Notes from the Music Room
A monthly glimpse into the music room at Bear Tavern
About Bear Tavern Elementary School's General/Vocal Music Program
My name is Britt Marie Dominick and I am your child’s general and vocal music
teacher. This year your child will come to music either once a week for 57 minutes (grades K, 4 and 5) or two times a week for 27 minutes (grades 1-3) to experience music making through movement, speech, improvisation, singing, composing, and playing instruments. I began teaching music at Bear Tavern in January 1997 and have loved every moment! Prior to teaching here, I was middle school band director in Franklin Township (Hunterdon County), and general/vocal music teacher in North Hanover Township (Burlington County). I earned my Bachelor of Music in Music Education from TCNJ in 1994 and my Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts in 2013. Additionally, I am a certified Orff Schulwerk teacher. A specialized post-graduate training, Orff Schulwerk is an approach of teaching music to children, created by the German composer Carl Orff.
What is Orff Shulwerk?
Orff Schulwerk is a way to teach and learn music. It is based on things children like to do: sing, chant rhymes, clap, dance and keep a beat on anything near at hand. These instincts are directed into learning music by hearing and making music first, then reading and writing it later. This is the same way we all learned our language.
Orff Schulwerk uses poems, rhymes, games, songs and dances as examples and basic materials. The special Orff melody instruments include wooden xylophones and metal glockenspiels that offer good sound immediately. Played together, their use helps children become sensitive listeners and considerate participants.
Kindergarten
First Grade Music
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
NJ Honor Choir and CJMEA Regional Choir Pre-Auditions
NJ Elementary Honor Choir (All-State Chorus)
Central Jersey Honors Treble Choir (Regional Chorus)
There are two extracurricular choral opportunities in the spring for which BT chorus members can choose to audition. I will use the terms All-State Chorus and Regional Chorus to distinguish them. Please read the brief description of each below, including dates.
1. All-State Chorus meets two Saturdays: April 29, 2017 (in New Providence) from 9:30am – 1:00pm and May 6, 2017 (in Flemington) from 8:30am – approximately 6:00pm (concert at 4:30pm).
Acceptance into All-State is highly competitive. Students must first pre-audition for me, then if approved, will record an audition to send to a panel of judges from around the state. They are then scored alongside students from throughout New Jersey – Bear Tavern may have multiple students accepted, one student, or none.
2. Regional Chorus meets one Saturday: May 20, 2017. This event is on the organization’s calendar, but I have not yet received specific information. The past several years Regional Chorus has been in Monroe Township with an approximate time frame of 9:00am – 3:00pm.
Acceptance into Regional chorus is limited to 6 students. Students who are accepted into All-State Chorus are not eligible to participate in Regional Chorus. This allows more students to have an opportunity to participate.
Here is the process if you wish to try out for one or both events:
1) Check your calendar with your parents and make sure you can commit to attending both days (All-State) or the one day (Regional). If you cannot attend both days for the full time, do not audition. You may choose to audition for one event or both.
2) If the dates work, please bring the completed form to Ms. Dominick not later than Friday, November 18, 2016.
PLEASE NOTE! NO FORMS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE.
3) Pre-auditions will be held Wednesday, December 7th during HR/WIN.
PRE-AUDITION: There are two voice parts (Soprano or Alto) you can officially audition for – I will have you sing the song in the lower range first and if you are able to do that, I’ll also have you try the higher range so I can help you decide which part to audition for. If you have trouble with the higher part but do well in the lower part (which is still pretty high), you will still be able to audition.
I will be listening for two main things: 1) whether you are able to sing in the high range of the piece and 2) whether you can sing the correct notes without the help of a piano or any other singers. These are not easy skills, and if you aren’t ready to do them yet, it does not mean you are a poor singer. This audition is designed to be difficult to pick out a small number of singers, so please don’t worry if I tell you that you are not yet ready. There will be other opportunities in your life if you keep singing!!
4) If you are trying out for All-State Chorus:
a. If I determine that you are ready for this audition, I will send home the official application form. You will then need to bring me the following items by Friday, December 16th:
· The completed application form
· $8.00 in cash or check made to Britt Dominick (I am required to submit only one check for the entire group)
b. I will begin recording the students’ auditions the week of January 4th. Once we know who is auditioning we will schedule time before or after school. All auditions must be submitted by January 11th.
5) If you are only trying out for Regional Chorus:
a. If I determine you are eligible for this type of ensemble, we will have to wait until the All-State results come back at the end of January/beginning of February. If we have enough Regional slots for everyone who is eligible, then all eligible students will be accepted. If we do not have enough slots, we will have to re-audition for Regional placement at that time.
Good luck if you decide to embark on this adventure!
The vocalise and solo audition practice links can be found at the NJACDA website