Listening Games

Ask an IRC student about the Listening Games we play in music class. My colleague and friend, Doug Friesen, wrote a book of lesson ideas which open ears and minds. I didn’t believe some would work… but with these creative, open-minded kids, of course they did! Pictures above of students playing “Sound Sentences” and “Shoe Compositions.”

Off stage but on point

There’s so much exploring, growth, and learning that happens in room 210 – Please know you’re always welcome to visit and enjoy a class with us! Above is a pic of three grade 1/2s trying to decide if their improvisation should sound more like Charles Ives or Charlie Parker (!), the tech area as part of rotating centres, and a student bravely performing during “sharing music from home.”

All City Strings

There are thousands of them! Well, 115 to be exact. This year I am proud to be one of the All City Strings conductors for May 2nd’s 131st TDSB Spring Concert at Roy Thompson Hall. These strings kids are from all over the city and include eight IRC Grade 6s! The piece I’m conducting is “CN Tower” by Toronto’s Owen Pallett and he’s coming to the dress rehearsal. Amazing.

Jazz show amazes all!!

IRC junior students and the JazzFM Youth Big Band amazed our audience with swinging jazz standards and African-American singing games. Thank you to all students and parents for supporting music education!! En plus, we raised $300 for Sistema Toronto (google them)!