A little bit about the music classroom:

In music class students will sing, move, listen, imitate, explore, experience, analyze, classify, create, share, perform, notate, read, improvise, cooperate, and most importantly HAVE FUN!!!! We strive to create innovative, engaging lesson plans which include singing, playing instruments, and moving in each of our lessons. Music is important here at Dolvin Elementary. Studies show that students who receive music perform better on tests involving reading, math, problem solving, and logical thinking.


Thursday, December 17, 2015

Chorus Performance at Kroger

Dear Chorus Parents:

I look forward to seeing most of you today at the Kroger on States Bridge Road at 3:15 for our 3:30 performance. Your children are encouraged to wear their Dolvin spirit or chorus polo shirt. We will be singing in the bistro. See you soon!


THERE WILL BE NO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CHORUS REHEARSAL.

Thank you,

Megan Endicott 

Monday, November 30, 2015

Chorus Information Galore!

Good evening parents and welcome to concert week!

I am finding that we all have similar questions. I know that several e-mails have circulated and with the plethora of events coming up, there may be some confusion.  In efforts to more easily answer all of your questions, I hope to relay all of the information in detail. Please read carefully as I hope to address many questions and may not e-mail individually.

Please e-mail me directly if your child needs the Edmodo group code. A group member / friend of your child can also help you out with obtaining the code if needed. 

Chorus Polo Shirts:  They are being embroidered right as we speak. They will be delivered this week; however, I am not sure the exact date.  Julien's mom has graciously offered to help distribute the shirts when they arrive so we get them in time.  Many parents were not able to complete the form to request a shirt.  I do want to let you know, that I have ordered a shirt for each chorus member. I guessed on a few sizes and apologize if my guess was not correct. Please know that all children will be receiving a shirt. If you would like to purchase a shirt it is $16 with checks payable to Dolvin Elementary School. Some of you paid in $20s and will be receiving your change shortly.  If you did not purchase a shirt and would like to borrow from the music department, please plan on washing the shirt in cold water and returning it to the music department prior to the winter break.

If you missed today's after school rehearsal, your child is definitely still invited to perform in our events. Today was not mandatory! I do want to say thank you to those who were able to send their children. The rehearsal was extremely beneficial and I am certain there is a better sense of confidence!

Thursday, December 3rd afternoon:  We will be holding regular chorus from 2:30 - 3:30 to provide students will one additional rehearsal opportunity.

Thursday, December 3rd evening: Our performance at Dolvin will be in the commons at 6:00. Please meet in the commons around 5:30 pm. Students will be wearing their new chorus polo shirt and black or dark bottoms and shoes. Holiday or festive attire such as hats and scarves may be born. The performance should not last more than 45 minutes. At the conclusion of the performance we would like to ask that you help us put the chairs back on the rack.

Friday, December 4th during school: We are working on pulling together a performance for the 3rd-5th grade student body. Time is TBD.

Friday evening, December 4th:  Founder's Day Celebration:
From the Event Planner:

The event begins at 6 p.m., and we'll have plenty of crafts, with food prepared and sold by the Johns Creek Fire Department to benefit the Georgia Burn Foundation. Santa will be there, and for the third year, we will light our tree here at the hospital! 

If all goes as planned, your performance is scheduled to begin no earlier than 6:30 p.m.  Your students should arrive about 6:00 p.m.  The warm up area is located in our cafeteria.  Arriving students and parents should enter the hospital through the main doors and proceed to the lower level cafeteria area.  The stairs to the lower level are located to the right, after entering the hospital.  I will have high school students stationed there to direct them.  Once they are with you, I will ask the parents to leave the area and proceed outside, as there is not room to accommodate parents and students.  You can use this time to practice or get set up, as necessary.  About 6:25, we will lead you and the students outside to the risers. 

Please encourage your school families to attend – it really is a lot of fun with some great crafts this year.  Everything will be set up until 8:30 p.m., so families will have plenty of time after the performance to partake in food and crafts!  And the Fire Dept. food is amazing – again this year they will sell Rib Plates for $12; Smoked Chicken, and Pulled Pork Plates for $10; and Hot Dog Plates for $7.  All proceeds benefit the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.

The entire event will be outside, so your students and families will need to dress accordingly. All crafts and all of the food will be outside also – I will have heaters scattered about.  We’re trying for that Winter Wonderland look, and our theme this year is “Frozen” – hopefully we won’t be!

I will make the call by Thursday morning if I have to make changes because of inclement weather and will let you know if it comes to that.  If you hear nothing, we’ll go with Plan A.   

The hospital is located at 6325 Hospital Parkway, Johns Creek, at the corner of McGinnis Ferry and Hospital Parkway.

As you know, this is a part of the week long city celebration.  Each day there is something going on for the community, beginning with the tree lighting on Monday night and ending with Santa Jam on Saturday afternoon of the parade.  The Friday “event” is the Holiday Workshop at the hospital. 

From Megan & Allison about Founder's Day:

Let's plan on wearing our chorus polo shirts with layers and holiday attire. Jeans are fine for this event. We will meet at the event between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm to ensure we are ready for our 6:30 pm start. If the wearing is terribly cold, we may shorten that time to save us being out in the cold for too long.  We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Sing for Santa: Saturday, December 12th 7:05 PM at the Gwinnett Arena
See the attached flyer in the Dropbox link. The music is different (it is a collaborative sing-a-long), so please look over the music on Edmodo and located in this file. Students will wear their chorus polo shirts and jeans. A parent or chaperon must be present.  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/oogfogqxgzs1wcs/AAAiD7gVK2SxrJupHWs7Rt-Ia?dl=0 


Special Part Assignments:
Please see attached script for students participating in the speaking roles. Several have not memorized their lines.  Speaking and dancing roles are only for Thursday night, as we aren't sure how the set up will affect the performance Friday night at Founder's Day. Solos and vocal groups will still perform both evenings.

Check your e-mail for a link and attached file! 
Speaker 1:  Sophia S
Speaker 2:  Neeraj P
Speaker 3:  Anusha Y
Speaker 4:  Cooper D
Speaker 5:  Evan P
Speaker 6:  Freya C
Speaker 7:  Holland S
Speaker 8:  Britton S
Speaker 9:  Elizabeth A
Speaker 10: Atusa M
Speaker 11: Ally D

The Light of Kwanzaa – Tuesday morning 7:15-7:45 AM
                Sana, Ruhi, Swara, Ananya, Gracie
La Fiesta – Wednesday morning 7:15-7:45 AM
                Richard, Ishaan, Evan, Kelechi, Britton
Light the Candles All Around the World - Thursday during chorus
                Christine, Jadelyn, Kayla, Emma Shanklin, McClain, Nitya
The Lights of Hanukkah – Friday morning 7:15-7:45 AM
                Jordan, Eva, Hermon, Jessica, Charlyene, Katie White

Vocal Part Assignments:
Just One Candle:
                Lainey & Viji
Light the Candles All Around the World:
                Katie Heaney (verse)
                Jasmine (ad lib at the end)
The Light of Kwanzaa:
                Ashley
When Christmas Comes To Town Duet:
                Declan
                Cayden

Please reach out if you have any additional questions.

Thank you!
Megan Endicott & Allison Polaski
Dolvin Elementary

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

2nd Grade Musical Tomorrow!

I am in need of about 4 to 5 parent volunteers to help me during the day with set up of the cafeteria for our evening performance. We will be transporting chairs and setting them up in rows. Please let me know right away if you are able to help. In additional I would like to ask that each parent help stack chairs, transport chairs and tables, and help us breakdown/ setup the cafeteria for Friday lunch. If we work together, we will all be home with our little ones quickly! 

One of my pushes this year is to communicate concert etiquette with my students.  You too can help at home! Take time to review concert behavior and expectations with your children and help us set a good expectation at our performances so we are educating the next generation on how to attend these types of performances properly. 

For a fun little intro, you might consider watching this video created by Mrs. Evans and myself last year. The kids thought it was great! There are also some really great videos from Sesame Street.  This would be a great review for all ages before any concert setting.





We look forward to seeing you tomorrow night!

If you are in need of additional information about the show, please read the letter sent home from homeroom teachers last week via e-mail.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Megan



j0290359Dear 2nd Grade Parents,
The 2nd grade is proud to present our musical, “Spaced Out”, which will be held Thursday, November 19th, at 6:30 PM in the Dolvin Cafeteria.  Students are encouraged to arrive at 6:00 PM to begin getting into costume.  Please be advised that the school doors will not open until 6:00 PM.  Your child will need to wear jeans and a white shirt; all other costume necessities will be provided by the Music department.  If your child has received a character assignment they will need to wear their assigned costume.   We will hold a performance for the student body Thursday morning at 8:00 AM; therefore, you will need to send your child to school with their costume for the morning performance.  Please check the music department website for any additional information at www.dolvinmusicendicott.blogspot.com.
We also are in need of parent volunteers to assist with set-up of the cafeteria following the conclusion of our performance Thursday evening.  Please e-mail Megan Endicott if you would be willing to assist.   
Please e-mail the Music department if you have any questions.  We look forward to seeing you Thursday, November 19th, at 6:30 PM for our performance.
Thank you,
Megan Endicott & Patrick Denney




Follow music events through our blog, Instagram, and Twitter.
Twitter @ EndicottSpot and Instagram @dolvinmusic
#dolvinmusic

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Spaced Out and Chorus

Dear parents,

All 2nd graders should have received part assignments and/or a letter from the music department with information concerning our upcoming musical. Please reach out if you have any questions.  Our performance will be November 19th at 6:30 PM. The doors will open at 6:00 PM.  See you then!

Chorus students, please have auditions prepared and submitted by this Friday. I will send a message through Edmodo as well. I plan on making a copy of the CD for check-out. The CD will be available tomorrow morning.  I hope this will help with formatting problems.  If needed, I am in my room in the morning beginning at 7:10 to help students with auditions and other trouble spots.

Parent information about chorus polo shirts and upcoming December concerts will be coming your way shortly! Please let me know right away if you aren't on the e-mail list.

Thank you!
Megan Endicott

Monday, November 2, 2015

Updates!

Good evening parents!  I hope you tried to make the best of this rainy Monday.

Dear second grade parents, Please note that we had to change our original performance date from November 12th to November 19th.  We would also like to let you know that speaking roles have been selected both from the music department and the classroom.  In efforts to keep students spirits high, please understand that we are only able to select 3 main character roles from each classroom.  Your children are all very talented,which made the task rather difficult! While not everyone has the opportunity to talk in the microphone, we are happy to say that every child does have a special part, will wear a costume, and have their moment to shine on stage.  Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Your teachers will contact you this week with those who are speaking and need to create / find additional costumes.

In other news! I am happy to post two different interviews for you from the last two weeks. One with our Fulton County Vanguard Lead Coach, Heather Cox, about personalized learning my classroom and the other with Quaver himself!  Both offer a sneak peek into the music room and the type of learning your children are receiving. Take time to look them over and let me know if you have any questions!

Check Twitter or Instagram for a sneak peek into the classroom!

I'll be found at about the 30 minute mark. :)


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

News & Notes

We will be finalizing 2nd grade auditions by next week. There are opportunities for additional speaking roles following our first announcement. Teachers will be making that announcement in class.

Students are wrapping up our first unit, rhythm. We have spent the first nine weeks learning about beat, meter, and rhythm. Check Twitter and Instagram for pictures and videos of student work! We will begin our 2nd unit of study, melody. Students will be learning how to read AND sing pitches on the staff. We will tie this in with what we know about rhythm to read and sing actual musical notation! (Even in kindergarten!)

Chorus students should have set up their class Edmodo accounts and may begin practicing their music and submitting auditions for singing solos.

This week, I was offered a wonderful opportunity to take a trip to Nashville, Tennessee to work with the BEST, Quaver! Check back for an update with an announcement about our session over the next few weeks  It was so much fun and the team is just incredible! I had a great time seeing all of the brilliant minds at work putting together every element of the Quaver world.


Please e-mail me if you have any questions! 

Thank you,
Megan Endicott

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Spaced Out Auditions

A quick update for students and parents with questions.  We are holding auditions during classes this week.  In the event that we are unable to finish auditions, we will follow up the following week during music class.  Please remind your child that there are only 3 spots per classroom, which makes this process very tricky.  We will have additional opportunities for speaking roles from the classroom teachers.  Every student will have a costume and either a speaking or dancing role on stage. Please let me know if you have any questions! Be looking on social media for sneak peeks of our in class rehearsals! 

Megan Endicott

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Atlanta Families' Award of Excellence in Education

Now that some of the excitement has died down, I would love to announce that I was selected as a winner for the Atlanta Families' Award of Excellence in Education for 2015.  You will probably be hearing more and seeing more about the award and what this means for the music students at Dolvin in the coming months.  In case you missed the surprise on WSB here is a link to the coverage. http://www.wsbtv.com/videos/news/atlanta-families-awards-for-excellence-in/vDZRQw/ 

You may see WSB news around Dolvin for the next few months as they continue coverage on the award progress.



For more information about the award, click here! http://atlantafamilies.org/

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Changes in the Music Room!

Well, after Fulton County's 10 day count and re-mapping, we will now be welcoming Patrick Denney to Dolvin on Thursdays and Fridays.  Our schedules will remain the same.  Please continue to check online for constant updates.


Also, Spaced Out audition letters and scripts will be coming home this week as well as chorus permission slips.  Please e-mail me at Endicott@fultonschools.org if you have any questions.


Thank you,
Megan Endicott

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Welcome Back!!!!

I am so excited to be back to school.  The past two weeks have gone by so quickly.  In each grade level we took a moment to review our classroom rules and procedures then jumped right into discussing the steady beat.  Remember to follow me on Twitter @EndicottSpot and Instagram @dolvinmusic for constant updates! Give us a shout out and make sure to add #dolvinmusic.

We would also like to welcome Kelly Mott, itinerant must teacher to Dolvin Elementary.  She is returning to Fulton County after a few years teaching music at an international school in Kenya.  We are happy to have her on staff this year!

I would like to also wish Mrs. Evans good luck as she begins her full time music job at River Eves elementary.  We will miss you!!!!

Chorus signups will begin next week with our first rehearsal on Thursday September 10th. Chorus meets on Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 for interested 4th and 5th grade students.  This year, Mrs. Polaksi will be co-directing the group.  Welcome! You can find more information about chorus, as well as an online signup form by clicking on the chorus tab at the top of the page.

Our 2nd graders have begun learning music for their musical Spaced Out.  Students will begin signing up for auditions this week.  You can find more information about the show and audition scripts by clicking on the Spaced Out tab at the top of this page.

I am looking forward to another exciting year together! Please let me know if you have any questions at endicott@fultonschools.org.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Quaver Contest

In celebration of Music In Our Schools month and Digital Learning day, the Quaver team from Quaver's Marvelous World of Music is hosting a contest to allow teachers and students the opportunity to provide a video testimony of how music is seriously fun in their schools.  We are excited to announce that we are a finalist in the competition! To win, we need your votes!!!! Voting closes tonight at midnight.  Please consider going online and vote for our school at www.quavermusicblog.com.  We are so excited!!!


Thank you,

Megan Endicott

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Chorus today

We will have chorus this afternoon. See you at 3:30! Pictures of our field trip coming soon.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Special Chorus Announcements and Due Dates

Dear Chorus Parents,


We are pleased to announce that we will be attending a field trip to the Fulton County Music in Our Schools Month Concert at the Cobb Energy Center. A hard copy of the permission slip went home with students this afternoon. I am attaching a separate copy here for anyone who missed chorus and needs an additional copy.  These forms are due tomorrow.  The field trip will be free for students and chaperones. If you wish to chaperone this trip, please let me know today or tomorrow.  We will need at least 10 volunteers.  Volunteers will need to have completed the online volunteer process as well as having your driver's licenses scanned. If you have not completed this process it will take 48 hours and will need to be completed as soon as possible.  Contact me for more details and I will direct you to the appropriate sources.


In addition, we distributed choral clinic forms. The choral clinic will be Saturday, March 14th, from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm at Mimosa Elementary School.  These are due tomorrow.  We apologize for the quick turn around. Here is a copy of this form.  This is not a required event. The cost is $25 per child to pay for the cost of the workshop, printed music, snacks, a souvenir bag, water bottle, and t-shirt.  This will be a wonderful day of learning followed by a performance for the parents. 


Please e-mail me if you have any additional questions or need more information.


Thank you,
Megan Endicott