Hello to Nils and all... You are not alone! We're all still here
(metaphysically connected to that warm little room full of lyres!) My school
starts on Weds. so I'm still feeling summery while I prepare. I just discovered
a book that seems like it will be really helpful for a variety of classes,
especially middle school: Voiceworks by Peter Hunt, Oxford University Press.
It is full of legally xeroxable songs with added ostinato and harmony parts and
suggestions for building them up, varying, exploring, etc including some simple
graphic score and spoken word pieces. FUN! It comes with a cd which makes it
more expensive but gives you a quick way to hear and sing the parts together.
It lists at 49.95 but Amazon had it for 31 or so. I also got Jr. Voiceworks in
the same series but by a different author and find it much LESS useful so don't
be tempted to get both while you're at it!
I'm really inspired about building a community singing aspect into our
program. I will teach some of the same songs to all of the students with the
older ones learning parts and the youngers learning only melody. We will only
have assembly once a month but I am hoping to inch toward Par's "Singing Hour"
by having a few songs all together each time!
I'm interested to hear how other's instrumental classes are going. This year,
we will have 7/8 combined for orchestra but in 2 levels. I will have a few
pieces that both groups learn so that we can play together sometimes. We have a
couple new students with no instrumental background. I will have to fold them
in somehow because we have eliminated our recorder ensemble option. THe 6th,
7th and 8th will play alto and soprano (and occasionally tenor & bass) with
their class teachers in morning lesson.
Finally, there is a lot of interest in having an after school musical for
middle school. Has anyone else done this? Can you give me a thumbnail sketch
on how many teachers and parents you had to organize and do tasks and how many
days and weeks of rehearsal you had? I'm thinking of having them learn the
choruses in choir class but do the acting, solos, dancing, etc. after school.
All the best to everyone.. and Nils, I can't get those tapping feet of yours out
of my head! Thanks for bringing that to us this year!
Peace, love and mingenmongen, Carol
nilfred <nils@...> wrote:
hello all...
i'd love to get some activity happening here -- i know we all get busy
with school plans and life, etc. but the conference this summer put
me in touch with the wider community of waldorf music teachers, and
i've carried that feeling of support into my school year -- i don't
want to lose that as my routine kicks into high gear.
i guess what i'm trying to say is that i'm lonely in my role as the
lone music teacher at my school! let's keep each other company.
looking forward to future collaboration.
take care, keep up the good work.
love,
nils
just started an english country dance block with my 7th graders -- i'm
pleased with how well it seems to match where this particular class is
emotionally (and physically). feels good to know that i've gotten it
right (this time, anyway!).







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