Mike Eckwall

Hello,

As you may have already heard, due to the forecasted weather, Sunday’s (9-22) Harvest Festival activities will now take place at the High School.  Please enter the doors by the Fine Arts area, just north across from the Concert Hall, for all activities and events.

4^th and 5^th Graders should arrive at 4:15, wearing jeans and a space-themed or solid-colored shirt.

Please let me know if you have any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699. Thank you for your support and flexibility!

Mike Eckwall
Southwest Music Teacher

Hello,

I wanted to remind you that this coming weekend is the 29^th Annual Harvest Festival.   4^th and 5^th grade students will perform as part of the Finale Concert this Sunday, September 22^nd.  Our “Out of this World” finale will take place at 4:30 p.m.  in the Geneseo City Park. Please arrive at 4:15.  We also invite you to join us for additional concerts and events starting at 12:00 p.m. There will be a perfect attendance award this year for students who attend all of the year’s performances.  Please have your child wear jeans and a space-themed or solid colored shirt.

We ask that you consider donating some of your time to assist us this weekend.  Thank you to those of you who have already volunteered!  All the proceeds raised this weekend will directly benefit the arts programs in Geneseo.  Here is a link to sign up: https://signup.com/go/JrePSqs

Students may come in to the music room for extra practice this Thursday and Friday morning before school, and Thursday during lunch recess.   Practice tracks and music notation are also available under 4th and 5th at the top of this page.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699.  I look forward to seeing you and your child on Sunday.

Thank you for your support of the arts in Geneseo!

Mike Eckwall

Southwest Music Teacher

Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2018-19

Harvest Festival (4^th and 5^th grades)-Sunday, September 23, 2018 Geneseo City Park (rain location HS Gym)

• Talent Show 3:00 p.m.
• Finale Choir Concert 4:30 p.m.

Geneseo Christmas Walk (4^th and 5^th 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-(4^th grade) –TBA February/March 2019

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 28, 2019, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

4^th 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

5^th 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.

Hello ,

Thank you also for your continued support of teachers here in Geneseo.  We certainly do feel appreciated! Here is a reminder of our remaining events for the year:

5^th grade will have the opportunity to perform at the Recorder/Band Recruitment Concert this coming Monday, May 13^th at 7 p.m.  Please arrive by 6:45.   The concert will also feature performances by both the 6^th grade and the High School Honor Band.  It will take place in the High School Concert Hall.  Before or after the performance, 5^th grade families can sign up for a band instrument test-drive in the lobby.   These will take place during the few days following the concert. Here is an introduction letter:

3^rd-6^th–Children’s Choir forms are due this Monday, May 13^th to Mrs. Gierhart at Millikin.  I have attached this registration form.  Please consider taking advantage of this opportunity for your child this summer! Here is the information and form page:

K-5^th grades –our Southwest Spring Programs will take place on Thursday, May 23^rd:

Kindergarten-2^nd grades will perform at 8:45 a.m., and 3^rd-5^th grades will perform at 10:00 a.m.  The concerts will take place in the Southwest Gymnasium.

The programs will again be professionally filmed and available for purchase.  I have attached this order form.  

Practice tracks and notation are available on my district blog at: https://gcsdstaff.org/eckwall/.  For small group solos, I have written in the names included next to the section of music to which they are assigned.

Please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699.  Thank you for your support of the arts in Geneseo!

Thanks,

Mike Eckwall

General Music Teacher

Southwest Elementary

Remaining Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2018-19

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 13, 2019, HS Concert Hall

Practice– 1:30 p.m.

Concert–  7:00 p.m.

Southwest Spring Programs– Thursday, May 23, 2019, Southwest Gymnasium

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

Hello,

I hope that you and your family enjoyed a restful spring break!  In our final week before break we had two outstanding 4^th Grade musical performances!  Also, as part of our annual Fine Arts Day, we enjoyed demonstrations from a variety of skilled and accomplished artists as well as an excellent performance by the Middle School Jazz Band and Swing Choir.  Here is a link to where you may find recordings of these performances: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3hHqYf6x0QgLY4-52BfMj3k3VNErVQyY

As we enter the final quarter of our school year, I wanted to outline your child’s upcoming musical opportunities:

3^rd-5^th Grades-Students may come in most every morning before school from 7:45-8:15 to practice recorder and also test for Recorder Karate belts.

4^th and 5^th Grades- On Monday, May 6^th, students in grades 4-12 will perform at the All-Unit Choir Concert in the High School Concert Hall.  4^th and 5^th Grades from all three elementary schools will perform two combined pieces as well as music with all choirs combined.

5^th Grade-The following Monday, May 13^th, the 5^th graders will perform at the Recorder Concert, along with the 6^th Grade Band and the High School Honor Band.  We will rehearse earlier during the school day. During the following few evenings, students will have the opportunity to “test drive” and select an instrument to play next year in band.  The previous Tuesday, May 7^th, students will have had these instruments demonstrated at Southwest. 

All Grades-Spring Programs will take place on Thursday, May 23^rd in the Southwest Gymnasium.  Grades K-2 will perform starting at 8:45 a.m., and Grades 3-5 at 10:00 a.m.  This year’s theme is History and the Old West!

1^st-7^th Grades-Quad City Orchestra Youth Choir Auditions-The Quad City Symphony Youth Choir is for students in 4-8^th grade and is a great opportunity for students who want to dive deeper into their classical music training. The Preparatory Choir is for students in 2^nd-3^rd grades and is an awesome introduction into the youth choir experience. Auditions will take place between May 14-30.  Please let me know if you are interested!

3^rd-6^th Graders- Please consider joining the Geneseo Children’s Choir this summer from July 3-10!  This choir workshop will include a variety of fun musical activities in addition to preparing concert music.  Here is the note with form:

As always, please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699.  Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

General Music Teacher

Remaining Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2018-19

All-Unit Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 6, 2019, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 13, 2019

Practice– 1:30 pm., HS Concert Hall

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.

Hello!

I hope that you and your family have stayed warm and safe during this Midwest weather.  First of all, Christmas program DVD’s have been sent home!  Please let me know if you have any issues with your order.  I also wanted to outline a few upcoming opportunities for your child.  Many of the resources mentioned below are also available here on my district blog.

All Students are currently working with Unit 2 in our Spotlight on Music series.  We are addressing numerous musical concepts through singing, playing, and studying a variety of folk and other music.  In all classes, we are also using Mr. Everybody’s Musical Apartment.  Using this system, students are able to learn the names of the line and space notes in the treble clef.  We will also briefly study the bass clef using an extension of this system.

3^rd-5^th-Recorders-In addition to Spotlight on Music and Mr. Everybody’s Musical Apartment, 3^rd-5^th graders are currently working on several songs on recorder.  3^rd and 4^th grades are using the Recorder Karate system, where they earn one of nine belts upon mastery of each song.  5^th graders are learning songs which they will perform at their Recorder-Band Concert on Monday, May 13^th at the High School.  Students may come in for extra practice or to test for belts during most morning recess and specified lunch and lunch recess times.

On Thursday, February 28^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 “Immigrant Stories.”  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, or request a sack lunch from school.  Please also have your child wear nice school clothes the day of the concert.  Below I have attached 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.

Also on February 28^th, 4^th and 5^th grade students will be performing at the 45^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.  A perfect attendance award will again be given students who have performed all concerts this year.  Students who attend this concert will be invited to attend a pizza party at Happy Joe’s!  Practice tracks and music notation are posted under “4th+5th” at the top of the page.

4^th Graders- Our 4th Grade Musical this year will be Bones! We will perform it on Tuesday, March 19^th at 6:30 p.m., and again two days later during our annual Fine Arts Day.   In this musical by Sally Albrecht, Sam, the custodian, has accidentally knocked over the famous Charles Cartilage skeleton! All of the disconnected bones have amnesia from the fall and have no clue what they are – or where they belong!  We will begin rehearsing for this performance during class next week.  Auditions will take place on Thursday 2/21 and Friday 2/22. Please see this packet for audition materials:

All-Our Southwest Fine Arts Day will take place on Thursday, March 21^st.  We will have a variety of artists presenting their craft to students throughout the day.  Also as before, the Middle School Jazz Band and Swing Choir will perform for us, and we will conclude the day with a final performance of our 4^th Grade Musical.  Please help!  We will be looking for a variety of volunteers to help the day go smoothly.  Stay tuned for a communication from our PTA regarding opportunities where you may become involved in this great event.

3^rd-6^th Graders- Please consider joining the Geneseo Children’s Choir this summer from July 3-10!  This choir workshop will include a variety of fun musical activities in addition to preparing concert music.  Here is the form:

As always, please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699.  Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

General Music Teacher

Remaining Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2018-19

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –Thursday, February 28, 2019, 11:00 a.m. concert

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 28, 2019, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

4^th 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

5^th 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.

Hello,

I hope that you and your family enjoyed a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 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 18^th in the High School Concert Hall.   Grades K-2 will perform at 6:00, and Grades 3-5 will perform at 7:15.  DVD’s will again be available for purchase!  Please see this  DVD form and return it with your child to his or her teacher, or to the music room before we leave for winter break.

The 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grades’ Christmas Program this year will be Falalala.com! Our cast of 15 speaking parts has already begun rehearsals to prepare for the December 18th performance. 

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

All Grades- Additional singing and movement opportunities will be available in all grades!   Here is a list of assigned Soloists+Small Groups  These are also listed within the notation for each grade level.  While we will have some during class time, rehearsals for many extra roles will take place during morning recess time, and also occasionally during lunch and lunch recess times.  A rehearsal schedule   of all Christmas Program rehearsals will be posted each week outside the music room and also here on my district blog-see the link to your child’s grade level above.  Here you will also find practice tracks and music notation.

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 18th.

Please Help!  We are looking for volunteers to assist us on the day of the program.  This day,  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.  Thank you to all who have already volunteered.  Any and all help would be appreciated!  Those who volunteer to assist will be able to reserve seats for during the concerts.

Please contact me if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0699. Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Music Teacher

Remaining Southwest Fine Arts Dates 2018-19

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-(4^th grade) –Thursday, February 28, 2019, 11:00 a.m. concert

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 28, 2019, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

4^th 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

5^th 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.

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.

4^th and 5^th Grades will have the opportunity to participate in a concert on September 23^rd  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 (4^th and 5^th grades)-Monday, September 10, 2018, 3:30 p.m., HS Choir Room.

Harvest Festival (4^th and 5^th 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 (4^th and 5^th 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-(4^th grade) –TBA February/March 2019

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Thursday, February 28, 2019, 7:00 p.m., HS Concert Hall

4^th 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

5^th 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.

Hello,

Congratulations to everyone on a great performance on May 23rd!  Thank you for helping to make these performances a success!    Email me before Tuesday if you would like to get one delivered to the school.  You may also order online at http://www.monjarostudios.com/webstore/elementary.html. The discs will be delivered to school next Tuesday and will go home with your child before they leave for the summer.

Please consider having your child attend Childrens Choir  (3^rd-6^th) and First Lutheran’s Music Camp (1^st-5^th) this summer.  Thank you to those who have already signed up!  Children’s Choir will take place in the first part of July, and the Music Camp will take place in mid-August.  I have attached the Children’s choir flyer, and for the Music Camp please visit www.firstgeneseo.org and click on the link on the bottom left.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these items.  My email is meckwall@geneseoschools.org and the phone number is (309) 945-0625.

Thanks again for your continued support.  Have a great summer!

Mike Eckwall

Northside Music Teacher

Hello!

I hope that you and your family are enjoying your Spring Break.  I wanted to give you an update on events at Northside-all of which will take place at the High School-and also I wanted to share with you several additional opportunities that are available to your child.

We had a wonderful Fine Arts Day!  We had five acts between which students rotated in the morning.  Anne Sammons discussed and demonstrated Weaving and Fiber Arts, Paul Terpening showed us all about Woodcarving, Haylee Gustafson introduced us to the world of Drama, Mike Stees showed us what it is to be a beekeeper, and Shannon Port allowed us to get a workout using “Pound.”  To end the day’s festivities, our 4^th and 5^th grade instrument ensembles performed their version of “Liza Jane” for the school, followed by an ingenious and entertaining performance by Guys In Ties.  Thank you to everyone who assisted in helping to make this day a very positive one for our students!  Here is a link to the video playlist on Youtube: 2018 Northside Fine Arts Day Videos

4^th and 5^th grade students will be performing at All-Unit concert on Monday, May 7^th. Please arrive by 6:45 for the 7:00 performance.  We will soon begin rehearsing music for this concert. Practice tracks and music notation will soon be available on my district blog.

5^th grade students will be performing at the Recorder/Band concert the following Monday, May 14^th.  This concert will also take place at 7:00, and we ask that you arrive by 6:45.  During this same week, following the concert your child will have the opportunity to “test drive” several instruments.   During week of April 16-20 many of these instruments will be demonstrated to 5^th grade students.

All students will be beginning songs for our Spring Programs shortly after Spring Break.  The concerts will take place on Wednesday, May 23^rd.  4^th and 5^th grades will perform at 9:00 a.m., 2^nd and 3^rd grades at 10:15, and Kindergarten and 1^st grades at 2:15.

Here are several extra opportunities available to your child:

• All students have the opportunity to perform as part of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce Spring Open House & Art Walk on Saturday, April 21st from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Students do not need to be present for the entire event.  Please have your child see me if he or she has a solo or small group musical piece that he or she would like to perform.  I am also hoping to have all who are able to from our “Liza Jane” ensemble perform.

• Students entering 4^th-7^th grade are invited to participate in a Children’s Choir workshop directed by Geneseo music teachers and future music educators. Students will rehearse for two hours on July 5^th, 6^th, 9^th, 10th, and 11th.   Instruction will include vocal technique, theory, ear training, and preparation of concert music. The workshop will conclude with students performing with the adult community choir on Wednesday, July 11^th. Registration forms are available here and outside the music room.

• Current 2^nd-5^th grade students-At First Lutheran this summer from August 13^th-17^th, and 19^th students are invited to a week-long music camp. Lunch and an afternoon activity each day are also included in this experience.

As always, please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0625.   Thank you for your support of the arts in Geneseo!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Remaining Northside Fine Arts Dates 2017-18

All-Unit Concert (4th and 5th grade)- Monday, May 7, 2018, 7:00 p.m., High School TBA 

5^th grade Recorder Concert in the High School Concert Hall

• Practice– Friday, May 11-1:30 p.m.
• Concert– Monday, May 14- 7:00 p.m.

Northside Spring Programs– Wednesday, May 23, 2018, High School Concert Hall

• Grades 4-5 9:00 a.m.
• Grades 2-3 10:15 a.m.
• Grades K-1 2:15 p.m