What is Orff?

The Orff approach to music education for young children was founded by the well-known German composer and music educator Carl Orff (1895-1982), and developed by Gunild Keetman (1904-1990). The Orff approach to music education was introduced to Canada in 1974 and advocates that music teaching be experimental and elemental.

The basic elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, form, and expression) are experienced through a pedagogy of imitation, exploration, literacy, improvisation, and composition.

The Orff teaching process involves speech, song, movement, recorder playing, playing of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments, and listening. The pitched instruments used are primarily barred instruments, or Orff instruments as they are also called, as Carl Orff designed them to be used by young children for making music.

You can read more about the Orff approach by checking out the Manitoba Orff Chapter website: http://www.manitobaorff.org

The Manitoba Orff Chapter provides workshops and resources to elementary music teachers throughout the province.

Orff Club

There is an Orff club that will begin in the second half of the year for any interested grade 4 and 5 students and grade 2 and 3 students. This once-a-week lunch time club will explore playing more challenging instrumental pieces with the Orff instruments, with the addition of song, speech, movement and recorder.

Building Community in September

The music room has been a busy place for the month of September.  Our big theme this year is all about building community.  Here's what we've been up to:

ASSEMBLY:

Assembly song leaders

Our classrooms had a wonderful sharing time during our October assembly.  We shared important things that make our classrooms special.  We sang our music room rap and Stevenson's theme song, Reach For the Stars.  A shout out to all the students who rehearsed, shared and performed.  It was awesome!

MUSIC CLUBS:

Tinikling club choreographing parts

2 clubs have started up which include the Philippino stick dancing called Tinikling. This team is learning to work together and designing a dance routine to an upbeat pop culture song.  We meet on Day 6 at lunch.

Drumming club getting their jam on

The Grade 3 Drumming Club is learning to play a variety of rhythms on the tubano drums. We are working on playing together in beat.  Our latest chant is Jeremiah Blow the Fire and we are working on getting a unified sound on the tone and bass parts of the drum.  We meet on Day 2 at lunch.

Drum rhythm patterns 

KINDERGARTEN:

MUSIC IS IN ME - In this unit, students are building awareness of the group and becoming more comfortable with music class routines and procedures. They are presented with a variety of chants, singing moving and imaginative activities and games that will teach rhythm and expression, exploring what it is to be music smart.  We explore our different voices and work on matching our singing voices.  We like to have fun singing, moving and imagining.

Kinder dancing to Elephants Have Wrinkles

Practicing using sticks to Listen to the Ducks song

GRADE 1:

MUSIC CONNECTS ME TO OTHERS - In our Term 1 unit, the Grade 1 classes have been working on music room routines.  We've been exploring different instruments and proper playing techniques for each instrument.  We are learning to play together as a team.  When a problem arises, we stop and figure out together how to solve it.  We are also learning to keep the beat and match our singing voices.  Here's one of the songs we learned.  How else can you count to eight?

Grade 1 exploring the piano

Back to school song

GRADE 2/3:

MUSIC CONNECTS US - Students have been looking at classroom citizenship and how we share our music experience.  Music activities center around team-building so we will understand our rights and responsibilities in the music-making community.  How do you contribute to the team?  What does a great choir look like and sound like and feel like?  How do certain songs connect us?  As we look into these questions we will see how music influences our identity (traditions, celebrations, play, media, arts, games and places).

Room 11 choir

Room 12 excited to sing!

Room 17 ready!

Room 18 choir!

Practicing beats and mallet techniques on the bars

Hey There Neighbour!

Instrument sort

Instrument technique and keeping the beats

Circle games and singing

GRADE 4/5:

MUSIC MAKES IMPACT - In this unit, students will look at the impact that music has on them.  They will look at the influences that play factors into creating music (elements, techniques, concepts).  When creating music, they will identify points of inspiration through history and present sources.  They will work to see how collaboration and individual voice are important to accomplish a task. Students will also look at what makes a performance memorable.

Looked at different ways we are smart.  We also discussed how a person can show these intelligences in music class.

Ready, set, sing!

Sharing ideas about how to make choir the best!

Presentations on what music is.

Listening to music to analyze

Music sharing on ipads

Children's Choir Auditions

This just in!  Inviting Grade 4 students to try out for St. James-Assiniboia Divisional Children's Choir for the 2015-2016 season.

SJASD CHILDREN'S CHOIR
Mrs. Harochaw is retiring and the Division is under the process of hiring a new choir director for the SJASD Children's Choir.   In the meantime, Mrs. Harochaw will be auditioning students for this choir.  This choir is an enrichment group that performs at a high level.  Membership gives students the opportunity to develop excellent choral singing skills and to meet with other talented musicians from throughout the school division.   Singers in this group enjoy rehearsing and performing a wide variety of beautiful music.  In addition to having fun singing together, this choir works very hard.  For this reason, the choir is considered an "elite" performing group, meeting the special musical needs of highly motivated, self-disciplined singers.

Children's Choir practices will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 4:15-5:45 beginning Wednesdsay, September 16 and ending mid-May, 2016.   Location TBA.  The 'choir kick-off' camp is held at Camp Arnes from Sept. 30 - Oct. 2.

Expectations:
- full year commitment to all rehearsals and concerts (Sept - May)
- singing ability (in pitch, energy, memory, facial expression and vocal quality)
- excellent behaviour
- 3 day choir camp - must attend

Auditions will take place June 1, 4, 5 and 8 for Grade 4 students at Voyageur School.  Please go to the following link to sign up for an audition: Children's Choir Audition Sign-up

O CANADA

SHE'S LIKE THE SWALLOW

The audition includes:
- vocal range warm-ups to determine how high or low you can sing
- prepared selection of O Canada or She's Like the Swallow by student (you will be assessed for tuning, energy, facial expression and vocal quality)
- singing back a melody echo (you will hear a simple melody a few times and sing it back)
- a canon sung in round with teacher (eg. Row Row Your Boat)
- reading and clapping rhythms
- audition application form filled out (available from Ms. Rempel)

Wavin' Warm-Up

The Orff Club has been warming up the drums and instruments as we are getting ready for Music Monday 2015.  This year, we will be filling the skies with music on Friday, May 1 to kick off the month.  Please join us outside on Friday, May 1 at 9:00 a.m. as we share "Wavin' Flag" and video tape from the rooftop.

September's Season of Song

WELCOME TO OUR MUSIC ROOM

Music is important for a healthy culture and essential to human life.  Music impacts our lives and helps define and express identity.


At Stevenson-Britannia, music is an important part of our daily lives.  In our classroom, we strive to grow as music makers, both in listening, critical thinking, creativity and active participation.  At anytime during the year, you will hear speech, singing, rhythm, music listening, discussions and instruments.  You will see students using movement, art, writing, music technology and instrument play to show learning and develop skills.


Many research studies show that music helps improve learning and brain functioning (music brain research).

EXTRA- CURRICULAR: In addition to our regular music and choir classes, there are several extra-curricular music opportunities for students at Stevenson including:


- recorder club
- orff ensembles
- drumming club
- auditions for solos/drama/dance
- song-writing projects
- music assembly leadership

If you have questions about the program, please feel free to contact me at the school or email me. Year plans are available upon request.

RECORDERS:  All Grade 2 and new students will need to purchase a Yamaha recorder for music.  All returning student's recorders are in the music room already.   Dollarama recorders ARE NOT recommended.  They break easily and do not have good sound.  Forms are available in the office or music room.  The cost is $6.50.  Exact cash only.



CHOIR:  As part of the music program at Stevenson, we are continuing to have Gr. 2/3 and Gr. 4/5 choir once a cycle.  Each student is fitted with a choir shirt.  Every student needs dark pants and clean shoes for performances.  The purpose of choir is multi-fold: to have fun singing, to develop singing and personal skills, and experience choir performances.

Some of the important dates for all Grade 2-5 students are:

• Nov. 7 - Remembrance Day Assembly @ Stevenson
• Dec. 17 & 18 - Winter Concerts @ Stevenson
• Feb. - Music Celebration @ Sturgeon Creek United Church
• Mar. - Winnipeg Music Festival @ Westminster United Church
• May 20 - Celebration of the Arts @ Stevenson

Please check the school calendar as well as the music "Important Dates" tab for updates and additional performances. 

Wide-Mouthed Frog

Congratulations to the Grade 2/3 Orff Club for their presentation of the story "The Wide-Mouthed Frog" on Thursday.