Whew! November is moving right along! What a short, yet completely jam-packed, month November is in the music department! With Halloween behind us, the music department now (unfortunately) does what all the retail stores do: skip November and focus full-time on the Holidays! The band and chorus have actually been in "holiday mode" since September, but we are shifting into full-time holiday mode now that the Kindergarteners, 1st graders, 2nd graders, and 3rd graders have begun work on our K-3 Holiday musical: a musical by Teresa Jennings called "This Old Gingerbread House." It's a pretty "sweet" play, ha! The kids are off to a good start with it.
Blizzard bags went home at the beginning of this month, and the students have been briefed during class on what to do if the blizzard bag day falls on a day that they normally have musical activities: music class, band, lessons, or chorus. For your convenience, there is a link to my blizzard bag page above.
Chorus students: the Chorus Practice Guide page has finally been fully-updated and is officially up and running with this year's holiday music! Enjoy the chance to practice your chorus music at home!
As the days grow short and we all start to feel the hustle and bustle of the holiday season increasing the swiftness of our steps, I sure hope that everyone is still able to take some time to slow down, breathe, and bask in the glow of what really matters in life. Happy Veteran's Day and a special thank you to all of those who have served and/or continue to serve our great country. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Mrs. Johnson
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Parent Input Needed!
Please take my parent survey about the potential opportunity of our students performing at a Manchester Monarchs or NH Fisher Cats game! Thank you!
Thursday, September 3, 2015
Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year!
As the signs in my hallways say, "Welcome 'Bach' to school!" I hope everyone had a fantastic summer. I certainly did! We traveled more this summer than we have since before Ethan was born (he's almost 4.5!), and boy did it feel great! I think I was born to travel. The biggest highlight was probably our family reunion in Virginia back in July. I have a small, but far-flung family, and I hadn't seen my cousins in 5-10 years! It was amazing to reconnect and enjoy four generations being together again; we now have lots of memories to treasure from our time together. I also taught private lessons through the month of July, and we've really enjoyed some good time on the lake in the last month or so. I've included a few of my favorite pictures from this summer at the end of this post.
Remember that this blog is primarily a point of reference for you, my NDS and TCS students and parents. With as much time as we all spend online these days, I figured it would be helpful to have a place online where you could check for important information at whatever time is convenient for you! I am currently working on updating much of this blog with current information, and will continue to do so as often as possible throughout the year.
Click on the tabs above to navigate to the information you are looking for. If you think of a question that would be helpful to have answered on this page, or if there's information you are looking for that is not already posted here, please feel free to email me at kjohnson@govwentworth.k12.nh.us or kjohnson@sau49.org. I check this email multiple times a day during the school year, and because I'm in two buildings during the week, it's often the easiest way to reach me!
Looking forward to another great, music-filled year!
Kristin Johnson
NDS/TCS Music Teacher
Remember that this blog is primarily a point of reference for you, my NDS and TCS students and parents. With as much time as we all spend online these days, I figured it would be helpful to have a place online where you could check for important information at whatever time is convenient for you! I am currently working on updating much of this blog with current information, and will continue to do so as often as possible throughout the year.
Click on the tabs above to navigate to the information you are looking for. If you think of a question that would be helpful to have answered on this page, or if there's information you are looking for that is not already posted here, please feel free to email me at kjohnson@govwentworth.k12.nh.us or kjohnson@sau49.org. I check this email multiple times a day during the school year, and because I'm in two buildings during the week, it's often the easiest way to reach me!
Looking forward to another great, music-filled year!
Kristin Johnson
NDS/TCS Music Teacher
Captain Ethan on Lake Champlain
A starfish! Wells, Maine
Fun on the airplane to Virginia!
Mrs. Johnson's family reunion, Virginia
Family love!
While in Virginia, we visited Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's estate. I learned a lot that day!
Cabot Cheese Store Annex, Vermont
Top of the Prudential building, Boston
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Happy Almost-Summer!
Phew! We have made it through another hectic, crazy, and music-filled year! We are busy wrapping things up for the summer, but it sure has been a busy year on the music front, best-evidenced by my inability to keep this blog active since November - ha!
Some of you may be looking for the recordings of the 1st Grade Boomwhacker Composition performances that we've done in the past week or so. They are now uploaded and ready for your downloading and listening pleasure. You can find them at the "Classroom Music Stuff" tab above.
As I have in years past, I am again offering Private Summer Lessons to any of my current or former band students this summer. Flyers are posted at both of my schools on the bulletin boards between to 2 sets of front doors to each school. Slips are due back by Monday, June 15 so I have time to schedule everyone by telephone before school gets out. Send me an email if you'd like an electronic copy of the flyer: kjohnson@govwentworth.k12.nh.us
I do hope that all of my students will stay musically active throughout the summer, whether it's singing, making their own instruments, or practicing instruments they already have. Makes for great rainy-day fun!
Have a great summer,
Kristin Johnson
NDS & TCS Music Teacher
Some of you may be looking for the recordings of the 1st Grade Boomwhacker Composition performances that we've done in the past week or so. They are now uploaded and ready for your downloading and listening pleasure. You can find them at the "Classroom Music Stuff" tab above.
As I have in years past, I am again offering Private Summer Lessons to any of my current or former band students this summer. Flyers are posted at both of my schools on the bulletin boards between to 2 sets of front doors to each school. Slips are due back by Monday, June 15 so I have time to schedule everyone by telephone before school gets out. Send me an email if you'd like an electronic copy of the flyer: kjohnson@govwentworth.k12.nh.us
I do hope that all of my students will stay musically active throughout the summer, whether it's singing, making their own instruments, or practicing instruments they already have. Makes for great rainy-day fun!
Have a great summer,
Kristin Johnson
NDS & TCS Music Teacher
Thursday, November 6, 2014
November, Already?!?
Whew! I can't believe it's already November. With Halloween behind us, the music department now (unfortunately) does what all the retail stores do: skip November and focus full-time on the Holidays! The band and chorus have actually been in "holiday mode" since September, but we are shifting into full-time holiday mode now that the Kindergarteners, 1st graders, 2nd graders, and 3rd graders have begun work on our K-3 Holiday musical: a musical by Teresa Jennings called "A Martian Christmas." So far, we think it's out of this world! Ha! :)
The date for the 4-6 Spring Concert in May 2015 has been confirmed! Please check out the concert tabs above for all the details. We are really thrilled to be presenting a combined concert this year! It's going to be so much fun!
Blizzard bags will be going home very soon, and the students have been briefed during class on what to do if the blizzard bag day falls on a day that they normally have musical activities: music class, band, lessons, or chorus. For your convenience, there is a link to my blizzard bag page above.
Chorus students: the Chorus Practice Guide page has been fully-updated and is officially up and running with this year's holiday music! Enjoy the chance to practice your chorus music at home!
As the days grow short and we all start to feel the hustle and bustle of the holiday season increasing the swiftness of our steps, I sure hope that everyone is still able to take some time to slow down, breathe, and bask in the glow of what really matters in life. Happy Veteran's Day and a special thank you to all of those who have served and/or continue to serve our great country. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Mrs. Johnson
The date for the 4-6 Spring Concert in May 2015 has been confirmed! Please check out the concert tabs above for all the details. We are really thrilled to be presenting a combined concert this year! It's going to be so much fun!
Blizzard bags will be going home very soon, and the students have been briefed during class on what to do if the blizzard bag day falls on a day that they normally have musical activities: music class, band, lessons, or chorus. For your convenience, there is a link to my blizzard bag page above.
Chorus students: the Chorus Practice Guide page has been fully-updated and is officially up and running with this year's holiday music! Enjoy the chance to practice your chorus music at home!
As the days grow short and we all start to feel the hustle and bustle of the holiday season increasing the swiftness of our steps, I sure hope that everyone is still able to take some time to slow down, breathe, and bask in the glow of what really matters in life. Happy Veteran's Day and a special thank you to all of those who have served and/or continue to serve our great country. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Mrs. Johnson
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year!
Wow! That was one fast and furious summer! Despite its brevity, we sure did manage to pack a lot in, and I hope you all did, too! Ethan is 3 and an endless bucket of energy. This summer he enjoyed quite a few "firsts," and those ended up being the highlights of the last couple months. We took Ethan on his first camping trip, his first (day) trip to Boston, his first jet ski ride (ours, too!), and his first trip to Portland to see his first live musical show. We also spent plenty of time down at our beach and spent lots of cherished time with extended family, too.
Alas, the changing leaves and cooler nights remind me that summer doesn't last forever (sigh), and that the time to once again make music together is upon us. Remember that this blog is primarily a point of reference for you, my NDS and TCS students and parents. With as much time as we all spend online these days, I figured it would be helpful to have a place online where you could check for important information at whatever time is convenient for you! I have updated much of this blog with current information, and will continue to do so as the school year begins.
Click on the tabs above to navigate to the information you are looking for. If you think of a question that would be helpful to have answered on this page, or if there's information you are looking for that is not already posted here, please feel free to email me at kjohnson@govwentworth.k12.nh.us. I check this email multiple times a day during the school year, and because I'm in two buildings during the week, it's often the easiest way to reach me!
Looking forward to a another great, music-filled year!
Kristin Johnson
NDS/TCS Music Teacher
P.S. If any of you participated in, were following, or were interested in what happened with Eric Whitacre's first Virtual Youth Choir (see this post from back in May for details), the finished product premiered on July 23rd in Glasgow, Scotland during the opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games on a 100-meter-long screen! The official released version of the video/song is here. (For some reason, it wouldn't let me post the video right here on the page.
The live premiere/performance from when it premiered at the Commonwealth Games is below. Very, very cool! I will let everyone know if and/or when Eric decides to do Virtual Youth Choir 2!
Alas, the changing leaves and cooler nights remind me that summer doesn't last forever (sigh), and that the time to once again make music together is upon us. Remember that this blog is primarily a point of reference for you, my NDS and TCS students and parents. With as much time as we all spend online these days, I figured it would be helpful to have a place online where you could check for important information at whatever time is convenient for you! I have updated much of this blog with current information, and will continue to do so as the school year begins.
Click on the tabs above to navigate to the information you are looking for. If you think of a question that would be helpful to have answered on this page, or if there's information you are looking for that is not already posted here, please feel free to email me at kjohnson@govwentworth.k12.nh.us. I check this email multiple times a day during the school year, and because I'm in two buildings during the week, it's often the easiest way to reach me!
Looking forward to a another great, music-filled year!
Kristin Johnson
NDS/TCS Music Teacher
P.S. If any of you participated in, were following, or were interested in what happened with Eric Whitacre's first Virtual Youth Choir (see this post from back in May for details), the finished product premiered on July 23rd in Glasgow, Scotland during the opening ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games on a 100-meter-long screen! The official released version of the video/song is here. (For some reason, it wouldn't let me post the video right here on the page.
The live premiere/performance from when it premiered at the Commonwealth Games is below. Very, very cool! I will let everyone know if and/or when Eric decides to do Virtual Youth Choir 2!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Be a part of Eric Whitacre's world-wide Virtual Youth Choir!!
Several years ago, renowned choral composer Eric Whitacre came up with the idea to "gather" people from all around the world to sing "together" using the power of technology. He called it the Virtual Choir. See him describe the basic concept here:
Since 2010, they have managed to do 4 different virtual choirs, and the most recent one (Virtual Choir 4), completed in July 2013, involved 5905 different singers from 101 different countries around the world!! Wow! See that video here:
Virtual Choir 3, from April 2012 and including 3746 different videos from 73 different countries, is equally impressive:
OK, ARE YOU HOOKED YET?? :)
Eric's next virtual choir is for YOUTH ONLY - under age 18. Very cool! If you'd like to be a part of his first Virtual Youth Choir, visit the link below to find all the information you need to participate. It doesn't cost anything!! Here's what he has to say about it:
Since 2010, they have managed to do 4 different virtual choirs, and the most recent one (Virtual Choir 4), completed in July 2013, involved 5905 different singers from 101 different countries around the world!! Wow! See that video here:
OK, ARE YOU HOOKED YET?? :)
Eric's next virtual choir is for YOUTH ONLY - under age 18. Very cool! If you'd like to be a part of his first Virtual Youth Choir, visit the link below to find all the information you need to participate. It doesn't cost anything!! Here's what he has to say about it:
All of your questions should be answered on the "Get Started" page (with a Frequently Asked Questions section).
If you want to start learning the song right away, head over to the "Learn the Song" page.
What a great opportunity for all of us! Be a part of this! SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE BY MIDNIGHT OF JUNE 8, SO ACT NOW!
Mrs. Johnson :)
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