Meet the Teachers Night 2017

Meet the Teachers Night (September 28, 2017)

Music @ MELS
1100 students and counting...




SEVENTH GRADE MUSIC

I. What's this about?
  • Exploration and Craft - Picking an instrument and sticking with it
  • Collaboration - Making music with others, in different ways
  • Understanding Music in the World - Learning about the music all around us by making music, not just by consuming it.
First Recording Examples 2016

Mary Had a Little Lamb (Violin)

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Mary Had a Little Lamb (Cello)

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End-of-Year POL Performance 2017

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, "Same Love"




II. What do students find challenging?
  • The first two months are exciting, but also discouraging - Early success and encouragement is key.
  • November and December are the "slump" - Listen to your child's recordings and encourage practicing.
  • When it is hard, it's easy to say that Music isn't an important subject or that some students have "talent" while others don't.

III. What resources are available?
  • Checking out an instrument (sign the permission form!)
  • Lunch open practice and help most days of the week
  • Course Website (shieh.metropolitanels.com)
  • Online tutorials on YouTube and other websites
  • Jumpro.pe
  • 7th Grade Weekly E-mail Updates through MailChimp
  • Purchasing an instrument

IV.  Instrument safety at home
  • Make sure the bow is (1) loose and (2) looks like this: 
           
  • Keep the instrument out of the heat or cold (never leave in the car!) and away from siblings and pets.
  • Keep the instrument in its case when not in use.
  • Do not tune or attempt to repair the instrument

Thank you for your support of Music at MELS.
Half of the school (over 450 students!) participate in Music.



EIGHTH GRADE MUSIC

I. What's this about?
  • Foundational skills for professional music making:
    • Reading staff notation
    • Ear training and tuning
    • Rhythm instruments, harmonizing instruments, and vocals
    • Music recording and production
    • Playing in a large ensemble (February performance)
    • Songwriting and performing in bands (June performance)

Orchestra Performance 2016

Songwriting Project Example 2017

The OG - You'll Be There

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Aviana Diaz, Vocals | Owen Gometz, Piano | Marcuz Casulla, Guitar  | Joseph Vilca, Violin | Hilary Garcia, Drums | Jack Phillips, Bass 
  • Asking the big questions:
    • How do you get 60 eighth graders to play in sync, and why does it matter?
    • How does music from different cultural traditions combine and change?
    • What makes a (good) song?
  • Opportunities
    • Sphinx Virtuosi Performance (Carnegie Hall Trip) on October 13
    • MELS Music Collective After School Program begins October 15 (grades 8-12)
    • Queens Borough-wide Honors Orchestra Auditions on October 14 & 21
MELS 8th Grade students Michael, Aviel, Vijay, Aviana, and Alanis performing at Carnegie Hall with the All-Queens Borough Orchestra!

II. What do students find challenging?
  • There are a lot of different skills: technology, note reading, melody instrument, rhythm/harmony instrument, working in a band.  Some will be easier than others for each person, and students will need to spend more time with their weak areas--which, of course, is exactly what 8th graders don't like to do.
  • Projects are more creative and open-ended. This can be overwhelming for students at times. Sometimes it helps to list out or talk through challenges one by one, and often students have a lot of success when they come in before school, after school, or at lunch to work or speak with me.
  • It takes a lot of courage to perform. When students are nervous, it's hard to see the big picture: (1) this is a first step toward becoming someone in high school ready to participate in all kinds of activities and (2) it will get easier the more prepared they feel (support and supervise practicing at home!).

    III.  Resources
    • Checking out an instrument (sign the permission form!)
    • Lunch open practice most days of the week
    • Course Website (shieh.metropolitanels.com)
    • Online tutorials on YouTube and other websites
    • Jumpro.pe
    • Purchase an instrument?  (See attachment below)

    IV.  Instrument safety at home
    • Make sure the bow is (1) loose and (2) looks like this: 
               
    • Keep the instrument out of the heat or cold and away from siblings and pets.
    • Keep the instrument in its case when not in use.
    • Do not tune or attempt to repair the instrument
    Thank you for your support of Music at MELS.
    Half of the school (over 450 students!) participate in Music.
    ĉ
    Purchasing an Instrument 2017.docx
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    Eric Shieh,
    Sep 27, 2017, 8:17 AM
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