Music -
Ms. Schmermund

I feel strongly that every child should have the opportunity to learn music. It is innate; it is inside us from the moment we are born. Music is something that gets us through the day. It is something we feel; something that gives us meaning. It connects us, we use it to learn, it improves other aspects of learning. Sometimes we often take it for granted.

Music programs are declining, and I am grateful that we offer this opportunity to our students. We are starting fresh this year, after having a year without music, and I am starting by making sure our students have the ability to read and write music. Music is a language that is understood the same, almost everywhere in the world. We use it to communicate. With the knowledge of basic music, we can expand our skills and learn to sing and play instruments.

I am focusing on implementing music to reinforce the development in young children  by practicing counting with rhythm, singing and listening to music to understand high and low pitches, and loud and soft sounds, identifying shapes and colors with instruments, and using their bodies to express movement and develop motor skills.

Elementary students are starting young, and learning to read music. They will be able to play keyboard before the school year is over. Children learn the best when they’re young, because their minds are so malleable. This is the best time to introduce music into their lives.

The older students are also learning how to read and write music, and play an instrument - the keyboard. They will also be learning more of the theory behind the  music. They are at the point where they need to understand more of the "why" and "how."

I hope that the students find reward in learning something they've never learned before, and I hope to prepare them for opportunities on there next journeys through high school, college, and future careers. You're never too young or old to learn music!

Hello everyone! My name is Kathy Schmermund. My students call me Ms. Kathy. I am the music teacher at BTC, and I am excited that the students have the opportunity to learn music this year.