Mike Eckwall

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

Hello,

Congratulations to all our Northside students for a great performance on December 18th!  If you would still like to order a DVD of the Programs, you may order them online at http://www.dsquaredmm.com/webstore.

Here are videos of our last instrument performances on Wednesday, December 20:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3hHqYf6x0Qg0gsOCedV1X9VVCe6WsyFz 

Thank you again for all your support in allowing our Christmas Programs to be a success!  We hope that you have a happy and safe holiday season!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

Fa La La La La.com

List of Characters

Reporter 1        Acts 1+2-Addison E. (4^th)

Act 3-Addison E. (5^th)

Reporter 2        Acts 1+2-Michael F.

Act 3+ “Alfred” understudy-Lily J.

Reporter 3        Acts 1+2- Braelyn W.

Act 3- Ava R.

Olive T. Elf      Acts 1+2- Mady M.

Act 3-  Paislee T.

Alfred T. Elf – Rachael R.

Merry T. Elf    Acts 1+2- Kaylie D.

Act 3- Chloe F.

Hermoine T. Elf Acts 1+2- Junior T.

Act 3-Taylor F.

Rhymin’ T. Elf Acts 1+2- Tyler H.

Act 3- Joe V.

Santa – Cameron M.

Jasmine Chester – Kyah N.

Connie Lester – Jackie M.

Jenny Parker – Jenny P.

Kendra Barker – Lillian H.

Mikey Miller –  Dylan G.

Glinda Louise Diller – Lucy P.

 ________________________________________________________

Thank you to all who auditioned!  We had many great auditions, and there were some difficult choices I had to make.  If you were selected, please come to our first two rehearsals from 11:30-12:10 this Friday, November 24^th.  Here you will receive your scripts and we will run through the program.  Please have your lines memorized by the time we return from Thanksgiving break on November 27^th.  Please return the signed note on Friday.

EVERYONE in 4^th and 5^th grade is invited to join an instrument ensemble, which will also perform at our Christmas Program on December 18^th at 7:30.   Rehearsals for this ensemble will begin after Thanksgiving Break.

Falalalala.com congratulations note

 “The Littlest Reindeer”

Cast of Characters

Elf 1: Mia B.

Elf 2: Lauren P.

Elf 3: Landen V.

Elf 4: Caden V.

Elf 5: Reid S.

Doll- Brooklyn R.

Dasher-Ian M.

Dancer- Baylie H.

Prancer- Stella R.

Vixen- Taylor B.

Comet- Addi S.

Cupid-  Brooklyn E.

Donner- Natalie R.

Blitzen- Cheyenne H.

Rudolph- Jason M.

The Littlest Reindeer- Faith M.

Santa- Camryn E.

Mrs. Claus:  Alexis W.

         ________________________________________________________

Thank you to all who auditioned!  We had many great auditions, and there were some difficult choices I had to make.  If you were selected, please come to our first two rehearsals from 7:45-8:15 this  Friday, November 24^th.  Here you will receive your scripts and we will run through the program.  Please have your lines memorized by the time we return from Thanksgiving break on November 27^th.

EVERYONE in 2^nd and 3^rd grade is invited to join an instrument ensemble, which will also perform at our Christmas Program on December 18^th.  Reherasals for this ensemble will begin after Thanksgiving Break.

Littlest Reindeer congratulations note

Hello,

The Christmas Programs are right around the corner!  The 2^nd and 3^rd grades’ program this year will be The Littlest Elf, and the 4^th and 5^th grade’ program will be Fa La La La La.com! The programs will take place on Monday, December 18^th.  Kindergarten and 1^st grades will perform at 5:45 p.m., 2^nd and 3^rd grades at 6:45 p.m., and 4^th and 5^th grade at 7:30 p.m.   All Programs are scheduled to take place in the new Geneseo High School Concert Hall.

Along with the program’s music, both Fa la la la la.com and The Littlest Elf require a cast of about 15 characters.  If your child is interested in playing one of these roles, they may audition on Friday 11/10, Monday 11/13, and Tuesday 11/14.   Students should sign up for an audition time outside the Northside Music Room.  I may have time to listen to additional students, but priority will be for those who have signed up in advance.

Auditions for 2^nd-5^th graders will occur from 7:45-8:15 a.m. on Tuesday and also for 4^th and 5^th graders during lunch/recess time Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, in the Northside music room. Encourage your child to speak slowly, clearly, and with expression at the audition.  If your child eats breakfast at school on Tuesday, they should eat breakfast before coming to the audition.

Students should bring the Audition Form to the audition filled out with their first and last name with the characters for which they are auditioning listed. Please also fill out and sign the Video Permission section so that I may video-record the audition for later reference when making final casting decisions.  Students should memorize one of the three lines printed on the audition form.  I have extra forms available in the music room, and I have attached it and the scripts for each program at the bottom of this note.

Regardless of the outcome of these auditions, ALL students will also have the opportunity to participate in an extra instrument ensemble, which will perform at the Christmas Program as well.  In addition, there will be several solo and small group singing opportunities.

Please contact me if you have questions. Thank you for your help in advance!

Sincerely,

Mike Eckwall

meckwall@geneseoschools.org

2nd-3rdThe Littlest Reindeer Speaking Part Audition Form

The Littlest Reindeer script

4th-5th Fa La La La La.com Speaking Part Audition Form

Fa la la la script

Remaining Northside Fine Arts Dates 2017-18

Geneseo Christmas Walk (4^th and 5^th grades)– Saturday, December 9, 2017, Location TBA, Southwest 3:30 p.m., Millikin 4:00 p.m., Northside 4:30 p.m.

Northside Christmas Programs– Monday, December 18, 2017, High School Concert Hall

• Grades K-1 5:45 p.m.
• Grades 2-3 6:45 p.m.
• Grades 4-5 7:30 p.m.

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –TBA February/March 2018

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 7:00 p.m., HS TBA

Northside Fine Arts Day– Friday, March 23, 2018

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

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 14, 2018

Practice– 1:00 p.m., location TBA

Concert–  7:00 p.m., HS TBA

Northside Spring Programs– Wednesday, May 23, 2018, Location TBA

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

Congratulations to all participants for a great job at the Northside Talent Show on October 31st!  Here is a link to the YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3hHqYf6x0QgLnmFVY-afEuCHCkzYLEnE .

Here are audio tracks.  Sorry that they are not louder:

2017 NS Talent Show part 1

2017 NS Talent Show part 2

Harvest Fest Talent Show Results

Congratulations to all who auditioned!  Everyone who auditioned on September 11^th at the High School will have the opportunity to perform at the 4^th Annual Northside Talent Show on October 31^st.  Rehearsals for all acts will resume after the Harvest Music Festival, which will take place September 24^th and 25^th.

Noah D.- GMS- “Rhythms of the Night”- Piano solo

Lily R.- MIL-“How Far I’ll Go”- Vocal solo

Chloe F.- ¬†NS-“Try Everything”- Gymnastics

Isabella F.- MIL-“True Colors”- Vocal solo

Jake S.- NS- “Drumbeat Medley”-Drumset

Thackery N.- GHS-“Divine Romance”- Voice/guitar

Kayla E.- GHS- “Romantic Flight”- Flute solo

Addison D.- GMS- ‚ÄúCan’t Help Falling in Love‚Äù- Vocal solo

Hanna S.- GMS- “Hallelujah”- Vocal solo

Hello,

There is much to be excited about as we enter this new school year!  We not only have a beautiful new music room and other facilities at Northside, but many new improvements throughout the district.  Perhaps the most profound improvements are currently transforming the High School, with a new stadium, and numerous upgrades to music facilities including a fantastic new Concert Hall with a capacity of over eight hundred people.  These new facilities will serve students in our district as well as the community for years to come.

Listed below is  a list of Northside performances for this year.  Please consider helping with some of our musical events.  For concerts this involves setting up and taking down risers, chairs, sound equipment, instruments, and props.  For Fine Arts Day, there are various tasks, from preparing food for our luncheon to assisting our presenters.  Please fill out and return the attached page with your child.  Any and all assistance will be greatly appreciated!

In all grades, we are again using the Spotlight on Music series in all grades 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.

3^rd grade students will soon receive recorders and will be starting Recorder Karate. 

Using this system, students will receive belts for each song that they master. The belts start simple with the white belt’s “Hot Cross Buns” and make their way up to the black belt’s more advanced “Ode to Joy.”

4^th and 5^th grade students are busy preparing for our upcoming Harvest Festival concert:

The theme of the Harvest Festival is “Mr. Johnson’s Jukebox.”  We will perform as part of the Finale Concert on September 24^th at 4:45 p.m. in the Geneseo City Park.  The rain location will be the Geneseo High School Gym. We hope to see you there!

Earlier in the day on September 24^th, there will be a talent show for which 4^th and 5^th graders may audition. Many students have already spoken to me regarding their acts.  Please have your child see me this week if they are interested in auditioning.  I will assist students during specified morning and lunch recess times in putting together and practicing their acts.  Auditions will take place on Monday, September 11^th from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Geneseo High School.  Parents will be responsible for bringing their children to and from this audition.  Students should sign up with me for a high school audition time.  All acts that audition at the High School will have the opportunity to perform at the Northside Talent Show on October 31^st. 

Harvest Fest Volunteers needed! The weekend’s success depends on numerous volunteers.  Please consider assisting with events either Saturday or Sunday.  You may view different areas where help is still needed and sign up on GPAC’s Signup.com page at: http://signup.com/go/LdOuoxs.  All Proceeds from the weekend’s events benefit music and theatre programs from Kindergarten through High School in the Geneseo School District.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions at meckwall@geneseoschools.org or (309) 945-0625.

Thank you for your support of the arts in Geneseo!

Sincerely in Music,

Mike Eckwall

Northside Music Teacher                                                                                               

Back to school note and signup 2017

rehearsal schedule Harvest Fest 2017 TO SEND

 

Northside Fine Arts Dates 2017-18

Harvest Fest Talent Show Auditions (4^th and 5^th grades)-Monday, September 11, 2017, 3:30 p.m., HS Choir Room.

Harvest Festival (4^th and 5^th grades)-Sunday, September 24, 2017 Geneseo City Park (rain location HS Gym)

• Talent Show 3:00 p.m.
• Finale Choir Concert 4:45 p.m.

Northside Talent Show (4^th and 5^th grade acts perform)- Tuesday, October 31, 2017, 12:30 p.m., Northside Gym

Geneseo Christmas Walk (4^th and 5^th grades)– Saturday, December 9, 2017, Location TBA, Southwest 3:30 p.m., Millikin 4:00 p.m., Northside 4:30 p.m.

Northside Christmas Programs- Monday, December 18, 2017, High School Concert Hall

• Grades K-1 5:45 p.m.
• Grades 2-3 6:45 p.m.
• Grades 4-5 7:30 p.m.

Quad City Symphony Day-(4^th grade) –TBA February/March 2018

Music in Our Schools Concert (4^th and 5^th grades)– Tuesday, March 13, 2018, 7:00 p.m., HS TBA

Northside Fine Arts Day– Friday, March 23, 2018

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

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 14, 2018

Practice– 1:00 p.m., location TBA

Concert-  7:00 p.m., HS TBA

 

Northside Spring ProgramsРWednesday, May 23, 2018, Location TBA

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

Here is the tentative schedule for upcoming rehearsals.  Please check back regularly for updates.

Thanks!

Monday 5-15

• 7:45-8:15-4^th and 5^th Singing Group-ALL
• 11:00-11:25-5^th-‚ÄúRight Now/ Thinking Cap‚Äù ‚Äì open practice, others TBA
• 11:25-11:45- 4^th + 5^th-‚ÄúRight Now/ Thinking Cap‚Äù ‚Äì ALL
• 11:45-12:10-2^nd+3^rd-‚ÄúI Can. You Can. We Can./Knowledge is Power‚Äù ‚ÄìALL

Tuesday 5-16

• 8:00-8:15-open practice, others TBA
• 11:00-11:25-5^th-‚ÄúRight Now/ Thinking Cap‚Äù ‚Äì open practice, others TBA
• 11:25-11:45- 4^th + 5^th-‚ÄúRight Now/Thinking Cap‚Äù ‚ÄìALL
• 11:45-12:10-2^nd+3^rd-‚ÄúI Can. You Can. We Can./Knowledge is Power‚Äù ‚ÄìALL

Wednesday 5-17-Performance Day!

• 7:45-8:15-4^th and 5^th Singing Group-ALL
• 9:00-4^th+5^th Grade Performance
• 10:15-2^nd+3^rd Grade Performance
• 2:15-Kindergarten+1^st Grade Performance

Hello!

Thank you for all who performed for us as part of the Spring Open House and Art Walk!  As our Spring musical performances are quickly approaching, I wanted to give you an update on events and extra performing opportunities at Northside, and also remind you of several opportunities outside of school that are available to your child.

4^th and 5^th grade students performed at the  All-Unit concert on Monday May 1st.  Congratulations for a fine concert!

5^th grade students will be performing at the Recorder/Band concert the following Monday, May 8^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.   Next week, many of these instruments will be demonstrated to 5^th grade students.

3^rd-5^th grade students will have the opportunity to sing the “Star Spangled Banner” to begin the PTA Superhero Fun Run 5K on May 7^th.  The 5K will begin at 3:00 p.m. and we will meet by the starting line at about 2:50.  Students are encouraged to participate in the race after singing!

All students have begun working on songs for our Spring Programs.  Our theme this year is “All About Learning.”  The concerts will take place on Wednesday, May 17^th.  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 (note change). Practice tracks are available here on my blog.  Please click on the appropriate grade level at the top of the page.

2^nd-5^th grade students have the opportunity to join one or two extra performing groups for our spring program.  Please encourage your child to participate!  A more detailed schedule of remaining rehearsals will be posted next week.   Your child will be expected to attend all rehearsals for the part he or she is playing or singing.   Please see the above post for the upcoming rehearsal schedule.

Here are several extra opportunities available to your child outside of school:

• Current 1^st-8^th grade students-The Quad City Symphony Youth Choir is looking for new young voices for next year! You will have the opportunity to audition on one of several days in May.¬† I would be happy to assist your child in preparing for this audition. Please see this link for more information: https://qcso.org/meet-the-qcsyes/auditions. ¬†You may also contact ¬†Mary Tallitsch directly at mtallitsch@gmail.com.

• Students entering 4^th-7^th grade are invited to participate in a Children‚Äôs Choir workshop directed by Geneseo music teachers and future music educators. Students will rehearse for two hours on July 6^th, 7th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. 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 12th. Registration forms are available outside the music room and on my district blog. ¬†Registrations are due to Mrs. Gierhart by¬†Monday May 8th.

• Current 1^st-5^th grade students-Also at First Lutheran this summer from August 7^th-11^th, and 13^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

General Music Teacher

Remaining Northside Fine Arts Dates 2016-17

All-Unit Concert (4th and 5th grades)- Monday, May 1, 2017, 7:00 p.m., HS Gym

Superhero Fun Run (3^rd-5^th Grades)Рsinging “Star Spangled Banner”, Sunday, May 7, 2017, 2:00 p.m., Millikin Elementary

 

5^th grade Recorder Concert Monday, May 8, 2017

Practice– 1:00 p.m., Millikin Elementary

Concert-  7:00 p.m., HS Gym

Northside Spring Programs– Wednesday, May 17th, 2017, Northside Gym

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