Good morning parents/guardians, 

I hope everyone had a relaxing and restful spring break. Now that spring break is over, we are reaching the final countdown until the school year is over! How time has flown! I am excited to announce the new topics that will be started next week:

4th & 5th Grade: They are still finishing their Music Careers Unit. Because I only see them once a cycle, this unit has been extended so that they can finish their work and be proud of the hard work they put into it instead of being rushed to finish. However, when they do finish this topic, we're moving on to: Prehistoric Music! That's right! Dinosaurs, and cave men, and weird-looking musical instruments! 

6th Grade: They are also still finishing their Music Careers Unit. Because I only see them once a cycle, this unit has been extended so that they can finish their work and be proud of the hard work they put into it instead of being rushed to finish. Upon completion of this unit, they will start: Broadway & Musical Theater

7th & 8th Grade: They have finished their Music Careers Unit and their projects. For the rest of this shortened week coming back from Spring Break, students have the opportunity to complete Extra Credit. This is 5 points extra in the gradebook AND I am dropping the lowest grade they have thus far. Next week, we start: Ukulele Methods & Chord Progressions!

Elementary Chorus: Still working hard on their repertoire. Concert is on Wednesday May 29th, 2024 at 7pm.  

Chorus 7/8: Still working hard on their repertoire. Concert is on Wednesday May 8th, 2024 at 7pm. 

High School Chorus: Still working hard on their repertoire. Concert is on Wednesday May 8th, 2024 at 7pm. 

As always, it is a pleasure and an honor to teach your students. If ou have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email me at: kaylee.kelsey@webutuck.org 

Good morning and Happy MIOSM (Music In Our Schools Month)! This month the music department is celebrating Music in Webutuck High School & Eugene Brookes Intermediate School. So far there's been Karaoke during lunch, written responses from students about what they love about music & their school's music department, and today after school (3/6) there's even going to be a Music Trivia Game Show where students can win prizes! 

In honor of Music In Our School Month, in our music classes we are doing:

• 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th Grade: Students are learning about Careers In Music. Students will be taking a Careers In Music personality quiz to see which career they would be best suited for. When they've received their results, they will work on an End of The Unit project called, "A Day In The Life". They will complete specific tasks designated to their Careers In Music quiz result. Results include: Music Teacher, Music Manager, Music Writer, Music Performer, Music Technology Master. 
• Chorus 7/8: Students have picked their own songs. One song is in Swahili. One song has 2 part-harmony, and the last song has a harmonic call-and-response effect.
• HS Chorus: Students have picked their own songs. One song has a 2-part harmonic call-and-response effect. One song incorporates a new musical symbol (the Coda). And the last song will be accompanied by ukuleles that will be played by the students! 

As always, it is a pleasure and an honor to teach your students. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. 

I hope you have a great day! 

Best Regards,

Ms. Kaylee Kelsey 

Good morning parents/guardians, 

I have a few updates for our musicians:

Music 4 & 5: is wrapping up their Black History Month activities. They have been listening to music and coloring pictures using colors based on what they hear in the music. These activities are called "Listening Glyphs". 

Music 6, 7, & 8: is also wrapping up their Black History Month activities. They watched an enriching video on the evolution of Black History Music. They were given 5 research-based tasks to complete in class with a partner. After these were completed, they shared their thoughts, ideas, and research with the class. 

Chorus 7/8: the chorus is working hard on this spring concert's repertoire. Just like their winter concert, the chorus has chosen all of their music (except I chose one to help balance texture and flow). They are excited to perform and display their hard work. Stay up to date on the spring concert here! 

HS Chorus: the chorus is working hard on this spring concert as well. Just like their winter concert, the students picked their own songs. However, the students have been learning a new instrument that will be their ONLY form of accompaniment. They have come so far, and I am so excited for them to showcase their talents. Stay up to date on the spring concert here! 

As always, if you have any questions/concerns, you may always email me at: kaylee.kelsey@webutuck.org

Thank you for all of your continuous support and I hope you have a great rest of your day and week! 

Good morning parents/guardians, 

It's Parent Communication day in the school day cycle. A few quick updates for you:

4th & 5th Graders are working hard on their 'Black History Month' listening activities and are learning to listen to music that has shaped a multitude of genres, including jazz, bebop, and rock. 

6th, 7th, & 8th Graders are working on their 'Black History Month' slideshow project. They are researching a self-chosen genre, and completing tasks that go along with the history of the genre, including: naming influential musicians within this genre, indicating the timeline of this genre, and the origins of this genre. 

Chorus 7/8 & HS Students: Students will be given information when we come back to school on 2/20 regarding NYSSMA Solo. NYSSMA Solo is an event for young musicians to prepare ONE song of their chosen from a selected catalog of repertoire. They then perform this piece in front of an adjudicator (a fancy way of saying a music teacher judge) that will give your students compliments and critical feedback. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to be musically validated by another professional music educator as well as receive feedback from a new perspective. Please keep an eye out for new information regarding this event that will be hosted in May (but now is the time to plan!)

Have a wonderful day and a wonderful weekend! 

Good morning parents & guardians, 

The first grades have been put in for our new section of 7th & 8th grade Music class. Students were graded on their completion of classwork in class last week. They were given 3 tasks to complete during class, and they could work with a partner. After class, I reviewed their work. Each student was given a grade of 1-4. If they received a 4, they had all of their work done. If they received a 3, they had most of their work done. If they received a 2, they only had some of their work done. If they received a 1, they barely had any work done. 

Students are to be kept on task, complete in class work, and collaborate with their peers on the tasks their doing in class. At the end of the unit, we're going to have a class discussion of the findings we had while completing our tasks. This month is Black History Month, so the entire month is designated for celebrating and appreciating the culture and approach to music throughout history.  

4th & 5th graders are doing "Listening glyphs". They listen to a playlist of songs, while coloring a picture of an influential Black musician. They have to listen carefully to figure out what correct color to shade into each part of the picture. 

6th graders are going to be completing a modified version of the material the 7th & 8th graders are using during this unit. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns along the way! 

Good afternoon parents/guardians,

Today was the first day of the marking period. I was honored to meet the 2nd section of students today in 7th & 8th grade. They came in nervous but excited. I've seen them in the halls and knew some names but not all. I am so excited to know all of your students. Today we went over class expectations, covered a few units that will be coming up, and they were given their first assignment. They were given a syllabus to have signed and returned by Friday, February 9th. If they return this, they will receive their first 100. The 4th & 5th graders are still chugging along on their Music Notation unit, but they are nearing the finish line! The 6th graders are wrapping up their Marketing Jingles unit, and we'll be on to the next unit!

As always please let me know if you have questions, or concerns by emailing me or reaching me on my ext. 

Have a great day, and a great week! 

Good morning! 

This morning's blog will provide a few updates: current topics, current assignments, grade acknowledgment forms, and end of the semester reminders. 

Current Topics: 

4th-5th graders are moving along in their Musical Notation unit. 

6th-8th graders are moving along in their Marketing Jingles unit. 

Chorus 7/8 & HS Chorus: Students are finalizing their repertoire list for the Spring Concert. 

Current Assignments:

4th-5th graders are working on a Musical Notation packet that they are working on in class. 

6th-8th graders are working on their End of Unit Project (please see Google Classroom for more information on this project). 

Grade Acknowledgment Forms:

Your student will receive a printed copy of their progress report from my class if their grade is below 70. Their responsibility is to have a parent/guardian sign the progress report, and submit this back to me in order to have their lowest grade dropped. Students are graded on: In Class Participation, In Class Assignments (if applicable), and Projects (if applicable). 

End of Semester Reminders: Students are encouraged to make up any work that they are missing to at least receive half credit. All work & make-up work will be due Thursday, January 25th and the semester ends on Friday, January 26th. 

"Beauty is hidden in everything, just learn how to observe".