Welcome to Music
with Miss Ritter
September 2023
It's time for some music! 🎶
Let me introduce myself! My name is Allison Ritter, and this is my fourth year teaching elementary music. I have taught K-2 general music and elementary chorus for the past three years with Nantucket Public Schools. I decided it was time for a change, and moved back to the mainland. It's been such a pleasure getting to know Watertown, the Hosmer community, and my wonderful new students and musicians!
I grew up in New Jersey and I have my BM in Music Education and MM in Voice Performance, training classically as a mezzo-soprano. I have been trained in Feierabend's First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege Levels I & II curriculums, which guide much of my teaching. I love both teaching and performing, and am excited to be teaching first through fifth grade general music, second to fifth grade chorus, and co-teaching beginner band.
You will likely find me on the second floor strumming my tenor ukulele in the hallway!
Our Mission Statement
As Fine, Applied, and Performing Arts Educators, It is our mission to inspire and guide every student to be active participants in the Arts through the use of a sequential, academic, and creative curriculum that nurtures the human spirit and promotes cultural relevance.
General Music
At Hosmer Elementary School, every student is a musician! Music class at Hosmer teaches independence, confidence, respect, compassion, and encourages students to try something new each day. The music program aims to ignite a passion and excitement for music in all students, exploring, discovering, and creating with both instruments and our voices.
All students will have music once a week for 40 minutes in the music room. My hope is to develop a respectful community where students can take musical risks in the classroom and have fun while learning! Please ask your child to share what they are learning in music class with you, and please share music that's important to you with your children! Students embracing their culture and heritage through music is invaluable not only to your child, but enriches the entire school community!
Thank you for fostering a musical environment!
-Miss Ritter
Chorus
Hosmer Chorus has begun! 🎼
Grades 2 & 3: The Hosmer Half-Steps
Thursdays @ 7:45 -8:15 am
Grades 4 & 5: The Hosmer Harmonics
Fridays @ 7:45 -8:15 am
It's not too late to sign up! Scan the QR code or follow this link if your child still wants to join!
Our first choir rehearsal: Grades 2 & 3!
Musician of the Month
Gusttavo Lima
This month is Brazilian singer/songwriter Gusttavo Lima!
Click on the picture to listen to a playlist. Ask your child what they know about Gusttavo!
Third grade folk dancing!
Second grade part singing!
Keeping a steady beat on barred instruments with first grade!
Fourth & Fifth Grade Band & Strings
Starting in fourth grade, students have the option to participate in band and strings! Rehearsals are held in the mornings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with band taught by Max Thew (4th & 5th grade) and Allison Ritter (4th grade), and strings taught by Culley Byham (4th & 5th grade).
Band instrument options include: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, bells (percussion), and flute.
Strings instrument options include: violin, viola, cells, and upright bass.
All instruments are important to the sound of the ensemble!
4th Grade Rehearsal Times: 8:30-9:05 am (Tuesdays: Doherty, Mattson)
8:30-9:05 am (Wednesdays: Spillane, Stone)
5th Grade Rehearsal Times: 9:20-10 am (Tuesdays: Bellis, Twomey)
9:20-19 am (Wednesdays: Casazza, Gill, Psychoghios)
For more information, check out the band and strings website here!
You can reach Mr. Thew at: maxwell.thew@watertown.k12.ma.us
You can reach Ms. Byham at: macullen.byham@watertown.k12.ma.us
Responsive Classroom
Our classroom rules are inspired by Responsive Classroom. Responsive Classroom is an educational approach that focuses on social and emotional competencies through engaging academics, a positive school community, effective classroom management, and developmentally responsive teaching. Students learn strategies to regain focus and control of their mind and body through use of "take a break," rejoining the class when they have taken a moment to reset and are ready to learn.
Hosmer Elementary Music
Watertown Public Schools
allison.ritter@watertown.k12.ma.us
(617) 926-7740 x 34213