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Junior High Handbells!

For many years, as in many other schools, our jr. high music course consisted of the same thing as our elementary music course, only at a higher level. Over time, we noticed that it was very difficult to get self-conscious, voice-changing adolescents to sing!

In 1998, Mrs. Clausen asked me if I would teach jr. high music, since that year all my children would be attending school. I said I would, but only if it could be something hands-on and different. A parishioner had offered to purchase bells and equipment for the parish, so the program was launched at little cost to the school. After a summer of intensive research and preparation, we were off into the land of bells!

It has been a very positive journey for the last six years. The students are able to put into practice the musical learnings they have acquired through singing, keyboard, Orff instruments, and guitar experience. They synthesize this knowledge with the new skills they learn in handbell class and their own abilities to listen and cooperate. They are so busy coordinating all these different things that discipline is rarely a problem!

Having a unique 7^th- and 8^th-grade music experience serves to set the junior high apart from the lower grades; it gives the younger students something to look forward to; and it gives them an opportunity to be surrounded by beauty, which helps them to find God. Even wrong notes played on handbells are in tune and have a lovely sound! The students are able to put their skills at the service of the community by playing for school Masses and assemblies. Each year they play for the general public at Crossroads Mall (Monday, December 14 at 11:30 this year), and last year our 8^th-graders performed for St. Louise School to inspire them in their efforts to form a handbell choir. We strive for excellence from the beginning of 7^th grade.

We address the Elements of Music as identified by our State Arts Education Mandate: beat/rhythm, expression, form, harmony, melody, notation, pitch, texture, and timbre/tone color. All this, plus ensemble skills, can be learned in the context of playing in a group. The students are engaged heavily during class. Tests are infrequent and no homework is given. Grading is based on effort and progress. The progress that our hardworking students make in 40 minutes per week is amazing!

Mrs. Gunderson (pgunderson@hfkschool.org)

Junior High Handbells Mrs. Gunderson Pam Gunderson is our teacher of jr. high music. She utilizes handbells as a hands-on avenue for teaching musical concepts and performance skills. Pam has worked in Catholic education since 1980. She is married and the mother of three
	Crossroads Mall Trip
		Junior High Handbells! For many years, as in many other schools, our jr. high music course consisted of the same thing as our elementary music course, only at a higher level. Over time, we noticed that it was very difficult to get self-conscious, voice-changing adolescents to sing! In 1998, Mrs. Clausen asked me if I would teach jr. high music, since that year all my children would be attending school. I said I would, but only if it could be something hands-on and different. A parishioner had offered to purchase bells and equipment for the parish, so the program was launched at little cost to the school. After a summer of intensive research and preparation, we were off into the land of bells! It has been a very positive journey for the last six years. The students are able to put into practice the musical learnings they have acquired through singing, keyboard, Orff instruments, and guitar experience. They synthesize this knowledge with the new skills they learn in handbell class and their own abilities to listen and cooperate. They are so busy coordinating all these different things that discipline is rarely a problem! Having a unique 7^th- and 8^th-grade music experience serves to set the junior high apart from the lower grades; it gives the younger students something to look forward to; and it gives them an opportunity to be surrounded by beauty, which helps them to find God. Even wrong notes played on handbells are in tune and have a lovely sound! The students are able to put their skills at the service of the community by playing for school Masses and assemblies. Each year they play for the general public at Crossroads Mall (Monday, December 14 at 11:30 this year), and last year our 8^th-graders performed for St. Louise School to inspire them in their efforts to form a handbell choir. We strive for excellence from the beginning of 7^th grade. We address the Elements of Music as identified by our State Arts Education Mandate: beat/rhythm, expression, form, harmony, melody, notation, pitch, texture, and timbre/tone color. All this, plus ensemble skills, can be learned in the context of playing in a group. The students are engaged heavily during class. Tests are infrequent and no homework is given. Grading is based on effort and progress. The progress that our hardworking students make in 40 minutes per week is amazing! Mrs. Gunderson (pgunderson@hfkschool.org)