4th Grade has transitioned from their studies of the Pastoral Symphony into exploring musical expression. Students have been learning about and practicing dynamic and tempo vocabulary words, and using those words to create original performances as we answer the essential questions: "How do musicians make creative decisions, why do musicians make the creative choices they do?"

To coincide with their work in Social Studies, we have been using chants and spirituals from the Civil War era as we study these concepts. Students have been learning instrument parts, performing, and even recording and creating original versions on the iPads!

In March, we will briefly review instrument families and upcoming opportunities for Band and Orchestra as 5th graders. We will also begin rehearsals for our spring musical, which "debuts" at the end of May! More to come on that soon!