Daycroft Montessori School Adds Choral Music Class for Grades 3 to 6
Ann Arbor, MI (October 12, 2009) – Daycroft Montessori School of Ann Arbor has added choral music instruction as a voluntary option for students in grades 3 to 6.
Eighteen Daycroft students are enrolled in the choral music class this semester. They have volunteered to forgo one recess period per week, each Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:00 pm, to receive vocal training and perform as a choir. The class meets in the music room at Daycroft’s Elementary Campus on Zeeb Road.
Liz Wolber, a Daycroft parent who has a Master’s degree in choral conducting, has teamed with Cheryl Theis, Daycroft’s music teacher, in leading the class.
Theis, in her sixth year teaching music at Daycroft, traces the choir’s origin, in part, to Daycroft’s first musical, Fiddler on the Roof, which students performed last spring. “The experience,” she says, “showed us we have many students who are not only inspired to sing, but who also want to sing well.”
Theis adds, “Having Liz Wolber as a professional-level volunteer gave us the opportunity to take the children well beyond just singing in unison. The children are currently practicing new vocal warm-up techniques and are excited about learning two-part music in a variety of styles.”
Per Theis, the choir will perform in December at Daycroft’s Winter Songfest, an annual event in which students and faculty raise their voices in celebration of different cultures and holiday traditions. The choir may also sing for residents of senior centers, and perhaps at charitable events, during the 2009-10 school year.
Theis expects the choral music class to culminate in a year-end performance, not yet scheduled, for the enjoyment of the full Daycroft community.
About Daycroft Montessori School
Daycroft Montessori School blends the distinctive student-centered teaching methods of Maria Montessori with traditional and progressive teaching methods. Daycroft thus accomplishes its educational mission: to provide a personalized learning environment that appreciates individual differences, nurtures the whole child, and enables students to develop at their own pace and achieve to their full potential.
Daycroft is one of Washtenaw County’s leading independent schools. It began as a preschool program in 1968. Daycroft has since grown to include a full-day kindergarten program, an elementary school program through 6th grade, before-school and after-school care, summer camp programs, and enrichment classes.
Daycroft is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS; www.isacs.org). It is a member of the Associations of Independent Michigan Schools; www.aims-mi.org) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS; www.nais.org).
Daycroft Preprimary School (preschool and kindergarten) is at 100 E. Oakbrook Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Phone: (734) 930-0333.
Daycroft Elementary School (grades K through 6) and Daycroft’s administrative offices are at 1095 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Phone: (734) 662-3335.
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