Mike Eckwall

Congratulations to all who auditioned! The Southwest Christmas Programs will take place on Tuesday, December 20th in the High School Concert Hall. Grades K+1 will perform at 5:30 p.m., Grades 2+3 at 6:15, and Grades 4+5 at 7:00 p.m.

Here are cast lists for each of the Christmas Programs, as well as links to practice resources: K+1st, 2nd+3rd Toys! , 4th+5th Christmas Extravaganza:

Rehearsal Schedule

Please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org. Thank you for your support!

Mike Eckwall
Southwest Music Teacher

Good afternoon,

All 4^th and 5^th Graders have the opportunity THIS SUNDAY, September 25th to perform as the part of the Finale Concert of the Harvest Music Festival.  Students should arrive by 4:15 p.m. at the Geneseo City Park.  Students are encouraged to wear attire that matches the theme “How the West was Sung.”  See the attached flyer for more information.  Here are practice tracks and music notation.  Here is a YouTube playlist with sample videos

Volunteers needed, especially Saturday!  Please consider donating a few hours of your time to ensure that this weekend’s events run smoothly.  ALL proceeds are used to support the Music Programs throughout Geneseo District 228.  Here is a volunteer signup.
Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you for supporting your child’s education!  We look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Sincerely,
Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

Congratulations to all who auditioned! Those selected will perform on September 25th at 3:00 in the City Park. Here are the results:

Hello Southwest Families,

Welcome back to another exciting year! I am thrilled to return again for my fifth year teaching music at Southwest!  I felt it would be helpful to share with you an overview of opportunities and performances that will take place this school year.

We will continue to use the Spotlight on Music series as a major resource for our lessons.  We will continue to move in place and through space, responding to the music.  We will be using a variety of instruments to help learn about and experience music.  Third graders will spend time developing skills on piano keyboards.  Fourth and fifth graders will be using recorders, and ALL students will continue to use both unpitched and pitched percussion instruments.

The 4^th and 5^th grade choir has begun rehearsing!  Please let me know if your child is still interested in joining the group.

All 4^th and 5^th grade students will have the opportunity to perform at the “How the West Was Sung” finale concert of the Harvest Music Festival on Sunday, September 25th at 4:30 p.m. in the Geneseo City Park. Here is a PDF of music we will be singing. Students are encouraged to submit a talent show audition video! Here is more information. This could be a musical or non-musical talent.  Please have your child come to the music room before school for help and ideas.  Those selected from the auditions will also perform as part of Sunday’s events.

Here is a tentative list of all Southwest musical events for this school year.  I have also attached a page outlining events where you are invited to assist and become involved.  Please return this form with your child to the music room at Southwest.  T

Please let me know if you have any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699.  I look forward to working with you again this year!

Sincerely in Music,

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

2022-23 Southwest Fine Arts Dates

Harvest Fest Talent Show Auditions (4^th and 5^th grades)- Friday, September 9, 2022-

deadline to submit to Mr. Eckwall your video audition

Harvest Festival (4^th and 5^th grades)-Sunday, September 25, 2022 Geneseo City Park

                                                                                                          (rain location Geneseo HS)

Talent Show 3:00 p.m.

Finale Choir Concert 4:30 p.m.

Geneseo Christmas Walk (4^th and 5^th grade choir)– Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, downtown Geneseo

Southwest Christmas Programs– Tuesday, December 20, 2022, High School Concert Hall

Grades K+1-5:30 p.m.

Grades 2+3-6:15 p.m.

Grades 4+5-7:00 p.m.

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grade choir)– Thursday, February 23, 2023,

7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –March 2, 2022, 11:00 a.m. concert, Adler Theatre,

                Davenport, IA

4^th Grade Musical – Tuesday, March 14, 2023, 7:00 p.m. at Southwest

Southwest Fine Arts Day– Thursday, March 16, 2023 during school day at Southwest

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, April 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

All-Unit Choir Concert (4th and 5th grade choir)- Monday, May 1, 2023,

 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

Southwest Spring Programs– Thursday, May 25, 2023, Southwest Gymnasium

Kindergarten then 1^st: 8:30 a.m.

4^th+5^th combined: 9:30 a.m.

2^nd+3^rd combined: 1:30 p.m

Hello Southwest Families,

Congratulations to our 4^th and 5^th graders for great performances the past few weeks at the Recorder and All-Unit Choir concerts! Here is a link to video of last Monday’s All-Unit Concert.  It will be aired on TV50 in the coming days.

Our Spring Programs will now take place on Thursday, May 19^th during the school day-NOTE CHANGE from what was shared earlier. Families are invited to attend! Please enter at the main entrance.  Our theme is Animals!  The programs will again be professionally recorded and DVD’s will be available for purchase!  Here is the DVD form.  Here you may find practice materials.  In PDF’s for each grade, I have included the names next to the section of music to which each child is assigned.  Your child may come before school between now and the program for extra help.

The UPDATED times will be as follows:

Kindergarten then 1^st: 8:30 a.m.

4^th+5^th combined: 9:30 a.m.

2^nd+3^rd combined: 1:30 p.m.

Please let me know if you have any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699. Thank you for your continued support of your child’s music education!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

Hello 4^th and 5^th Grade Families,

As we enter the final stretch of the 2021-22 School year, I wanted to share an update on our upcoming opportunities.

Here is a video link from the Music In Our Schools Performance from February 24^th.  Congratulations to all who performed!

Both 4^th and 5^th grade students have been playing recorders in music class, and here is a page with the information to use the online resource Be A Recorder Star.  Note that it may only be used on two devices.

The 5^th grade Recorder Recruitment Concert will take place on Monday, April 25^th at 7:00 p.m.  Please arrive at 6:45.  5^th Grade will perform along with the 6^th grade band, as well as the high school Honor Band.  Students should wear clothes that are nice but comfortable.  Here is a packet of music we will perform.

4^th-5^th grades will have the opportunity to perform with all 4^th-12^th grade singers in the All-Unit Choir concert on Monday, May 2^nd at 7:00 p.m.  Students should again wear clothes that are nice but comfortable.  Please arrive at 6:45.  Here are practice tracks and music notation.

All-Our Spring Programs will now take place on Thursday, May 19^th during the school day-NOTE CHANGE.  The UPDATED times will be as follows:

Kindergarten then 1^st: 8:30 a.m.

4^th+5^th combined: 9:30 a.m.

2^nd+3^rd combined: 1:30 p.m.

3^rd-8^th Grade students are invited to participate in this summer’s Geneseo Community Children’s Choir!  Students will have the opportunity to have fun practicing vocal techniques, while also preparing to share much of what they have learned in a performance. The choir will rehearse from June 23-29, from 10:00 a.m-noon on weekdays, with a concert the final evening.  Here is the registration form, due Friday, May 6^th.  Your child may also find forms in the Southwest Music Room.

Please let me know if you have any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699. Thank you for your continued support of your child’s music education!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

2021-22 Remaining Southwest Fine Arts Dates

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, April 25, 2022, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

All-Unit Choir Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 2, 2022, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

Southwest Spring Programs– NOTE CHANGES-Thursday, May 19, 2022, Southwest Gymnasium-

• 8:30-9:15 a.m.-Kindergarten then 1^st
• 9:30-10:15 a.m.-4^th+5^th combined
• 1:30-2:15 p.m-2^nd+3^rd combined

Hello,

I hope that this message finds you and your family doing well.  I wanted to share with you that DVD’s have arrived!  See below this message for additional 4^th and 5^th grade students musical opportunities. Resources for all of these events can be found here my district blog under 4th + 5th at the top .

All-Christmas Program DVD’s have arrived!  Your child should bring it home this week if you sent the form and payment to school.  Online orders should arrive soon.  Please let me know if you have issues with your order.  I appreciate your patience!

On Thursday, February 24^th, 4^th and 5^th grade students will be performing at the 47^th Annual Music In Our Schools Concert on Thursday, February 28th at 7 p.m. at the High School.  Please plan to arrive by 6:45 p.m. Here are links to practice tracks and music notation. 

Also, on February 24^th, all 4^th Graders in Geneseo schools will be traveling to the Symphony Day at the Adler Theater in Davenport.  Please see the previous message for more details.  Here is the resource guide.  The symphony has informed us that masks will be required not only on the bus to and from, but also inside the event venue. 

4^th Graders- Our 4th Grade Musical this year will be Star Search-A “Light” Musical.  We will perform it on Tuesday, March 15^th at 7:00 p.m. in the Southwest Gymnasium.  Please see details in previous messages.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you again for the continued support of your child’s education!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

­

2021-22 Remaining Southwest Fine Arts Dates

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –Thursday, February 24, 2022, 11:00 a.m. concert

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 24, 2022, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

4^th Grade Musical – Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 7:00 p.m. at Southwest

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, April 25, 2022

Practice– TBA

Concert–  7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

All-Unit Choir Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 2, 2022, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

Southwest Spring Programs– Thursday, May 12, 2022, Southwest Gymnasium

• Grades K-2 8:45 a.m.
• Grades 3-5 10:00 a.m.

Hello,

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Southwest Christmas Programs!  The programs will take place on the evening of Tuesday, December 14^th in the High School Concert Hall.  Grades K-1 willperform at 5:45, Grades 2-3 at 6:15, and Grades 4-5 at 7:15.  Please have your child arrive 15 minutes prior to that time.  Closer to the programs, we will share with you details of dropoff and pickup locations for each grade level.  As you consider where to sit to best see your child, here is the students’ placement on risers:K, 2^nd, and 4^th grades will be on the audience’s left;  1^st, 3^rd, and 5^th grades on the right. 

DVD’s will again be available for purchase!  New this year-A portion of DVD sales will go directly towards the Southwest Music Program.  Please see the included form and return it with your child to his or her teacher, or to the music room before we leave for winter break.

Kindergarten and 1^st grades will perform a variety of holiday selections, both old and new!

2^nd and 3^rd grades will present for us their version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas!

4^th and 5^th grades will perform Jingle Bell Jukebox-The Flip Side!

All Grades- On my district blog, you will find practice tracks and music notation for all songs we will be singing on December 14^th. Here is the link: https://gcsdstaff.org/eckwall/.

Please Help!  We are still looking for volunteers to assist us on the day of the program, and also to decorate the Concert Hall for the holiday season.  To decorate the concert hall, individuals from all three elementary schools will meet on Sunday, December 5^th at 11:30 a.m.  The day of the program-December 14^th– we need assistance to setup and takedown before and after our performance, starting at about 4:00 p.m.  Please contact me if you might be able to assist at any point.  Thank you to those who have already volunteered.  Any and all help would be appreciated!  Volunteers will be able to reserve seats at our Christmas Programs on December 14^th.

4^th and 5^th grades will also have the opportunity to sing as part of the Geneseo Christmas Walk on Saturday, December 11^th at 3:30 p.m.  Please arrive at 3:20. This year we will be performing OUTSIDE at the intersection of State and First (the traffic light) in downtown Geneseo.  All three elementary schools will sing together.  Please be sure that your child is dressed for the weather.

Please contact me if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699. Thank you for your continued support.  I hope you have an enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving Break!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

2021-22 Southwest Fine Arts Dates

Geneseo Christmas Walk (4^th and 5^th grades)– Saturday, December 11, 2021, 3:30 p.m., downtown Geneseo

Southwest Christmas Programs– Tuesday, December 14, 2021, High School Concert Hall

Grades K-1 5:45 p.m.

Grades 2-3 6:15 p.m.

Grades 4-5 7:15 p.m.

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –Thursday, February 24, 2022, 11:00 a.m. concert

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 24, 2022, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

4^th Grade Musical – Tuesday, March 14, 2022, 6:30 p.m. at Southwest

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, April 25, 2022

Practice– TBA

Concert–  7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

All-Unit Choir Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 2, 2022, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

Southwest Spring Programs– Thursday, May 12, 2022, Southwest Gymnasium

Grades K-2 8:45 a.m.

Grades 3-5 10:00 a.m.

Hello,

As 4^th and 5^th grade students are preparing for several musical events, I wanted to give you an update so that your child could take full advantage of all opportunities available to them.  These include Symphony Day, The Music In Our Schools Concert, and the 4^th Grade Musical-Star Search. 

4^th Graders- Our 4th Grade Musical this year will be Star Search-A “Light” Musical.  We will perform it on Tuesday, March 15^th at 6:30 p.m., and again two days later during our annual Fine Arts Day.   We will begin rehearsing for this performance during class next week.  Auditions for extra roles will take place this Tuesday and Wednesday, February 2^nd and 3^rd , from 7:50-8:15 a.m.  I have attached the audition information and also the script and notation in case you find it helpful.

Audition Information

Star Search Script

Practice Tracks

On Thursday, February 24^th, 4^th and 5^th grade students will be performing at the 46^th Annual Music In Our Schools Concert on Thursday, February 28th at 7 p.m. at the High School.  Please plan to arrive by 6:45 p.m. Practice tracks and music notation are posted on my district blog. 

Music Notation

MIOS Practice Tracks

Also, on February 24^th, all 4^th Graders in Geneseo schools will be traveling to the Symphony Day at the Adler Theater in Davenport.  The theme this year is “Music Of America.”  We will be doing activities during music class to help familiarize students with some of the music that will be performed.  Students will load buses about 9:45 a.m. for the 11:00 concert.  We will eat lunch when returning to school about 12:30. Please have your child bring a sack lunch.  Please also have your child wear nice school clothes the day of the concert.  Here is the resource guide I received which helps to introduce these musical pieces and performers to students.  Please feel free to look through it and do some of the activities if you wish.

Thank you for your support of music in Geneseo!

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

This schedule will be updated regularly, and will  be posted outside the music room and here on my district blog .  Please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@genesochools.org or (309) 945-0699.

4th and 5th Grade students will be invited to participate in the Geneseo Christmas Walk on Saturday, December 11th! More details are forthcoming.

The 2021 Christmas Programs will take place on Tuesday, December 14th! Please click the appropriate link above for more information and resources regarding each grade’s program.