The Brass Family

This week, all students at HES will begin studying the instrument families, beginning with the Brass family. The four main instruments in the Brass family are the trumpet, tuba, French horn, and trombone. Check out this video, which explains the instruments in the Brass family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native American Music

This week and next, we will be taking a closer look at Native American music. We will be taking a closer look at the main instruments in this culture and will also be discussing how they used their music. Here are the three main instruments in Native American culture:

Flute

 

 

Rattle

 

 

Drum

 

 

Take a look at some ceremonial dancing. In the video, this tribe is doing a rain dance. Listen and see if you can guess which instruments are playing!

 

 



Appalachian Music

Last week, the students at HES learned about Appalachian culture. We read stories about Appalachia.

 

We also learned about Appalachian instruments!

 

Jaw Harp

 

Washboard

 

 

Dulcimer

 

 

Did you know that the dulcimer is the state instrument of Kentucky?

 



HES is going to ROAR!

At HES, we are turning over a new leaf. We are taking care of ourselves, prioritizing, focusing, and working together to become the BEST students and teachers around! We are ready to show the world that we can "ROAR," so we've adopted a theme song for our school year - Katy Perry's "Roar." Check out the winning video from her contest on Good Morning, America!

These high school students proved that no matter who you are, you always have the power inside of you to be something AMAZING! Highland is ready to ROAR! Are you with us?

Spooky Rhythms!

This week, our kindergarten and 1st grade students used syllables to group words into quarter note and eighth note rhythms! Check out our "Spooky Rhythms!!!"

Note/Rest Charts

This week, our 3rd grade students used sheet protectors and expo markers to make charts. One the left side, the students drew pictures and labeled notes. On the right, they did the same for rests. Then, we used our charts to create our own rhythms on the board. The 3rd grade students are preparing to read music so they can play recorders in the spring! 

African Drum Circles

Our 2nd graders will be playing the African drums this year. Each class has chosen a country to study and will travel around the building and perform 2 rhythms associated with that country. Each class voted and chose the following:

Bartley - Gabon
Woodward - Gambia
Smith - Sierra Leone
Emberton - Congo

Please check this country out with your child at home! This is a great way for them to be connected to the lesson in the classroom. More info to come in a later blog post!

Congrats to our Annie cast!!!

The Orphans

 

Molly - Karly Murphy

Pepper - Caroline Watkins

Duffy - Joely Dickinson

Kate - Mikiya Fogle

Tessie - Jalaiya Johnson

July - Alyssa Towry

Emmy - Heidi Jackson

Stella - Abby Meadows

January - Molly Younkin

Ruth - Kinzie Bonner

Sunny - Ariel Schmidt

Peaches - Graycen Flatt

Jo - Aaliyah Dell

Mae - Lenna Harlow

 

Annie - Eaden Fowler

Miss Hannigan - Nayna Nambiar

Apple Seller - Drew Wilson

Mrs. Pugh - Anna Claire McKeever

Oliver Warbucks - Ethan Harlow

Stars - Zoe Francis, Lana Westmoreland

Woman in Window - Kinsey Leeson

Drake - Connor Davis

Cecille - Acey Page

Annette - Rylee Gibbons

Mrs. Greer - Brianna Mosier

Usherette - Savannah Brown

Radio Announcer/Bert Healy - Jagger Jones

Rooster Hannigan - Mason Bragg

Lily St. Regis - Lauren Campbell

Sound Effects Man - Steven Buford

Punjab - Jamari Haskins

President Franklin Roosevelt - Griffin Reid

Louis Howe - Stratton Riley Kiser

Dogcatcher - John Mark Thrasher

Sandy - Austin Sexton

Lt. Ward - Louis Darst

Grace Ferrell - Kennedy Parker

Mr. Bundles - Austin Hazelwood

Housemaids
Breanna Lindsey
Melanie Burd
Breanna Harrison
Paige Clark
Ciara Tadlock
Erica Lynn
Hailey Garmon
Ashley Smith
Jessica Cleary
Kiara Thompson
Chloe Proctor
Melanie Revelle
Ashley Perez
 

 

 

 

Tempo

This week we've focused our lesson on tempo. The students have reviewed the Italian terms for loud (Allegro) and soft (Largo). We've also discussed that tempo is music's heartbeat and just like our own heart beats, tempo can only be felt - not necessarily heard. The students listened to a variety of music and practiced tapping and marching to the tempo.

Shine!

This year in K and 1st, I am using the acronym "SHINE" for our ready to learn posture and behavior. SHINE stands for - Sitting up straight, Hands in lap, In our own space, No noise, and Eyes on speaker. Here are a few pictures of our cuties "shining!"

Annie Casting

 

Auditions for our winter musical, Annie, Jr. will be held on Thursday, September 5th during the following time slots:

 

 

2:30 to 4 pm - All female roles

 

 

4 to 5 pm - All male roles

 

 

The holding tank will be in the art room. All students must be picked up through the back entrance. You must come in to collect your student and sign them out.

 

 

Because we are on a tight schedule and only have room for so many students, please make sure you pick up your student on time at the end of their time slot.

 

 

If your son wants to audition, they must come back during the 4 to 5 pm slot. They cannot stay in the holding tank until their audition time due to space. If this is an issue, please let us know ASAP and we will accommodate as much as possible. You can notify me by e-mail at amanda.taylor@glasgow.kyschools.us

 



Aaron Copland

For the last two weeks, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students have been learning about the life and musical compositions of Aaron Copland. Copland is our featured composer of the month for August. He was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1900. He main inspiration for his compositions was the greatness of America. He wrote music during some very difficult times for our country - the main one being the Great Depression. He used American folklore, hymns, jazz, folk tunes, and cowboy songs as inspiration for his pieces. During his lifetime, he composed music for three ballets - Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, and Billy the Kid. The students have listened to excerpts from all three over the past few weeks. To hear an excerpt from "Rodeo," click the link below.

Join Phillip Phillips in supporting music education!!!

Check out the new initiative from VH-1 and support music education in our schools!

AMAZING NEWS!!!

Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor notified us that Highland has been chosen as a school of Musical Merit for 2013. Only 66 schools in the nation were chosen and Highland was the only elementary school in Kentucky on the list! We are so proud of this amazing honor.
In his letter, Mr. Abramson stated "For Highland Elementary School to be singled out for this wondeful recognition shines a bright light on your school's hard work and dedication to musical education for Kentucky's children, the future of our Commonwealth!"
We could not have this honor without our amazing staff and the support of our administration, parents, and community! Thank you to all who have believed in us and supported us!