purpose of that club is for our cluster kids to get to know each other before they get to Inman. It includes: Modern Band, singing, dancing, drumming, ukulele, Orff instruments, and performing, but mostly it's about making musical friends.

GCMC info sheet/permission
How to get to GCMC Rehearsal (entrance for students)

Happy Summer from Music@SPARK Chorus and AC!

The SPARK Song was written by SPARK parent Dawn Bell before the school opened in 2009. It has been sung every day that Springdale Park has been open during the morning announcements, and at school and community events. We are grateful to Dawn and her daughters Caroline and Meredith for sharing the best school song in the land with us!




Pure Imagination playlist

Music@SPARK Chorus and AC Get Down, Get Up & Git Down

Our concert, especially the final songs, were dedicated to the amazing, wonderful Ms. Pirnstill. Here are some of our favorite moments from our 2018 Field Day to show what an amazing person, planner, teacher, and colleague she is. More than 700 students participated in Field Day, and every station was about fitness, skill, cooperation, and sportsmanship. It was a beautiful and fun day in every way.  Scroll down for photos and for a video of our Chorus AC concert where we dedicated our final several songs to her and her work at SPARK.

To see all of Ms. Turgeon's Field Day photos click HERE

Get Down, Get Up & Git Down
(night, day, boogie)


Our singers were accompanied by members of our musical village: Millie Turek, Jon Marvel (Mary Lin), Melanie Relyea (MES), and Colleen Kingston (Hope-Hill), and Ms. Valkova for coaching our Baby Elephants, and our Amazing Stolen-From-Inman House Band, featuring 
Everett Stubin, bass & Former SPARK student

Peter Haynes, drums

Matthew Vincent, guitar

Futa Kakinuma, keyboards

Also, thank you to Elizabeth Hill for coming to talk to our rising 6th graders, to Ms. Wade for all your help, and to Meaghan Curry from Henderson Mill ES for always being there.

A final, and gargantuan thank you to ASO Bassist and Composer Michael Kurth for always being generous with his talent, his time, his connections, and his joy for music. 

Michael's music has been featured by the ASO all season this year, and we (ASO and Chamber Chorus) just recorded a CD of his work that will be released next year. 

In the meantime, for fun, he wrote Promenade des Elephants Bebes, a piece that RL, SB, and RR have been working on since January, a mashup between Henry Mancini's Baby Elephant Walk and Saint-Saëns The Elephant from Carnival of the Animals. 

Michael has always been eager to share his love and enthusiasm for music all over Atlanta, and we are all grateful for his willingness to come to SPARK, record videos, create music, give advice, and stay connected with us. 

Michael (back) with Rodolfo meeting Maestro Stephen Mulligan

Teaching, Learning, Creating projects are rolling in!

I'm so impressed with the work and sweetness this project is bringing out. So many friends are helping others to be more musical, more physical, and more creative. This is supposed to be just a fun, low-stress project, and I'm not expecting giant or time-consuming work, but some kids felt inspired.
Check out some highlights below:

Maria's Haunted created on Soundtrap

Alexa's Snake Charmer created on Flat.io

Gianna's Original Song


Aub and Iz's Dance


Aine's Original Song


Emma's Creative Kata

Friends teaching Friends

QTR 4 Project: Teaching, Learning, Creating

Click HERE to download and print the project sheet

In this project students may choose to do a Musical activity that uses their musical skills and includes Teaching, Learning, or Creating. Students are only required to choose one activity, but, of course, they are welcome to do more.

There are not too many rules. Students may work alone or with others. No group size limit. Be creative. Be ambitious. Bring something you’re excited about working on. Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t be lazy.

• Teaching: teach another student a song or dance you learned on an instrument or by singing or dancing
• Learning: learn a song, dance, skill from another student or group
• Creating: create a song, a dance, a composition (use Flat.io or Soundtrap or staff paper or GarageBand….)

Teaching or Learning

SPARK Song with ukulele chords

https://ukeability.org/

Creating

Flat.io

Soundtrap.com  

Soundtrap has lots of functionality to play around with, including a podcast template. Students are welcome and encouraged to use the podcast template to teach or learn about a musical concept or academic concept.