Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to pass along some information I received concerning the free Summer HD Festival that begins next week at the Metropolitan Opera. Click here to see the entire schedule, which begins this Saturday.

Ten of the Met's most popular Live in HD presentations will be screened for free on the front of the Met as part of the second annual Summer HD Festival. The series begins this Saturday, August 28, at 8pm with Tosca, starring Karita Mattila and Marcelo Álvarez, and continues through Monday, September 6. Three thousand seats will be available each night on a first-come, first-served basis; no tickets are required—and all screenings are free!

One Month Away!

I hope you've all been having a GREAT summer! I just wanted to inform everyone of two after-school groups that I'll be working with during the fall semester as part of the PTA's After School Program. Information about early morning extended-day programs will go home in backpack mail during the first full week of school.

Percussive Improvisation
Mondays 3:00-4:30pm (starting 10/4)
For students in grades 3,4,5.
8 student maximum

We will explore the musical timbres of traditional and non-traditional percussive instruments, including but not limited to Congas, Djembes, Bongos, Tambourines, Shakers, and Woodblocks, as well as tonal Orff Instruments, to create original musical compositions using various rhythmic structures. A performance of these pieces will take place at the end of the session (tentative date for performance is Monday, December 20th @ 4:30pm.

Théâtre de Marionettes with Olivia Ramsey
Tuesdays 3:00-4:30pm (starting 10/5)
For students in grades 1 and 2 with some experience in French
14 student maximum

Théâtre de Marionettes, or French Puppet Theater, will begin with dramatic games and songs in French. Over the course of the semester, children will create an original puppet show in French, which will be performed for an audience at the end of the session. We will create characters, props, and "block" the performance, letting the students have as much creative control as possible.

Registration for these courses will begin in September.

Again, I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. Looking forward to seeing you in September!!

Mr. C

Simon Shaheen Concert!

I hope everyone can come! This will be an amazing event!

May Newsletter

Lower Grade Music Newsletter: May, 2010

Dear P.S. 58 Families,

Throughout the next few weeks, students in lower grade music will be preparing for upcoming spring concerts, which will be taking place on the following dates:

After School:

Théâtre pour Enfants Performance
Thursday, May 20, 2010
3:30pm in the Library
(limited seating due to space restrictions)

Extended Day:

4/5 Chorus Performance
in collaboration with 2nd grade FDL students and 2/3 chorus members
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
8:00am in the Auditorium

2/3 Chorus – see second grade*
Kindergarten:

Pederson, Lippo, DiMassa & Leopoldi
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
9:00 am in the Auditorium, as part of K stepping-up ceremony.

Bouteillon, Ramsey, Richmond & Morano
Thursday, June 17, 2010
9:00 am in the Auditorium, as part of K stepping-up ceremony

First Grade:

Entire First Grade
Friday, June 18, 2010
9:15 am in the schoolyard, as part of end of year celebration

Second Grade:

Entire Second Grade
featuring a performance by the 2/3 choir in collaboration with the 4/5 choir.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
9:15 am in the Auditorium

April Newsletter

Dear P.S. 58 Families,

I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful break! Now through the end of the year, Kindergarten, First, and Second grade students will be preparing for a number of performances, the most upcoming being Earth Day which will take place on Thursday, April 22nd at 3:00pm in the school yard. Please note that all K, 1, and 2 students, as well as any 3-5 students that are in my extended day choirs, will be invited to participate in an “open-sing” that will begin the Earth Day celebration. Students have been preparing “Colors of the Wind” and Seasons of Love.” If you and your child would like to rehearse these songs at home, song lyrics and embedded YouTube videos can be found here on the blog.

Here’s a look at what’s happening throughout the month of April.

Kindergarten: On April 12th, Kindergarten students will be treated to a Bulgarian drumming and dancing performance. In addition to preparing for Earth Day, students will be learning a Bulgarian children’s song and a traditional Bulgarian dance. Remember that updates and information about this program can be found here on the blog.

First Grade: In addition to preparing for the Earth Day celebration, students will be learning about the musical “Nate the Great” through song study in preparation for their visit to see the musical in May.

Second Grade: In addition to preparing for the Earth Day celebration, students are being introduced to the concept of two-part singing through canon exercises, in preparation for several two-part vocal songs they will be rehearsing for the end of the year. Students are also being introduced to the concept of vocal harmony, using Kodàly hand signals corresponding with Solfège.

Please remember to check www.ps58makesmusic.blogspot.com for up-to-date information regarding what’s happening in your child’s music classroom, and that you can always feel free to contact me with questions or concerns at ps58makesmusic@gmail.com.
-Mr. C

Kindergarten Drumming Update!

On Friday, March 12, Kindergarten students were treated to a live Taiko drumming performance by Taiko Masala of Brooklyn, and many students drummed with the three performers as well!

Japanese taiko drums have been developed into a wide range of percussion instruments that are used in both Japanese folk and classical musical traditions.

Taiko, in general, are stick percussion instruments. With the exception of the kotsuzumi and ootsuzumi, all taiko are struck with bachi. They have heads on both sides of the drum body, and a sealed resonating cavity. Taiko are also characterized by a high amount of tension on the drums heads, with a correspondingly high pitch relative to body size.




Our last drumming unit will focus on Balkan and Bulgarian drumming and musical practices, with a performance for students on April 12!

Théâtre pour Enfants - "Douce France"

Here are the lyrics to "Douce France," performed by Charles Trenet in recording below. You'll notice the lyrics that follow are those of the chorus, the section of the song that we will be singing. Enjoy!

Douce France

Cher pays de mon enfance

Bercée de tendre insouciance

Je t'ai gardée dans mon cœur!

Mon village au clocher aux maisons sages

Où les enfants de mon âge

Ont partagé mon bonheur

Oui je t'aime

Et je te donne ce poème

Oui je t'aime

Dans la joie ou la douleur

Douce France

Cher pays de mon enfance

Bercée de tendre insouciance

Je t'ai gardée dans mon cœur