The halls of Indian Springs Elementary School are alive with a variety of musical sounds this spring from native Texas twangs and classical violins to African drums and rhythmic recorders. Musical opportunities abound both inside and outside the classroom for students who can’t stop tapping their toes. Venessa Sloan is the Indian Springs music instructor.
Opportunities such as the Recorder Club, Percussion Club, Strings and the Coyote Choir meet before or after school up to twice a week. Students learn to play instruments, read rhythms and notes and are better prepared for middle school band, choir and orchestra.
The Recorder Club for third through fifth graders meets twice a week before school begins. Students are learning challenging music and having a blast incorporating dance and chants to upbeat recorder music.
Fourth and fifth graders are enjoying the Percussion Club. This group is working on a curriculum that incorporates character traits to drumming; this wonderful concept teaches rhythms in a new and innovative way. African drums and non-pitched percussion instruments are used including the djembe and tubana drums, rain sticks, guiro and claves, gongokui, cowbell, shekere and the talking drum (Adondo). Xylophones are also incorporated to further their enjoyment and to challenge their musical abilities.
The Coyote Choir is back as well this spring and preparing for its Leadership Day performance on Tuesday, May 19. As a Leader in Me campus, Indian Springs Elementary School has spent the year implementing Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” into every aspect of its curriculum including music. Leadership Day is open to the community, and everyone is invited to the campus to see the performances and more.
Violin students in both first- and second- year Strings continue to meet twice a week after school and have made wonderful strides in reading music and playing their instruments.
It turns out that getting up a little early or staying a little late at school isn’t so bad when music is involved.
Of course, that’s not all. Every student at Indian Springs Elementary School is involved in a big music production once during the school year through music class, and this spring will showcase the fourth, first and fifth grades.
Fourth grade students kicked off the New Year with a salute to Texas, taking the stage and showing off their Texas history knowledge with an Alamo backdrop, cactus, a bucking cowboy and windmill. Dressed in matching red bandannas and cowboy boots, the students wowed the audience with six handmade flags representing the six flags of Texas and performing state classics including Texas Our Texas, There’s a Little Bit of Everything in Texas, Miles and Miles of Texas, Deep in the Heart of Texas and Shake Them Simmons Down. The finale, however, had everyone smiling when the school’s principal, Marisa Wulfsberg, was called on stage and was serenaded to George Strait’s tune Amarillo by Morning.
The stage will become a jungle in April for the first grade performance of Welcome to the Jungle. With a waterfall, hanging monkeys and a jungle backdrop, students will also wear animal masks and self-made costumes! Every first grader will be singing and dancing in this upbeat musical about friendship!
Fifth graders are busy wrapping up the year with a talent show in May and graduation in June. They are sure to have a few teary-eyed parents when they perform songs about their future and leaving behind childhood memories during their graduation ceremony on June 3.
Everyone is invited to Indian Springs Elementary School to see the joy that music brings. Upcoming performances include First Grade’s “Welcome to the Jungle” Musical at 6 p.m. on April 28; Percussion Club, Recorder Club and Strings Creativity Night at 5:30 p.m. on April 29, Coyote Choir Leadership Day on May 19, Fifth Grade Talent Show May 28, and Fifth Grade Graduation at 9 a.m., on June 3.
