Elementary Music/Music Technology Blog

Today, for the first time ever, I was able to attend our Elementary Closing Ceremonies instead of working the ceremony! It was a wonderful experience.

Each year, our students in grades K-5 assemble on the last day of school, sing songs about their school year, and then cross over a bridge that symbalizes them “moving up” to the next grade. As the students cross over the bridge, the next grade level teacher stands at the end of the bridge and welcomes the students into the new grade. It is a wonderful ceremony that has been a tradition at our school for numerous years! In addition, right before the grade of students cross over the bridge, they sing a song about their curriculum throughout the school year to the tune of “Hey Look Me Over.”

It was a thrill for me to attend the ceremony this year with my new baby girl as opposed to leading the ceremony. I watched in awe as my colleague and the music teacher who is filling in for me on my maternity leave, led the students beautifully. The music teachers did an exceptional job preparing the students for singing their songs and exhuming confidence throughout the entire ceremony. I also loved listening to the students sing. When you are leading the students in singing, sometimes the last thing I do is actually stop and listen because I am focusing on so many aspects of the music and keeping an eye on the students who have issues standing on a riser. So, to actually stop and enjoy listening to them sing was a pleasure. It reminded me that when I go back in September, I need to stop and listen to the students sing, play instruments, and tap rhythms (etc.) more.

Now onto the summer: I will be presenting at the MENC Music Education Week in Arlington, VA, teaching a music technology course at CCSU in CT, and enjoying my new baby girl. If you are at MENC or attending CCSU this summer, please stop by and say hi. If not, I will still be blogging this summer, so please check back and leave a comment!