Garfield Elementary

4th Grade Music

Illustration of a recorder with musical notes on a blue background.

Welcome to 4th grade music! As a part of Clovis Unified School District's music curriculum, I have the pleasure to teach the recorder to your student. I have been a music teacher for over 20 years, and look forward to getting your students started on possibly their first instrument, the recorder. Every year the students get so excited and it is a lot of fun to be part of. We will have fun and work hard learning note names, rhythms, and how to play songs on the recorder

Arnd the end of the first quarter, the students are assigned and given a recorder. If the recorder is lost or broken, you will be asked to replace it or pay $5 to cover the replacement cost. You may also purchase and use your own recorder if you want to.

Each year we participate in a program called "Link Up". We will learn songs, take a trip at the end of the year to the Saroyan Theatre in downtown Fresno, and then have the opportunity to play our recorders with the Fresno Philharmonic. The theatre will be filled with 4th grade classes from our entire district and many other Fresno County schools. I also incorporate other songs from "Recorder Karate" curriculum. Each song that the students complete the test, they will receive a piece of colored yarn (their karate belt) indicating they have passed a song.

Learning an instrument is a skill which requires some regular home practicing. I am asking each student to turn in a practice sheet at the end of each month once we start learning the recorder. Please encourage your students to practice and ask them to play a song for you each week.

Helpful Practice Hints:

Cover all the holes tightly. Leaks cause squeaks!
The left hand is place above the right hand.
Blow gently with "warm" air.
Please make sure your student's recorder is labeled with their name.

Thank you for your continued support of your child's creativity in music!

Mr. Jason Kuyper

Resources

Band

Cartoon kids playing various instruments with "Music Matters!" text above.

Playing a musical instrument and participating in a musical organization fosters intellectual, creative, and personal growth. The study of music teaches responsibility, teamwork, mental discipline, creative problem solving, listening skills, and flexible ways of thinking. It's an education for life that provides a lifelong appreciation and enjoyment of music, a sense of personal accomplishment, builds self confidence, and is FUN!

Our band program provides every 5th & 6th grade student an opportunity to learn to play a school band instrument. These include flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, french horn, trombone, baritone, and percussion (bells, snare drum, bass drum, and auxiliary percussion).

Beginning Band

Beginning band is available to all 5th grade students. In this class, students will learn how to assemble, care for, and begin to play an instrument. No previous instruction is required. In band, students can learn to play woodwinds (flute, clarinet, alto sax, and tenor sax), brass (trumpet / cornet, french horn, trombone, and baritone), or percussion (snare drum, bass drum, bells, and auxiliary percussion).

Advanced Band

Advanced band is available to all 6th grade students. In this class, students will build on their fundamental skills and learn to play more complex music in a variety of styles. Previous experience, such as a completed year of Beginning Band, is expected but not required.

For more information, contact Band teacher, Mr. Jason Kuyper at jasonkuyper@cusd.com

Orchestra

Colorful musical notes on a swirling staff with decorative leaves, representing artistic music composition.

Playing a musical instrument and participating in a musical organization fosters intellectual, creative, and personal growth. The study of music teaches responsibility, teamwork, mental discipline, creative problem solving, listening skills, and flexible ways of thinking. Our strings program provides every 5th & 6th grade student an opportunity to learn to play either the violin, viola, cello or bass.

Beginning Strings
Beginning strings is available to all 5th grade students. In this class, students will learn how to assemble, care for, and begin to play a string instrument. No previous instruction is required.

Advanced Strings
Advanced strings is available to 6th grade students that have completed a full year of 5th grade strings or are able to perform at an advanced level. Advanced strings not a recommended class for students without previous string playing experience. In this class, students will build on their fundamental skills and learn to play more complex music in a variety of styles.

For more information, click on the attachment below.