Our Lady Of Lourdes Music

school choir makes joyful music!

2009-11-16

The school Mass on November 11 2009 was themed "For Peace And Justice". The school choir, liturgical guitars and band students presented a wonderful celebration in honor of veterans. The bell tolling at the beginning set the tone of the Mass. Many thanks to 6th grader Savannah who tolled the handbell. The show chorus sang the United States National Anthem at the reception for the veterans. Band students Miquel (trumpet) and Nathaniel (saxophone) performed several patriotic duets for the audience.

4th grade presents "BUGZ"

2009-11-04

The 4th grade class presented the musical "BUGZ" on October 23 2009 at Mease Manor in Dunedin. Their performance was very well received by the residents who responded throughout the musical with laughter and applause! It was heartwarming to watch the postperformance meet-and-greet between students and residents. Some comments by the students included "Mease Manor is a really nice place. I would like to live there. It reminds me of a hotel". Others were impressed with the mobility and responsiveness of the residents. The kids discovered that one resident was 106 years old!

School Choir sings at Sunday Mass

2009-11-04

The School Choir with Faith Formation children participated at the 9:30 am All Saints Mass November 1st 2009. School band accompanied the choir. What a wonderful celebration of the Eucharist!

OLL kids and alumni perform at Fall Festival

2009-11-04

Several students performed at this year's OLL Fall Festival on Thursday October 15th at the show tent. All students designed their own performance act including choreography and props. Congratulations to the following students: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (Amy, Alex, Giulianna); "Pink Panther" (Annalise, Lauren, Lexi D.); "Turn The Beat Around" (Mikala, Savannah, Capri); "Grease Lightning" (Ryan, John-Michael, Mark, Christian); "Only Hope" (Aubri, Lauren).

Reduced Florida Orchestra Tickets for Students/Educators

2009-10-15

I received this information regarding Florida Orchestra concerts for students from Carrie Olin, Marketing and Communications Manager for the orchestra. I have worked with Carrie in the past. The concert price for students is very reasonable. Below is the relevant information regarding ticket prices:

..."I encourage you to participate in our $10 student/educator ticket program. All students and education staff can purchase $10 tickets to any of our regular season concerts with a valid ID (limit 2 tickets per ID). While our Pops and Masterworks concerts are on weekend evenings, our Coffee Concerts are matinees during the week. If you are interested in purchasing student tickets to these or any of our regular season concerts, please let me know.

Thank you again for your interest in The Florida Orchestra. I will let you know as more education opportunities become available. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me."

Carrie Olin
Marketing and Communications Manager
The Florida Orchestra
244 2nd Avenue North, Suite 420
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
727.892.3331, ext. 334

Direct: 727.362.5442

4th graders are great!

2009-11-04

4th graders have been very motivated and eager to learn how to read music and to play the instrument called Tonechimes. It has been very challenging for them to learn to read and play 2 tonechimes but they have progressed so wonderfully with their reading skills! Playing tonechimes requires specific techniques such as playing and damping/stopping; accuracy in reading and playing; understanding of time signatures, note names and their corresponding values.

3rd graders are song writers

2009-10-14

3rd graders have been learning to write music in the treble clef. They use notes on the musical scale from middle C (C5) through C7 with beginning chord structures; repeat signs and double barlines; quarter notes. Selecting their own title, I then play their song on the piano. We have also started to record their songs on the Apple Computers! They are really thrilled to hear their own song and take pride in their musical compositions.

8th graders are motivated!

2009-10-02

These past few weeks, the 8th graders have learned about key signatures (sharps and flats) and how to determine the "key" of the song which has prepared them to read and practice a difficult handbell/tonechime song. This song contains sharps and naturals in a fast tempo and some students have the challenge of playing multiple bells. However, they have persisted and I appreciate their motivation when asked to practice certain parts of the song repeatedly!

They still enjoy singing in class and I have discussed the relationship between singing, dancing, and sports--all 3 activities require good control of air and all use muscle groups related to that activity.

Thank you for your continued support of the music program!

fall festival performances parent information

2009-09-29

I have asked several groups of students to perform on Thursday October 15th 7:00 pm at the Fall Festival show tent. Your child may start rehearsing on their own time. They may wear costumes/clothing appropriate for their act.

school choir sings at Sunday Mass

2009-09-29

The students participated in the Sunday September 27th 9:30 am Mass so wonderfully! They served as singers, musicians, cantors and lectors. The school choir was joined by 12 Faith Formation children which was such a nice addition. Thank you for your continued support and participation.

The next Mass for students is Sunday November 1st 9:30 am. Parents: please send me an email if your child will be able to sing in the choir (email me even if your child is NOT able to participate)

Thank you.

Mrs. Wong-Stark

2nd graders write songs

2009-10-02

2nd graders have learned some basic music theory related to song writing: understanding of the symbols treble clef and bass clef; recognition of quarter notes in a song; double barline and/or repeat signs at the end of a song; location of notes middle C through G on a music staff.

They have been taught about "double notes" which is the beginning of chord writing. They selected and printed a title for their song and were delighted when I played and recorded their songs on the Apple computer!

(FYI: on my teacher wish list page, I requested a large erasable music staff board to help the kids learn about music notes and song writing)

Thank you.

Mrs. Wong-Stark

2nd grade writes music

2009-09-29

2nd graders have learned about music staff paper; quarter and eighth notes; treble clef sign; double barlines with repeat symbol. They have written 2 songs and this week's song had an original title. Look for their work displayed outside the music room! I introduced "double notes" today which forms the beginning of chords. They delighted in writing their own songs. Next week I will record their music on the Apple laptop computer using "Garage Band"

6th grade handbell class

2009-10-02

We have had a few seniors from the Senior Center join our Monday handbell class at 12:30 pm! It touched my heart to see how the kids worked so gently and wonderfully with the seniors. In turn, they commented so positively about the experience working with younger kids. The class has started to read more challenging music that incorporates multiple notes in chords.

MyOLL.com Teacher's Notes Section

2008-09-17

We celebrated a wonderful Sunday Mass on September 7th with many children participating as choir or band members! Our school liturgy period for choir rehearsal is every Tuesday from 2:00 pm until dismissal. Due to the overwhelming interest from the students, choir has been divided into 2 sections by grades. The even grades (grades 2,4,6) will rehearse one week and sing on that Thursday. The odd grades (grades 3,5,7) will rehearse and sing the following week.

Grades 7 and 8 have been introduced to song writing using a notational software program called "Music Write". The 6th grade handbell classes continue to work on music reading skills and ensemble playing. Grades 4 and 5 continue to work on learning to play tonechimes. Grades 2 and 3 have been introduced to time signatures through movement and dances (swing dancing for 4/4 time; waltz for 3/4 time). EC4, Kindergarten and 1st Grade are learning music symbols (such as forte, largo, vivace, treble clef) and a alphabet list of songs.