Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Glad for Good Press!

Click here for a link to the Talk Up APS article about the AC's performance at the Gwinnett Gladiators game!

and some comments from the PRESIDENT of the Gwinnett Gladiators, Steve Chapman:

 "...I wanted to congratulate you and your chorus on your performance this past Saturday.  I have been involved in professional hockey for twenty years.  I have heard the Canadian National Anthem performed hundreds of times.  The [Springdale] Park Elementary Choir performance was truly one of the best renditions that I have ever heard.  It was excellent.

I am not Canadian, but having grown up with hockey, the song has a special place in my heart.  We have it performed or played at our games to honor our team members that are Canadian.  I can tell you that - to a man - each and every one of them was impressed with the performance.

I hope that you bring your choir back to join us in the future and, honestly, I hope that you continue to sing the Canadian anthem as it is a pleasure to listen to your choir perform it..."

My best,


1 

Steve Chapman
President
Gwinnett Gladiators Hockey


Sunday, January 13, 2013

ASO Project and Tips!

If you haven't returned your ASO field trip money/permission please do so ASAP!
Students who wish to work with a partner must bring a note by Thursday, January 17th.

Download Project and Tips document



Hi! You’re about to start a project that should be fun and informative! This guide is to help you along the way. The project is in two parts—
Part 1: Research/Rehearse (Learn) and 
Part 2: Perform, Create, Display, Present (Have fun presenting the info). 

Choose a your project focus by selecting a Composer/Musical Work in the table below. Your research may cover any of these topics, but it MUST focus mostly on the Composer and the Music.

Part 1: Research/Rehearse (8 pts.) “Favorite 15 Facts”
Use the ASO Study Guide, Media Center sources, your Social Studies textbook, classicsforkids.com, an encyclopedia, the internet, Nettrekker, Google, Bing, yahooligans, and other (books, biographies, magazine articles…) to find sources for your research.
You will list your “Favorite 15 Facts” (minimum) about the composer and the music from the ASO concert. You may also include facts about the era of American History (below) or other connections. You will use these facts to complete Part 2.
Be sure to combine facts, when you can, to make strong facts. 1) Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany. 2) He was born in 1170. 3) Beethoven’s parents were Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich à “Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany in 1770 to parents Johann van Beethoven and Maria Magdalena Keverich.” One good fact!

You must turn in your Favorite 15 Facts lists WITH your completed project!
·        Your Favorite 15 Facts List can be in any format you wish (typed/handwritten/bullet list/graphic organizer…), but it must be in your own words in sentence form (don’t just copy facts from your sources)!
·        Use several different sources to find your information, and be sure to list each one of your sources. Please do your best to find resources that are real book and internet-based.
o       Third Graders: 3 or more sources
o       Fourth Graders: 4 or more sources
o       Fifth Graders: 5 or more sources

Students may also choose to play one of the pieces with an asterisk (*) for Part 2 of their project. 


Musical Work and Composer
Possible Connections or Era of American History
  1. Indian Suite III “In War Time” by Edward MacDowell 1400's Early American Indians
  1. *“Yankee Doodle” and “American Salute”     by Morton Gould   
Early Settlers Revolutionary War—“Yankee Doodle”          The Civil War—“American Salute”
  1. *“Simple Gifts”  by Joseph Brackett
Post-Revolutionary War             
Formation of the US Constitution
Shakers
  1. *Appalachian Spring “Variations on a Shaker Melody” by Aaron Copland
Connect to “Simple Gifts”                  
Martha Graham Ballet
  1. *“John Henry” by Aaron Copland
Westward Expansion                
Folk Tales/Folk Songs
  1. Symphonic Sketches I “Jubilee”  by George Whitfield Chadwick
Reconstruction: Post-Civil War America 
“Jim Crow” laws   
Poetry
  1. *Symphony No. 9 in Em “From the New World”  by Antonin Dvorak
The Second Industrial Revolution  
Development of Recording & Radio                                           Song-catching from Native American and African American heritage
  1. *“It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got that Swing)”    by Edward “Duke” Ellington
Development of Jazz (and where it came from)  Harlem Renaissance
  1. *Symphony No. 1 in Em “Juba Dance”      by Florence Beatrice Price
Why aren’t there a lot of Female, African American, and Minority Composers?                                                                          Juba Dance and Hambone
  1. *“Lift Every Voice and Sing”  by James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson,  Arranged by William Grant Still
Post World War II                   
The Civil Rights Era                 
African American Music and Spirituals
  1. *Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl film Score by Klaus Badelt
Modern Classical Music Industry
Movie Scoring





Suggestions (not requirements) of things to include:

About the Composer 
  • Nationality (where s/he came from)
  • Childhood
  • Dates—birth and death dates
  • Interesting facts about his life
  • Was he famous during his lifetime?
  • Other composers from that time/era
  • Important works—pieces for which s/he is known
  • Influences: which composers did he admire or gain influence from?
  • What types of music did s/he compose (symphonies, operas, ballet music…)?
  • Pictures/film/video of his/her work

About the Music (see also our Music Vocabulary list)
A good strategy is to just listen to the music and jot down what pops into your head. Be sure to use correct Music Vocabulary.

  • tempo
  • dynamics
  • tonality (major, minor, or something else?)
  • meter
  • instrumentation
  • form
  • pitch 
  • what inspired the composer to write this piece?
  • how does this music make you feel?
  • what does this music make you think of?
Critical Thinking in Music (CTM) strategies:
  • what is going on in the music?
  • what do you hear that makes you say that?
  • what more can you find?

About the Era/Connection

  • Dates
  • What was going on in the world?
  • Significant facts/important people from this time period.
  • How did these things impact or influence music?
  • What other connections can you make?
  • Things you find interesting.


Part 2: Perform, Create, Display, Present (7 pts.)
Using the facts you found in Part 1 create a way to present your facts. Use your talents and your creativity to show what you’ve learned! If you are performing one of the pieces you will have a short interview with Ms. Turgeon to show that you learned the facts about your topic. You can choose ANY of the formats listed below.
  • Powerpoint*
  • Website*
  • Video*
  • Skit
  • Comic book
  • Animated film
  • Interview: Commodore Primous & Michael Kurth
  • Poster
  • News article
  • Historical fiction (based on facts)
  • Illustrated book
  • Sculpture/Painting
  • Dance
  • Performance
  • Social Studies/music connection lesson
  • If you have another idea of how to present your project that is not covered in this list be sure to discuss it with Ms. Turgeon before you start!

*Media/Technology-Based projects may be considered for entry in:

APS Technology Fair
Entry deadlines in late January (before the project is due!) Festival is February 2nd at Boyd Elementary:
the APS Technology Fair-->first place winners can move on to the Georgia Technology Fair

APS Student Media Festival
Deadlines in Late February (exact dates will be updated soon)
Successful projects from the APS Student Media Festival move on to-->Georgia Student Media Festival then the best projects go on to-->International Student Media Festival

Level of Bloom’s Taxonomy: Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Creation, and Synthesis

We will have a Springdale Park ASO Project Festival in March for the best projects to be displayed and judged by members of the ASO, ASO Education Department, and other Music professionals!

DUE DATES: Projects are due on your Music class day during the week of February 11th:
Tuesday, February 12th: Smiley and Riggins
Thursday, February 14th: English, Windham/Nossokoff, Hall, Kaufman
Friday, February 15th: Butler, Naman/Nossokoff, Lockwood, & Redel

You can advance to the next video by clicking the forward button below OR you can pop out to YouTube to see the playlist by clicking the YouTube logo. Please be aware, however, that Ms. Turgeon cannot control the "suggested videos" or comments left by other viewers. Parental discretion is advised.




Attached you will find the permission form to print and send [removed 1/30 for faster page loading], and you may choose to pay for the trip at the “Pay Fees Online” link on the SPARK website, by check made out to Springdale Park, or by cash in an envelope with your child’s name and homeroom on it. Please return permission slip and payment (if you didn’t pay online) to your child’s homeroom teacher.

You may still turn in money and permission forms, but please get them in ASAP!


Saturday, January 12, 2013

GLAD!








The Advanced Chorus kids did an amazing job on the Canadian National Anthem at the Gladiators Game on January 12th! Ms. Turgeon is so proud of you guys!

In addition to these singers we had more than 100 SPARK supporters in the stands! This hockey game was a fundraiser for the Chorus, so we will know soon how much money was raised for this event.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our kids and the Gladiators.

Fun in the stands hoping the blimp would drop some swag....






Getting down to business



OH! and the final score of the game: Gwinnett Gladiators 4, Kalamazoo Wings 2. We were winners all around!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Heads Up for Kids who plan to create Technology-Based Composer Projects!

As we prepare for December break I wanted to let you know about two great Technology Fairs that you can enter your Music projects into:

APS Technology Fair
Entry deadlines in late January (before the project is due!) Festival is February 2nd at Boyd Elementary:
the APS Technology Fair-->first place winners can move on to the Georgia Technology Fair


APS Student Media Festival
Deadlines in Late February (exact dates will be updated soon)
Successful projects from the APS Student Media Festival move on to-->Georgia Student Media Festival then the best projects go on to-->International Student Media Festival

See info about last year's GSMF requirements/guidelines HERE

Awesome projects and winners from last year:



Name: Nikhel Krishna
Grade: 4th Grade
School: Springdale Park Elementary
How many 4th graders know how to create a website? Nikhel not only knows how, but is an International award-winner for his talent. His website submission passed the APS Student Media Festival, went onto the Georgia Student Media Festival, and won at the International Student Media Festival (ISMF) for Excellence in Media Production and Judges’ Favorite. The site was originally created for his Composer project in Music class, where he chose to focus on Reinhold Gliere, because his teacher said it would be a challenge.
“I had a lot of fun with it,” says Nikhel. “I’m happy about the award, but I’m happier about my website because it makes me feel really accomplished.” Nikhel created the website through Google, with a little support from his parents. He will have the honor of presenting his project at the Festival in Louisville, KY in the beginning of November. His goal is to be a computer programmer like his father, and prefers to work for Apple because he likes their products and designs.
Apart from his recent achievement, Nikhel is a challenge student who excels in all of his subjects. He enjoys learning new things, and math is his favorite subject. His hobbies include baseball, soccer, and traveling to India. With a bright mind, strong skillset, studious habits, and a great smile, Nikhel Krishna is a winner in every way!
Click to view Nikhel’s website.


4th Grader John C’s Manuel de Falla’s website:
http://johncentner.com/manuel-de-falla/


3rd Graders Aiden and Allen's Bright Sheng/Aram Khachaturian interview:


4th Grader Harper's Aaron Copland video:

4th Grader Amir's James Price Johnson video:


5th Grader Franklin's Montoya, um, Moncayo video:



5th Grader Alec's "The Bright Sheng Project"


Tye's interview with composer John Williams:

More coming soon!


3rd Grader Sophia's Bright Sheng PowerPoint:

3rd Grader Diego's "Brain Pop" PowerPoint:

4th Grader Ali's powerpoint about Manuel de Falla:

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

December Info

Music@SPARK December Concerts!
UNIFORM for all performing groups: The Music@SPARK green polo, black pants/skirt/shorts, & black shoes. If you have not received your shirt please send in $11 in an envelope (cash or check to SPARK) to Ms. Turgeon.




Orchestra Concert
Monday, December 10th at 6pm at Mary Lin
Students should arrive dressed in the uniform at 5:30pm

Band, Advanced Chorus, & Chorus Concert
Wednesday, December 12th at 6pm
Band students perform first, then Choruses perform afterwards.
Band students should arrive at 5:30pm
Chorus students should arrive at 4:30 (or Chorus students may stay after school with a snack and their uniform)


CALL TIMES ARE IMPORTANT!
Please bring your child dressed in uniform, fed, and on TIME!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

APS Honor Chorus Sunday, December 2nd

On Sunday the Atlanta Public Schools' Honor Groups had a concert in which several of our SPARK singers performed. They looked and sounded GREAT! Members of the APS HC are:

Emily Blackwell
Hailey Larkins-Badio
Zoe Reid
Kiki Soto
Olivia Weller
Gavin Witkowski

See below for great photos!







Saturday, December 1, 2012

ASO Study Guide and Listening Link!


This year's ASO Concert will feature music from different eras in American history:
1400 > Early American Indian.
1492 > Early Settlers .
1782 > The Revolutionary War .
1783 > American Independence.
1790 > Post-Revolutionary War .
1800 > The Start of Western Expansion.
1860 > The First Industrial Revolution .
1861 > The Civil War.
1866 > Reconstruction .
1893 > A New Century.
1930 > Early 20th Century America .
1950 > Post-WWII .
1970 > The Civil Rights Era .
1971 > Modern U.S. History.
2000 > The Rock/Pop Movement .
2000 > Contemporary America.
The Future of Music—featuring music of a student composer from Atlanta!

Check out the listening guide and listening links below.
Listening Link

Study Guide

Also, be sure to check back here regularly--Third, Fourth, and Fifth grade students will be receiving information about the Composer Project this month with some brand new options!! Yaaaaay!


You can advance to the next video by clicking the forward button below OR you can pop out to YouTube to see the playlist by clicking the YouTube logo. Please be aware, however, that Ms. Turgeon cannot control the "suggested videos" or comments left by other viewers. Parental discretion is advised.



Attached you will find the permission form to print and send [removed for faster page loading 1/30], and you may choose to pay for the trip at the “Pay Fees Online” link on the SPARK website, by check made out to Springdale Park, or by cash in an envelope with your child’s name and homeroom on it. Please return permission slip and payment (if you didn’t pay online) to your child’s homeroom teacher.

The deadline for payment is December 18th. Please let Ms. Turgeon know if there is a problem with that deadline.



Friday, November 9, 2012

Where Can I Find Definitions?

Don't forget the Music Flashcards are due no later than November 30th!

3rd Grade: 1-25 plus 9 line and space note cards for treble clef (only)
4th Grade: 1-35 plus 9 line and space note cards for treble clef and Project Option from the Music Chart sheet (see below)
5th Grade: 1-50 plus 9 line and space note cards for treble and bass clef and Project Option from the Music Chart sheet (see below)

Students are always invited to come to the Music room before school to work on their cards or talk to Ms. Turgeon if they have any questions! 

Students MAY work with a partner to compile definitions; however, each student must turn in a full set of Flashcards. Students may use the following links to find definitions:


Almost all of our definitions can be found in our Agenda Info:
Agenda Info 2010-2011
Agenda Info 2011-2012
Agenda Info 2012-2013 

You can also use any online kids' Music dictionary:
 
More advanced dictionaries, if you want a challenge:
 

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Practice Video Lists for December Songs--4th and 5th graders

ALL 4th and 5th Graders
Jingle Bell Rock (2 videos)
Tshotsholoza (3 videos)
A Merry Modal Christmas
Hine Ma Tov (more videos coming soon)
A La Nanita Nana
Ocho Kandelikas
Lift Every Voice and Sing (2 videos)

Click the forward button to advance to the next video:


Advanced Chorus
All Through the Night (Ar Hyd y Nos) (2 videos)
Christmas Time is Here (2 videos)
Riu Riu Chiu (2 videos)

Click the forward button to advance to the next video:


Project Options (you may also choose other songs if you discuss your ideas with Ms. Turgeon)
Kalinka (3 videos)
Aeyaya Balano Sakkad
Singabahambayo
Mimo, Mimo, Oluwa
Silver Bells (2 videos)

Click the forward button to advance to the next video:

Virginia Highlands 40th Anniversary Video

I just realized that I had not posted the video from the Virginia Highlands gig that the Advanced Chorus did in September. We had a great time! Further thanks to Ms. Mobley for being our banjo girl and to Liz Soto for passing the video along!!