DC Campus: NW Session 2 Newsletter

The Summer kids have settled into our routine and are eager to learn and share what they know! We have been spending several days exploring each season through songs, stories, art and movement. 

In class each day our activities all center around a particular theme. For example, we read “Snowmen at Night” by Caralyn Buehner. We sang about the things we would wear in winter, if we were going out to build a snowman. This was followed by a finger play about hot cocoa. We put paper plates under our feet and “skated” (just like the snowmen in the book!) to excerpts from Vivaldi’s “Winter.” We created our own “snowmen at night” by painting/stamping white circles on black paper, and gluing on faces, mittens and scarves. 

In addition to our daily lessons, the children enjoy learning new songs at All Sing, time on the playground, free play in our room, and Visiting Instruments. They love our teen apprentices, who are always happy to read, draw and play with them! 

This is such an imaginative and enthusiastic group of kids – I’m really enjoying working with them!

Students have been learning about different songs and practicing rhythms with various instruments. We are learning the “Days of the Week Song,” “Over the Meadow,” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” and “Shape Song Swingalong.” We have also been reading the books that go along with these songs during story time. Prek students are also working on our fine motor skills doing various painting and paper cutting activities during art time, along with gadget printing. Finally, we have been learning about how to share collaboratively and embrace play!

Nichelle Bennett– HELLLLOOOO Families! This session for Art has been as eventful as the seasons change. Starting with learning all about the color theory and what colors are considered cool colors and warm colors. Next we created our very own scratch art using our color theory knowledge to craft a “Winter Wonderland themed masterpiece. The last and  final week we will be creating buzzing bees to end our spring theme week. The students have been very excited to create and watch their art come to life! I am very proud of the campers for they have shown pride and perseverance during this session of Art!

Francisco Quintero– The guitar groups have been gradually improving on the basics of technique we worked on during the first week by practicing a variety of exercises for the left and right hand. They each got guitar picks to practice with, and they’ve improved a lot in general. I used Here Comes The Sun and Holiday to put what we’ve learned into an actual musical context, which has been a blast! They’re performing their parts really well, they have developed a strong sense of time and rhythm, and are super ready for our performance on Thursday

Thomas Murley: Daffodils and Bluebirds–Students have focused on the Japanese traditional song “Sakura” or “Cherry Blossom” to represent Spring. They have learned to sing in Japanese and play percussion accompaniment that orchestrates the song. Staying in Japan, students learned about traditional mochi-making and learned a fun hand clapping game and rhyme that mimics this process. They can’t wait to celebrate on Friday by eating real mochi! In addition to these performances, students have gotten to know each other through musical name games and learned about rhythm through various activities.

Autumn Leaves and Scarecrows– Students have focused on the Imagine Dragons song “Thunder” to represent a seasonal weather pattern. They have engaged in learning a “guitar” chord accompaniment on barred instruments and taken quite a lot of joy out of singing one of their favorite songs! In addition to these performances, students have gotten to know each other through musical name games and learned about syncopated rhythms through body percussion patterns.

Dawoon Jung: In our focus group this week, we have been exploring Vivaldi’s “Spring” and the winter theme song “Do You Want to Build a Snowman.” The campers are thriving in their collaborative learning environment, eagerly sharing their progress with one another. We’ve covered essential piano techniques, including sound production and pedal use, and introduced two and three note patterns on the black keys, which they’ve incorporated into their playing. We also began using a simplified two-line staff to introduce note reading concepts. The campers have shown a strong enthusiasm, especially enjoying the interactive duet sessions during our visiting instruments class. Their excitement and willingness to learn have made this a truly rewarding experience, and I’m delighted to work with such a talented group of young musicians.

VL Buzdygon: This session we have been enjoying our outdoor field space due to the nice weather.  We have played a variety of team games such as capture the flag and rock paper scissors relay as well as individual games such as tag variations, What Time is it Mr Fox, Happy Birthday, and Rock Paper Scissors Train.  On our few indoor days we have engaged in healthy competition with our balloon contest and skittle sorting games.  We have also enjoyed Free Day Fridays where campers choose what equipment to play with and organize their own games.  Participation has been high and campers have been immensely enjoying their games time while participating in much needed physical activity.  Our favorite activity in the Bluebirds, Daffodils, Snowflakes, and Penguins is doing spontaneous running races and our favorite activity in the scarecrows, autumn leaves, sunrays, and seashells is Capture the Flag.

Jacob Jones: The Snowflakes and Penguins groups were phenomenal this camp season! They have grown and developed tremendously, showcasing their hard work and dedication to music. Throughout camp, both groups have shown impressive progress in their musical abilities, delighting everyone with their enthusiasm and talent. Their performances have been a true highlight, and I commend each member for their commitment and effort.

The Sun Rays and Seashells groups have truly shined this camp season! They tackled the very challenging syncopated song “Bang!” by AJR. Even though they faced difficulties at first, their perseverance and dedication allowed them to overcome the challenges and demonstrate their true musicianship.

Donny Albercht: The campers have been learning how to play several songs out of their packets on the trumpet. They have learned 15 songs thus far! These songs have taught them their fingering of notes, the durations of rhythm, and generally how to read music and play the trumpet. They are learning how to breathe correctly and form a proper embouchure.  They are learning how to blend as a group and balance with each other and not to be distracted from contrary musical parts when playing together. They are learning about intonation and proper articulation.  Each class we have had long note competitions to build endurance while having a little fun seeing who can hold a single note out for the longest duration. One student held a note for 20 seconds! Overall I am really enjoying the energy and attentiveness of the campers!