Math and Music Are Connected

The information for this post was shared by Lori Marino, music teacher at Shelburne Community School. 

A fourth grade class was learning musical notation. Specifically, the associated number of beats each note is “worth” in a 4/4 measure. I drew the diagram shown in the pictures below. The last student to leave class had left the class line and drawn a note with multiple flags with a number written beneath it in the first picture. The student knew to increase to the power of 2 each time a flag was added to the eighth note which is valued at 1/2 beat in a 4/4 measure.

Curious when I saw the large number written below the note the student had drawn, I called a colleague, Jodi Sanders, in to see if we could verify. Sure enough after we worked through each power of 2 (we did have to resort to a calculator!) we verified that the student (who did not have a calculator!) nailed the value!! 

This was a remarkable accomplishment! After acknowledging the student's achievement later this afternoon, they told me that they had memorized all of the powers of two through 300 something million and proceeded to rapidly rattle off all of the numbers Jodi had worked to figure out earlier in about 5 seconds!

I thought this was a great academic/artistic connection to share!

Note: The excitement spread to others and students continue to make these connections. Here's another photo of what they worked on 2 days later. 

Wow, thank you for sharing this with us, Lori!

Some Fireside Entertainment

WCS band students, working with band teacher Kim Thompson, have continued to adapt and find new ways to perform remotely. Musicians were empowered to choose, rehearse and record winter songs for the community, families, and friends to enjoy. In the video below, you will hear a variety of musical styles, content, and developmental levels spanning grades 5-8. There are some surprise guest performances from teachers and staff as well. Music is alive and well at Williston Central School!

Celebrating Music in our Schools and Beyond

This week we celebrate the amazing music and choral programs in our district. At this time of year, we benefit from concerts and events that showcase the product of many months of work. Check out the schedules below to add a little music to your lives in the coming weeks: We appreciate and thank the fabulous and talented educators who lead the way with and for our students.

CVSD District Jazz Festival, May 13, 7:00 pm at CVU 

featuring jazz ensembles from 

Williston, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Charlotte, and CVU

Shelburne Community School: 
Tim Buckingham, Christina Kelsh, Jodi Sanders, Hilary Rivers

• May 14  4-5 Chorus and 6-8 Chorus Concerts, 6:30 and 7:30, All Souls Interfaith
• May 21  Band Concert (Concert and Symphonic), 7:00 pm, SCS
• May 24  Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir, High Note Music Festival, Queensbury, NY
• May 27  Wind Ensemble, Shelburne Memorial Day Ceremony, 11:00 am, Shelburne Green
• June 3  Stage Band, Discover Jazz Festival, 2:00 pm, Church St., Burlington
• June 13  2019-2020 Wind Ensemble, 4:00 pm, SCS 8th grade Graduation

Williston Central School: 
Kim Thompson, Karla Kennedy, Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg

• May 22  Band Concert  Grades 5 and 6, 5:30 pm , WCS 
• May 22  Band Concert  Grades 7 and 8, 7:15 pm, WCS 
• June 5  3rd-4th Grade Chorus Concerts, 2:10 and 6:30 pm for families, WCS
• June 6  Beginner Band  6:00 pm, WCS

Charlotte Central School: 
Andy Smith, Monica Littlefield

• May 20  5-8 Chorus Spring Concert, 7:00 pm
• May 23  5-8 Band Spring Concert, 7:00 pm
• May 24  Grandparent Day Concert, K-4  9:55 AM
• June 4  Stage Band, Discover Jazz Festival, 12:45,  Church St., Burlington
• June 5  6th Grade Chorus, 1:00 pm, Charlotte Senior Center

Hinesburg Community School: 

Cindy Fay, Danielle Sertz

• May 29   5-8 Final Chorus Concert, 6:00 pm 
• May 30   1st Grade Musical EIEI Oops!, 6:00 pm
• June 4   Spring Band Concerts: Beginner, Intermediate Bands and 5:30 pm (Grades 5,6); Advanced, Jazz Bands and 7:00 pm (Grades 7,8)
• June 6   2nd Grade Musical Sing A Song of Aesop, 6:00 pm

Champlain Valley Union High School:
Andrew Miskavage, Carl Recchia

• May 14  Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Women's Chorus, 7:30 PM, CVU theatre
• May 16  Annual CVU end of year concert featuring Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds, CVU Chorus classes, and "You'll Never Walk Alone" as our senior celebration song at the end, 7:30 PM, CVU theatre.
• May 28  CVU Women's Chorus will be performing at a new senior residence: Williston Place. (This is not open to the public.)
• June 4  Jazz Ensemble, Discover Jazz Festival, 5:00-6:00 pm, Church St., Burlington