Music makes the Difference at Moos
Moos Elementary School had its Holiday Music Program on December 15, 2011. It was wonderful! It reminded me of why music is so important, besides lifting spirits and making people happy. Music teaches us to read left to right and in sequence It teaches about patterns and sequence. It teaches short term and long term memory. Language (meanings and pronunciation of words) is certainly taught. It teaches problem solving.
The first selection was an upper grade (7th-8th) band with two holiday selections. There were about twenty students, or more. It was wonderful. There were three chorus groups of different ages and one group featuring the older students paired with the third grade. The third graders had different colored hearts with designs on them that they opened and closed effectively as they sang. There was one group of first graders that sang a very lively toe-tapping song in Spanish while pointing and moving to the music. The whole audience was rocking along with them. The youngest group was the pre –Kindergarten classes that sang and acted out their songs. One of the songs was about getting ready to go out in the snow. The children acted like they were putting on gloves, hats and coats as they sang. This was great language development. The fourth graders played recorders together beautifully. This was probably one of their first lessons in reading music and learning to read and follow notes and rhythm. The costumes were items that the students could find in their closets or cheaply at the dollar store.
There was one play in which the students had to read or memorize the script. There appeared to be a feeling of team work among the actors.
The auditorium was packed with some people standing. It was obvious that the parents and community members were enjoying themselves. Parents were allowed to take pictures and stand close to the stage (as long as they were not blocking the view.) The teachers, staff and music teacher, Ms. Frayers, put together a wonderful program.
Unfortunately, not all schools in Chicago Public Schools have a music program, art or a library. We need to make sure every school has these resources.
