Dear Parkcrest Students and Families, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of the Parkcrest music students and their families, who perservered through this unique time of distance learning. I have had so much fun this year teaching you music through our study of Beethoven, our Christmas concert, Remembrance Day and Pink Shirt Day events and through fun online music activities. A special thank-you to parents for helping facilitate your child’s learning from home. You all deserve a wonderfully safe, healthy and happy summer! To the Gr. 7’s, I will miss you dearly and I hope that you will stop by Parkcrest and visit often. As you…

Hello Marvellous Music Students, Do you remember listening to Beethoven’s 5th Symphony? If you forget, it’s the one that starts very dramatically with only 4 notes…dun dun dun duuuuuhh. The video below shows a melody map of the entire song! A melody map uses lines and dashes, pictures and symbols (or in this case small animated people on sleds) to show the ups and downs and contour of the melody in music. I hope you enjoy watching the highs and lows of Beethoven’s Symphony #5! Let me know what you thought of this melody map in the comments below. Next, see if you can draw your own melody map for…

Hello Melodic Music Students, Now that you’ve mastered a Rhythm Composition from last week, this week we are going to have a whole bunch of fun with melody! Get your singing voices ready and have fun with the activities below!   1. First warm-up by reviewing melody. Listen to the melody first, then repeat it. Div. 1 & 2 click here and play on the mi-re-do tab. Div. 3 & 4 click here and play on the so-mi-do tab. Div. 5 & 6 click here and play on the la-so-mi tab. Div. 7 & 8 click here and play on the so-mi tab. 2.  Now YOU need to read and sing the melody first, then the answer will play afterwards. Div.…

Hello Creative Music Students,      The time has come to let you know about an exciting virtual singing project that Mr. Stoffberg is doing as a part of his practicum at Parkcrest school! Please read Mr. Stoffberg’s message below: I will be working on a project with some of the Grade 6/7 choir students. We are putting together a virtual video of the song “Memories” by Maroon 5. I’ve altered the lyrics to make the song a good fit for the Gr. 7 Leaving Ceremony. The altered lyrics are posted below as well as a karaoke track in case you would like to try it out. There is also a…

Hello Rhythmic Music Students, Today we are going to have a whole bunch of fun with rhythms!  You will need to find two objects in your home that you can play rhythms with. For example, a spoon and paper plate, a pencil and an empty yogurt tub, a chopstick and a pot, etc. Then, have fun with the activities below!   1. First warm-up by reviewing your rhythms. Listen to the rhythm first, then repeat it. Div. 1 & 2 click here and play on the ti-ta-ti tab. Div. 3 & 4 click here and play on the ti-tica, tica-ti tab. Div. 5 & 6 click here and play on the tica-tica tab. Div. 7 & 8…

Hello Vocal Music Students, Do you remember that Mr. Stoffberg is a professional voice teacher?  As promised this week, he has provided some voice lessons for you to try at home. These vocal exercises will help you become a better singer. Here is a message from Mr. Stoffberg: I hope you enjoy this voice lesson. We tackle the basics and a little more. I know it may be a little long for you but I wanted to give you something you can grow into. Feel free to try a little of it at a time, or all of it. If it feels too high or low, just wait until it gets…

Hello Healthy Music Students! As you continue your learning at home or at school, it is very important to know how to correctly wash your hands for proper health and safety. First, let’s watch the World Health Organization’s hand washing video:  Did you catch all of the steps? If you are having trouble remembering, then let’s sing a song about it! Click on the picture below to see the lyrics and click on the music note below to hear the music.                   Grade 6-7 students, click here for your assignment this week. Please email me your completed work. Grade 4-5 students,…

Hello Singing Music Students, It has been a long time since we have been able to sing together. Today I thought I would post some singing activities for you to enjoy! First, let’s sing about “Why We Sing”. Primaries know this song from Primary Days of Music and can sing along. Intermediates can join in by reading the sheet music and lyrics. Next, here is an old favourite we know called “A Pizza Hut“. A perfect song to sing while you order Skip the Dishes. 😀 Next, have some fun with these melody exercises and games. Primaries click here. Intermediates click here. Lastly, did you know our Parkcrest student teacher…

Hello Excellent Music Students, SO EXCITING! Did you remember that our second live performance of the year was going to be the Vancouver Opera visiting our school to perform the indigenous story “Flight of the Hummingbird”? Well guess what?! They are presenting their performance through live streaming for all schools. I know that many Parkcrest staff are watching the performance and I hope that many students will watch the performance as well. Click on the video below for a synopsis of the story:  Now click on the video below to watch the performance:  Afterwards try this Flight of the Hummingbird dance activity and invite your younger siblings to join…

Hello Accomplished Music Students, Thank-you to those of you that have been able to complete music assignments during this time of distance learning.  Today I thought I would encourage the rest of you to complete some music learning during your flex time, by sharing examples of student work (with permission). I am so impressed by Parkcrest students! Here are a few examples to share: 1. Abigail Santos in Div. 8 created her own song and sent it to me through email. Click below to hear a sample from her song “Rainbow ‘Cross the Sky”.  2. Candi Lee in Div. 2 printed out the sheet music posted for the song “Hymn to Freedom”.…