What a year it's been so far...

Well, what a year it's been so far. It's been crazy few months of exciting performances, interesting listening assignments and intensely rewarding rehearsals!

DECEMBER

DEAR SANTA
So, we had three amazing performances of 'Dear Santa!', our annual Christmas show. Every grade effortlessly performed with absolute panache and class. The Eighth grade gave fun, exciting accounts and the Seventh Grade did a stella job or ensuring that everyone knew where to sit, where to go and when to sing!

You can see more pictures of this show by clicking below:

Gallery 2013/2014

LIGHTS, CAMERA, CHRISTMAS!
The Cabaret Troupe rose, once again, to the occasion and performed 'Lights, Camera, Christmas!', Cabaret Troupe's annual Christmas present to their parents. Grades 6 and 7 sounded and looked both amazing and classy as they explored the idea of different film genres, from Adventure and Western, to Film Noir and Musical Theater!

You can see more pictures of this show by clicking below:

Gallery 2013/2014

JANUARY
January starts our Spring season of Musical Theater, with the 8th Grade Graduating class performing Aladdin Jr. and the Cabaret Troupe performing Xanadu Jr. We are so pleased to have the 5th Grade join the Cabaret Troupe as the Greek Chorus. It is going to be a show of epic proportions - how apt for a Ancient Greek stylized musical! Mr Tubb has been extremely busy behind the scenes creating new lighting and sets for these shows!

The dates for these performances will be:
Aladdin Jr. --- May 14 & 15 both at 7pm
Xanadu Jr. --- June 4 & 5, again at 7pm.

Tickets will be available shortly, and will be available online. A note will be go in the Tuesday Folder.

As for the lower school we have also been extremely busy...
Kindergarten have been learning songs from the classic - Free to Be You And Me - learning how songs can coincide with actions. 1st Grade have been looking at Music and Emotion/Colors. 2nd Grade have started the difficult task of reading music. 3rd Grade have been writing their own stories based upon Prokovief's Peter and the Wolf. 4th Grade have just finished a really fun and interactive unit on African Drumming, and are now going onto Brazilian Samba!

- Mr. Tubb

Welcome 2013

Hi Girls & Parents,

Welcome to Music 2013/2014, I hope you're as excited to be back as I am!
This year will mark my third year - I can't believe it's been three years already! I hope you're ready to learn some brand new things this year! 

This trimester we will focus on our individual topics, as well as gearing towards the Christmas Show (don't ask me about it - I haven't even CHOSEN it yet!). This trimester's homework will focus upon Listening Tasks. During classes we will be talking about these tasks - how to answer them, how to format them and how to ensure you're getting the best grades available. 

Middle School - make sure that you bring your instruments back to school with you if you took it home over the Summer and make sure you bring your music textbooks with you too!

Cannot wait to see you all!

- Mr. Tubb

What's going on in February?

So, in one of our shortest months of the school year - what's going on in the Music Department?

Lower School
Well, the lower school are working on each of their individual topics through singing, theory, games and performance!

Pre K & Kindergarten are both working on Music with Movement. Pre-K are experimenting with tempo and dynamics by playing fun rhythm and movement games, whereas Kindergarten are doing selections from 'Free to be you and me' with really fun actions to go alongside!

1st Grade are continuing with their Music and Color project. They've just finished creating their masterpieces and this month we will be 'translating' them into music with classroom instruments. Super fun!

2nd Grade are hurtling head first into musical theory. Through a variety of ways we're learning the treble and bass clefs, creating our own rhymes and we'll continue with our partner songs, instilling the idea of two-part singing!

Brazilian Samba!

3rd Grade are continuing with the Carnival of the Animals. They're doing a super fun composition project based upon fantasy animals that they created. They will also continue their listening of Saint-Saëns' masterpiece!

4th Grade have just been to Africa. They're now visiting NYC with a little taster of Broadway music, and the next stop on our whirlwind journey is China followed by Brazil (which is really exciting as we actually have a student with Brazilian heritage in our class) and Samba!


The lower school are all working towards a performance in June, where we show what we've learned to all the parents!

Middle School

Grades 5, 6 & 7 are getting on really well with their instrument. Especially the 5th, who have only been learning for a few months. They're sounding great, and we can't wait to play for the parents in June!

In addition to brass banding - we are also learning all about key signatures, time signatures as well as improving our listening week after week!

8th grade have started rehearsals for 'The Little Mermaid Jr.' and they are doing swimmingly well (I apologize for the pun!) and it is shaping up to be an amazing performance! The dates are May 8th and 9th (7.30pm) if you need to write that in your diary.

Extracurricularly we are doing amazing things. A brand new JUNIOR CABARET TROUPE has just been created for the 5th grade, and we are learning some really hard music which will be great. Cabaret Troupe is doing a great job on Honk Jr. and chapel choir are simply stunning - the best we've had in the last few years!

Have a lovely rest of February!

- Mr. Tubb

Welcome 2012!

Hi Girls,

Welcome to Music 2012/2013, I hope you're as excited to be back as I am.
This year will mark my second year, and I hope you're ready to learn!

This trimester we will focus on our individual topics, as well as gearing towards the Christmas Show (don't ask me about it - I haven't even CHOSEN it yet!).

Cannot wait to see you all!

- Mr. Tubb

You Should Be So Proud Of Yourselves

http://www.homereporternews.com/news/general/local-wounded-warrior-bryan-dilberian-visits-visitation-academy/article_5774b2e2-9f8a-11e1-a063-0019bb2963f4.html#.T7ajHhpdIZk.blogger

You should be so proud of yourselves VA Students.
You are a very special group of girls.

- A proud Mr. Tubb

Dynamics

- Mr. Tubb

President's Week

Dear Lower & Middle Schoolers,

Have a lovely homework-free President's Week vacation!

Hope you have fun in what ever you're doing!

- Mr. Tubb

Indian Music: Bhangra!

Hi Fourth Grade!

Here is the video that I showed you in class today.
I don't know if you're like me, but I can't watch it without being amazed. It's stunning!

Enjoy it!

- Mr. Tubb

Welcome Back - Jan 2012

Welcome back, I hope you all had an absolutely lovely Christmas break. It was definitely too short, wasn't it!

Lower school: we'll be continuing with all of our topics of studies.
Middle school: we'll be re-starting our brass band program. We'll also be introducing weekly listening tests and regular composition tasks.

8th grade: I simply cannot wait to see your reactions to the cast list on Monday. Hope you aren't too worried over the weekend!

- Mr. Tubb

Helpful tips that I found online for Parents!

H E L P F U L   T I P S   F O R   FA M I L I E S
• Talk with your children about music – theirs and yours.
• Help your children take responsibility for caring for instruments and  
bringing them to school on appropriate days.
• Encourage your children to practice at home. The more they practice,  
the better they will play, and the more they will enjoy playing.
• Attend musical events with your children. Visitation has everything  
from formal concerts to musical theatre.
• Encourage your children to listen to many different kinds of music.
• Make music a regular part of your family life.

HUGE congratulations

Visitation Academy Girls,
You should be EXTREMELY proud of your efforts these past two days.
It's been hard work, it's been hot and tiring, but Mrs D'Auria and I are so pleased with what you have achieved. We have a lot of work ahead of us mixing all the tracks together and adding effects, but we should have an awesome CD ready to hear before Christmas.

Once again, THANKS: you are awesome and I'm so proud!

- Mr. Tubb

What should you know for the Christmas Concert?

Right. If you are anything like me, then you are getting as confused by who should be singing what, when, why and how. Here is a small breakdown.

Pre-Kindergarten
Only song they should be singing/practicing is 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'.

Kindergarten
Anything with jingle bells! Your two songs are 'Jingle Bells' and 'Jingle Bell Rock'.

1st Grade
You should know Silent Night and Away in a Manger and 'Reprise: I Need a Christmas Vacation'.

2nd Grade
You should know Away in a Manger and 'Reprise: I Need a Christmas Vacation'.


3rd Grade
- 12 Days of Christmas
- 'Reprise: I Need a Christmas Vacation'
- Santa Claus be there for Me
- Mary's Song of Praise

4th Grade
- Good King Wenceslas
- 'Reprise: I Need a Christmas Vacation'
-  Christmas Fiesta
- xxxxxxxxx (Nativity song)

5th Grade
-

to be finished soon!

4th Grade World Music Project

4th Grade,

So, first of all, this is a mini-project, not a small piece of homework. Therefore, I am not expecting a few lines: I am expecting a few paragraphs with some pictures and examples, etc. You should do this project on on piece of paper, it could either be printer paper, several pieces of printer paper taped together or on small posterboard. Just remember though, there are lots of you and not much space to display these pieces of work, so bigger isn't better!

Now onto the task. You have each been given a style of world music from Gamelan to Pop Music: The Beatles. Your task is to design a fact sheet about that style of music.

Your poster should tell me:

• Where in the world is the music from?
• What is it famous for?
• Are there any dance moves associated with it?
• What is the history of the music?
• What are the instruments that are found in this style of music?
• Which performers made it famous?
• What do the instruments look like?

e.g. Irish Music

• Irish music is from all over Ireland.
• It is famous for being easy to dance to. There are Irish jigs and Irish reels.
• Irish Dancers don't move their arms when dancing, it is all with their legs. Michael Flattley made irish music famous with Riverdance.
• Irish music started about 1900, where workers found ways to entertain themselves after a hard day at work.
• Irish music uses instruments such as the fiddle, accordion and bohdran (a small drum)
• The Corrs took Irish music and mixed it with modern-day pop to celebrate traditional music.

Fiddle

Accordion

Bohdràn

Good King Wenceslas

- Mr. Tubb

I need a Christmas Vacation Lyrics

Visitation Girls,
Have you unfortunately lost your lyrics for your song?
Find them here and print them out!

I Need a Christmas Vacation

8^th Grade

Christmas day is almost here.

Time to spread some holiday cheer.

Haven’t had a holiday for almost a year.

I need a vacation now.

Decorations are all about.

School is great, but I’m all burned out!

One more day makes me wanna shout,

I need a vacation now!

I need a Christmas vacation.

I need a holiday.

I need a Christmas vacation.

Gotta go outside and play! All day!

I need a Christmas vacation.

Please hear me when I say,

I need a Christmas vacation!

Come on Santa, take me away.

Dialogue:

Pupil 1: Only thirty minutes until Christmas vacation officially begins!

Pupil 2: Thirty more minutes? I don’t think I can make it!

Pupil 3: Hang in there, fella! I won’t leave you behind!

Pupil 4: Really? You’d stay behind here at school if I had to?

Pupil 3: (pause) Just kidding! I’m outta here!

Time to ride on an open sleigh.

Goin’ skiin’ ev’ry single day.

It’s a homework free holiday.

I need a vacation now!

1: My fam’ly goes to Mexico.

2: Grandma will be coming from Idaho.

3: I’ll eat with kinfolk I don’t even know.

All: I need a vacation now!

I need a Christmas vacation.

I need a holiday.

I need a Christmas vacation.

Gotta go outside and play! All day!

I need a Christmas vacation.

Please hear me when I say,

I need a Christmas vacation!

Come on Santa, take me away.

Dialogue:

Mabell: What’s that you say? A clouseout sale at Century 21? I’ll be there in a couple of hours! You’re breaking up, Gloria! You’re breaking up! It must be the snow starting to fall!

Tonight we do our Christmas play,

Politic’ly correct in ev’ry way.

But we gotta be done by Christmas Day.

I need a cavation now.

1: I’ll decorate the tree.

2: I’ll donate to a cause.

3: Go shopping at the mall.

4: I’ll wait for Santa Claus.

All: I need a Christmas vacation (pause) now!

RIGHT NOW!

A Winter’s Tale

7^th Grade

Solo: what do we all liveth for in the winter when it’s forty below?

On midwinter break, we ache for flakes, flakes and flakes of snow.

Group 2: Snow, Hey, Ho. How we love Snow. Hey, Ho. How we love snow.

Group 1: Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No. Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No.

Group 1:

Oh what a day,

Oh what a sight!

Wonderful world,

All dressed in white.

All:

How I love staying out, love playing out in the snow.

Look here it comes, just watch it fall.

We’ll have a white Christmas after all.

How I love going out,

Oh it’s blowing out in the snow.

We can ride a toboggan and ski down a hill.

Go on a sleigh-ride, oh boy, what a thrill!

Glide and slide on figure skates, hurry, don’t be late.

Group 2: Snow, Hey, Ho. How we love Snow. Hey, Ho. How we love snow.

Group 1: Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No. Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No.

Group 1:

Oh how I love each little flake.

Snow is the licing on the cake.

All:

How we’ll be heading out, fun sledding out to the snow.

Group 2: ||:  Snow, Hey, Ho. How we love  :||	Group 1: ||: Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No.                  :||
Both groups repeat until dialogue is over.

Announcer:

Attention students and teachers. Due to the blizzard-like conditions outside, the superintendent has called from the Bahamas to tell us that we must all stay at school until this storm has passed. It could be an hour. It could be a day. I could be for the entire winter vacation. Have a nice day!

All: No! (very long)

How can this be?

Oh no, it’s not!

All of this snow isn’t so hot.

What lousy luck!

Look how we’re stuck

In all this snow!

Please make it quit.

Please make it stop.

These aren’t just flakes, it’s a bumper crop!

Please go away.

Don’t make us stay.

Look at all this snow!

All of my plans have been put on hold.

Who can go out when it’s this freezing cold?

Snow can ruin ev’rything.

Let’s just jump to spring!

Group 2: ||:  Snow, Oh, No. There’s too much :||	Group 1: ||: Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No.                  :||
Both groups repeat until dialogue is over.

Actor 2: (desperately manic) Stuck at school? This can’t be! I have an audition!)

Actor 1: (shocked) What?!

Actor 2: Put some boots on and get out there!

Actor 1: (proudly) I’m an actor!

Actor 2: (confused) You’re a seventh grader! Move it!

Group 1:

This is our tale,

Some tragedy.

That old King Lear’s got nothign on me.

All:

One fatal flaw,

I’ll never thaw ‘cause I’m stuck in snow!

Group 2: Snow, Oh, No. There’s too much Snow. Oh, Please. I have to go! Hey, Ho, There’s to much snow, Snow, Snow!

Group 1: Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No. Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny No. Nonny nonny Nonny nonny Nonny nonny There’s too much snow, snow, Snow!

Christmas Fiesta

4^th Grade

Solo:

In Old Mexico each holiday,

You’ll hear a familiar ring.

The people dance, Mariachi play,

And this is what they sing.

All:

The holidays are beginning,

My fav’rite time of the year.

Ev’rybody is grinning,

The day is almost here.

I have a special requesta,

Of each and ev’ryone;

Let’s have a special Fiesta,

A holiday in the sun.

Christmas Fiesta, winter in the sun.

Christmas Fiesta, fun for ev’ryone.

Cabo San Lucas or Acapulco Bay.

Christmas fiesta, it’s the perfect holiday!

If the temp’rature still is freezing,

Let me tell you ya oughta,

Stop your sniffling and sneezing.

Join us in Las Posadas.

So Santa, this is my order.

I’m sending it to you.

A Christmas south of the border,

I hope you make it all come true.

Christmas Fiesta, winter in the sun.

Christmas Fiesta, fun for ev’ryone.

Cabo San Lucas or Acapulco Bay.

Christmas fiesta, it’s the perfect holiday!

Solo: So if you’re feeling depression, celebrate Las Posadas.

Or if you’re feeling aggression, take it out on our piñata!

All: Fiesta! (long pause) Fiesta!

Christmas Fiesta, winter in the sun.

Christmas Fiesta, fun for ev’ryone.

Cabo San Lucas or Acapulco Bay.

Christmas fiesta, it’s the perfect holiday!

It’s the perfect holiday! It’s the perfect holiday!

Santa Claus Be There for Me

3^rd Grade

This year there’s be no holly.

This year there’ll be no joy.

This year there’s nothin’ jolly

For this little girl or boy.

The snow keeps comin’ faster:

Oh how in the world can this be?

This is total disaster.

Will Santa Clause be there for me?

Santa, oh Santa,

I sing this song for you.

Santa, oh Santa,

Won’t you please, oh please come through?

Ya know I’ve always been faithful,

And Santa, I’ve always been true.

Ev’ry single Christmas,

I’ve always been there for you.

But this year might be diff’rent

When you visit my Christmas tree.

Santa, I may not be there,

But will you please be there for me?

I’m down on my knees!

Santa, oh Santa,

I sing this song for you.

Santa, oh Santa,

Won’t you please, oh please come through?

So listen to my story.

It’s sad but it is true.

I’m stuck at school this Christmas

With nothing but the blues.

Saint Nick, I promise I’ll get there.

I’ll get home ASAP.

Santa, please think of my welfare,

Ya gotta be there for me.

Oh Santa, please hear my plea.

Santa, please be there for me,

For me.

“Your Friend, ____________________”

Holiday House Party

6^th Grade

Deck the halls,

Trim the tree,

String up all the lights.

Here we are together, making season’s bright. Oh!

Hip hooray, holiday.

Hurry, don’t be late.

Time for my vacation, ev’rybody celebrate.

Dashing room to room, we have to decorate.

Someone get a brook, before I graduate!

We’re spreading Christmas cheer. You gotta do your part.

So grab some tinsel, hang a wreath and deck the halls with heart.

Dialogue

Hanukkah Celebrant: But we don’t have even a Menorah to celebrate Hanukkah?

Chemistry Student: I know! To the Chemistry room!

Chem Student 2: Great Idea! Line up those 8 Bunsen burners!

Chem Student 3: Perfect! Use this lighter as a Shamas and we’re set!

Chem Student 4: Is that kosher?

Hanukkah Celebrant: Kosher? It’s a miracle!

Sung

Oh!

Deck the halls,

Trim the tree,

String up all the lights.

Here we are together, making season’s bright. Oh!

Hip hooray, holiday.

Hurry, don’t be late.

Time for my vacation, ev’rybody celebrate.

What a Christmas thrill, to take away the chill.

Light the candles on the tree and cause a fire drill.

I’m happy to report, that ev’ryone supports

An afternoon of ballet or a winter full of sports.

Dialogue

Girl: We can watch the Nutcracker on TV in the Library!

Footballer: Are you kidding! The bowl games have already started. If the TV works, we’re watching football!

Girl: Nutcracker!            Boy: Football!

Girl: Nutcracker!            Boy: Football!

Girl: Football!            Boy: Nutcracker!

Girl: HA!!!

chanted:

Give me a G!

Give me an O!

Let’s Go!

Large Dance Break

We should have a plan to make the most of it.

Do the best we can. We have to make it fit.

If you follow me, I can guarantee

We can cook a Christmas meal in tubes from Chemistry!

I’m Hungry

We’re all Hungry!

To the Cafeteria!

Dialogue

Kitchen Helper: But Wait! All that’s left are the leftovers from yesterday’s hot lunch program.

Hungry Kid: I don’t care – I’m HUNGRY!!

Sung

Food Fight!

Desk the halls, trim the tree,

String up all the lights.

Here we are together, making season’s bright.

Oh!

Hip hooray, holiday.

Hurry, don’t be late.

Time for my vacation, ev’rybody celebrate!

Deck the halls, trim the tree,

String up all the lights.

Here we are together, making season’s bright. Oh!

Hip hooray, holiday. Hurry, don’t be late.

Time for my vacation, ev’rybody celebrate!

Celebrate!

Christmas With My Friends

5th Grade

Winter days are shorter now; Fire and candles glow.

Little children wonder how Santa Claus will know.

Who’s be naughty? Who’s been nice?

Is it all pretend? I believe this Christmas eve,

I’ll share it with my friends, my friends.

Holidays are ev’rywhere, in your heart and mind.

Sparkling in the winter air, magic you will find.

Hand in hand and side by side, with love that never ends.

Let it be just you and me and Christmas with my friends, my friends.

Dialogue

Betty: Well, I’m sure glad that all of you have decided to count your blessings and see how lucky we are to get to spend our holiday vacation right here with all of our friends.

Student: Hey, Miss Betty. What ever happened to your friend, Mr. Wilson?

B: Why, I don’t know. He seems to have disappeared. But, look who’s here?

Santa: Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

All: It’s Santa!

Santa: Ho! Ho! Ho! I heard there were some students stuck at school for the holidays. So I got here as quickly as I could!

Child: Oh Santa! I knew you’d be there for me!

Santa: Of course I would! I’m Santa Claus! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Betty: Look kinda skinny to me!

Child: Looks just right to me!

Sung

I’m so glad this Christmas Eve, to share it all with you.

In my heart, I do believe wishes do come true.

I’ll remember through the years, each Christmas card I send.

Love to all as I recall this Christmas with my friends.

I’ll remember through the years, each Christmas card I send.

Love to all as I recall, this Christmas with my friends (my friends).

 

Reprise: I Need a Christmas Vacation

All Grades (except K & Pre-K)

We hope you liked our Christmas play

We hope you have a happy holiday,

But the time has come for us to say,

We Need a Vacation now!

So decorate the tree,

Donate to a cause,

Go shopping at the mall,

And Wait for Santa Claus.

We’ll take a Christmas vacation...

...now!

Happy Holidays!