Hanson's Middle School Musical Adventures
2020-2021
"Our challenge is to strike the flint that ignites the spark and then become keepers of the flame. Feeding the fire, through our support and guidance, providing opportunities and experiences that let the flame grow until it is a glowing light - that can help illuminate the world."
-Alma Powell, Chair, America’s Promise Alliance, forward to the book, “Sparks,” by Peter L. Benson, Ph.D.
The 2020-2021 school year was a daunting new adventure since we could not sing as a choir or in the building. The concept of "choir" had to be completely re-imagined. My goal was to create a new kind of musical experience, with the hope of igniting "sparks" in my students. The Middle School classes I taught this year included 5-6 choir, 7-8 choir (Treble Rebels) and Chamber Singers Treble.
This was the year to explore, create and take risks. Students were encouraged to find their own voice and dare to be expressive with that voice. The world of solo vocal music was opened up to them and they explored. We talked about opera, a cappella, pop, hip hop and more. Students gave presentations on the decades and sang songs from each decade. From Doris Day to Snoop Dogg, we explored the world of popular music. Small groups created music videos and soloists performed raps, nursery rhymes and popular songs. This web-page will give you a glimpse into our adventurous year.
-Melissa Hanson
Group Projects
We had various assignments where students worked in pairs and small groups to create a music video. Perfection was not the expectation - creativity, teamwork and learning how to film and edit a video were just a few of the skills they developed. Students recorded their voices outside or at home and then edited their videos. MANY students were too self conscious to include their videos on this page. Thank you to the daring souls who said "yes" to participating on this page. There are many others who did beautiful work, but weren't quite ready to make their singing public yet. Bloopers are included!
GRADES 5-6
Koen Mehta, Spencer Reisberg, Wilson Rice
Tootsie Slide, Drake
Ryan Caicedo, Matteo Evaristo
California Dreamin', The Mamas & The Papas
Parker Beltz, Decker Dahlof, Cort Engelsma, Carter Fox
Classic, MKTO
Camila Pardo, Maddie Theissen,
Maria Vrieze, Katie Zakrajsheck
Let It Go, from Frozen
Parker Beltz & Carter Fox
Straight Outta Scranton,
from "The Office"
Ryan Caicedo, Matteo Evaristo, Zoe Grossman, Abel Megerssa, Felix Muellerleile, Willaim Oberlies, Vincent Pelino
Don't Stop Believin', Journey
GRADES 7-8
Isabelle Arden, Chloe Devlin, Addy Gunther
Bellyache, Billie Eilish
Eloise Muellerleile, Nora Oberlies, Nelson Rice
The ABCs
Cheney Parkhill, Gabby Stratton, Niya Weston
All I Wanted Was You, Paramore
Vail Fehr & Taylor Peterson
Baby Shark, Pinkfong
Luci Montgomery Baker & Sohana Morioka
Mama Mia, from Mama Mia
Isabelle Arden, Chloe Devlin, Addy Gunther
Sweet But Psycho, Ava Max
Ava Allingham, Anika Golla, Alana Jaffe, Parker Jones
Thank You, Next, Ariana Grande
"In terms of brain development, musical performance is every bit as important educationally as reading or writing."
-Oliver Sachs, neurologist
Rap Project
We explored the Hip Hop genre and attempted to write our own raps. Some students loved this project, others were resistant. In the end, only a few would share their work (NO 7-8th graders!). We used a “rap name generator” to find our rapper names. I had various names: Inspectah Hanson, Funkyface Hanson, EmAitch, to name a few. We watched a video about writing rap that helped us write a few lines. Then students searched for a “beat” to which they set their rap. I hope you enjoy the results!
Grades 5-6
Adele Sinkula,
My Name is Adele
Soren Hegley
Despacito
Alexis Snyder
Online Classes
Hadley Malkerson
Cupcake
"Music is a therapy. It is a communication far more powerful than words, far more immediate, far more efficient."
-Yehudi Menuhin, violinist
Solos
Solos became an important feature of choir this year. Students could work on their solos at home during remote schooling, or outside when they were at school. These videos are not about perfection, but about the journey of young singers to find their unique voices. Students were encouraged to find a comfortable place to sing. In order to find privacy, students made their recordings in closets, garages, bathrooms, backyards and baseball fields. Written feedback about vocal technique and song performance was given to every student, every time they submitted an assignment. Enjoy!
Grades 5-6
Addison Detor
rubberband, Tate McRae
Koen Mehta
Lights Shine Bright, Tobymac, feat. Hollyn
Zoe Grossman & Dad
Let It Be, The Beatles
Sophie Layman
You and I, Ingrid Michaelson
We even made holiday song recordings!
Maria Christianson
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, John Rox
Zoe Grossman
Prayers for the Lighting of the Menorah
Matteo Evaristo
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, arr. Bruce Springsteen
Alexis Snyder
Jingle Bell Rock, Beale & Booth
More popular songs...
Adele Sinkula
Proud Mary, John Fogerty, Tina Turner arrangement
Soren Hegley
All Star, Greg Camp
Savanna Eison
Over the Rainbow, Harold Arlen
Akilah Anderson & Alexis Snyder
Deja Vue, Rodrigo & Nigo
Verona Danz
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, Noam
Lydia Vollmer
Levitating, Dua Lipa
Alexis Snyder
Here Comes the Sun, George Harrison
Maria Christianson
The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Solomon Linda
Grades 7-8
Isabelle Arden
Xanny, Billie Eilish
Esme Ashcroft
Somewhere Only We Know, Keane
Gabby Stratton
Deviltown, Cavetown
Olivia Dolan
Control, Zoe Wees
London Fehr
Baa Baa Black Sheep,
Bianca Breiland
What It Means to Be a Friend, from the musical, "13"
"Music is indivisible. The dualism of feeling and thinking must be resolved to a state of unity in which one thinks with the heart and feels with the brain."
-George Szell, conductor
"If the purpose of an education is to systematically develop the mind and capabilities of every child, it is clear that music has a unique and necessary role to play."
-Donald A. Hodges, music professor, UNC
Thank you!
Thank you to the Performing Arts Department for providing a supportive environment where students can create beauty and discover their passions.
Thank you to Lucas Audette for assisting with class and watching over these wonderful students.
Thank you to the Breck Administration for your continued support of the performing arts.
Thank you to all of the students in Hanson's 5-6 Choirs, 7-8 Choir (Treble Rebels) and Chamber Singers for daring to find their voices.
Finally, thank you to the parents and families of our students for supporting your child and our choral program.