Dommerich Elementary Music

Dommerich music classes include joyful singing, creative movement, playing instruments, and  listening to and learning to love different kinds of music. Children sing songs and play games to the same folk music that has been popular for generations.  Playing instruments means mastering complex physical skills, working as a team. and unleashing our creative juices. There are so many benefits to participating in musical activities! For the icing on the cake: this article talks about how music study impacts other academic areas.

Music students Score Better in Math, Science, English

Dommerich Chorus is open to all 4^th and 5^th grade students. Rehearsals are every Thursday after school from 3:00 – 4:15pm. Students are admitted to chorus on a first, come, first served basis. If the enrollment exceeds capacity, it is possible a second section will be added on another day. Applications are in student book-bags the week of August 20.

 Fall Chorus Dates

August 26: Applications due
August 29: First rehearsal
October 13: Sing at Magic Game (6:00pm game)
November 19: Fall concert at DES (6:30pm)
December 7: Perform at Maitland Season of Light (6:00pm)

Looking ahead:  Spring chorus is called “Musical Theater” because we sing, dance and act to put on a Broadway Jr., show. All 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students can be in the ensemble without an audition.  We will have auditions for main parts before winter break.

Chief’s Combo will meet on Monday mornings before school and is open to 4^th and 5^th grade students. We learn music of many styles, including rock, jazz, classical and even some video game music. Students will play recorders and percussion instruments.

 Fall Chief’s Combo Dates

September 5: applications due

September 9: first rehearsal
November 19: Fall concert at DES (6:30pm)

On Wednesday, February 27, Dommerich Elementary will look like an art museum and sound like a concert hall as DES Celebrates the Arts! Join us as we feature artwork from students, performances on the Dommerich Stage, and special performances by visiting artists. The event begins at 6:30 and ends at 8:00pm. 

photos from Winter Concert on January 6. Second Grade and Chorus (4th and 5th grade)

Chorus performs at Maitland Season of Light at Lake Lily Park

DATE:  Saturday, December 1, 6:00pm. South Stage (near Victorian House)

Winter Concert on Dommerich Cafeteria Stage

DATE: Thursday, December 6 at 6:30pm

Featuring 2nd Grade, Chorus, and Chief’s Combo

While it seems odd to say this in August, all teachers, students and families know why we do. The new school year is an exciting time to start fresh and try new things. There are so many old friends to see and new friends to make. Here at Dommerich we have many opportunities to make music with our friends. Be sure to look out for applications for after school ensembles as they come home in student’s book-bags. For more information, use this web page as a resource!

The Dommerich Elementary production of The Lion King features over ninety students, ten staff members, two UCF students and dozens of parent volunteers. The show is a living example of humans working together to create something beautiful. Those of us lucky enough to collaborate on a creative production know how special it is. Scientific research also illustrates the improvement to physical health, increased cognitive function and powerful social connections that come from making music together. This article tells the story:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/research/choir-singing-improves-health-happiness-%E2%80%93-and-perfect-icebreaker

Enjoy The Lion King, and happy summer music making!

On Thursday, April 19, DES Celebrates the Arts!  Students, families and friends are invited  to witness the creative ideas, hard work, and collaboration of the Dommerich Chiefs. All events are free and open to the public, beginning at 6:30pm and ending at 8:00pm.

You will also have the opportunity to see a new collaborative art project called the Inspiration Garden. Dommerich students have been busy painting rocks with positive words and images. The rocks will be used  to create a beautiful garden at the back entrance of the school.

There will also be stations for families to make art together. As you walk through the lobby and hallways there will be ideas and materials to make your own masterpiece. This is a wonderful chance to be creative with your child.

The Dommerich cafeteria stage will be turned in to a concert hall. Between 6:30 and 8:00, many Dommerich students will perform, including all of First Grade and all of Second Grade.  The Fourth and Fifth Grade Orchestra will perform, along with the Recorder Club.

Every day we witness amazing creativity in art and music classes. This is our chance to share the students’ talent with the community. Please mark April 19 on your calendar!

If you were a fly on the wall in the Dommerich music room you would hear joyful singing, see children skipping, jumping and running to piano music, or hear thoughtful discussions about recordings.  You might notice groups of students working on creating a rhythm to go with our music. Sometimes you will see students playing recorders, or ukuleles, xylophones or drums. All of the these activities encourage creativity and collaboration while building cognitive skills. 

As a music teacher, I love seeing all this productive work in the music room. But sometimes, it is what happens outside the music room that tells me the program is effective.  For instance, a third grade boy walked into music class and told me he already knows the new song because he heard a friend sing it on the bus! I see students in car line practicing recorder. I’ve been told chorus students read their Lion King scripts morning, noon and night! Kindergarten students sing to me as they walk by in the hall. These magical moments tell me that music is more than a 40 minute special each week.

Keep making music, Dommerich Chiefs!

On Thursday, October 5, all Dommerich 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will go on a field trip to hear the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. We are grateful for this wonderful opportunity, which is provided to all OCPS students, with funding provided by OCPS and United Arts of Central Florida. This helps fulfill the mission of the OCPS Arts team.  We believe that all students, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic status, deserve equitable access to the highest quality arts education.

The concert will includes pieces from the 1700s up to music of modern times. One thing we learn as we listen to music from different eras is that even music written 300 years ago sounds familiar! It is just as fun to listen to the Royal Fireworks Music by George F. Handel as the Star Wars theme by John Williams. Some composer’s music is well known, even though their names are hard to pronounce. Tchaikovsky’s music is often heard at Christmas time when his Nutcracker Ballet music is played everywhere. But he also wrote heroic and patriotic music, such as the 1812 Overture, which included an actual canon to supplement the instruments of the orchestra. We will also hear music from famous operas, including the Toreador song from Carmen.

During music class, students will learn about instruments of the orchestra, composers, and how music is used to tell a story or convey an image or feeling. We will move to music, listen and analyze musical elements, and even sing songs related to the works on the program. Then, we look forward to hearing the music in a live performance on October 5!