Welcome to Mrs. Gomez’s Music Class!
This year in music we will be learning many things. We will be singing, dancing, playing instruments, reading music, writing our own music, and learning about music throughout history and across cultures. Here is an overview of what we have covered so far and preview of what’s to come.
Preschool Music
Hello everybody, So nice to see you!
St. Cletus Preschoolers are such a joy to have in my music classes. So far we have been singing songs that say hello, and tell us what the weather is. We have also started exploring instruments with egg shakers and rhythm sticks. We have also been dancing and jumping and wiggling all around the room. As Fall progresses we will learn songs about squirrels and pumpkins and even little friendly ghosts…BOO!
Kindergarten
“Hello Boys and Girls!”
Music for kindergartners is a time for musical exploration. So far this year we have done many things. We have experienced steady beat using egg shakers, explored high and low sounds through “Hickory Dickory Dock,” went on a bear hunt, as well as explored the many sounds our voices can make as little bears. We will continue to explore the differences between high and low, fast and slow, and loud and quiet as the year goes on.
1st and 2nd Grade
I think music’s neat! I can keep a steady beat!
Our 1st and 2nd graders have been very focused on learning about steady beat. We have practiced patting, clapping, stamping, chanting, dancing and playing instruments all with a steady beat. We have also started reading rhythms such as quarter notes and eights notes. This will build a strong foundation for future activities with higher level instruments. You can look forward to hearing many songs about falling leaves and various spooky things as October approaches!
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade
Old Houses and Frogs in the Meadow
St. Cletus 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders have been very busy playing the many Orff instruments that we have in our music room. You may have heard your child singing songs such as “Frog in the Meadow” or “Old House.” I have been very impressed with the musicality of all our students. We have also been exploring our voices as instruments as well as learning about other cultures through music. We will continue to play instruments as well as sing and dance through out the year.
6th and 7th Grade
Elements of Music
Melody, Expression, Tempo, Tone Color, Harmony, Form
6th and 7th Grade have both started studying the elements of music to prepare them for future units. So far we have covered Melody and Expression. We have been taking notes on these topics as well as listening to musical examples and creating our own musical examples. We will continue studying these topics in preparation for a unit test.
8th Grade
Willy Wonka Jr.
8th Grade is an exciting year for music students. This year they get to star in our school musical, Willy Wonka Jr. We will begin working on auditions in November. Until then we will be covering topics in drama and musical theater. Recently we have covered relaxation and warm-ups in drama as well as introduced improvisation. Students will be tested on the information covered in class.
Holiday Music News
O Come Let Us Adore Him!
The music room has been very busy preparing for this holiday season. First through fourth grade will be presenting this year’s Christmas program, Carriers of the Light, on Thursday December 15th at 7pm in the church. Scroll down to the grade levels for more information.
Preschool Music
Hello everybody, So nice to see you!
St. Cletus Preschoolers are so fun to work with, they all have so much energy! We have been exploring instruments such as drums and bells, along with our sticks and shakers. We’ve also added scarf dancing to our list. With Christmas fast approaching we will be preparing Christmas songs for our performance on December 15th at 10am in the Morrisey Hall.
Kindergarten
“Hello Boys and Girls!”
Kindergarten has continued exploring all that music has to offer. We have used our singing voices a lot as well as explored high and low on instruments such as the glockenspiel and steady beat on frame drums. We have been singing songs to reinforce counting and numbers. We learned the Turkey Tango for Thanksgiving and now we are starting to learn Christmas songs for our December 22nd School mass.
1st, 2nd 3rd, and 4th Grade
CARRIERS OF THE LIGHT
Thursday December 15th is our Christmas program at 7pm in the church. This year our program tells the story of God’s Light coming to the world. All of our students have been working very hard at memorizing their songs and I think you will really enjoy their singing. Our program showcases our fourth grade with singing, speaking, acting, and instrument solos. First through third grade support our show through song. There will be a note going home regarding costumes for fourth grade. First through third should wear holiday dress clothes (if not red, green, or black, then dark colors, No pastels please.) Ties or nice sweaters on boys and ladies in skirts, dresses, or dress pants. Dress shoes only.
5th Grade
We have been covering all sorts of things in 5th grade music from Veterans Day to composition, listening activities and now Native American Music. We will focus on Native American music for the next couple of weeks and finish with Christmas Songs.
6th and 7th Grade
Elements of Music
Melody, Expression, Tempo, Tone Color, Harmony, Form
6th and 7th Grade have finished studying the elements of music and now we will explore other areas of music using the knowledge we now possess about the elements. 6th grade will begin studying music of cultures around the world beginning with Native American music and other American Roots music styles. 7th grade will begin delving into Music History from Gregorian Chant to today. And of course we will save room for our fair share of Christmas Carols as break approaches!
8th Grade
Willy Wonka Jr.
8th Grade has finished a unit on the History of Music Theatre and now we are ready to put on a show of our own. Willy Wonka Jr. Audtions will begin at the end of this week and finish up right before Christmas Break. Break a leg!