Mike Eckwall

Dear Northside Parents,

Thank you to those who attended and performed at the Recorder Concert on Tuesday, April 29^th. It is exciting to see so many 5^th graders interested in continuing with music next year in band and choir. I highly encourage everyone to participate in music throughout middle and high school.   If you have questions about music ensembles available, please contact myself, band director Tony Hernandez at ahernandez@dist228.org, or choir director Marie Abel at mabel@dist228.org and we will be happy to discuss your options.

As we enter the end of the year, I wanted to remind everyone that there are several remaining performances and other musical opportunities available to your child.¬†¬† We hope that you and your child will be able to come out to each of these events! You should have received a more detailed message regarding these events via Skyward. I’ve attached these documents at the bottom of this message.

Please contact me if you have questions at meckwall@dist228.org or (309) 945-0625. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely in Music,

Mike Eckwall

Northside Spring DVD order form

Skyward Message 5-1 2014_

Recorder concert program 2014 and instrument signup+info

Children’s choir Parent Note 2014-due May 19th.

Remaining Northside Musical Events

Grades 4-5           May 5-Monday- All-Unit Choral Festival

– 7:00 pm in High School Gymnasium

Grades K-5          May 13-Northside Spring Programs in Northside                                            Gymnasium:

-9:00 4^th-5^th

-10:15 2^nd-3^rd

-2:00 K-1^st

Grade 4-5             May 18-Spring Superhero Fun Run.

Singing “Star Spangled Banner”

-2:50 p.m. (3:00 start) in front of Millikin

Grades 3-5           May 19-Children’s Choir forms due to Mrs. Gierhart

Extra instrument ensembles have begun!

Rehearsals for the Spring Program will be:

• 4^th /5^th-Mondays and Thursdays at LUNCH RECESS and Tuesday morning (8:05-8:20).

• 2^nd/3^rd– Monday morning (8:05-8:20). and Wednesday/Thursday at LUNCH RECESS

• Kindergarten/1^st-Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday MORNINGS from 8:05-8:20.¬† Last rehearsal-Monday, May 12^th during LUNCH RECESS.

You must come to ALL rehearsals if you plan to perform with us at the Spring Program on April 13^th. If you meet with another teacher during your rehearsal time, please see me so we can arrange a plan for you to participate in both activities.

Thank you for wanting to participate in extra groups!

-Mr. Eckwall

Practice tracks and lyrics/notation have now been posted to each grade level.  Please let me know if any of them are not working so I can find a way to get you a working copy.  Thanks and enjoy!

I hope that everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend and have a great spring break!  Today we were sent off with an action-packed day of Fine Arts here at Northside.  We were able to visualize a story and create our own birds with a presenter from the Figge Art Museum, dramatize the story of the 3 Little Pigs, and get moving to the music with Jazzercise.  Right in the middle of this, the Middle School Jazz Ensemble and Swing Choir came to show us what music is all about once you move on from Northside.   To end the day, we were rolling on the floor laughing with a ventriloquist and puppeteer.

As we enter the end of the year, we have numerous musical opportunities and performances.  In fact, we have 1 event each week for 5 weeks in a row!  First, Mr. Hernandez has arranged to demonstrate all the band instruments to 5^th grade on Wednesday, April 22^nd from 2-3 p.m.  Second, 5^th grade students will perform at the Recorder Concert on Tuesday, April 29^th.  They will rehearse at 1:00 at Millikin, and will perform at 7 p.m. in the High School Gymnasium.  Third, The following Monday, May 6, 4^th and 5^th grade will perform at the All-Unit Choir Concert at 7 p.m. also in the High School Gymnasium.  Fourth, we will perform the following Tuesday, May 11, during the school day in the Northside Gymnasium.  Finally, 4^th and 5^th graders will sing the National Anthem to start of the Superhero Spring Fun Run at Millikin on Sunday, May 18^th.   We hope that you will be able to come out to each of these events!

 At the final concert at Northside on May 11^th, we will be presenting a program all about exercise and wellness, just in time for summer.  Look for practice tracks and music here on my blog in the near future.   After break, students will have the opportunity to come in for extra instrumental, speaking, and singing parts for the spring program.  I will have more information regarding this after break.

For students entering 4^th, 5^th, or 6^th grade next school year, I highly recommend participating in the¬†Children’s choir this summer.¬† This will be a great opportunity to have a wonderful time making music and to grow as singers and musicians.¬† Mrs. Gierhart and Miss Edwards will lead the choir again this year.¬† The theme for the year is ‚ÄúTransportation!‚Äù

Remaining Northside Musical Events

Grade 5-                April 23-Band instrument Demonstrations

-2:00-3:00 in  N.S. Music Room (during art/music classtime)

  

Grade 5-                April 29-Recorder Concert

-1:00 Rehearsal at Millikin

-7:00 Concert at High School

                                     

Grades 4-5           May 5-Monday- All-Unit Choral Festival

– 7:00 pm in High School Gymnasium

Grades K-5          May 13-Northside Spring Programs in Northside Gymnasium:

-9:00 4^th-5^th

-10:15 2^nd-3^rd

-2:00 K-1^st

Grade 4-5             May 18-Spring Superhero Fun Run to “Star Spangled Banner”

-2:50 p.m. (3:00 start) in front of Millikin

Thank you to those who performed at the Music in Our Schools Concert on Thursday, February 27th.¬† It was a fine performance by all!¬† Please feel free to listen to tracks of our performance, found under the¬† “4th- 5th, Music In Our Schools” menu.

-Mr. Eckwall

Remaining Northside Musical Events

Grades K-5-   April 11-Northside Fine Arts Day
 

Grade 5-         April 29-Recorder Concert

-1:00 Rehearsal at Millikin

-7:00 Concert at High School

                         

NEW TO THIS CALENDAR (sorry for previous omission):

Grades 4-5     May 5th (Monday)- All-Unit Choral Festival

– 7:00 pm

Grades K-5     May 13-Northside Spring Programs:

-9:00 4^th-5^th

-10:15 2^nd-3^rd

-2:00 K-1^st

We have received a generous grant from GEEE for a new Northside sound system!  The system was badly needed and will be much appreciated and we will all benefit from it for many years to come.  Look for it at the next assembly.  Thanks GEEE!

As we prepare for our concert at 7 p.m. on February 27th in the High School Gym, I have posted practice tracks under “4th-5th: Music In Our Schools.”¬† Enjoy! Please let me know if they do not work.¬† You may bring me a blank CD for me to record tracks for you also if you prefer.

Thanks,

Mr. Eckwall

Hello,

If you are a child entering grades 4, 5, or 6 during the 2014-15 school year, you are invited to sing with the Children’s Choir this summer!¬† Please consider this great opportunity to work with 2 fine music teacher in our area-Mrs. Gierhart and Miss Edwards, and sing with others your age.¬†¬†¬† Here is the flyer: Children’s Choir Parent Note 2014

Dear Northside Parents,

I hope you enjoyed a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Looking back, the Christmas programs went very well .  We received much positive feedback regarding the change in location to the High School Auditorium.  With a few logistical adjustments, we will plan to hold the Christmas programs there again next year.

The Christmas Program DVD’s have arrived!  They are sorted and arranged by grade level in the back of the music room.  Please have your child get your DVD during Music classtime this week or next week.  If you have more than one child at Northside I have placed it under your oldest child’s grade.   Please let me know if you have any issues with your order so that we may resolve them as quickly as possible

Fourth and Fifth grade students have begun our rehearsals for the Music In Our Schools Concert on February 27^th..  I have included the Northside Music Calendar for the rest of the year:

• Grades 4-5-¬†¬†¬†¬† February 27,¬† 2014 40^th Music in Our Schools Concert in HS ¬†¬†gym-
  • 7:00 concert

• Grades K-5-¬†¬†¬† April 11, 2014-Northside Fine Arts Day

• By audition-¬†¬†¬† April 25-27-High School Musical in HS auditorium

• Grade 5-¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬†¬† April 29-Recorder Concert
  • 1:00 Rehearsal at Millikin
  • 7:00 Concert at High School

• Grades K-5 ¬†¬†¬† May 13-Northside Spring Programs:
  • 9:00 4^th-5^th
  • 10:15 2^nd-3^rd
  • 2:00 K-1^st

Please let me know if you have questions at meckwall@dist228.org or (309) 946-0625.

Thank you always for your support!

Mike Eckwall
 

 

Hello,

Here is a list of costume suggestions.   Please email me if you still have questions at meckwall@dist228.org.

Thanks!

-Mr. Eckwall