END of year?!?!

 May 24, 2022

I can't believe that we are already at the end of our school year!!  Don't get me wrong.. .I am really looking forward to sleeping in a bit tomorrow!

I have had a fantastic year working with some really terrific students!  Learning more and more about music... getting more and more of them singing... has been so wonderful!   Getting the elementary classes learing about basic notation has been a treat!  How quickly they pick up on the notes, their names etc... such a gift! 

Doing a musical was an honor for me this year....I have so enjoyed working with all these kids this year! From elementary through 8th grade... they have all been a joy! 

I hope that every one has a fantastic summer and keeps the gift of music close!  Remember, Music a a gift from GOD!!  

See you next year!!  \o/

Love you all! 

Mrs. Durrell 

The Merry Month of May!!!

 May 6, 2022

Hey everyone!!   

    I hope that you are all doing well and getting ready for summer!  It will be here before you know it! 

I really can't believe that the year is almost gone... for me at least, it has gone by quickly.  I have so fallen in love with the students here at Lee Christian! I'm already looking forward to next year! 

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Middle School Music: 

    7-8 grades:   This quarter has really flown by.  We spent the first half of the quarter concentrating on the major era's of music...  and since our class has been "disjointed" with testing and next week DNOW, we are going to put our focus on some fun things...  Movie soundtrack composers!!!  We have already looked at the music of James Horner, Alan Silvestri and Hans Zimmer.  Next week, who knows?  We might look at MY favorite composer.... just ask the kids.. they know who that is!!!  

    Also... VERY IMPORTANT:  I have put some extra credit ideas on their TEAMS...  If they choose to do it, and I highly encourage some to do so.... it will be due on Friday, May 20th at end of school.  THis is an EASY way to improve their grade as we go to the end of the quarter!  

    Seriously, I have loved having them in my class and getting to know them!  THey are great kids!!  I will continue to pray for each one and their families this summer! God bless!!! 

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5th AND 6th Grades: 

      Agape League was awesome!!  I am so very proud of these kids and all their hard work! Seeing them grow as they became more and more confident, both with the drama and with the music... as been incredible!  I love seeing young singers suddenly realize they CAN sing!!!  THe whole thing was an incredible experiance. Who knows what next year might hold!!! (wink wink!)

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K -4th grades:

         Let me tell you, these kids are learing standard notation like it's nobody's business!!  Music theory or how to read music is so easy for them!!  THey are doing an incredible joy!!  THey have been learing not only the notes, but the differences between Bass and Treble clef, dynamics, tempo etc...   What a great group of kids to work with!  I"m looking forward to next year!!! 

Much love and blessing to all of you!!!   Have a great weekend!!!! 

Mrs. Durrell \o/

Another week...

 March 25, 2022

ELEMENTARY:

     IT's been another great week!!  This week, we have learned more about how to follow the directions in music... and the older classes have really done well learning their note names etc... I'm really impressed with all of them!!  

     We will continue next week and throw in some Easter music as well!!

5th and 6th Grade:  We will continue working on our Spring musical!!  I will be posting days for solo auditions this next week as well!  We are so excited about this as the kids have worked really hard!!  Please turn in your order forms for your Agape League t-shirt as next week!!!   Remember, these are manditory!!!  

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7th and 8th Grade: 

              This week we finished the "building blocks" of music theory.  They have learned all the notes on the treble and bass clef as well as how to write (and read) a grand staff! 

              We also spent time learning about Renaissance composers... They all did really well.  We will jump into the Baroque period next week.  As I told them... remember:  "if it isn't baroque.. don't fix it!"  LOL!   

           I'm so very honored to work with all the kids here at LCS.  They are all doing so very well!!! 

Mrs. Durrell \o/

Time for Spring!!

March 18, 2022

Elementary School: 

      This past week we had a lot of fun with St. Patrick's day!!  In each of the classes, we sang an Irish tune and possibly danced a jig or two!!  The kids had alot of fun, and I love taking these opportunities to share with them about people that God made that might live on the other side of the world! 

      We have also been spending time working on basic notation...  some of the kids can name the notes that go on the lines and spaces of the staff!  So proud of them!!  

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     Intro to music classes: 

        The kids have had a big week.  They have learned how to start reading music... have explored the Medieval era, and have spent some time listening to some great classical music.  As I have told them, I really don't expect to turn them into classical music loves right away, but do want them to listen to it with open minds and respect it for what it is.  Music that alot of people love. God wired us all with different likes and opinions and that is OK!!  Next week, on the the Rennaissance!!!  

       Have a great weekend!!! 

Mrs. Durrell \o/

Is it spring.... or not?

March 10, 2022 

ELEMENTARY: 

       HI everyone!  I can't really believe that we are already in mid March....  summer is closer than we think!!! 

       We had fun in all our classes in February, working on beefing up our hearing of melody and harmony by working on some songs for Valentine's day.  Pastor Flood had "Love" as the theme for the month in our chapel and we concentrated on singing about the never-ending love of God in class as well!  

       Now that we are in March, we have been singing songs about St. Patrick's day and the kids have been hearing songs from Ireland and hearing Irish Reel's as well!  It's been fun.  Also, some classes have been learning about how some songs tell stories, but sometimes music is used to give directions, more specifically how to carry out work on sailing ships by singing "sea shanty's!"   These have been a big hit with the kids!!  Going forward, we will bring these songs up more and in order to reinforce rhythm and beat and to help the kids learn the difference!  

      I can't tell you how very much I love these kids!  I consider it a pure joy and honor to get to make music with them each day!!! 

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Middle School: 

      This was the end of the 3rd quarter.  Next Monday, the 4th and final quarter will start and I am looking forward to meeting my new students for music class.  We will be learning theory, music history and doing some music appreciation as well.  I have loved each middle school class so far and am looking forward to the new kids!!! 

Have a great weekend!!  Enjoy the weather!! 

Mrs. Durrell  \o/