Everything you need to know about our Music Program, but were afraid to ask...or didn't Know
Aloha and Welcome!
My name is Mr. Kepa Stern.
I have been involved with St. Anthony School and Parish since around 1995 as a parent, assisting in school activities, as a Music Director for our Parish in 1998 helping the school with their liturgies, then as a music and band teacher starting in 1999. All three of my children have attended and graduated from St. Anthony School, and since I’m still around, you can imagine that my belief, love, and commitment to this organization and to the students I teach and view as Ohana,.. one family in Christ,.. is a very important part of my life…yes, I practically live here…lol.
As a sidebar, ironically, in the year 2020 I celebrated 20 years of teaching here at St. Anthony School.
I would like to welcome you to St. Anthony School for the year 2022-2023.
In the following, I have prepared a In-Depth overview of my philosophy pertaining to my Music Classes.
I inform my students that I am the meanest teacher in the school, but somehow they don’t believe me! Because I am excited and happy to share my love of music with them! Who knows what kind of seed will be planted?...a basic love of music?...a performer, or as a musician or actor in plays, movies, concerts?...maybe develop a desire to play an instrument, maybe not now but in the future, high school, college?...an American Idol or America’s Got Talent contestant, or better yet, a winner?...maybe someday, a music teacher?...a Parish Music Director?...who knows!
Parents and Students, I thank you for choosing our school ohana and for allowing me to plant these seeds of music for you. Once again welcome and have a fun, exciting, and challenging school year.
Mahalo Nui Loa!
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My name is Mr. Kepa Stern.
I have been involved with St. Anthony School and Parish since around 1995 as a parent, assisting in school activities, as a Music Director for our Parish in 1998 helping the school with their liturgies, then as a music and band teacher starting in 1999. All three of my children have attended and graduated from St. Anthony School, and since I’m still around, you can imagine that my belief, love, and commitment to this organization and to the students I teach and view as Ohana,.. one family in Christ,.. is a very important part of my life…yes, I practically live here…lol.
As a sidebar, ironically, in the year 2020 I celebrated 20 years of teaching here at St. Anthony School.
I would like to welcome you to St. Anthony School for the year 2022-2023.
In the following, I have prepared a In-Depth overview of my philosophy pertaining to my Music Classes.
I inform my students that I am the meanest teacher in the school, but somehow they don’t believe me! Because I am excited and happy to share my love of music with them! Who knows what kind of seed will be planted?...a basic love of music?...a performer, or as a musician or actor in plays, movies, concerts?...maybe develop a desire to play an instrument, maybe not now but in the future, high school, college?...an American Idol or America’s Got Talent contestant, or better yet, a winner?...maybe someday, a music teacher?...a Parish Music Director?...who knows!
Parents and Students, I thank you for choosing our school ohana and for allowing me to plant these seeds of music for you. Once again welcome and have a fun, exciting, and challenging school year.
Mahalo Nui Loa!
2
Music, Choir, and Band
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My principles for teaching Music, Choir, and Band are guided by the following principles of learning:
Music education enables students to interact with sound, simultaneously engaging mind, body, and spirit. By creating, performing, and listening to music, the students will experience the different ways in which music can evoke and convey thoughts, images, and feelings. These experiences are unique and essential, and make significant contributions to the learners’ lifelong development as educated citizens. Music experiences in the primary years acknowledge, respect, and further develop the expressive experience young children brings to the school environment. From an early age, children’s expressive “play” includes movement, music, and dramatic play, all of which are significant in the development of body, mind, and spirit. “Play” and having fun is central and natural to children’s learning. As children move through the primary years, they acquire music knowledge, skills, and attitudes through play, and music experienced in the context of play simultaneously engages the various senses. This results in a balanced and integrated development of children’s innate music potential. Through the years, the students continue to expand their music knowledge, skills, and attitudes gained through ongoing active participation. They develop music literacy and use it to extend skills in creating, listening, and performing. The increasing development of competence is gained through activities that require practice and the use of their skills. It is my goal and intent to prepare our St. Anthony students, and to provide them with the necessary tools as they move on to higher levels of music education. As they further expand their music knowledge, skills, and attitudes, they will be able to apply it to many other aspects, and future career goals. Not only in Music but life skills as well. Music education, as envisioned in our St. Anthony School curriculum, contributes to the intellectual, aesthetic, human, social, religious, and career development of the educated citizen by providing learners with opportunities to:
These concepts mirror and conform to both the “School wide Learning Expectations” of our school, and also that of the “21stCentury Learning” criteria. Our Catholic Faith is an integral part of our music program, and my goal is to present how music is the connection and expression of love for God. Not because I have to, for it is what I truly believe. |
Basic Structure for ELC to Grade 8 Music Classes
First cycle: Orientation
First cycle: Orientation
- School/Uniform rules – Student Handbook
- Teacher Introduction - Mr. Stern’s Rules - Music Class rules and expectations
- Music Class Grading System – Focus on Participation
- Student conduct
- The music lesson objective(s) will be posted on a handout/worksheet and/or stated orally at the beginning of class.
- Objective examples include learning music elements such as expressive qualities which include dynamics, and tempo. Vocal tone color, duration, utilizing melodies, simple harmonies, major and minor tonality. Music design, utilizing texture, form, and structure. Cultural contexts of songs, style, background, and/or time periods.
- Basic music theory. Knowledge of orchestral instruments and families of instruments.
- Other objectives include singing a variety of music, performing on instruments, improvising, simple composition, analyzing, and evaluating music
- Using one or more of the following: Handouts, Recordings, worksheets, reading, writing discussions, manipulatives, videos, cooperative learning, individual research, occasional music projects, participation in singing, and movement. The objectives will be addressed step by step.
- Continuous evaluations of the objectives are incorporated into the lesson of the day, which include discussions, viewpoints, oral, written, and performance tests.
- Types of evaluations include turning in class work, question and answer sessions, oral quizzes, listening quizzes, singing and /or movement performance, solo or group performances. Games and group competitions are also utilized for evaluations. Participation: a key factor towards their grades. Active participation allows me to see, hear, and experience the depth of their learning and understanding.
- Because of the high volume of homework for the core subjects. Music “homework” will not be issued on a regular basis. Students are expected to turn in worksheets (if any) by the end of the music class period for credit. Occasional music projects may be given to work at home. Homework will only be given if students did not participate to show me evidance of understanding the music concept taught for the session.
- During the Christmas Season and in preparation of May Day, music classes will be geared to the learning, memorization, and singing of selected class songs, and selected student body songs.