Winter Concert Reflection

It's only September, but Janet had a 1st grade student ask when we could start learning our Winter Concert music. It is probably because our students enjoy working hard to accomplish a beautiful choral sound and performing for an audience. We begin working in kindergarten to achieve a nice singing voice, without yelling. As our young students try what we ask them to do in order to sing correctly, they hear what a difference it makes. The result is that they are more than willing to go the extra mile to sound like a million bucks on stage.

All of our K-3 students perform in the winter program. Each grade has approximately 125 students, so each grade level sings separately. Every group sings 3 selections, which include a Hanukkah piece, religious Christmas, and one secular holiday or winter song. We try to pick as much traditional music as possible, so children will be learning songs we feel are important to know. They get so excited when they hear their songs on the radio.

Following the concert, we have all the students think about the performance and complete a Winter Concert reflection sheet. We enjoy learning how they felt while performing, what made them feel successful, what they found difficult, what they thought the audience liked, and something funny that happened. After they complete the sheets, we put them under the document camera to display on the screen for the class to see. Each student shares what they wrote, but they can choose whether to display their picture, or not.

Here is an example of a completed form. One of my favorite parts is that she thinks she is good at dropping her jaw. Even her picture shows her doing that!

If you would like to use this activity with your students, you can download a free PDF of the reflection sheet through the link below. PDF includes a simplied version for K students.

Winter Concert Reflection Sheet

Speaking of concert reflection, I am posting an audio clip of a performance by our 3rd graders from 2009. It is still one of my favorite songs we have included in the winter program. These little guys are now our big 6th graders, so forgive me if I get a bit sentimental!

Are you ready for the holidays? I'm getting closer, thanks to one eager first grader.

Let's get busy!