Tuesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 21
Hello Choirs! Here are a few announcements, and then we will get this week's lessons.
Hello Choirs! Here are a few announcements, and then we will get this week's lessons.
- Although we won't be able to have our typical end of the year Choir Award Celebrations - we will still have some special honors. Some awards I will choose, and some you will choose! The ones chosen by student vote typically include:
- Most Improved
- Best Attitude
- Choir Clown
- Music Geek
- Most Dedicated
- Most Likely to be on "The Voice"
- If you would like to give suggestions of additional student awards (or anything I should remove), please email me this week.
- "Office Hours" will be open to all this Friday, just as a time to see/hear each other. I will send the link via email. If you want help with anything, please contact me and I'd be happy to set that up!
- Are you doing the Virtual Choir 6? If so, please let me know! And remember - the deadline is Friday!
Thursday, May 14
Good Morning!
For "Office Hours" on Friday - I'd like to leave time especially for getting help in theory. So if you could use help, please email me and I'll send a link. If you hoping to just get together to talk - I'm up for that too - we will just do it at a different time (email me to set that up too). Next week you will have choices about your assignments, but I'm getting ahead of myself... Today we are going to have another singing lesson, this time with Sight Reading! Hurray! Right?! Let's start with a warm up!
Good Morning!
For "Office Hours" on Friday - I'd like to leave time especially for getting help in theory. So if you could use help, please email me and I'll send a link. If you hoping to just get together to talk - I'm up for that too - we will just do it at a different time (email me to set that up too). Next week you will have choices about your assignments, but I'm getting ahead of myself... Today we are going to have another singing lesson, this time with Sight Reading! Hurray! Right?! Let's start with a warm up!
I read through about 50 of your "hero" assignments so far. Wow. Thank you for sharing your stories with me. So many great thoughts, and grateful attitudes in there! I hope you are able to think about those "heroes" as you work on the song today :)
Now try it with just the accompaniment.
Now try it with just the accompaniment.
Last thing for today: Sight Reading! Here it is (by grade):
6th Grade Sight Reading
7th Grade Sight Reading
8th Grade - Go to Sight Reading Factory for your assignment.
6th Grade Sight Reading
7th Grade Sight Reading
8th Grade - Go to Sight Reading Factory for your assignment.
Tuesday, May 12
Good Morning Singers! Today we are going to sing! I know - sing in choir - crazy, right?! If possible, please find a place you can be alone - a place you will feel free to sing. If you need to move to a different room, or do it later in the day - do that. I want you to be able to sing without wondering what your family thinks. This isn't a performance!
We will start with a Warm Up (in two video sections). Here's part 1:
Good Morning Singers! Today we are going to sing! I know - sing in choir - crazy, right?! If possible, please find a place you can be alone - a place you will feel free to sing. If you need to move to a different room, or do it later in the day - do that. I want you to be able to sing without wondering what your family thinks. This isn't a performance!
We will start with a Warm Up (in two video sections). Here's part 1:
And here's the second part of the Warm Up, "Ah Poor Bird"
OK, now you are warmed up and (hopefully!) ready to learn a new song. The song is called, "You Are Our Heroes". Open the file below for the words, then use them as you listen and sing with the audio file below.
| you_are_our_heroes.docx |
Last thing for today: think about what a "hero" is. A quick look at Dictionary.com gives a couple suggestions:
- 1 a person noted for courageous acts of nobility of character.
- 2 a person who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal.
Tuesday, May 5 (and Thursday, May 7!)
Hello Singers!
Thank you to those who sent a picture! I'd love to have many more (see the April 30 above!).
There will not be an Honors Choir Meeting this week; some of you might be involved in something else, which I will explain below:)
Last week we learned about virtual choirs and watched virtual choir videos. This week we will wrap that up with Part 3, and there is also a Theory Assignment which was already sent to your email (unless you haven’t taken the “pretend quiz” yet). The Theory Assignment varies by how you did on the “pretend quiz”. Both the Virtual Choir-Part 3 Nearpod, and the Theory Assignment are due on Friday by 9:00 am, but it doesn’t matter what day you choose to do them.
I would love to say that we are making a Virtual Choir. That would be so cool! However, the tech involved is way beyond my skills. There are usually many sound engineers spending hundreds of hours – to make these successful. But I have something even better to offer – you could be involved in Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 6! That’s right – because of all that our world is going through right now, he is launching a new one! This is not required for our choirs – but seriously, you have the skills and the time! Here’s how to get involved: Go to: virtualchoir6.com and click the circle that says, “Join the Choir”. You will set up an account, but because you are not adults, you will need a parent/guardian to sign up with you. After you create your account, you will download the music and start learning it. The music is available (for free), as are the rehearsal tracks. There are also online (optional) practices beginning today! To find the list of sectional rehearsals, go to the virtualchoir6.com website, click on the "Thinktank" tab and look at the list on the right side. Please note that the times listed are Pacific Time - you need to add 3 hours for our time zone (if a rehearsal is at 10:00 am, it will start at 1:00 pm for you).
For those who are interested in joining this Virtual Choir, you might be interested in reading an interview that explains a little about this project. The link is here: Interview.
Whether you choose to sing in this virtual choir or not - your assignment is below. I'll be sending an email on Wednesday, so please check your mail! Thank you!
Hello Singers!
Thank you to those who sent a picture! I'd love to have many more (see the April 30 above!).
There will not be an Honors Choir Meeting this week; some of you might be involved in something else, which I will explain below:)
Last week we learned about virtual choirs and watched virtual choir videos. This week we will wrap that up with Part 3, and there is also a Theory Assignment which was already sent to your email (unless you haven’t taken the “pretend quiz” yet). The Theory Assignment varies by how you did on the “pretend quiz”. Both the Virtual Choir-Part 3 Nearpod, and the Theory Assignment are due on Friday by 9:00 am, but it doesn’t matter what day you choose to do them.
I would love to say that we are making a Virtual Choir. That would be so cool! However, the tech involved is way beyond my skills. There are usually many sound engineers spending hundreds of hours – to make these successful. But I have something even better to offer – you could be involved in Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 6! That’s right – because of all that our world is going through right now, he is launching a new one! This is not required for our choirs – but seriously, you have the skills and the time! Here’s how to get involved: Go to: virtualchoir6.com and click the circle that says, “Join the Choir”. You will set up an account, but because you are not adults, you will need a parent/guardian to sign up with you. After you create your account, you will download the music and start learning it. The music is available (for free), as are the rehearsal tracks. There are also online (optional) practices beginning today! To find the list of sectional rehearsals, go to the virtualchoir6.com website, click on the "Thinktank" tab and look at the list on the right side. Please note that the times listed are Pacific Time - you need to add 3 hours for our time zone (if a rehearsal is at 10:00 am, it will start at 1:00 pm for you).
For those who are interested in joining this Virtual Choir, you might be interested in reading an interview that explains a little about this project. The link is here: Interview.
Whether you choose to sing in this virtual choir or not - your assignment is below. I'll be sending an email on Wednesday, so please check your mail! Thank you!
Thursday, April 30
Good Morning Choirs!
Quick reminder: Honors Choir "meets" today, and any/all choirs "meet" tomorrow (see the announcement from Tuesday).
I have a favor to ask of you. I'm trying to put together videos to help with recruitment (especially for incoming 6th graders, but could be used for others). If you are willing - please make a sign that says, "I Am Lakeshore Choirs", or something similar. Then take a picture of you, in your choir shirt, holding the sign. These will likely show up in videos :)
About 77% of you loved the music in Tuesday's lesson! Slightly more 6th and 8th graders felt that way, slightly less 7th graders. Today we are going to follow up with Part 2 of the Virtual Choir lessons. In the meantime, I'm working out music theory lessons based on how you did on the "Pretend Quiz" last week. If you did not do the lesson from April 23, please do the 5 minute quiz and then email me that it's done, so I know what (if any) review you need. Thanks!
Use the buttons below for today's lesson:
Good Morning Choirs!
Quick reminder: Honors Choir "meets" today, and any/all choirs "meet" tomorrow (see the announcement from Tuesday).
I have a favor to ask of you. I'm trying to put together videos to help with recruitment (especially for incoming 6th graders, but could be used for others). If you are willing - please make a sign that says, "I Am Lakeshore Choirs", or something similar. Then take a picture of you, in your choir shirt, holding the sign. These will likely show up in videos :)
About 77% of you loved the music in Tuesday's lesson! Slightly more 6th and 8th graders felt that way, slightly less 7th graders. Today we are going to follow up with Part 2 of the Virtual Choir lessons. In the meantime, I'm working out music theory lessons based on how you did on the "Pretend Quiz" last week. If you did not do the lesson from April 23, please do the 5 minute quiz and then email me that it's done, so I know what (if any) review you need. Thanks!
Use the buttons below for today's lesson:
Tuesday, April 28
First, a few announcements:
First, a few announcements:
- We are going to try something different for Choir Office Hours this week! We are going to divide by grade and see how that goes. It will still be Friday, 2:00-2:45 pm, but using the times below. Please send an email if you'd like to join us - and I will send you the link. I'm hoping to see more students this way :)
- 2:00-2:15 pm - 6th Grade Choir
- 2:15-2:30 pm - 7th Grade Choir
- 2:30-2:45 pm - 8th Grade Choir
- The Cheesecake Pick up is today! It is optional (cheesecakes can be left at school until school reopens). Pick-up is 5-7 pm at the MS.
Good Morning! Welcome back! I hope you found some relaxing ways to celebrate this most unusual Spring Break. I also hope you are ready to move forward with this Online Learning! You may have noticed a few changes to the Choir Website. I rearranged the tabs to make this one - the one you will use the most - open first. If you are looking for the older online assignments they are under "Online Part 1". The Blog is still there and it has a new entry. The Blog is totally optional, just a way to share what's going on in my life and occasionally Coda's.
Beginning this week the structure of the lessons will be a little different. There will be lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, and you can expect each one to take about 20-30 minutes. The lessons will be posted at 9:00 am. Most of these will be using Nearpod and I'll give the link instead of the code. Please plan to do the lessons on the day they are posted, and if needed you may do them the next day. After that I'll gather your responses so I can tell what was clear and what needs to be repeated a different way in the next lesson. So lessons given on a Tuesday - should be done Tuesday (or Wednesday if needed). Lessons given on Thursday- should be done on Thursday (or Friday if needed). Feel free to email anytime - schoolwork related or not! I value your input on these lessons; I'm learning as I go too! I'm also going to set up some Google Hangout sessions where you can ask questions, talk to each other, or just listen. Lastly, Honors Choir - please check your school email tomorrow!
Beginning this week the structure of the lessons will be a little different. There will be lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, and you can expect each one to take about 20-30 minutes. The lessons will be posted at 9:00 am. Most of these will be using Nearpod and I'll give the link instead of the code. Please plan to do the lessons on the day they are posted, and if needed you may do them the next day. After that I'll gather your responses so I can tell what was clear and what needs to be repeated a different way in the next lesson. So lessons given on a Tuesday - should be done Tuesday (or Wednesday if needed). Lessons given on Thursday- should be done on Thursday (or Friday if needed). Feel free to email anytime - schoolwork related or not! I value your input on these lessons; I'm learning as I go too! I'm also going to set up some Google Hangout sessions where you can ask questions, talk to each other, or just listen. Lastly, Honors Choir - please check your school email tomorrow!
Thursday, April 23
Good Morning Choirs! (or good - whatever time you do homework!)
Today's lesson is in 3 parts: Singing (yep, gonna sing today!), Pretend Quiz, Music Theory Games.
Good Morning Choirs! (or good - whatever time you do homework!)
Today's lesson is in 3 parts: Singing (yep, gonna sing today!), Pretend Quiz, Music Theory Games.
- Sing through your part of "Lancer Pride". You probably have it in your choir folder, or you can use the words from your agenda if you need a refresher! Try to take deep/low breaths while singing. If you struggle with the notes - practice it! Then sing it with the track "parts together". (about 10 min. total)
2. Pretend Quiz - just use the button below for your class - it's a Nearpod quiz that will likely take less than 5 minutes.
3. Play music theory games on TuneLark for about 15 minutes (more is fine!). You should be able to pick up where you left off. If you haven't played this before, click on your choir:
6th Grade Choir
7th Grade Choir
8th Grade Choir
Here are the Tunelark champions from last time!
6th Grade Choir
7th Grade Choir
8th Grade Choir
Here are the Tunelark champions from last time!
- 6th Grade - Elizabeth, Samuel, Tessa, Athena, Madison
- 7th Grade - Kaylee, Hazel, Lainie, Serena, Owen
- 8th Grade - Aisha, Ida, Deleah, Isabella D., Shelby
Tuesday, April 21
Good Morning Choirs - I miss you! Thank you for those who have emailed and/or joined the Google Meetings. It makes me smile to hear from you:)
As I speak with students and read your Nearpod comments, it sounds like online schooling is going better for most now. Some of you specifically said that the alternating days is working much better. One of you said, "I like it [online learning] because it keeps my brain going." Someone else said, "I really enjoy online school. However, it takes more work, as you have to be the one to keep yourself on track, instead of the teacher". I think that's very true! And that is making teaching harder too. I miss the daily contact and the ability to give reminders easily. Thank you for your efforts to make this work!
Some announcements before we get into the lesson (see, just like in class!)
Good Morning Choirs - I miss you! Thank you for those who have emailed and/or joined the Google Meetings. It makes me smile to hear from you:)
As I speak with students and read your Nearpod comments, it sounds like online schooling is going better for most now. Some of you specifically said that the alternating days is working much better. One of you said, "I like it [online learning] because it keeps my brain going." Someone else said, "I really enjoy online school. However, it takes more work, as you have to be the one to keep yourself on track, instead of the teacher". I think that's very true! And that is making teaching harder too. I miss the daily contact and the ability to give reminders easily. Thank you for your efforts to make this work!
Some announcements before we get into the lesson (see, just like in class!)
- First, I'm sorry to say there will not be a Spring Concert. I thought that was obvious since we can't go back to school, but I've had a lot of you asking about it. I hope to incorporate much of this music into next school year. Maybe some 8th graders would like to come back as special guests?
- Cheesecake Update: There will be an OPTIONAL Cheesecake Pick-up one week from today, on Tuesday, April 28, 5:00-7:00 pm, at the Middle School. If you sold cheesecakes, you will be contacted with details. This pick up is optional - it's fine to leave them there and we will set another pick up when school reopens.
- You are invited to Choir Office Hours on Fridays, 2:00-2:45. Send me an email and I'll send the link. This could be for assignment help, a chance to talk with other choir members, or just a chance to listen in.
- The Culver's Night that was scheduled for tomorrow is also cancelled. Since they are only able to do drive-through it won't work. But feel free to support this locally owned business (I just had my cheese-curd fix on Sunday!).
- I emailed some of you who I thought might be able to help with a recruitment video. Those submissions are due tomorrow. If I didn't send info to you, and you want to work on it - let me know!
- A few students have said that they want to work on singing. I love it that you want to sing - I also know some of you are uncomfortable singing in your homes with family around. Without the ability to put parts together - I'm not sure that the concert music is the best material. I'm trying to think this through and would love any input you have!
- We need to adjust the Due Dates for assignments. I was allowing two days, but I now need to have grades in every Friday. So here's the new plan:
- Tuesday's Lessons will be due by 9:00am Wednesday.
- Thursday's Lessons will be due by 9:00am Friday.
- If you have a late assignment - please email me as well as submitting it. Nearpod doesn't sort by date, so the only way I can see late assignments is to look at all 160 names and pick out the ones that were not on the list previously. (I've contacted them and they are trying to come up with a fix - I'll let you know if they do.)
Thursday, April 16
Thank you for working through the lesson on A Cappella; I enjoyed reading your answers and I hope you enjoyed the videos! Today we are going back to the grade level Theory Assignments in an effort to review and (soon) finish these topics. But first, a few "announcements":
Thank you for working through the lesson on A Cappella; I enjoyed reading your answers and I hope you enjoyed the videos! Today we are going back to the grade level Theory Assignments in an effort to review and (soon) finish these topics. But first, a few "announcements":
- Honors Choir - if you haven't already done so, make sure you check your email for a video invite for today!
- 3rd Quarter Grades - Please take a look in PowerSchool. If you have missing assignment that you now want to do, please email me and we will work it out. We have until April 24 to take care of this. If you have questions about grades, please ask! We left in a hurry and I want to be sure everything is accurate.
- Tomorrow (Friday) we will have Office Hours for Choir from 2:00-2:45 pm. This is for all grades at once (I'll try to work out times for individual grades soon!). If you want help with Online Learning, or just want to hang out - please email me and I'll send an invitation (cconrad@lpslancer.net).
- Reminder: If you want credit for doing the Nearpod Lessons, you must use your name the way I know it! If you want to include a nickname on the second blank you may. If there are two people in your choir with the same last name, please include a last initial - otherwise I don't need last names.
7th Grade: Included are links to the two previous lessons on this material. Please use (or reuse) them if you need more review on Enharmonic Notes and Piano Keys. Review Part 1 Review Part 2 The Button is today's lesson.
8th Grade: Included are links to the two previous lessons on this material. Please use (or reuse) them if you need more review on Key Signatures. Review Part 1 Review Part 2 The Button is today's lesson.