Children's Choir presents Roald Dahl's Snow-White
On Thursday, May 15, the Children’s Choir performed an adaptation of Roald Dahl’s riotously funny Revolting Rhyme, Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs: a Glittering, Galloping Musical. The following day, the choir also gave a performance during the day for lower school students.

In this irreverent twist on the traditional tale, Snow-White cleverly schemes to scoop up the Magic Mirror in a dash for freedom and fortune, aided by the turncoat huntsman and abetted by seven ex-jockeys, leaving the meanest queen, as ever, heartless. Thirty-seven third and fourth graders participated in this performance of zany characters, clever rhyme, and British music. The performance was directed by Jeannine Ary. Thanks to David Miller for the pictures!

KCD Chorale holds spring concert
On the evening of April 24, the KCD Chorale held their spring concert in the choral music room. The concert covered styles ranging from Baroque to Broadway and included solo performances by Alexandra Siefke, Ashwin Raghavan, Lindsey Austin, Michelle Worthington, Max Vincenti, and David Niswonger (who composed his own selection).

The final selection was “You Can't Stop the Beat” from the Broadway musical Hairspray. The piece included choreography and brought the whole crowd to its feet! Thanks to all who came out and supported these talented performers. The Chorale’s next performance will be at Upper School Class Day.

A busy week in JK–K music
It was a busy week for JK and kindergarten music classes! On Monday and Tuesday, local composer Sara MacLean and Waldorf educator Michele Hemenway joined LuAnn Hayes' JK classes for a musical version of "The Little Red Hen." Through movement and original piano music, JK students became active participants in this creative version of a classic story.

On Wednesday and Thursday, kindergartners were joined by family members in the choral music room for a program highlighting music instruction and its connections with the classroom curriculum. Under the direction of Ms. Hayes, kindergartners used instruments, singing, and creative movement to demonstrate music fundamentals such as rhythm and pitch. Congratulations to these young performers on a great show!

Louisville Orchestra members share music with lower schoolers
The members of the Louisville Orchestra's Woodwind Trio performed for lower school students on March 21. They were joined by education coordinator Ann Taylor, who also prepared students for a family field trip to the orchestra’s OrKidstra concert the following day.

Approximately 140 students, family members, and friends gathered at Whitney Hall on March 22 for a performance of "The Pied Piper" presented by the musician/actors from Tales & Scales and accompanied by the Louisville Orchestra. A marvelous, musical time was had by all!

Musical program welcomes grandparents and special friends
The annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day program was performed before a standing-room-only crowd on Friday, February 22. The theme for this year's performance was "The Carnival of the Animals." The program involved students in grades 1–4 and included performances of animal-themed vocal and instrumental music, dramatic recitation, and dance.

The performance was a big hit with grandparents, friends, and other family members. Congratulations to all the performers and to directors Jeannine Ary and LuAnn Hayes, who once again delivered a great production!

JK students share musical program with parents
On Thursday and Friday mornings this week, KCD's JK classes and music teacher LuAnn Hayes invited family members to attend a special music class. Students used instruments, movement, and singing to demonstrate the concepts of rhythm and pitch they've been learning in class. As you can see in the pictures below, parents were encouraged to get involved!

Music program spreads holiday cheer
The morning of December 21 kicked off with a musical program in which KCD's choral and instrumental groups performed a number of traditional holiday favorites.

In keeping with KCD tradition, the program began with the arrival of the kindergarten and senior classes (the classes of 2019 and 2008, respectively—above left).

Congratulations to KCD's music department and to all our performers on a wonderful program!

Children's Choir performs on WAVE-3
Before the holidays, music teacher Jeannine Ary and the third and fourth grade children’s choir visited WAVE-3 TV to tape their holiday performance featuring “Songs of the Mountains.” The performance aired several times over the holidays.

The children also performed at KCD last Thursday evening for families and friends. Instrumental accompaniment was provided by The Mountaineers: James Racine, Nick Hamstra, and Tom Cunningham. A video of the performance is posted below (best on computers with fast connections). Happy holidays!

Artist in Residence focuses on world music
Each year, the Corey Powers Artist in Residence program brings professionals in the arts to share their experience and expertise with our students. This year's artist in residence was Dr. Rob Amchin, who heads the music education and music therapy divisions at the University of Louisville. Dr. Amchin is also a well-known Orff Schulwerk clinician at both the national and international levels.

Dr. Amchin has spent the last three weeks visiting KCD music classes in the Lower and Middle Schools, where his focus was on world music. During Dr. Amchin's classes, students used percussion instruments to make music from a number of different world cultures. According to music teacher LuAnn Hayes, "It was such a delight to observe our students bringing an African folk tale to life, dancing a Russian folk dance, and experiencing the demands and delights of participating in a drum circle."

Music teacher Jeannine Ary also appreciated the energy and enthusiasm that Dr. Amchin brought to his classes. "He was very innovative in his approach to improvisation," she stated, "both rhythmically on the world drums and melodically on the recorder."

For music teacher Karen Welsh, Dr. Amchin's visit provided a wonderful opportunity for her World Drumming class, which was introduced this year. "It was fantastic to have an expert in the subject visit us for the first year of the class. He had a great rapport with students."

The Artist in Residence program concluded on Friday, November 9, with a music performance by lower school students. Following the performance, Dr. Amchin was the guest of honor at a reception sponsored by the Fine Arts Department. In attendance at the performance and reception were Dr. William and Mrs. Sondra Powers, who endowed the artist in residence program in memory of their son Corey. We extend Dr. and Mrs. Powers a sincere thanks for providing this opportunity for our students.

Kindergarten students share music program with parents
On Wednesday, October 24, music teacher LuAnn Hayes and her kindergarten music classes welcomed kindergarten families to the choral music room for a celebration of color in song, movement, instrument playing, storytelling, and artwork.

All the colors of the rainbow were in evidence as kindergartners used movement, beat, and music to provide a musical adaptation of the children's book I Went Walking. Even the farm animals played an active part in this creative retelling! Parents also had an opportunity to experience a bit of movement firsthand by joining students in swirling colorful scarves in time to the music.

LuAnn Hayes takes Orff-Schulwerk on the road
The lower school music room is filled each morning with the sounds of very young voices happily making music. There are no sleepyheads here as music teacher LuAnn Hayes guides her junior kindergarten and kindergarten music classes in chanting, singing, moving, and playing instruments. Everyone is actively involved in this wonderfully creative process of making music!

Ms. Hayes’ approach to teaching and learning music is called Orff Schulwerk, a developmental method of music education introduced by German composer Carl Orff. Presently, more than 10,000 music educators in this country are using the Schulwerk method as an exciting way to present music to their students. At KCD, the music faculty teaching general music classes to students in grades JK–8 are all certified Orff Schulwerk teachers. However, it is in using this approach with the very young that Ms. Hayes has found a special niche.

Ms. Hayes is a past President of the Kentucky chapter of the Orff-Schulwerk Association and has both attended and presented at workshops and conference. Last month, Ms. Hayes took to the road to present a workshop for Orff Schulwerk teachers in Ohio. Entitled "Orff in the Early Years," the workshop presented a broad sampling of lessons for preschool and kindergarten classes with members of the northwest Ohio chapter of the American Orff Schulwerk Association. These lessons included creative approaches to teaching traditional and folk songs for young children as well as a sampling of Ms. Hayes’ originally composed materials. Many lessons also included examples of the integrated units of study developed with the assistance of KCD’s lower school teachers. Ms. Hayes is delighted to be given the opportunity to share her passion for teaching young children as well as her belief in the benefits of the Schulwerk method with an audience of her peers.

James Racine blazes musical trail as Maestro J
Music teacher James Racine is best known at KCD as the conductor of the Young Strings orchestral music program. Mr. Racine is a talented violinist who has performed with both the University of Kentucky Symphony and the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. When he performs as Maestro J, however, Mr. Racine's original compositions feature a groundbreaking fusion of classical and hip hop music. Maestro J and his band frequently perform in music venues around town and were featured this summer in the local weekly Velocity. The pictures below are from a performance this fall at Louisville nightspot Skybar. If you'd like to hear some of Maestro J's original compositions, head to his Web site at www.blazinstrings.com.

U of L music educator will be this year's Corey Powers Artist in Residence
Each year, the Corey Powers Artist in Residence program allows our art students to benefit from working with a professional in the areas of visual art, drama, or music. We are pleased to announce that this year’s Corey Powers Artist in Residence is Dr. Rob Amchin, who heads the music education and music therapy divisions at the University of Louisville. Dr. Amchin is also a well-known Orff Schulwerk clinician at both the national and international levels. As a matter of fact, he will be returning from presenting a course in Russia shortly before his residency here begins!

Dr. Amchin will be joining us for three fantastic weeks beginning on Tuesday, October 23. His work with students in the Lower and Middle Schools will focus on world music making. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Amchin to KCD!

The Powers Artist in Residence program is made possible by Dr. William and Mrs. Sondra Powers, who endowed the program in memory of their son Corey.

New piano lab hosts kindergarten piano class
Under the instruction of lower school music teacher Jeannine Ary, a group of young piano students is using KCD's new piano lab for an after school piano class. These kindergarten students are becoming comfortable with the keyboard and musical notation while learning the fundamentals of the piano.

This after school class is the most recent group to make use of KCD's completely refurbished piano lab, which includes equipment purchased by the Fine Arts Guild.