Our eighth graders are studying the music of Handel in preparation for the traditional singing of the Hallelujah Chorus at the winter party. They are also studying the differences and similarities in oratorio, opera, and musical theater. Again, this is in preparation for visiting the opera house in Chicago on March 10 and presenting our eighth grade music, “The Little Mermaid” next spring.
Seventh graders are continuing their exploration of form by listening to tone poems and analyzing them. They are finding that these extended works are very much like movie soundtracks. The students will be writing their own stories to this music.
Sixth grade is creating a biography about Mozart in groups by stating single facts and compiling them in chronological order. They have watched a mini-version of Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute” and have tried to sing the Queen of the Night’s famous aria with their very high voices!
The fifth graders are VERY busy preparing for the winter concert on Dec. 16 at 6:30. They will be singing three winter songs and some students will be playing ocarinas. The students are also working on the production of “Lewis and Clark.” The performance date for that music/drama production will be after the winter holiday.
Middle School Choirs are in full swing for this year’s Mad Fest! Don’t miss the production on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015.