Program Information from Michele Kishlansky, Peck Slip Music Teacher.
Mission Statement: Students attend general music class once a week. Although I use a variety of methodologies, the Orff Schulwerk approach most effectively reflects our school's mission to promote active learners and independent thinkers with high standards. What is Orff Schulwerk? “In Orff Schulwerk classrooms, children begin with what they do instinctively: play! Imitation, experimentation, and personal expression occur naturally as students become confident, life-long musicians and creative problem solvers.” - American Orff-Schulwerk Association At Peck Slip, students discover musical concepts by imitation, exploration and experimentation. They experience music through movement, improvisation, and composition. They work together to perform as an ensemble. Orff Schulwerk prepares students to become confident, life-long musicians and creative problem solvers--a perfect fit for our school! General Music Highlights: PK-1: Students sing, dance, and play a variety of pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments, developing their abilities to sing in tune, keep the beat, and move expressively to music. They are exposed to classical, folk, world, and jazz music, learning terms, such as staccato, legato, and ABA form. We study formal works, such as Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, and the Nutcracker. Last year, the American Classical Orchestra presented Peter and the Wolf to our PK-2nd grade students. First graders read rhythmic notation using quarter and paired eighth notes ("ta" and "titi"). Last year, Pre-K 202 families watched a typical music class and PK-204 performed The Three Piggy Opera. Students in K and 1 presented a choral concert. 2nd: We participate in Carnegie Hall's Musical Explorers program, learning about music from all around the world and exploring how music is the "universal language," through singing, dancing, and playing instruments. This year, second graders will attend an interactive concert at Carnegie Hall in May. We will also present a choral program. 3rd: We learn about Jazz Music as part of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Educational Outreach Program. We improvise, scat, and learn about musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. We sing songs such as "It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing" and "What a Wonderful World." Students watch three jazz concerts at our school, performed by professional musicians. We also learn how to play the recorder, reading formal music notation on the staff. 4th: We participate in Carnegie Hall's Link Up curriculum, learning about the families of instruments in the orchestra. This year, the theme is "The Orchestra Swings." In May, we will attend an interactive concert at Carnegie Hall where we will sing and play the recorder. We will also learn how to play the ukulele, reading tablature and strumming chords along with popular songs. 5th: We participate in the Young Composers and Improvisers Workshop: www.yciw.net. Each student uses music technology to compose an original piece of music with multiple instrument parts, exploring the elements of musical composition, such as form, melody, and harmony. We also continue playing the ukuleles and prepare a choral program for our moving up ceremony. 4th and 5th Grade Special Ensembles: Chorus: The Peck Slip Chorus has performed at many community events, such as Taste of the Seaport and the PTA Holiday Potluck. We also present two formal nighttime concerts. Last year, we were selected to perform at the Apollo Theater as part of the Manhattan Borough Arts Festival, in collaboration with the 3rd Grade Dance Troupe. It was an honor and an unforgettable evening! Band: Students may choose from trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, and alto sax. The band present two annual concerts, directed by Rebecca Steinberg and Oscar Thorp, our teaching artists from Third Street Music School. Musical Theater: In April, all 4th and 5th graders may sign up to be in the school play. |
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