Class was a lot of fun today! We worked very hard creating skipping snakes and spelling triads  in root position and also identifying the root in each of those triads. We also learned how to count a measure of beetles by saying 1-AND-2-AND-3-AND-4-AND because the eighth notes ("a beetle is 2 eighth notes joined together...") subdivide our bug beat. The kids also took time to think about the topic they'd like to write their composition about it - you should ask them about it! And, of course, the Monsters Puppet Show was a huge hit.

Regarding their composition, lessons #6 and #11 are private composition lessons and we will NOT be meeting as a class. Please take a moment to sign up for a 20-minute time slot for BOTH Lesson #6 week and Lesson #11 week.  Thanks so much!

In addition, thank you so much for reading this section of the email. This section has the most timely and need-to-know info. The rest of the email is valuable, but this is the most pertinent section. Thank you thank you thank you! 

Echo Edison

The newest member of our Echo family has arrived. He is Echo Ed and Echo Edna’s grandfather! He likes to ask musical questions and have the kids give him musical answers. He will not only help us learn technique and play finger exercises in 5 keys, but is the vehicle for helping us create our compositions this semester!

Cadence Blues

Cadence Blues is actually ONLY printed in the key of C in your songbooks, but on your CD you have the 'Blues' in other keys. While playing in the key of F or G, you still have to read the song written in the key of C. That's right! Your little musician will be transposing! Woot woot! Be sure to keep the CD player near the keyboard to make practicing fun!

Monsters

The new puppet show is entitled Monsters. However, the real name of the puppet show is Montagues and Capulets, also known as Dance of the Knights and is from the ballet 'Romeo and Juliet' composed by Sergei Prokofiev. This puppet show is similar to many of our past puppet shows--it follows the ABA formula that composers love! But the themes are layered on top of each other, and we will further develop our ear training to distinguish the individual layers of sound.

Wouldn't it be funny if all the characters from our Monsters Puppet Show were actually just friends in their LPM (Lambda Pi Mu) fraternity at Monsters U??? Check it out in this fun post on our Let's Play Music Blog!

Or click here to here to see some fellow Let's Play Music students performing their own Monsters Ballet!

I value open and honest communication so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

Thank you!