Category Archives: music

Sing-along

We all belong at Sing-along. Our entire school meets once a month to sing songs together. Parents, grandparents, and siblings often join us. Singing together is a way to build bonds in our community and have tons of fun. Grades … Continue reading

Posted in community, music, parents

Music in the Fall

Recently in music, first graders completed their study of both “Carnival of the Animals” and percussion instruments. We learned about the composer Camille Saint-Saëns (he loved a good joke!) and what makes an instrument a percussion instrument (they make a … Continue reading

Posted in intermediate unit, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Montessori method, music, Uncategorized, Upper Elementary

Ukuleles!

Students in Grades 7 and 8 have been learning to play the ukulele in music class. Excitement is building and they can be heard practicing on their own around the school during recess and after their work is finished. Grades 7 … Continue reading

Posted in McGuffey, Middle School, Montessori method, music, outside, upper unit

Something Special(s) in the Air

With the 2021/22 school year we have been able to bring back our Specials program safely. That means all our McGuffey students get to enjoy Art, Music, and PE every week! We’re excited to add a new member to our … Continue reading

Posted in art, Lower Elementary, Middle School, music, outside, physical education, Uncategorized, Upper Elementary

Cincinnati Symphony

Lower Elementary recently spent the morning with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, attending a Young People’s Concert at Music Hall. These performances are geared toward elementary aged children, encouraging audience participation and appreciation. After the performance, we headed to nearby Washington … Continue reading

Posted in field trip, Lower Elementary, music

Composing

Second graders have been busy learning the pentatonic scale, both aural and written, and have been learning to sight-sing different patterns. A pentatonic scale is a scale with only 5 tones. The word “pentatonic” comes from the Greek “pente” meaning 5 and … Continue reading

Posted in Lower Elementary, music

Learning about the piano with Robin Spielberg

This week the kindergarteners and Lower Elementary were the guests of Robin Spielberg and the Miami University Performing Arts Series. Robin talked to children about how a piano works and then discussed why and how she composes music. We learned … Continue reading

Posted in field trip, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, music, Primary

The String Family

In order to deepen their knowledge of the string family, second graders were treated to a visit by McGuffey parent Luciana Caixeta. Luciana is a professional violinist and brought all sorts of goodies with her. Second graders first played egg cartons … Continue reading

Posted in music, Uncategorized Tagged

Wrapping Up Singin’ in the Rain

These final days of school see our Singin’ in the Rain musical being put to bed. Sets are put away, props have been cataloged, and costumes are being washed for storage until the next time this musical is performed. McGuffey students gave … Continue reading

Posted in drama, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Middle School, music

Preparing for the Musical in Art Class

  As our annual musical is coming together and everybody has been practicing their lines and their dance moves, there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes! And we all know that the musical wouldn’t be complete … Continue reading

Posted in art, music