Welcome 2011!

We have had a very exciting 2010 in music at Wendell Elementary and I am really looking forward to all of the wonderful opportunities we have in store for us in 2011!  First off, here are a few notes about our students and the wonderful work they have done in music recently:

• Congratulations to 3rd Graders who performed in downtown Wendell on Saturday, Decemeber 11th.  We had a rainy, cold morning but a huge crowd to support us!  I am so proud of your hard work and beautiful singing.
• Thank you to Mrs. Horton's 3rd Grade class for singing to and visiting with residents at Robinwood Assisted Living in Wendell on December 21st.  I am so proud of these students for sharing their gifts with others and spreading some joy and love during the holiday season.
• Congratulations to all of our 1st Graders for their lovely Nutcracker Informance on December 17th.  These students worked very hard in both music and dance to prepare for a sharing of what they learned while studying Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker music and ballet.
• 2nd Graders participated in a World Festival at school during our Early Release day on December 3rd.  All of the specialists and 2nd Grade teachers worked together to plan a variety of arts and multiple intelligence integrated activties from around the world for students to participate in.  Students made pan flutes from Peru, learned about Kabuki theater in Japan, played a game from Nigeria, learned a rice dance from the Phillipines, and made paper flowers from Mexico.

Here are few upcoming events and activities you should know about:

• 5th Graders are currently listening to, analzying, and evaluating music nominated for different Grammy Awards this year.  We will be charting and graphing our own Grammy "winners" and compare our list to the actual winners once they are announced.  If possible, please watch the Grammy Awards Show on Sunday, February 13th with your child so they can share this musical experience with you.
• 4th Graders will travel to Meymandi Concert Hall (a part of Memorial Auditorium in downtown Raleigh) on March 3rd for a special educational concert given by the NC Symphony.  We will be listening to, playing with, and analyzing all of the music that the symphony will play at this concert and we'll even be learning the song De Colores so we can sing along LIVE with the symphony!  This is truly an amazing opportunity for our students and I can't wait to share in it with them.
• Every year we have students perform at Eastern Wake County's Stars in the East Showcase.  We don't have the dates and information yet, but the showcase usually takes place right before Spring Break.  We'll give you more information when we have it.

I hope you have a very MUSICAL new year!  Wishing you peace, love, and happiness always...