The music of Africa resounds throughout Marshall County, as students and teachers prepare for the arrival of Ghanaian Master Drummer, Sowah Mensah.  Beginning on Monday, April 30, students at Center McMechen Elementary School, Glen Dale Elementary School, and John Marshall High School will host Mr. Mensah for a week-long residency.  General Music Teacher Kathleen Fox and Band Director Tracey Filben coordinated the event.

     The two music educators were introduced to Sowah in the summer of 2010.  As students in the World Music Drumming Workshops, both teachers valued their time with Sowah, and explored the possibility of bringing Sowah’s unique insight to the students in Marshall County.  “Educators must engage students in opportunities that allow them to think creatively.  Exposure to diverse sights, sounds, experiences, thoughts, and cultural differences will provide new perspectives that enhance creative thinking. This is my primary focus.” explained Fox.

     Sowah’s visit will conclude on Friday, May 4 at Center McMechen Elementary.  After rehearsing with 4th and 5th grade students in the morning, Sowah will present an assembly to the intermediate students in the afternoon.  Sowah’s residency is made possible by the generosity of the Niekamp Foundation and PPG Industries
 

    Marshall County Strings students recently performed at their annual spring concert.  All students had an excellent performance.  Four Center McMechen students were members of the Concertmaster Club for the performance.  Concertmaster Club members played off all concert music by themselves with musical excellence.  Members include 4th grade students Tim L, Livia L, Morgan M, and Bryce P
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    As the school year comes to an end, it is important to acknowledge the progress students have made throughout the year.  To help continue musical growth, Marshall County Strings will be offering a summer camp from June 25-29, 2012, at the John Marshall Center for the Performing Arts.  Current elementary students will attend a morning session daily from 9:00-11:30am.
All students must complete both a 2012-2013 School Year Information Form as well as a Strings Summer Camp Registration Form. These forms were available at the spring concert.
 
 

Welcome Mr. Posey, Music Student Teacher

     We welcome Mr. John Posey to our music classroom. Mr. Posey is a music education student from West Virginia University, majoring in guitar with an emphasis in jazz studies. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with him for the next several weeks.  The students are already impressed with Mr. Posey’s musicianship, as he shares his expertise on many instruments during classroom instruction. We are sure to learn a lot from this talented musician, and wish him all the best as he prepares to enter the teaching profession.

Grades 3, 4, and 5 to attend Wheeling Symphony Concert
     On April 18, students in third, fourth, and fifth grade will be treated to a Wheeling Symphony concert.  The students will ride school buses to the concert, which will begin at 11:15 at John Marshall High School.  Students will eat lunch when they return to Center McMechen at 12:30.

     This year’s Young People’s Concert “Music, Noise, and Silence” will feature 3 special guests from the Magic Circle Mime Company.  According to the program notes, these three meddlesome spirits will invade the concert hall, as “Noise” and “Silence” try to take control of the concert.  With the help of “Music,” the orchestra will overcome the evil spell of “Noise.”

    This is sure to be a great opportunity!  Students are encouraged to wear nice school clothes and are reminded to exhibit appropriate audience behavior.  Special thanks to Mr. Yoder and the Marshall County Schools administrators who provide enriching experiences such as this one for the students at Center McMechen.

West Virginia All-State Children’s Chorus
Congratulations to Mykaela M and Madisyn M for being selected by audition to participate in the West Virginia All-State Children’s Chorus.  The two girls travelled to Morgantown to participate in the annual event.  After two full days of rehearsal, the group presented a concert for a huge crowd at the WVU Creative Arts Center.  Special thanks to the families who accompanied the girls to Morgantown.  Both Mykaela and Madisyn  were excellent representatives for our school.  We are proud of your musical accomplishments. Bravo!
 

STRINGS MUSIC PROGRAM
jkjones@1187@gmail.com            jwcarney61@gmail.com

    The annual Marshall County Strings Spring Concert will be held on Monday, April 30, 2012, at 7:00pm, at the John Marshall Center for the Performing Arts.  This performance is the culmination of progress made throughout this school year.  The concert will feature a gradual progression of skills from beginning 4th grade students through middle school including a combined performance by ALL students as the finale.  Permission forms have been sent home and are to be returned by Thursday, April 5, 2012, in order for the students to attend the dress rehearsal at the end of April.  Following the concert, strings classes will continue as normal in May as we progress through new skills in preparation for the next school year.

Mrs. Sparks delivered flyers to our K,1,2 students regarding this program.  Though parents/grandparents would need to transport students to Suzuki Class, it is an opportunity to get an early start with the instrument.  See the flyer for locations for “Interest Meetings” throughout the county.

Our students have had a great start to the new year in the music classroom!

Primary students continue to sing a variety of songs that allow us to focus upon the musical elements pitch, rhythm and form. We continue to discuss the four ways to use our voices: singing, speaking, whispering, and shouting.  We have discussed the difference between beat and rhythm, and are able to perform rhythms consisting of quarter notes and rests, half notes and rests, and eighth notes.
We like to change the speed of the beat, or tempo, of songs to make them more exciting!  We have used hands-on manipulatives to re-tell the events in our songs, show high and low pitches, and repeating tones.  We have discovered that there are a lot of patterns in music!

We have also instruments to add special effects to stories and poems.  Some of those stories  include: Old MacDonald Had a Woodshop, Mortimer, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Please encourage your child to look for these books at the library, and to participate in Reading Counts!

Intermediate music students have impressed me with their ability to read notes on the treble clef staff.  We continue to refine our ability to read rhythmic notation, with special emphasis on syncopated rhythms.  Syncopated rhythms are fun perform because they sound jazzy!

Fourth graders are participating in a new recorder unit.  The recorder is a small wind instrument, which helps prepare students for participation in band.  (Band is offered to any interested fifth grade student at Center McMechen.)  The recorders were purchased for each of the students with money raised from last year’s “Rock-a-thon” music fund raiser.  In an effort to assure that all students have a recorder for every class, they are stored in the music room.

This year, students will participate in a new recorder program, called Recorder Karate.  The Recorder Karate program allows for more individualized assessment for each student’s performance ability in a non-threatening manner.  As students progress through each lesson, they have the option to play individually for Mrs. Fox, who will determine if the student has achieved their new level, or “belt”.  Each lesson has a song that is classified by color, and each song presents new concepts to master.  Students are excited to earn their “belts” which will be displayed with corresponding colored tape on our recorder cases.  Let’s hope to see lots of colorful cases by the end of the school year!

I am proud of the musical accomplishments of every class.  This is a crucial time in your child's personal, academic, and musical growth.  Encouragement is the key ingredient in keeping your child motivated, and ultimately, to help your child be a success.  Please continue to support your child’s musical accomplishments!
 

        The new school year is underway and we are already experiencing the joy of making music.  At Center McMechen, students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade attend two thirty minute General Music classes each week.  Evidence continues to focus on the arts as a vital component in the positive growth of every child.  For years we have pointed to the music students as those who have demonstrated a special talent.  However, based on extended studies we now know it is the very process of learning music that develops the artistic mind and brings forth the creative potential in all young people.  For this reason, continued participation in our many music activities is strongly encouraged.
It is a privilege to have your child as a valued musician in our music program.  Thank you for supporting music education.  You play an important role in everything we do.  Welcome to our new school year!
 
 

CHORUS COMMITMENT STATEMENT:

Welcome back to school!  Each new year presents new opportunities for our students, and I am pleased that your child has expressed an interest in joining the school chorus.  The chorus meets one time during each week for thirty minutes.  We rehearse in the music room.  All music is provided to the students to use during class, so no additional purchases of music will be necessary.
Students and parents sometimes worry about the added stress of another activity to add to the sometimes never-ending-things-to-do-list.  I can assure you that this ensemble will not make excessive demands on your family schedule, or the students’ workload.  It is unlikely that at-home practice will become a burden to chorus members.  Students who are participating in the band and strings programs are also permitted to participate in the chorus.
Chorus is an option to any interested 4th and 5th graders.  I do not audition, however I set high performance standards for my group and will not tolerate behavioral disruptions.  Repeated or severe behavior infractions will result in expulsion from the group.  Problems of this nature are not common, for the students are not required to participate.  All members are expected to attend all performances.  Chorus members must return this signed commitment form to participate.
The chorus traditionally wears the same formal uniform every year.  All students must wear black pants, black shoes, black socks, and a long-sleeved, white shirt. The school will provide the students with a blue Center McMechen vest.  The vests stay at the school, and will be distributed prior to each performance, and will be collected thereafter. Detailed instructions concerning costuming and arrival times will precede every upcoming performance.

BAND  Program

Mrs. McCool is teaching 5th grade band on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Center McMechen.  Good luck to all of our music students as they prepare for up coming performances

STRINGS MUSIC PROGRAM

During the month February, strings students will bring a home a practice log EACH week.  This log will have specific tasks to work on between each strings class.  It is to serve as a practice guide as well as monitor progress from week to week.  Students are to complete the log based on a practice session at home and sign it along with a parent.  A log must be returned to class EVERY THURSDAY.  Help your student continue his or her progress by monitoring their practice at home.
Upcoming events for the strings program include an open house class on Thursday, March 8, 2012, during normal strings times (5th Grade 10:50-11:20, 4th Grade-11:20-11:50).  The open house will be a time for parents to observe the activities of a strings class and ask questions about students’ progress.  Additionally, the Marshall County Strings Spring Concert will be held on Monday, April 30, 2012, at 7:00pm, at the John Marshall Center for the Performing Arts.  As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.

jkjones@1187@gmail.com jwcarney61@gmail.com
Welcome back to what I know will be a busy and musical school year for strings students.  I am very pleased with the response by new 4th grade strings students as well as the enthusiasm of returning 5th grade strings students.  Strings classes will meet on Mondays in the media center and Thursdays in the music room.  5th grade strings will meet from 10:50-11:20, and 4th grade strings will meet from 11:20-11:50.  Students are to drop their instruments off in these rooms when they arrive to school in the morning.  A class syllabus was or will be sent home on the first day of class.  Please read it carefully and return the information form.  5th grade has already started classes and 4th grade will begin classes on Thursday, September 8th.  4th grade will need instruments beginning on Monday, September 12th.  ALL information regarding the strings program should be directed to Mr. Jones.  I look forward to a great school year!

Suzuki Strings

     The Suzuki strings program is another option for those interested in studying a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass).  Mrs. Sparks teaches Suzuki Strings.  All of these teachers work closely together to allow students to be successful in more than one ensemble.

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