Description:  This class will help students develop an awareness of music elements through various activities like singing, movement, and listening. They will learn to recognize rhythmic patterns, melodies, pitch, tempo, and dynamics, exploring these concepts through body percussion, instruments, and movement. They will begin to understand musical groups like instrument families in the orchestra and identify them by their sound. They will be introduced to the basics of music notation. Students may be invited to play instruments, narrate, sing solos or duets for the Christmas program and spring showcase. If your child is unable to attend one or both of these performances, please let the instructor know as soon as possible. It will be helpful for each child to spend 5 to 10 minutes each week in November/early December and April/early May practicing the songs for the performance.

Students will be invited to perform with their class for the Christmas program and spring showcase.

Vocal coach/director: Mary Lou Menning has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and bachelor's degree in Bible from Philadelphia College of Bible (now Cairn University). She started piano at age 7 and was classically trained. She has been a choir accompanist, church pianist, and played xylophone and glockenspiel in her high school band. She has accompanied many vocal and instrumental soloists, taught piano lessons, and directed children's choirs and student musicals. She has taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade (including music) in the classroom and homeschooled her 5 daughters K - 12th. She grew up singing with her 11 siblings and parents whose legacy to her is her faith and love of music. According to her husband, she has a "musical library" in her brain and believes there is a song for everything. She currently serves as the Children's Director at her church and plays piano and sings on the worship team. She has a passion for helping children discover, fall in love with, and enjoy music. She enjoys reading, cooking, drinking tea, fall, cold and winter, and anything British.

Cost:  $123, $133 or $143 per semester (depending on registration date)
Level: Grade 2
Prerequisite:  none
Homework: 5-10 minutes of daily practice in the 3 weeks leading up to the Christmas program and spring showcase.
Text:  none
Supplies:  Provided