Music at Archway's Lower Campus

Ms. Jen, Archway’s Music teacher, is off to a tremendous start this year. In two short months she has been busy supporting her students in composing and performing musical pieces and making some of their instruments. Students have created some of their own musical instruments using tins, clay topped skewers (mallots) and filled plastic bottles (shakers) for percussion instruments. She is never lacking in creativity (remember the pvc pipe digeridoos?) or flexibility.

A few members of the fifth grade class decided to start a band this year. The band is called Dark Universe and they gave their first performance at the Walkathon where they provided spectacular entertainment during the lunch break. They have composed their own songs and I am sure they will continue to develop new skills under Ms. Jen’s guidance.

As additional entertainment, the first through 4th graders performed some songs they have been working on in preparation for a performance at the Claremont House.

Both the first and second grades and then the third and fourth grades walked to the Claremont House (retirement home) for a scheduled performances. They arrived to find their audience already seated and waiting for them.

They sang three songs including “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and played a percussion piece which they collaboratively composed.

Also, this week Ms. Jen invited John Imholz, father of Fanya and David, to do a demonstration with a number of string instruments with the 3rd and 4th grade classes.

Thanks Ms. Jen for providing Archway students with these rich and varied musical experiences. And thanks to John, too.