MUSIC
WELCOME TO MUSIC !
Hi! My name is Lyn Rezabek, and there is always something going on in my music room.....
GENERAL MUSIC CLASS: I SEE THE STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 5 TWICE EACH WEEK AND THE STUDENTS IN GRADES 6, 7, AND 8 ONCE EACH WEEK.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC : LESSON ARE AVAILABLE DURING THE SCHOOL DAY FOR A VERY NOMINAL FEE. STUDENTS CAN CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING INSTRUMENTS: GUITAR, FLUTE OR PIANO. LESSONS TAKE PLACE DURING A PORTION OF THE LUNCH PERIOD, SO THAT NO CLASS TIME IS MISSED. THERE ARE TWO RECITALS THAT SHOWCASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN THIS PROGRAM - A CHRISTMAS RECITAL AND A SPRING RECITAL.
HANDBELLS : STUDENTS IN GRADES 5 THROUGH 8 HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN TO RING HANDBELLS. THESE HANDBELL GROUPS GENERALLY PERFORM IN THE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT, AS WELL AS THE SPRING CHRISTMAS CONCERT. A SELECT GROUP OF STUDENTS RINGS AT OUR 8TH GRADE GRADUATION EXERCISES.
BRENDAN'S VOYAGE : THIS IS A CHILDREN'S FOLK GROUP THAT IS IN ITS' 8TH YEAR, UNDER MY DIRECTION. THIS DYNAMIC SINGING GROUP IS COMPRISED OF ALL STUDENT PERFORMERS. AT THE PRESENT TIME THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 35 SINGERS, AND THE INSTRUMENT PLAYERS INCLUDE A DRUMMER, 2 HIGH SCHOOL GUITAR PLAYERS, 4 FLUTISTS, TWO VIOLINISTS, AND A TRUMPET PLAYER. BRENDAN'S VOYAGE PROVIDES THE MUSIC FOR THE WEEKLY SCHOOL MASSES. IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE ALSO SING ONCE EACH MONTH AT THE 7:OO SUNDAY EVENING MASS. WE ALOS SING AT THE SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION. BRENDAN'S VOYAGE ALSO BRINGS ITS' MUSIC MINISTRY OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY - WE HAVE A WEEKLY SINGING ENGAGEMENT AT ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE FOR 6 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS OVER THE SUMMER. DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON WE DO A CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE AT ROSWELL AND WE ALSO SING DOWNTOWN AT THE NFTA STATION, THE MERCY CENTER, VICTORY RIDGE SENIOR CITIZEN COMPLEX, AS WELL AS THE SOUTH BUFFALO TREE LIGHTING, AND IN YEARS PAST HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SING AT THE HLOIDAY FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT THE FAIRGROUNDS. LAST YEAR WE SANG AT CANISIUS COLLEGE FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND BISHOP KMIEC.
RECENT EVENTS:
- On December 14 we had our annual school Cristmas concert, and though there wasa snowstorm that day, the church was filled to capacity with families and friends who were all there to hear beautiful singing and instrument playing. The Nativity scene at the end of the concert featured all the children singing Silent Night and performing sign language.
- That same week we had our holiday instrumental recitals!
- In November, our 4th and 7th graders participated in HOMESPUN DAYS, a colonial event for students and parents. There was a demonstration by a wool spinning artisan, candle making, cornhusk dolls, music, dancing, crafts, and a colonial village. WHAT FUN!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Schoolwide Native American Festival during Catholic Schools Week
- "Flight to Freedom" - this event is for students in grades 6 and 8 and their parents
- "Wild West Day" - a fun day for eighth graders and their parents which includes a horse drawn covered wagon ride around the neighborhood!
It is my intention to offer the students of Ambrose Catholic Academy every musical opportunity that I can. On any given day, children in my room can be found playing anything from rhythm sticks to harmonicas or dulcimers. All children from the 3rd grade and up through the 8th grade play the recorder. We learn folk dancing. We experience music not just on a printed page, but through movement, song, dance, instruments, and improvisation.