Kincaid Music

New news, good news and thanks from Mr. B

Next Tuesday, Donna Lowry from Channel 11 (WXIA), will be visitng Kincaid.  She is going to interview some students and myself about our growing program and the success that we've worked so hard for this year.  A camera crew will accompany Ms. Lowry.  The chorus will perform "Ya Got Trouble" from our Music Man show at approximately 12:30.  Chorus members are to wear their Music Man t-shirts and jeans. 

To prepare for this, we'll have an additional afterschool practice on Monday from 2:30 to 3:35. 

As soon as I know the air date and time as well as any other details, I will pass it on.

The chorus will be singing our National Anthem as well as "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" prior to the student vs. staff kickball game on May 7th.

Also on May 7th, the chorus has been invited to perform with our Kindergarten at this year's final PTA meeting.  The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.  Members of the chorus will be conducting and choreographing songs, playing instruments and singing.  This is the first time we've done a performance like this at Kincaid and we hope it's the start of a new tradition.

We have begun renting space at a storage facility.  Bit by bit we've been getting all of our STUFF brought over.  We'd love more help in clearing out the school closets and music room. 

Our optional (and fun) Wednesday practices will continue!

Please consider performing in the upcoming talent shows!  I'm more than willing to help so just ask.

Last but not least, please know how grateful I am to everyone who has helped our program in any way this year.  Your support, generosity, friendship, and thoughfulness has been remarkable and I truly appreciate everything you've done.  You took care of the many hats I’ve worn in the past and that freed me up to focus more on the kids and the show.  I am so proud of your children, our students, and this school.  Without your help however we would have never been able to achieve this level of quality in our musicianship. 

To our fourth graders, good good job! What a first show! You really have surprised me with your hard work, your little improvisations on stage, your energy and humor, and the true sense of friendship and teamwork that you’ve expressed all year. Next year’s show will be our biggest challenge yet. It’s going to be, well, quite a beast.  This is just the beginning!

And to our fifth graders and their AMAZING families, you'll never know how much I'm going to miss you.  I did write something to say at our final Music Man show but with being overtired and emotional, I couldn't pull it off.  I sincerely hope that music in some way will always be a big part of your life and that the skills you’ve begun to develop while creating this show will be with you for years to come. When one talks of the future, especially nowadays, words like uncertainty, bad news, and tough times are used. But when I think of a future with all of you in it, I feel great hope. You’re all very special to me. The time is almost here and you’re about to move on to bigger and better things. You are ready for the next big step in life. Please keep in touch, come back and visit.  We'll always be here for you. 

chorus update / practice and show info / dvd ordering

Here we go...we're almost there!

This Wednesday and Thursday practices will be dress rehearsals.  They will run our usual times 2:15 to 4:00.

All of the tech equipment will be installed and set-up by Jody Danneman's company this Friday from 1:00 to 6:00.  No students are needed.  

On Saturday we will work on any needed parts of the show.  Students with principal roles are strongly encouraged to attend.  We will be using mics and have the stage lighting on for the first time.  The more comfortable we get with using the mics and performing in front the lights, the better.  Any tech crew members who can attend would be greatly appreciated.  We will practice from 3:00 to 5:00.  

On Sunday we will have our big dress rehearsal and plan on running the show twice.  We will meet at 1:00 and dismiss at 5:00.  Students are allowed to bring snacks, drinks.  Please clean up when through!  All tech help should plan on attending.  This will be our major tech and dress practice.  

This coming Saturday and Sunday is the one weekend I've asked to keep clear since our schedule was given out in January.  Sunday's practice is mandatory.  
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The Music Man show schedule is as follows:
MONDAY, MARCH 23 - 9:00 A.M. show for Grades 3, 4, 5 (CAST A with Marian & Amaryllis #1).
                              - 7:00 P.M. performance (CAST B with Marian & Amaryllis #2)
WED., MARCH 25 - 7:00 P.M. performance (CAST A with Marian and Amaryllis #1).  *DVD recording.
THURS., MARCH 26 - 9:00 A.M. show for Grades K, 1, 2 (CAST B with Marian & Amaryllis #3).
FRIDAY, MARCH 27 - 7:00 P.M. performance (CAST A with Marian & Amaryllis #2).  *DVD recording.
SUNDAY, MARCH 29 - 2:30 P.M. matinee (CAST B with Marian & Amaryllis #3).        *DVD recording.
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Balanced Video Solutions is slated to film Kincaid Elementary School's performance of The Music Man Junior on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday (March 25, 27, 29). To purchase DVDs for this performance you can make a secure online payment to the right at Balanced Video Solutions's Payment Center. DVDs are $25.00 each. Use Code: W, F, or S to indicate which cast performance you would like to order.  Go to

www.balancedvideosolutions.com

for more information and to order.
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No practice today, 3/1, due to the weather.

To keep everyone safe and not mess up the school or our props, costumes, we're going to cancel today's optional 3 to 5 practice.  I'll still be at Kincaid in case any students are dropped off and for any of the prop / scenery parents that want to still work.  Please spread the word that there's no practice today.  Please be safe out there!  Have fun in the snow!

Optional extra chorus practice this Sunday, 2/15 from 3:00 to 5:00

OPTIONAL CHORUS PRACTICE

THIS SUNDAY, Feb. 15 FROM 3:00 to 5:00.

DROP OFF IN THE GYM PARKING LOT.  PICK UP IN THE GYM PARKING LOT & AROUND THE FLAGPOLE CIRCLE / CAR RIDER LINE.

We will finish Seventy Six Trombones, start Wells Fargo Wagon and if time permits, brush-up Iowa Stubborn and Ya Got Trouble.

Only the best in behavior and effort will be accepted.  Students will use my cell phone to call home and be picked up if there is any kind of problems.

Students are allowed to bring drinks but please clean up when finished.

Optional chorus practice on Saturday, 2/7!

OPTIONAL CHORUS PRACTICE

THIS SATURDAY FROM 3:00 to 5:00.

 

DROP OFF IN THE GYM PARKING LOT.  PICK UP IN THE GYM PARKING LOT & AROUND THE FLAGPOLE CIRCLE / CAR RIDER LINE.

 

We’re offering this to get back on schedule.  The early release days over the last two weeks have really slowed us down.  We will begin blocking “Seventy Six Trombones” and review what we’ve learned already.

 

Only the best in behavior and effort will be accepted.  Students will use my cell phone to call home and be picked up if there is any kind of problems.

 

Students are allowed to bring drinks but please clean up when finished.

 

 

We'll try to offer more of these.

Music Man practice schedule reminder

No Music Man practice on Wednesday, Feb, 4th due to early release day.

There is a small group practice from 2:15 to 4:00 for Harold, Marian, Alma, Maud, Mrs. Squires, Ethel, Eulalie, Pick-a-Little Ladies, Mrs. Paroo, Amaryllis and Winthrop on Thursday, Feb. 5.

Please see practice schedule to prepare for what we will work on.  A number of our students have not been prepared for practices and have not been working on their parts at home.

We will meet in the gym.  Bring a snack if needed (but must clean up).

Beginning in Feb., all practices now go to 4:00 p.m. 

No practice on Wednesday, 1/28 - conferences or 2/4 - early release day.

We will not be holding practice on Wednesday, 1/28 due to conferences.  On Thursday, 1/29 there will be a practice in the music room for students playing Marcellus, Harold, Marian, Mrs. Paroo, Amaryllis, Winthrop, Mayor Shinn, Eulalie, Gracie Shinn, Alma, Ewart, Jacey Squires, Olin Britt, Oliver Hix, Maud, Mrs. Squires, Ethel, Tommy Djilas, Zaneeta Shinn, Asst. Student Director and Stage Crew Memebr.

There will be no practice on Wednesday, 2/4 due to an early release day.

All practices will go to 4:00 starting in February.

Chorus trip info for this Friday

IMPORTANT CHORUS TRIP INFO FOR THIS FRIDAY!

• This Friday we will be going to Atlantic Station to see Cirque du Soleil’s new production, KOOZA!  Participating chorus members are to remain at school after dismissal.  Students will be informed on where to meet (depending on the weather and temperature).  We will have pizza, chips and drinks for the kids and then board the charter buses at approx. 2:45 – 3:00 p.m.  15 Kincaid staff members (including myself and Mrs. Mauldin and myself) will be chaperoning the trip. The show begins at 4:00 p.m. and runs 2 and a half hours (including a 30 minute intermission).

• All chorus members are to wear any of their Kincaid Chorus shirts.  Please see me if this is a problem.

• We will be viewing the show under the Grand Chapiteau.  This big top tent seats over 2,600 spectators per show and has an adjoining entrance tent.  As in an amphitheatre, the seats fan out through 270 degrees around a central, circular revolving stage.

• Refreshments and souvenirs are available in the entrance tent.  Items at Cirque events tend to be expensive, like going to an event at Phillips Arena.  If time permits, students may make purchases with their own money and as long as they stay with their chaperones.  Students are allowed to bring a small snack for the bus trip if absolutely necessary.  They will be held responsible for cleaning up their trash.

• Cirque du Soleil does some restroom facilities but they are outside of the main tent.  Please remind students to use the restroom before we leave Kincaid.  If a chaperone and student has to leave the Big Top, they will only be allowed to re-enter at suitable breaks in the show.  The temperature inside the tent is controlled.

• Cell phones MUST be silenced during the show.  On last year’s trip this was a problem.  Because learning audience etiquette is an important part of our curriculum, we will not allow cell phones, DS systems, Ipods, etc. to be visible or in use during the performance.  Cameras and other recording devices are also prohibited by Cirque du Soleil.  At past Cirque events I have seen ushers and security speak to and even remove audience members who were using cameras.

• We hope to return to Kincaid at around 7:15 p.m.  Upon arrival, we will be dropping off students in our usual bus area (the overhang area, outside of the lunch room).  PLEASE keep this area clear for the buses to enter and exit.  Consider using the car rider area around the flag pole circle to pick-up.  The kids (and adults) will be tired and ready to go home so please be at Kincaid by this time! 

This will be a great experience for the kids!

Thanks to all who signed up to help at our Parent Meeting!

Thanks so much to the family members who attended our parent volunteer sign-up meeting.  The kids and I appreciate you giving up your valuable time to help.  More info to come shortly.  The Music Man is progressing nicely.  It promises to be our best yet.

New software for all music classes!

Groovy Music from Silbelius is a fun new series of software programs for young students. 

Groovy Shapes (ages 5-7)

• Learn about music.
• Children will create their own music using shapes for different sounds.

Groovy Jungle (ages 7-9)

• Record from a MIDI keyboard.

• Display compositions as a score and work with text.

Groovy City (ages 9-11)

• Provides built-in tracking and management of student's progress.

• Children create more advanced music with a library of expanded musical patterns.