Joan Martin Music Notes
August 2018
Sing, Say, Dance, and Play!
Meet Mrs. Amsler
Mrs. Amsler received her bachelor's degree in music education from Anderson University, where she was named Outstanding Instrumentalist and was the instrumental winner in the University's Concerto Aria Competition. She received her master's degree from VanderCook College of Music and has completed all three levels of Orff-Schulwerk Certification at Anderson University. She has performed with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra and the Madison County Director's Jazz Band and is on the board of the Indiana Orff-Schulwerk Association. She has also been a presenter at the Indiana Music Educator's Association Professional Development Conference.
Mrs. Amsler sings and plays many instruments but specializes in saxophone and piano. She has also taught saxophone at the collegiate level. She is married and has two daughters. In her free time, Mrs. Amsler enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her friends and family.
Meet Mr. Lacny
Mr. Lacny received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University Calumet in Elementary Education. He taught third grade for six years at Liberty Elementary and has now been teaching music there for the past six years. Mr. Lacny also teaches music classes at Joan Martin Elementary one day a week. He earned his Master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan.
Mr. Lacny also performs music outside of school with some local bands and is a performing magician as well. In his free time Mr. Lacny loves to kayak, camp, cook, and fish.
Grading in Music Class
Music grades, like art grades, only show up on report cards twice a year (at the semester). Students are graded on the 4 overarching anchor standards: (1) CONNECTING with music, (2) LISTENING and RESPONDING to music, (3) PERFORMING and (4) CREATING music. A full list of the current Indiana Standards for Music are available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N9-L3GYOFQ1FDLuRIj7PecSWEpoNBMb-/view
Your child's music grades can be viewed through Skyward online at any time.
Please contact your child's music teacher if you have questions concerning their grade.
4th and 5th Grade Recorder Orders
As part of our music curriculum, 4th and 5th grade will be learning to play the recorder. Recorder study encourages the students to listen attentively as they play and develop a sense of “hearing” that musicians refer to as ear training. It is a hands-on approach to teaching music reading, and an excellent introduction to instrument playing skills.
All students will need two recorders, one recorder at school and one at home for practicing. This way your child will not have to remember to bring the recorder back and forth. Your child is responsible for having their recorder at every music class.
If your child does not already have two recorders, recorders can be purchased from the school at the price of $4 each. We also have a limited supply of used recorders available for $1.00. (Used recorders have been sanitized and come with a cleaning rod and no case).
5th grade- If your child was a student at Joan Martin last year and left their “school” recorder at school, they do not need to purchase a new school instrument.
To order a recorder, please fill out the form at this link https://tinyurl.com/JMrecorders and turn it in to Mrs Amsler by Wednesday, September 5.
*If you need financial assistance in this matter, please contact Mrs. Amsler.
Want to Know More?
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter or contact Mrs. Amsler.
Email: amslerclass@hobart.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.hobart.k12.in.us/Page/7898
Location: 301 East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, USA
Phone: 219-947-7869
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoanMartinElementaryMusic/
Twitter: @joanmartinmusic