Jean Lumb students and I have waited a very long year to move into our own music room. It is a magical space and we are already growing together as musicians. More posts as soon as I’ve checked all of the students’ media release forms!

This is a work in progress – expect more recorded voices and a music video to follow this fall – but take a listen! To create this song Jean Lumb students and I started by composing the song chords using ukuleles, then we hummed and reworked the melody notes, and finally we wrote the lyrics. Each step was debated at length by many different classes. I’m so proud of our results.

It’s not the Listening Club I imagined but it’s working – we’re sharing song suggestions, music videos, and activities. Our third “sharing music FROM home” even happened during some class google meets. But during this time apart I miss greeting and singing and strumming and laughing and dancing and reading and chatting with my students!! Stay well, friends.

Two weeks ago my primary students sent me sound recordings of them making music in their homes. I compiled them into this original GarageBand piece and called it “Sounds of Isolation.” Enjoy!

It’s a challenge to translate a music lesson, especially for little ones, into a google slide. I’m struggling to reach all of my 300 students, find my voice through technology, and create lessons that get my students thinking of/making music away from their devices (as much as possible). This response to my Kindergarten lesson on listening gives me hope. Thank you.

Before our COVID-19 home stays, my K students and I were improvising puppet operas. I miss my students!! Watch for online music learning starting next week. Stay resilient and flexible!

We’ve finally got into mallet instrument lessons (one of my fav. to teach) and are working on Hot Cross Buns, Star Wars, and Frere Jacques. I love when students exclaim, “I did it!” or when they transfer their knowledge to the keyboard, an instrument at home, or a friend.

My new Jean Lumb students continue to win my heart with their sincere, original, and confident music sharing.

All Gr.1-8 students (Ks soon) are learning and loving this amazing program. We are exploring composing, arranging, recording, different music genres, and DJing.

Jean Lumb students and staff have moved into our new school building! The students and I have been enjoying our (temporary) music room as we play and listen to our 25 new percussion instruments and ukuleles.