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Junior School students canoeing during a school trip.
York School News
Grade 6s begin their musical journeys at First Note Night
Our Grade 6 Music students and their parents were excited to attend First Note Night, an evening of hands-on workshops that introduced them to best practices for assembling, holding and caring for the instruments they had recently selected – and making beautiful sounds.
York School Music Teachers John Pittman and Cody MacFarlane organized the event to lay the groundwork for the students’ musical journeys. Mr. Pittman and Mr. MacFarlane, and four visiting instrument specialists, facilitated breakout sessions for flutes, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones and baritones/tubas.
During the breakout sessions, students learned the correct posture for playing their instruments and how to produce tones. When the students tried out their new techniques, the instrument specialists provided suggestions and encouragement. The sessions were practical, lively and fun, and the parents who attended were just as enthusiastic as their kids.
As the students continue their musical journeys in the classroom, they’ll record one performance each week and document their self assessments and other observations in a process journal. The Grade 6 musicians will showcase their performance skills at The York School’s Arts Night in April.
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During the breakout sessions, students learned the correct posture for playing their instruments and how to produce tones. When the students tried out their new techniques, the instrument specialists provided suggestions and encouragement. The sessions were practical, lively and fun, and the parents who attended were just as enthusiastic as their kids.
As the students continue their musical journeys in the classroom, they’ll record one performance each week and document their self assessments and other observations in a process journal. The Grade 6 musicians will showcase their performance skills at The York School’s Arts Night in April.
