Music and Drama Update at Aidan

Hello Aidan Community,

In this most unusual school year, I wanted to share the changes and developments in the Music and Drama Program at Aidan. I truly miss seeing everyone at Aidan in person, but I have been pleasantly surprised at our ability to learn and connect with each other during our Zoom classes.  

In the Sweet Gum Upper Elementary class, we are excited to announce two new happenings. First, all students are learning how to play the recorder. Second, we have started working on a Zoom play that we will debut later this Fall! 

The recorder is a perfect beginner instrument for students learning music. Knowing how to play it provides an excellent music foundation and helps students learn other musical instruments more easily. The recorder is relatively easy to play, allowing students to practice counting and note reading, which is something that we work on throughout all of the Elementary years in music class. As is typical of Montessori, the students have all been working at their own pace while learning the recorder and they enjoy sharing their songs with each other in class. Due to COVID-19, children will not bring their recorders to school this year, however I will continue giving lessons online to those who are working at home.

We are excited to announce our upcoming Zoom play, Selecting A Ghost, which is an adaption from a short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Our tradition is to have 6th years vote for their preferred show, and this year the vote was unanimous. As one 6th year student stated, “No one will be excited when they hear the name of the title but it’s actually a really funny play.”It will be performed in December and we will let you know once the final date has been selected.

There are so many aspects to creating a Zoom play. We already have a growing group of students who are eager to work on the technical, “behind the scenes” logistics for this play, many in addition to their acting parts. In a time where many feel isolated, this play has helped students connect and engage with their community in a fun way.

In our Lower Elementary Music and Drama Program, students have been split into smaller groups of new and returning students so I can connect with them more easily during our Zoom lessons. So far, we have been playing drama games, conducting creative movement exercises and working on sight singing with curwen hand signs. We are also looking at rhymes and poems and analyzing the down beats to later put together in creative compositions using the Orff instruments/xylophones. Some students have borrowed the Orff instruments from the school and have been accompanying the simple melodies we are learning in class from their homes. The enthusiasm of the students in these classes is truly uplifting.  

Please stay tuned for updates on our upcoming Zoom play, Selecting A Ghost!

Sending thoughts of health and peace to everyone.

Eva Esparza

Music and Drama Teacher