Musical Notes Sept News

Musical Notes Welcome back to school! I hope you all had a great summer vacation. I am the Upper Grade music teacher and am very proud to be a part of the Garden Gate community. This is my ninth year in music teaching. I taught four years in China and one and half years in North Carolina before I joined the Cupertino School District music program. Music teaching is not just my career, it is my passion, and I invite you to catch my enthusiasm. Together we can make music learning truly meaningful. Fourth and fifth graders will have a 45-minute music class once each week. The class will develop both skills in and understanding of basic musical elements. We will sing, dance, play instruments, and enjoy body percussion. We will be improvising on Drums, Xylophones, and other instruments. We will also play these instruments to accompany singing and dancing. This dynamic approach is based on the philosophy and practices of Orff Schulwerk. It provides opportunities for aural, visual, and kinesthetic learners to feel successful in music via a multi-dimensional way. If you are interested in knowing more about this approach, please visit www.aosa.org. One of the greatest joys of this non-competitive music program is the pleasure of making music with others. As a parent, you are very important in your child’s music education, and we will work together for your child’s benefit. I will keep you informed regarding the activities we will be doing throughout the year. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the music program, please email me at [email protected]. I am thrilled to welcome you to a totally musical year! Mrs. Melanie Zhao