Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents about music
class (including folders and recorders), Recorder Karate, Recorder Ensemble, and Chorus.
- What does my child need to bring to music class?
- Does my fourth or fifth grader need to bring a recorder to every music class?
- Where can we get a recorder?
- What happens if my child does not have his/her recorder for class?
- Should I expect my child to practice recorder at home?
- Why are there specific colors for folders?
- What is Recorder Karate?
- How does a student test for Recorder Karate?
- Will Recorder Karate testing happen all year?
- Do all fifth grade students have to participate in Recorder Karate?
- Can students go beyond the black belt?
- What is Recorder Ensemble?
- How does a student get into the Recorder Ensemble?
- When does the Recorder Ensemble meet?
- Is there a chorus at Cheatham Hill?
- Do you have to audition for chorus?
- When does chorus meet?
- My child attends ASP. Can he/she be in the chorus?
- What if I am not at school to pick up my child at 3:30 after chorus?
What does my child need to bring to music class?
ALL students need to bring their singing voices and a smile to music class
regularly.
Third grade students need to bring a red prong pocket folder. This folder will stay in the music
classroom.
Fourth, and fifth grade students need to bring some supplies to class. These
supplies are found on the supply list link on this web page.
Does my fourth or fifth grader need to bring a recorder to every music class?
Yes. While we may not use a recorder in each music class, students need to be
prepared to use it, since they will not know if they need it or not. I record each music class if
they have come to class prepared with their recorder. If everyone in their class has their recorder
in music, we record this with a block on a graph. At the end of the year, the fourth and fifth grade
class that has the most blocks will have an ice cream party. Not having their recorder will impact
their music grade, as outlined in the parent letter in the music folder.
Where can we get a recorder?
Recorders with neck straps can be purchased at the School Spirit Store on Tuesday mornings for
$10.
They come in a choice of 8 colors. Recorders can also be purchased at a music store. If you are
purchasing one from a music store, please purchase a Yamaha recorder, as they have the best
pitch and tone, and are made well. A recorder from a music store will probably not have a neck
strap. A recorder neck strap can be purchased from the School Spirit Store for $2. STAY AWAY
FROM ALL OTHER STORES FOR PURCHASING A RECORDER, ESPECIALLY THE DOLLAR STORE - THEY
ARE NOT PERMITTED. These are toys and are not made with accuracy of pitch and quality
of tone.
What happens if my child does not have his/her recorder for class?
I have a classroom set of recorders for students to use in class. These recorders, after being used,
are washed in the school dishwasher and returned to the music classroom for future use. However,
these recorders may not be used outside the music classroom.
Should I expect my child to practice recorder at home?
YES! As with anything your child is learning, it takes practice and perseverance on their part, and
patience and encouragement on your part. Please remember practice is homework for music just
as paper and pencil work is homework in other classes. The recorder is a quiet instrument. If it
sounds like your child is "calling all the neighborhood dogs" they are probably not
practicing, but rather playing around. Encourage your child to play their songs for you. YOU are
their MOST IMPORTANT AUDIENCE!
Why are there specific colors for folders?
The color of the folders matches the color of their textbook, which also matches the color that they
need to look for in the classroom. When everyone in the class has the same color folder for music, it
is easier for your child, when lining up to come to music, to know if they have
the wrong folder in their hands if everyone has one color and they have another.
What is Recorder Karate?
Recorder Karate is a program that moves a student through a series of songs, introducing new music
concepts and notes as it moves along. Students move through this program at their own pace,
testing for each song when they are ready. They can move as fast as they want. When they are
successful in testing for a song, they receive a "belt" of a certain color, moving from
white up to black, and tie it onto their recorder.
How does a student test for Recorder Karate?
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings 7:20-7:50 are set aside for testing. Each fifth grade
class has their designated day for testing. To test, they must receive a paper chip from their
homeroom teacher that morning, then come to the music room for a test. From time to time,
certain testing dates will be designated for testing for a certain purpose, such as anyone still
needing a particular color as the deadline for that color belt approaches or for students trying to
earn their blue belt in order to participate in the Recorder Ensemble. Occasionally testing
will not be able to be held on the designated testing day. Every effort will be made for an
alternate testing day.
Will Recorder Karate testing happen all year?
No. It will end at the end of the third quarter. After that, any student who has earned their black belt
will be invited to attend the Black Belt Celebration.
Do all fifth grade students have to participate in Recorder Karate?
Yes. All fifth grade students must earn their white, yellow, and orange belt by the end of the first
quarter, their green belt by the end of the second quarter, and their purple belt by the end of the
third quarter. To not do so will impact their music grade (please see parent letter in your child's
music folder for further clarification of grades).
Can students go beyond the black belt?
YES! I have added degrees of black belt for those who would like to do that! I can add as many
degrees as we need to satisfy the most motivated recorder players!
What is Recorder Ensemble?
Recorder Ensemble is a group of students who have excelled in their recorder playing. They will
perform at Lovinggood Middle School's "Taste of Lovinggood" and at the Annual Dessert Theater in
December. They will also be performing at the Annual Cheatham Hill Art Show in March, and possibly
at "Taste of West Cobb", held at The Avenues of West Cobb, in the spring.
How does a student get into the Recorder Ensemble?
Any fifth grade student who has earned their blue belt in Recorder Karate by the end of October is
eligible to participate in the Recorder Ensemble. A letter will go home to all students who have
earned their blue belts by November 1st. Students who return the letter indicating they want to
participate will be in the Recorder Ensemble
When does the Recorder Ensemble meet?
The Recorder Ensemble meets only three or four mornings in advance of the performance. Because
these students are accomplished recorder players, they are expected to practice the music on their
own at home. They will be given a CD with the songs on it, along with printed music, to use for
practice.
Is there a chorus at Cheatham Hill?
Yes. We have a fifth grade chorus that is open to ANY fifth grade student who wants to participate.
Do you have to audition for chorus?
NO! To be in chorus, all you have to do is complete the registration form and turn it in to Mrs.
Grayburn.
When does chorus meet?
Chorus meets after school on Mondays 2:30-3:30. Because of no school on several Mondays, there
are usually make-up rehearsal days that are listed on the registration information and on the
calendar link on this web site.
My child attends ASP. Can he/she be in the chorus?
Yes. At 3:30, students attending ASP will be dismissed to ASP.
What if I am not at school to pick up my child at 3:30 after chorus?
We give families who have said they will pick up their child after chorus until 3:40, after which your
child will be checked into ASP. ASP has a $10 registration fee and a $7/day cost.
