Dear Southwest families and friends,
I am excited to join you this year as we begin together a new chapter in Music at Southwest Elementary School! While I may be new to the school, I am not new to the district. During the past six years, I have been primarily teaching music at Northside, though I have also assisted at the Middle and High Schools. This year, besides teaching music at Southwest I will be continuing to assist with the High School Marching Band.
I grew up in the Chicago area, then attended Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Here I received my bachelor’s degree in Music Education, as well as a minor in French. I taught for two years in Chicago, after which I was offered the opportunity to join the Geneseo music faculty. When I moved to Geneseo six years ago, I immediately fell in love with the town. The appreciation here for music is unparalleled in many other places, as is the culture of respect for teachers, friends, and families. Besides my work in the schools, I also play for part of the season with the Maple City Band, and I am actively involved in the music ministry at First Lutheran Church of Geneseo. In addition, I find it important to attend numerous workshops and conferences to remain connected with the professional community and stay up-to-date with the current trends in Music Education.
This fall we are also excited to announce that Mr. Andre Rivera will be working with us several days each week. Mr. Rivera is a student at Augustana College, and he is preparing to begin his career as a music educator. What better place to gain experience than in the Geneseo Schools!
During this school year, in all grades we are again using the Spotlight on Music series as a basis for all music lessons. We also incorporate a variety of other resources on a daily basis to create a fuller Music Education experience. In all grades, we will also be playing MUSIC Baseball. In order to earn “bases” the class must have all the letters of MUSIC at the end of the class period. By making good choices, they are able to keep these letters on the board throughout the class. Once a class scores two runs, they will earn free time, during which time students may pick from a choice of music games to play or video clips to watch. The class with the most runs at the end of each semester will have a popcorn party.
4th and 5th Grades will have the opportunity to participate in a concert on September 23rd during the Harvest Music Festival. Please see the 4th and 5th Grade tab at the top of this page for more details.
At the end of this note, I have included list of all Southwest musical events for this school year. There may be a few additions and corrections. I have also attached a document outlining events where you are invited to assist and become involved. Please return this signup sheet with your child to school.
Please let me know if you have any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0652. I look forward to working with you this year!
Sincerely in Music,
Mike Eckwall
Southwest Music Teacher
Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2018-19
Harvest Fest Talent Show Auditions (4th and 5th grades)-Monday, September 10, 2018, 3:30 p.m., HS Choir Room.
Harvest Festival (4th and 5th grades)-Sunday, September 23, 2018 Geneseo City Park (rain location HS Gym)
- Talent Show 3:00 p.m.
- Finale Choir Concert 4:45 p.m.
Geneseo Christmas Walk (4th and 5th grades)– Saturday, December 8, 2018, Location TBA, Southwest 3:30 p.m., Millikin 4:00 p.m., Northside 4:30 p.m.
Southwest Christmas Programs– Tuesday, December 18, 2018, High School Concert Hall
- Grades K-2 6:00 p.m.
- Grades 3-5 7:15 p.m.
Quad City Symphony Day-(4th grade) –TBA February/March 2019
Music in Our Schools Concert (4th and 5th grades)– Thursday, February 28, 2019, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall
4th Grade Musical – Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 6:30 p.m. at Southwest
Southwest Fine Arts Day– Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Southwest
All-Unit Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 6, 2019, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall
5th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 13, 2019
Practice– TBA
Concert– 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall
Southwest Spring Programs– Thursday, May 23, 2019, Southwest Gymnasium
- Grades K-2 8:45 a.m.
- Grades 3-5 10:00 a.m.