I teach recorders to fourth grade and we had our concert 2 weeks ago.=20
Since our frameworks include responding to a conductor in formal and
informal settings, I do ask them all to attend. This year I have about
90 students and had about 20 not show. That was the most I=27ve ever had,
but I think it is just the personality of this group. Last year I only
had about 5 out of over 100 not show. =20

We also perform for the 3rd graders in a class situation so everyone
performs one way or another. The third grade performance is my favorite
because I have time to explain how the recorder works and we go through
everything they=27ve done - echo playing, pitch stack, recorder hike, then
all the music they=27ve worked on. I get to throw in a little science
talking about sound, and at the end there=27s usually a little time for
questions. The third graders come in the next year all psyched to play
recorder. I also get to double classes and get a little extra free
time. Wonderful=21

On Wed, 1 Apr 2009 06:06:15 -0500 (CDT), you wrote:

>I am teaching recorders currently to fourth and fifth grade students
(we
>just started in January). I am new to this school system and this is
the
>first year of recorders for both of these grade levels. I am planning
on a
>recorder concert for fifth grade only (I think), at the end of the
school
>year. I teach recorders only during their music class time; there is no
>extra recorder ensemble (yet). Many of the student=27s are really picking
up
>quickly. However there are several in each class who are just not doing
so
>well.
>
>Of course I would like the concert to sound good. So here=27s my
question.
>Do any of you have concerts where only some of the students from a
class
>perform (besides a special group)? I would like to invite all of the
>students to participate, however I=27m not sure that I want to make it
>mandatory. I know there are some that would not play the songs (at
least
>recognizable) and absolutely hate performances. And many of the
students
>have prior commitments (sports, dance, other lessons) which might
conflict
>and keep them from coming. I don=27t know whether to send home a note
simply
>asking for those who want to participate to return a form stating so,
or
>what=21?
>
>What are your thoughts or suggestions? Thanks=21
>
-

Delynne West, NBCT
Springhill Elementary Music Specialist
Bryant Public Schools
200 NW 4th St.
Bryant, AR 72022
501.847.5675

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