It's a New Year!

Hello!
We are a few weeks into our new school year, and it is going great!  Every Friday I plan to update this blog.  I will most likely write more than one post in that same day.  I will label them each with the appropriate grade level or levels so that you are able to click on a label to the right and read the information most relevant to you.  For example, I would usually label this post "All School Music Information."  This time I will attach all grade level and choir labels to it in order to start things flowing.

Notable events coming up:
                                             Our 1st FAMILY MASS-- Sunday, September 20th, 11:30
                                                                                       St. Sylvester Church
                                           *Every 3rd Sunday of the month, we encourage St. Sylvester           families to attend this mass, and I direct our school choir members down front.  It's a great opportunity to represent our school community!


Beginning Friday, September 18th, I will write posts about the music classes our PK-8th graders are experiencing.  In the meantime, know that I am at the school for full days on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  I am also there Mondays after 2:00pm.  If you leave me a voice mail or send an email, I will aim to respond at the end of the day, sometimes after I am done with after school activities.  The school phone number is 773-772-5222 and my extension 305.  My work email is efoxmusic@gmail.com.  Feel free to come down to the music room to visit!

Looking forward to a fantastic year!
-Ms. Fox

Additional Information...
CHOIRS: 
Older... 
5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders auditioned to be a part of our older choir.  They sang a short bit of The Star Spangled Banner and a brief section of a song of their choice.  Then they needed to show great effort and behavior in a mass performance the next morning.  We are currently 37 strong!  Each choir member has signed a choir contract and should be bringing a detailed letter home for families to read and sign, sending back the bottom portion.

Younger...
The 4th and 3rd graders showed me their best behavior and effort in a first meeting of those very interested in joining the younger choir.  We will add interested 2nd graders as of October 7th.  Because our school continues to grow and we have many students excited about singing, I have decided to split the younger choir into two groups that will alternate weeks.  This way all younger choir members can be part of the entire group all year long, but by having only 24-28 kids each week instead of 48-56, we will be better able to maintain a fun and comfortable environment in order to focus and learn how to make a choir work.  All choir members will end up signing a choir contract to show they understand expectations, and I will send a letter home to families to read and sign.  This should happen within the first week of your student's first official choir practice.  We meet on Wednesday afternoons.  The groups are "Blue" and "Orange."

5th Grade's Beatles Mash!

Hey, 5th Grade!  Please check out the link below for a recording of your Beatles songs.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygNk03dEZxQlNDY00/view?usp=sharing

You will rock!
-Ms. Fox

Stevie Mash for 6th and 7th!

Here is a link to the audio for your medley of Stevie Wonder songs.  Please check it out!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygSkM2Y2E3Z0FEVjg/view?usp=sharing

Have fun!
-Ms. Fox

5th Grade Uptown Funk Recorder Help

You want Uptown Funk recorder made easier?  Here you go.  The top link below is a recording of me saying the letters of the recorder part so that it is easier for you to understand your music.  The second link is a recording of me going through each section of the song... BECAUSE, REALLY, if each of you learns a section or 2, you can play those AND play some drums, and the whole thing will come together nicely.  It could be a lot of fun!  Check these out:

Uptown Funk Recorder (letters said the same way you would play them):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygZE1nNVpmVTZVTGc/view?usp=sharing

Recording going through each section to make things easier:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygalphYTNBeDJnTFk/view?usp=sharing

Choir Blackbird Preparation Help is Here!

CHOIR!  It's... BLACKBIRD!
Please practice your part using the links below.  It is a great idea to practice your part a few times and then to try and sing along using the "BOTH PARTS TOGETHER" recording.  It will also help to be using your music.  You will have this in no time.  I guarantee it!

Soprano 1 PART:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygVDFKX052eTNkdDQ/view?usp=sharing

Soprano 2 PART:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygTS00R1h5TmN2clU/view?usp=sharing

BOTH PARTS TOGETHER:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TBCWMdEbygSlBObXlxWWFLVnc/view?usp=sharing

"Furaha Kwa Ulimwengu" and "Joy to the World" for our Choir

The Blog is back!-- here to help some choir members for this weekend's Christmas concert.
Here are the lyrics for our version of "Furaha Kwa Ulimwengu" (youtube link: http://youtu.be/hHIczyYobWU in case this is hard to hear or see)...

AND here is "Joy to the World"

Choir Family Mass Dates

The remaining Family Masses are on the following dates:
March 16th, April 20th, May 18th, and June 1st--- though because we are adding days at the end of the year to make up for snow days, it's possible that last date could change.

You'll notice that April 20th is Easter.  That is correct.  This year, the St. Sylvester School Choir members will be lending their voices to celebrate Easter at St. Sylvester Church!  I understand that some families will be out of town, but for those able to make it, it will be an extra special experience with extra instruments (professional players) added just for the occasion.