Music at Huntertown

Getting to know Mrs. Willmarth
This is my ninth year here at Huntertown. My degree is in music education with an emphasis in flute performance and a minor in piano performance. I have been involved in a variety of ensembles including concert band, marching band, flute ensemble, and vocal choirs. I am a licensed Kindermusik instructor and currently teach classes for Kindermusik of Danville. I also hold certification in Orff-Schulwerk and currently serve as Vice-President of the Kentucky Orff-Schulwerk Association. Orff-Schulwerk is an approach to teaching children the elements of music through a variety of processes including rhythmic and expressive speech, singing, movement, and instrument play. In this method improvisation and creativity are encouraged to develop creative thinking. There is a place for every child, and everyone contributes.
What will my child be learning?
As a student at Huntertown Elementary, your child will be answering two big questions in music:
1) 2)	Why do people make music? How do people make music?
This year your child will learn new skills and concepts to form the foundation for a lifetime of musical expression and enjoyment.
Primary Music
We will answer these questions though studying the elements of music including rhythm, melody, dynamics, tempo, form, harmony, and timbre. Students are exposed to music from a variety of cultures including West African, Native American, and Traditional Appalachian. Musical styles such as patriotic, work songs, folk songs, bluegrass, lullabies, and spirituals will also be performed. We will learn about instruments that can used to perform music such as orchestral instruments and instruments from different cultures such as the djembe, the surdo, the gankogui, and the talking drum. Your child will learn through singing, chanting, moving, and playing a variety of games and instruments.
In music class we have one rule, “Whether moving, singing, creating, or playing, Always do you BEST”. There are five expectations listed that help us follow that rule.
	Manners are used at all times. Use appropriate voices. Listen when others talk. Stay in your own space. Instruments are handled with care. Completely follow all directions.
The four areas that primary are assessed in are the following:
	Sings pitches accurately, alone and with others Responds appropriately to changes in sounds using instruments or movement Improvises and performs simple rhythms on pitched and non-pitched instruments using proper techniques Actively participates in ensemble activities.
Intermediate Music
We will answer these questions though studying elements of music, and a variety of cultures including West African, Native American, and Traditional Appalachian. Music from the Colonial American Period will also be analyzed and performed. We will also learn about instruments that can used to perform music. Your child will learn through singing, chanting, moving, and playing a variety of games and instruments.
Fifth graders- find that recorder from last year!! We will begin using them in music around the middle of September. Fourth graders will be learning to play the recorder together later in the year.
Arts and Humanities overview
Grading
Your child will also receive a letter grade in music this year (A, B, etc.). Their grade is based on the following scale:
35%		Daily Grade (participation)- Includes staying on-task, giving best effort, completely following all directions.
35%		Performance- Includes assessments of instrument playing technique, vocal pitch matching, individual and group performances.
30%		Concepts- Includes any and all written work. This is our smallest portion because we do not do as much written work as in other classes. I stress that everything they do COUNTS.
Please feel free to contact me anytime throughout the year. If you are a musician we would love to have you visit and share your talent! Thank you for your time and support of music in your child’s education. Sharon Willmarth sharon.willmarth@woodford.kyschools.us
Related links
		www.aosa.org (American Orff-Schulwerk Association) www.kyorff.org (Kentucky Orff-Schulwerk Association) www.kindermusik.com www.creatingmusic.com (games and other musical activities for children) www.music4kidsonline.com/meyc/songs/htm (games and other music activities for children)
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