Wyamusic

   In Elementary Orchestra we set the groundwork for future musical success.  We build on the foundational musical concepts learned in Music Class, and we apply them to the violin, viola, or cello.  We work in Lessons and in Orchestra Class on building a strong foundation in reading all aspects of musical notation: rhythm, notes, musical symbols, musical vocabulary, etc.  We also spend a lot of time and reinforcement on good playing technique, good posture, knowledge of their instrument and how to take care of it, and the list goes on. 

   This year I am attempting to roll out a Flipped Classroom strategy for some of these concepts.  This means that I will, as I am able, record short video lessons on a particular concept or technique and the students will watch that video at home and practice the concept as laid out in the video.  This allows the students to have access to the instruction as many times as they need or want it, and it allows more individualized teaching and coaching in our short lesson times.  If you do not allow your child to be on YouTube at home, I strongly encourage you to watch the video with them.  Then you can monitor their usage, get personal insight into what they are learning and how they should be practicing it, and it gives you some involvement in the process.  It is well documented that parental involvement in a child's learning improves success, no matter whether it is music, sports, science, etc.  I am hoping that this process will develop and improve over the following years as I build up more and more online resources for my students (this process takes an inhuman ammount of up-front time and effort, so this year will only be a partial rollout).

   The Elementary Orchestra performs in two concerts per year, one in the month leading up to Christmas Break, and another in the Spring at the end of April.   The concert is not the focus of their instrumental study, but the fruit of it.  Our focus at Wyalusing is on education and growth of our students, and the concert is only the public outcome of this learning and growth.