Music

Miss Hickey – General Music K-5 and Choral Director
Mr. Cappaert – Orchestra Director
Mr. Pakkebier – Band Director 

Greetings!

Music is an exciting class for many students.  The enjoyment music brings to the classroom often masks the fact that students are learning, but they really learn a lot!  In music, students participate in a wide variety of activities including singing, playing instruments, dancing, playing singing games, and listening.  They also spend time learning about composers, world cultures, history, and music theory.  While each grade level spends time doing all of these things, below you will find topics and activities each grade will be focusing on this year.

Kindergarten

While most of the year is spent exploring the classroom instruments and their own voices, Kindergarten students will focus on folk music.  Most of their instruments will be percussion based but we will also explore a few stringed instruments.

First Grade

As first graders, there will be a large focus on singing and dancing.  Students who learn to feel the music are better able to sing and play.  Through dancing and movement activities, students will start to internalize rhythm which is preparation for playing the instruments.  We will also put on a musical in the spring.  We will spend a lot of time singing folk music, but we will also explore music from Europe and Africa.

Second Grade

Once students reach second grade, they have an easier time grasping the pronunciation for foreign languages making it a prime time to sing in a variety of languages including Spanish, German, French, Italian, Latin, and Russian.  In addition to foreign languages, these students will also have an entire unit based on the Jungle!  In second grade, we are still exploring a wide variety of instruments.  We will spend a lot of time learning how to apply our rhythmic skills to these instruments.

Third Grade

Third grade students have an exciting year.  In addition to the normal curriculum, these students participate in a musical!  They take all of the skills they have learned to this point and apply it in a performance.  In addition to this focus, third graders spend a unit playing the recorder (information will go out before winter break).  Other areas we will cover include patriotic music and music from South America.

Fourth Grade

As a class, we will learn guitar.  Students will learn to play the guitar as they further their ability to read music.  In fourth grade, students will spend quite a bit of time learning about bands and orchestras.  In addition to Guitar, students will spend a unit focusing on drums.  They will also learn music from Europe and Asia.   

Fifth Grade

As a class, we will continue with guitar learning a few more advanced techniques including chords.  There will also be a unit focusing on Glockenspiels.  Later in the year, students will learn about Opera, Musical Theatre, and Swing Dancing.

Chorus

Chorus is open to all 4^th and 5^th grade students.  Practices are on Thursdays from 7:50-8:50am in the MPR.  In addition to more singing techniques, students continue to learn about history, world cultures, and theory.

This Year’s Performance Dates

December 8^th     Cultural Festival at Still Middle School       10:40am

January 17^th       Winter Chorus Concert at Brooks 7:00pm

March 27^th         Spring Chorus Concert at Brooks 7:00pm

May 17^th                Fine Arts Festival TBD

May 24^th           Singing for the Kane Country Cougars      TBD

Band

Band is open to all 5^th grade students.  Practices are held on Monday mornings from 7:50-8:50am as well as during school on Fridays.  Students learn the basics on the instrument of their choice. 

Important Dates

December 4^th     Band/Orchestra Concert at Granger         6:30pm

February 27^th     Band/Orchestra Dress Rehearsal at Steck   4:30-7:00pm

March 3^rd          Band/Orchestra Concert at Still    6:30-7:45pm

May 17^thFine Arts Festival TBD

Orchestra

Orchestra is open to all 5^th grade students.  Practices are held on Wednesday mornings from 7:50-8:50am as well as during school on Wednesday.  Students learn the basics on the instrument of their choice. 

Important Dates

December 4^th     Band/Orchestra Concert at Granger         6:30pm

February 27^th     Band/Orchestra Dress Rehearsal at Steck   4:30-7:00pm

March 3^rd          Band/Orchestra Concert at Still    6:30-7:45pm

May 17^th                Fine Arts Festival TBD

 

Maggie Hickey General Music Teacher Choral Director Maggie_Hickey@ipsd.org 630-375-3232

Dave Pakkebier Band Teacher David_Pakkebier@ipsd.org 630-375-1788

Tom Cappaert Orchestra Teacher Tom_Cappaert@ipsd.org 630-375-1788