Mike Eckwall

Congratulations to all who participated in the Harvest Music Festival this year on their great performances! It was wonderful to perform again for a live audience. Here are video and audio recordings of the Middle and High School concerts, as well as the “Hero Finale”. Enjoy!

4th and 5th grade students will have the opportunity to perform at the Harvest Music Festiva 4^th and 5^th grades are excited to share with you our “Hero” songs this coming Sunday, September 26^th  in the Geneseo City Park!  Students should arrive for the Finale Concert by 4:15 p.m. by the Band Shell.  Concert attire can be “Hero” themed, or jeans/jean shorts and a solid-colored shirt.  Students should bring a face mask to wear, but not a full face covering.  Sunglasses are recommended since they will be facing west.  Practice tracks and music notation may be found on below. Below you will also find the GPAC informational flyer that outlines events for the weekend.

Please consider volunteering to assist during the weekend.  Here is a link to where you may sign up- https://signup.com/go/HWBHqde. Here is a note from GPAC (Performing Arts Council): 

This past weekend The Sound of Geneseo performed at their first marching band competition and brought home best auxiliary and 1st place in Class 2A! This weekend they host the Geneseo Maple Leaf Marching Band Classic on Saturday Sept 25th. On Sunday, Sept. 26th, we are excited to hear the Geneseo Elementary, Middle School and High School choirs perform for their first concert of the year at the Harvest Music Festival at the Geneseo City Park. These musicians have worked hard to prepare for this weekend – the largest fundraiser of the year for the fine arts program.  In order to ensure this weekend is a success we are still in need of volunteers. Harvest Festival weekend is where we generate most of our funding to support our 4th-12th grade choirs, band, speech and theater programs.  Please sign up by volunteering a few hours of your time. As a thank you, you will receive free entry into the Maple Leaf Marching Band Classic on Saturday. Please sign up by clicking on the link above. Thank you!

Music Notation

Practice Tracks

Here is information from GPAC (Geneseo Performing Arts Council) regarding the event:

Hello Southwest Families,

Welcome back to a hopefully more “normal” year at Southwest!  We will continue to use the Spotlight on Music series as a resource for many of our lessons, as well as a variety of other materials.  We hope to return many of our performances to the schedule this year as well.

We will be using a variety of instruments to help learn about and experience music.  One exciting addition this year is a set of 15 piano keyboards, generously provided by the Geneseo Education Foundation.  This set of keyboards will be shared between the three Geneseo elementary schools, with a more focused unit with third graders.  Fourth and fifth graders will again be using recorders, and all students will continue to use our mallet percussion instruments.

Another exciting addition this year will be 4^th and 5^th grade choir!  This group will rehearse before school several days each week, and will perform alongside the rest of our students at several concerts each year.  Auditions will take place before school next Monday and Tuesday, August 30-31. More details can be found here:

4^th and 5^th grade students will have the opportunity to perform at the “Heroes” finale concert of the Harvest Music Festival during the weekend of September 25-26.  A more detailed message will be sent to families of these students in the near future.

All students are encouraged to submit a talent show audition video! This could be a musical or non-musical talent.  Please have your child see come to the music room before school for help and ideas.  For those who are selected to perform live, the talent show will take place at the Harvest Music Festival on Sunday, September 26^th at 3 p.m. in the Geneseo City Park.  Videos are due to Mr. Eckwall by next Friday, September 3^rd.

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 coming later.  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.  These resources may also be found on my district blog at https://gcsdstaff.org/eckwall/. 

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

2021-22 Southwest Fine Arts Dates

Harvest Fest Talent Show Auditions (4^th and 5^th grades)- Friday, September 3, 2021- deadline to submit to me your video audition

Harvest Festival (4^th and 5^th grades)-Sunday, September 26, 2021 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 grades)– Saturday, December 11, 2021, downtown Geneseo

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

• Grades K-2 6:00 p.m.
• Grades 3-5 7:15 p.m.

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –TBA February/March 2022

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

Southwest Fine Arts Day– Thursday, March 17, 2022 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.

Here is a link to our Southwest Spring Programs. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into what everyday class looked like this school year. It will be played as a combined program with Millikin and Northside on TV50 on two Sundays-May 30 and June 6- at 3, 5, and 7 p.m. It will also stream online at WB6network.com and the WB6network ROKU channel.

We can’t wait to see you again this fall!

If you are looking for more music-related videos and activites, please see below:

Firebird Activities

4th-5th-Come join us to make music together and spread the holiday cheer during a meeting TODAY, December 15, from 1:30-2:00 p.m. Percussion/created instruments and festive attire encouraged! I hope to see you there!

Here’s the link address- https://meet.google.com/oqd-jdzb-uyf

K-3rd- Come join us to make music together and spread the holiday cheer TODAY December 15th at 11:00 a.m. We will also have a meeting this Thursday December 17th at 2:30 p.m. Percussion/created instruments and festive attire encouraged! I hope to see you there! Here’s the link address for both meetings- https://meet.google.com/pbw-misg-pnk

Here is the specials activity board.

For other activites, here are links to google slides for each grade level:

K-3rd

4th+5th

Here is a link to a page that will direct you to activities for ALL movements of The Firebird.  Besides the movements posted in past weeks, I have also included the Finale movement.

Please contact me with any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org.

Thank you for your continued support of the arts in Geneseo!

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

As we continue our time away from the regular classroom, I have compiled a collection of online resources that may provide you with some fun activities and games. Please see the link above. I will continue to add to this list. I have included specific activities below for each week. Enjoy, and stay healthy and safe!

Here are activities for the week of May 11-15

• Birth of Rock ‘N’ Roll
  • https://drive.google.com/open?id=1B5UdSFX0t7TNI6r-YbXLm2lKldPm24oy
  • K-2 + 3-5 Videos
  •  “Sound Bites”-fast facts about Rock ‘n’ Roll, correspond mostly with fill-in
  • 3-5 fill-in (questions for your child)
  • 3-5 QA (to assist in answering)

Here are activities for the week of May 4-8

• K-2 Romper, Stomper, and Boo- with instruments/body percussion-https://youtu.be/ENwXy4xIAUg
  • Here are possible instrument parts

• Country Music-
• https://drive.google.com/open?id=1D1jtwApurW5QGOKtaJuWe74QlvvKFJaE
  • K-2 + 3-5 Videos
  •  “Sound Bites”-fast facts about Country Music, correspond mostly with fill-in
  • 3-5 fill-in (questions for your child)
  • 3-5 QA (to assist in answering)

Here are activities for the week of April 27-May 1st.

K-2 Read a book and have instrument accompany it.  Here is an example of how you might do so.  I chose Chicka Chicka Boom Boom hoping that many of you would already have the book.  However, you can apply the same technique to make any book fun!  I recommend looking for recurring text (ex: “Chicka chicka boom-boom”) and perform first using body percussion (snapping, patting, clapping, etc.) then have your child pick an instrument(s).  These instruments can be traditional instruments or found sounds around the house, for which I’ve given examples in this video.  You may have instruments you made a few weeks ago near the beginning of remote learning :-). Check back for more books in the near future!

• Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

• Musicals-here’s a Google Drive Link-https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1v9of4QBmn0JCIk1YLGnyowbE9s89V0kd?usp=sharing
  • K-2 and 3-5 geared videos-nearly the same, but a bit more added to older students’ video.
  • “Sound Bites”-fast facts about musicals, correspond mostly with fill-in
  • 3-5 fill-in (questions for your child)
  • 3-5 QA (to assist in answering)

Musicals Grades K-2 –https://youtu.be/FL8iTVqmIvA

Musicals Grades 3-5 https://youtu.be/eynHyuousQU

Here are activities for the week of April 20-24:

Feel free to move along with the music as you practice loud and soft!  I have grade level recommendations, but feel free to do all the activities with your children, regardless of their ages :-).

• Grades 2-5-Dynamics
• Grade K-1
  • Piano and Forte on Musical Milkshake- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VswGjiqhwM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3AxNZ0aobrD5yO9LvtwIqQSQE0yR7UjXVDYoICGsJIYcuasNxKA_fzHYo
  • Grade K-1-Forte and Piano from Music K-8-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUYEvCly8Fo
  • Dynamics Game- https://musicplayonline.com/games/

Here are BINGO cards with music activities for the week of April 13-17

Good evening,

I wanted to remind you that we have 2 musical events this Thursday, February 27^th.  Both 4^th and 5^th Graders have the opportunity to participate in the 46^th Annual Music In Our Schools Concert at 7 p.m. in the High School Concert Hall.  Please arrive at 6:45.  Earlier in the Day, 4^th Graders also have the opportunity to travel to the Adler Theater in Davenport for the annual Symphony Day at the 11:00 concert.  Please see the attached flyer for more information.  I have also sent home a paper copy of this flyer.

Please let me know if you have any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 935-0699. Thank you for your continued support of Music in Geneseo!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

Remaining Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2019-20

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –Thursday, February 27, 2020, 11:00 a.m.., Adler Theater, Davenport, IA

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 27, 2020, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert  Hall

4^th Grade Musical – Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 6:30 p.m. at Southwest

Southwest Fine Arts Day– Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Southwest

All-Unit Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 4, 2020, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 11, 2020

Practice– TBA

Concert–  7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

Southwest Spring Programs– Thursday, May 14, 2020, Southwest Gymnasium

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

Hello,

As the Christmas programs are right around the corner, I would like remind you of its details.  In addition, I would like to share with you an update on the opportunities available to your child, and also where you may assist.  The Southwest Christmas Programs will take place on the evening of Tuesday, December 17^th in the High School Concert Hall.   Grades K-2 will perform at 6:00, and Grades 3-5 will perform at 7:15.  Please have your child arrive 15 minutes early.  At a later 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:3^rd grade will be on the audience’s left, K-2^nd and 5^th grades in the middle, and 4^th grade on the right.  DVD’s will again be available for purchase!  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.

4^th and 5^th grades will also have the opportunity to sing as part of the Geneseo Christmas Walk on Saturday, December 14^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.

The 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grades’ Christmas Program this year will be Jingle Bell Jukebox!  In addition to songs that all students will be singing, our 5^th graders with speaking parts have been busily rehearsing.  Students in grades 3-5 may also come in for extra recorder practice.  All of these rehearsals and practices are taking place during specified morning and lunch recess times.  This schedule can be found in the gym, by the Southwest music room, and online on my district blog-see link below. 

Kindergarten, 1^st, and 2^nd grades will perform a variety of Holiday selections, both old and new!

All Grades- On the links to each grade level above, you will find practice tracks and music notation for all songs we will be singing on December 17^th .

Attention performing musicians-If your child plays piano or another instrument and has a piece prepared for Christmas, we would love to have him or her play for us in between concerts during the Christmas Programs on December 17^th!  Please let me know if your child is interested.

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 8^th at 4:30 p.m.  The day of the program-December 17^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 17^th.

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

Remaing Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2019-20

Geneseo Christmas Walk (4^th and 5^th grades)– Saturday, December 14, 2019, 3:30 p.m., outside at intersection of State and First Street in Geneseo

Southwest Christmas Programs– Tuesday, December 17, 2019, High School Concert Hall

• Grades K-2 6:00 p.m.
• Grades 3-5 7:15 p.m.

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –Thursday, February 27, 2020, 11:00 a.m.., Adler Theater, Davenport, IA

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 27, 2020, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert  Hall

4^th Grade Musical – Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 6:30 p.m. at Southwest

Southwest Fine Arts Day– Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Southwest

All-Unit Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 4, 2020, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 11, 2020

Practice– TBA

Concert–  7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

Southwest Spring Programs– Thursday, May 14, 2020, Southwest Gymnasium

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

Thank you to all who attended the Harvest Festival during the weekend of September 22-23! I have posted recordings from the finale concert on the 4th and 5th Harvest Fest page found at the top left of this window. Enjoy!