WE DID IT!! Great Job, Everyone!!!

Porters Point School students performed "Too Much Noise!" by Brian Hiller and Don Dupont for their parents and the community on February 11 and 12, 2015.  Half the school performed on Wednesday and the other half of the school performed on Thursday.  Even though it is the same script, the students bring in their own personalities which makes them different performances.  It is a joy to watch the students with that twinkle in their eye as they perform and receive the applause from the audience.  Great job, everyone!!  Below are just some highlights:

"Too Much Noise"!" Wednesday and Thursday THIS WEEK!!!

Just a last minute reminder that our performances of "Too Much Noise!" are Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 and Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015 at Colchester High School in the Theater.  Both evenings begin at 6:30 pm and are about 30 minutes in length.  All students should arrive at Colchester High School by 6:15 pm on their performance night and meet their classroom teacher in the Cafeteria.  Parents, please take your child's coat/boots/etc. with you into the Theater.  Do not leave anything in the Cafeteria during the performance!

Wednesday Night Performing Classes are:  Mrs. Reynolds (K), Ms. Donnelly (1), Ms. Warren (2), Mrs. Hooper (2), Mrs. Plunkett (1), Mr. Shepherd (1).

Thursday Night Performing Classes are:  Mr. Allbee (K), Mrs. Hershman (1), Ms. LaRose (2), Mrs. Bissonnette (2), Ms. Silverberg (1), Mrs. Belaski (K).

Students should wear regular school clothing (nothing fancy is needed).  Sneakers are preferred!!  No clogs, heels or boots.  Students need to feel comfortable standing and sitting on stage, and it can get hot, so no bulky layers are needed.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the performances this week!!


"Too Much Noise!" was written by Brian Hiller and Don Dupont

Our Musical Is Next Week!!

Students have been working very hard to learn the songs and prepare for our performances next week of "Too Much Noise!"  Below is the last Parent Letter with the details you probably want to know before coming to Colchester High School...

Final Parent Letter

Looking forward to seeing everyone next week!

More Musical Prep -- How Do We Learn The Songs?

Our musical "Too Much Noise!" will be performed on February 11 and 12, 2015.  All students have been introduced to the story, and each week we are adding more songs to put it all together.  There are six songs students will learn.  How do we learn these songs?

First, we listen to the music.  The beauty of this musical is that almost all the songs are based on children's nursery rhymes, lullabies, and songs.  The creators of this musical, Brian Hiller and Don Dupont then composed original music to go along with these words.  Many of the songs have a component where students must use inner hearing to think the words while they hum the melody. The natural rhyme scheme of the words make it predictable for students to quickly feel comfortable learning the songs.

Anyone who works with children that are 5-8 years old has probably figured out that students need to MOVE!!!!  They are more engaged when they can wiggle and move around.  So another feature in these songs is that they all include some sort of movement.  This really helps students to connect to the beat of the music and feel the natural rhythm inherent in the lyrics.

Although students only have music with me for 40 minutes once a week, teachers are provided the music so students can hear the music in their classrooms during such times as their Morning Meetings, snack times, indoor recess, and at the end of the day.  Repetition really is the key to learning something new.  So by the time we get to the performances in February, students will have learned all the songs.

Musical Preparation Time

January is the month we will begin preparing for our whole school musical.  This year we will perform "Too Much Noise - an Eastern European Folktale", by Brian Hiller and Don Dupont.  The details are included in the first parent letter (see link below) that will be e-mailed or sent home today (Wednesday, January 14, 2015).  Please let Ms. Mutz know if you have any questions!!!  Stay tuned for more details...

Parent Letter #1 - Too Much Noise!