Lower School's Lights-Out Performances

 

 

Middle Grades 

First, the Middle Grades concert featured performances from the 6th Grade Band, 7th and 8th Grade Choir, and 7th and 8th Grade Band, giving students the opportunity to share what they have been working on this year.

The display of our young artists' drawings drew spectators in before the music started. Then all eyes shifted to the stage where the 6th Grade Band shared their incredible progress in their first year playing their instrument, the 7th and 8th Grade band showed off the benefits of sticking with that instrument for a couple of more years, as they took us on a journey from the Byzantine to ancient Chinese empires, and taught us how to train our dragons, should we come into contact with any. The 7th and 8th-grade choir shared their rap and dance skills and sang the beloved Bill Withers classic  "Lean on Me."

 

 

One highlight of the evening was the world premiere of "Hike," an original piece written by our very own junior, Joe D., performed by the 7th- and 8th-grade band, conducted by its composer. It was a meaningful moment celebrating student leadership and creativity.

 

 

From celebrating the progress of the 6th Grade band to enjoying the fruits of 7th- and 8th-grade students cultivating their gifts, skillfully singing songs and playing their instruments in a variety of styles, this concert was a blend of creativity, collaboration, and community.

It's always such a joy to see the students' progress over the course of the year, especially the 6th graders who only started their instruments in September. And even more rewarding is to see the students recognize their own progress and be proud of their accomplishments as a class.

Ms. Laura Danneker, Lower and Upper School Music Teacher

 

 

Early Grades

Two nights later, it was our Early Grades students' turn to shine. The gym was filled with the colorful creations of our youngest artists. On stage, our young musicians were quite literally glowing. Students' families were practically glowing too, with pride, at the growing confidence and creativity that beamed from the paintings in the back to the platform up front. 

Pre-1st students played bucket drums. Grade 1 brought the story of Oi! Dog to the stage with instruments, while Grade 2 played the xylophones.

...I view it as a celebration of their learning in music class, so [...] the same music standards are taught and assessed every year. I try to add in some new element [...], so this year the main new element was adding music to the book "Oi Dog!", which was a different way of assessing how well the kids could follow a conductor's cues.

Ms. Laura Danneker, Lower and Upper School Music Teacher

 

 

The concert continued with Grade 3's bouncy and beloved basketball performance of “Praise.” Grade 4 played jazzy recorders, impressively not shying away from improvisations, while Grade 5 chimed on hand chimes.

Because there is an element of familiarity year to year, the kids look forward to what they get to do each year - the 3rd graders get excited for the basketballs [...] the 5th graders look forward to the hand chimes [...] Even teachers and parents will stop me in the hallway and ask, "Are the 3rd graders doing basketballs again?" or "Are the pre-firsters doing the bucket drums?" Different songs, slightly different routines, but the same general theme keep the program both familiar and fresh. 

Ms. Laura Danneker, Lower and Upper School Music Teacher

 

 

The evening closed with Grades 2–4 joining together for a blacklight lights-out performance of “Count on Me,” by Bruno Mars.

I wanted the 2nd-4th grade to do a song together since they will be 3-5 next year, the top grades of the EG, and all together for recess and other activities. "Count on Me" has such a great message on friendship and being someone others can rely on, which I thought was really important they all processed together before they started the next school year.

Ms. Laura Danneker, Lower and Upper School Music Teacher

From the 7th and 8th Grade choir's performance of "Lean on Me" to the 2nd-4th Grade class's glow-in-the-dark finale, "Count on Me", this year's Lower School Festivals artfully communicated a continuing theme of community. We are grateful for our music teachers, Ms. Laura Danneker and Mrs. Rebeccah Lingenhoel, and our art teachers, Ms. Évi Dobner, Ms. Beth Ridgeway, and Mr. Kyle McEachron, who guide and encourage students while creating space for them to grow together, create from the heart, let their light shine, and sometimes even glow in the dark.