North Park Elementary School Bands Together for Special Open Mic Night at Julius Melius

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013 as most people prepared for the holidays, the North Park Elementary School (NPES) middle school band students participated in a one hour open mic session and Julius Meinl on Lincoln Avenue and Montrose. Students showcased their music abilities through solos and small ensembles. Arrangements ranged from festive holiday music to exploring personal styles.

Participating students, included:

●     6th grade students: Asha Baddi, Ava Schlossman, Ella Gooding, Heath Weed, Justin Blanchard, Luke Hecht, Max Cole, Sander Brissman, Sophia Jennerjahn, and Throa Hornewer

●     7th grade students: Dana Hundrieser, Delphine Clatanoff, Maeve Shaffer, and Maya Clattanoff

●     8th grade students: Avram Kordon, Georgia Gooding, Kevin Lapka, Nathan Grant, Olivia Cole, and Tessa Forte

All of the NPES students participate in at least 40 minutes of music education once a week as part of the school’s curriculum. North Park Elementary School students enjoy a general music class from prekindergarten through eighth grade. In their general music classes, students become familiar with music terminology, aesthetics of music, creating music, history and culture as it relates to music. Student are engaged through play, according to the Orff Schulwerk Approach, to first experience music then learn the terminology. Kindergarten through second grade meet for general music once a week for 30 to 40 minutes. As the students grow older, the concepts become more challenging and include reading and writing musical notation. The middle school general music curriculum parallels the social studies curriculum.

Music class provides students the opportunity to gain insight into different cultures and time periods by studying the music, instruments, and musical techniques of various cultures. By studying past composers, learning past and present folk songs and dances, and experiencing other cultures, students are able to better understand time periods outside their own. Though global customs and backgrounds vary, students are able to relate and connect through to different societies through the study of music. In every music class, students are moving, creating, and participating with music. Students also learn a wide variety of basic instruments including recorder, unpitched percussion, drums, and pitched percussion.

Sixth through eighth grade students can have the elective of Glee Club if they desire to be a member of a singing performance ensemble. Membership ranges from seven to 15 students. Glee Club performs at the Winter Showcase, Spring Showcase, and in the community throughout the school year. Beginning in fourth grade, students have the opportunity to learn how to play an instrument and be a member of the North Park Elementary School band program. Students meet twice a week either before school or during the school day, depending on the grade level. The band currently has 46 members among fourth through eighth grade.

“Music class provides students the opportunity to gain insight into different worldviews by experiencing the music and musical techniques of various cultures,” said Tiffany LaGorio, NPES music teacher and band director.

To learn more about NPES’ music program and co-curriculars, please visit: www.npeschool.org