Cultural Arts: American Roots Music with Boogie Chillun

This morning the entire TCS community was treated to an energizing journey through the history of American Roots Music, performed by a very talented 5-member band called Boogie Chillun.

These musicians began singing a slow, moving a cappella version of Amazing Grace. Then they introduced the audience to spirituals, folk, gospel, jazz, country, blues, rock and roll, motown, disco, funk, rhythm & blues, rap, hip hop, and pop music, before ending with a crowd pleasing rendition of Pharrell's "Happy" that had everyone from students to faculty dancing in the gym. The songs were well-chosen, the musicians gave some interesting historical references as they performed, and everyone came away with tunes to hum and new ideas about the history of music in America. A huge THANK YOU to the members of Boogie Chillun for inspiring us all to listen to different kinds of music and appreciate where it all comes from and how it continues to influence our world.

In honor of MLK Day...

The new song "Glory" performed by Common and John Legend is a powerful anthem. One that was written specifically for the soundtrack to the movie "Selma" but one that also has significance today as we continue to think about and celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Over the next few classes, my middle school students will be listening to, analyzing, and discussing different songs that connect to MLK. So many of the songs written decades ago still resonate with such power today, and now "Glory" can be included as yet another moving tribute to the desperate need for equality in our country and in our world.

Guys & Dolls Rehearsal Schedule is POSTED!

Attention Guys & Dolls Cast & Crew: The official rehearsal schedule from now until the performances is published! You can find it by clicking on the "Pages" section of my blog titled, "Guys & Dolls Rehearsals (Jan & Feb 2015)" which is located to the right of this post. CHECK IT OUT! Please let the directors know if you have any conflicts with the schedule as soon as possible, and mark your calendars for the dates when you need to attend rehearsals. Also...get psyched! It's going to be a wild ride from now until February 21st & 22nd, so...here we go!!!!!!

HAPPY 2015!

Greetings, everyone! I hope the entire TCS community has enjoyed our winter break. I had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays with family and friends. Here's a picture of Fiona trying out one of her Christmas gifts:

Having 2 weeks off really gives me a chance to recharge and get excited for all the fun that's coming as the school year continues! Below are some important updates as we begin 2015:

*Rehearsals for Guys & Dolls Jr. will begin later this week. I will send home an official schedule for the entire month of January as soon as possible, and I will also post the most up-to-date version of the schedule on the blog. I hope that lots of students have been hard at work on their lines and songs over the break!

*Starting this Wednesday, the WTCS morning show will be hosted by the 4th grade! I know the students are excited to take on this new leadership role, and we will be having some 5th graders help out as mentors to the new 4th grade hosts and tech crew for the first few weeks. Yay!

*There are so many amazing musical projects and experiences that will be happening in different grades over the next few months: 

• 4th graders will be starting a composition project in connection with the poetry of Langston Hughes
• 3rd graders will be learning the recorder
• 2nd graders will be continuing their Solfege study, then as they travel to Africa in their classroom we will begin our drumming unit
• 1st graders will be exploring music from the different places they visit on their journey around the world
• Kindergarteners will be making musical connections to some fantastic stories they are reading in their classroom
• PreSchool & PreK will be rocking out to lots of winter songs

Keep checking back for more updates as the year continues...Happy 2015!