Middle School Music
Bach gave us God's Word, Mozart gave us God's Laughter,
Beethoven gave us God's Fire,
God gave us Music that we might pray without words.
Hello! My name is Mr. Quarles. This is my first year at Herndon Magnet School and already I find myself a part of a
team that is a tremendous blessing to me. The teachers and staff, the parents, and the students at HMS have made
me feel so welcome. I am truly blessed and fortunate to teach some of the best students in the parish and I am very
thankful to be a part of the Herndon faculty and staff. It is obvious that Herndon students are excited about creating
beautiful music, both vocally and instrumentally. I thank you for allowing me the privilege of molding your children’s
natural talents. I look forward to an outstanding year and I look most forward to witnessing your children grow
musically and be successful.
In order for our year to be successful, the following classroom rules and expectations must be adhered to:
Mutual respect
Undertake all tasks
Sit quietly (raise your hand and wait to be called on)
Instructions should be followed the first time
Come into and leave the music room in an orderly fashion.
*************************************************************
Music ignites the imagination, elevates the mind, and lets the spirit soar.
*************************************************************
Here is an overview of the middle school music courses we offer at Herndon Magnet School:
CHOIR
This is an ensemble class where students learn to perform as a group, much like band, strings, orchestra or theatre.
These students learn about correct breathing, posture, balance, blend, enunciation, sight-reading, part singing, and
many other important aspects of singing, most important of which includes simply having fun singing and making
music. Students must have a positive attitude and be dedicated to the choir as a team. Every voice is vital and
important to the sound and make-up of the choir. Students will perform during the month of December and
throughout the school year. More information concerning specific performance dates and proper attire will be posted.
*************************************************************
In speaking about his renowned theory of relativity, Einstein said:
It occurred to me by intuition, and music was the driving force behind that intuition. My discovery was the result of
musical perception.
*************************************************************
PIANO
This is an applied instrument lab where students are taught the fundamentals of keyboard. Two primary books are
used for this course, a Lesson book, which includes musical pieces to be performed and exercises learned on the
keyboard, and a Theory book, which deals with specific concepts applied in music.
Currently, each student is very busy practicing pieces from the Lesson Book, in order to “pass them off.” In order for
a student to successfully pass a piece off, they must demonstrate mastery of the piece and perform the piece
musically. Once a musical selection has been successfully performed, it is indicated on the incentive/pacing chart
posted in the classroom. On the incentive chart are the names of each piano student, broken down by level, as well
as a list of required pieces.
I am very proud of each and every piano student. They are practicing so diligently and having fun at the same time.
*************************************************************
Music isn't just learning notes and playing them…you learn notes to play to the music of your soul.
Katie Greenwood
*************************************************************
BEGINNING GUITAR
This lab introduces the student to the fundamentals of guitar. Students learn contemporary music, the fret board,
picking/strumming patterns, reading music and tablature, and are involved in ensemble performing. Initially, the
guitar may prove to be somewhat of a challenge to many students. However, many of the students in beginning
guitar class this year have embraced the challenge and have already begun moving through Book I at a steady
pace. A few have even advanced forward in the book, beyond their assigned pieces.
As in piano class, there is an incentive/pacing chart posted in the classroom for beginning guitar students. Once a
student demonstrates mastery of a piece, this is indicated on the chart. I have enjoyed observing the students push
themselves as they aim for mastery.
For a change of pace during the week, Fridays have been declared “Fun Fridays.” On Fun Friday, the students are
encouraged to demonstrate what they have learned and reach out of the box, so to speak. Often, a student will
present a piece to the remainder of the class. I have heard everything from AC/DC to Ozzy and from Green Day to
self-composed pieces. Once a selection has been demonstrated and taught, we break up into groups and practice.
The kids seem to really enjoy this time and have fun learning songs that they are familiar with.
I am also proud of this young group of guitarists. They are learning to both READ music and MAKE music.
*************************************************************
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Red Auerbach
*************************************************************
INTERMEDIATE GUITAR
These students learn more complex aspects of guitar playing, including lead and rhythm playing, scales and
progression, and improvisation. One of the primary goals for this class is to help the student achieve a sense of
independence with a band mentality in mind. In other words, while it is impressive that a student can play their
favorite piece or lick from this tune or that tune, it is my objective to teach these students to understand what it would
be like (what it is like) to play as a part of a performing group. I want them to be able to apply what they know and
are learning to a band setting. Almost anybody can play all by himself or herself, but can he or she keep up with a
drummer, a bass player, a keyboardist, and a vocalist all at the same time on a particular piece. That is what I mean
when I refer to a “band mentality.”
The intermediate guitar students are steadily progressing through Book II. I am proud of their progress and look
forward to observing them advance on a weekly basis.
For a change of pace during the week, Fridays have been declared “Fun Fridays.” On Fun Friday, the students are
encouraged to demonstrate what they have learned and reach out of the box, so to speak. Often, a student will
present a piece to the remainder of the class. I have heard everything from AC/DC to Ozzy and from Green Day to
self-composed pieces. Once a song has been demonstrated and taught, we break up into groups and practice. The
kids seem to really enjoy this time and have fun learning songs that they are familiar with. Some of the students
simply enjoy practicing independently.
I am very proud of each and every one of the intermediate students.
*************************************************************
Without music, life is a journey through a desert.
Pat Conroy
*************************************************************
Parents,
I encourage you to urge your child to practice daily and to do so with diligence. Music is without doubt a gift that a
student can carry and enjoy for a lifetime.
Bach gave us God's Word, Mozart gave us God's Laughter,
Beethoven gave us God's Fire,
God gave us Music that we might pray without words.
Hello! My name is Mr. Quarles. This is my first year at Herndon Magnet School and already I find myself a part of a
team that is a tremendous blessing to me. The teachers and staff, the parents, and the students at HMS have made
me feel so welcome. I am truly blessed and fortunate to teach some of the best students in the parish and I am very
thankful to be a part of the Herndon faculty and staff. It is obvious that Herndon students are excited about creating
beautiful music, both vocally and instrumentally. I thank you for allowing me the privilege of molding your children’s
natural talents. I look forward to an outstanding year and I look most forward to witnessing your children grow
musically and be successful.
In order for our year to be successful, the following classroom rules and expectations must be adhered to:
Mutual respect
Undertake all tasks
Sit quietly (raise your hand and wait to be called on)
Instructions should be followed the first time
Come into and leave the music room in an orderly fashion.
*************************************************************
Music ignites the imagination, elevates the mind, and lets the spirit soar.
*************************************************************
Here is an overview of the middle school music courses we offer at Herndon Magnet School:
CHOIR
This is an ensemble class where students learn to perform as a group, much like band, strings, orchestra or theatre.
These students learn about correct breathing, posture, balance, blend, enunciation, sight-reading, part singing, and
many other important aspects of singing, most important of which includes simply having fun singing and making
music. Students must have a positive attitude and be dedicated to the choir as a team. Every voice is vital and
important to the sound and make-up of the choir. Students will perform during the month of December and
throughout the school year. More information concerning specific performance dates and proper attire will be posted.
*************************************************************
In speaking about his renowned theory of relativity, Einstein said:
It occurred to me by intuition, and music was the driving force behind that intuition. My discovery was the result of
musical perception.
*************************************************************
PIANO
This is an applied instrument lab where students are taught the fundamentals of keyboard. Two primary books are
used for this course, a Lesson book, which includes musical pieces to be performed and exercises learned on the
keyboard, and a Theory book, which deals with specific concepts applied in music.
Currently, each student is very busy practicing pieces from the Lesson Book, in order to “pass them off.” In order for
a student to successfully pass a piece off, they must demonstrate mastery of the piece and perform the piece
musically. Once a musical selection has been successfully performed, it is indicated on the incentive/pacing chart
posted in the classroom. On the incentive chart are the names of each piano student, broken down by level, as well
as a list of required pieces.
I am very proud of each and every piano student. They are practicing so diligently and having fun at the same time.
*************************************************************
Music isn't just learning notes and playing them…you learn notes to play to the music of your soul.
Katie Greenwood
*************************************************************
BEGINNING GUITAR
This lab introduces the student to the fundamentals of guitar. Students learn contemporary music, the fret board,
picking/strumming patterns, reading music and tablature, and are involved in ensemble performing. Initially, the
guitar may prove to be somewhat of a challenge to many students. However, many of the students in beginning
guitar class this year have embraced the challenge and have already begun moving through Book I at a steady
pace. A few have even advanced forward in the book, beyond their assigned pieces.
As in piano class, there is an incentive/pacing chart posted in the classroom for beginning guitar students. Once a
student demonstrates mastery of a piece, this is indicated on the chart. I have enjoyed observing the students push
themselves as they aim for mastery.
For a change of pace during the week, Fridays have been declared “Fun Fridays.” On Fun Friday, the students are
encouraged to demonstrate what they have learned and reach out of the box, so to speak. Often, a student will
present a piece to the remainder of the class. I have heard everything from AC/DC to Ozzy and from Green Day to
self-composed pieces. Once a selection has been demonstrated and taught, we break up into groups and practice.
The kids seem to really enjoy this time and have fun learning songs that they are familiar with.
I am also proud of this young group of guitarists. They are learning to both READ music and MAKE music.
*************************************************************
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
Red Auerbach
*************************************************************
INTERMEDIATE GUITAR
These students learn more complex aspects of guitar playing, including lead and rhythm playing, scales and
progression, and improvisation. One of the primary goals for this class is to help the student achieve a sense of
independence with a band mentality in mind. In other words, while it is impressive that a student can play their
favorite piece or lick from this tune or that tune, it is my objective to teach these students to understand what it would
be like (what it is like) to play as a part of a performing group. I want them to be able to apply what they know and
are learning to a band setting. Almost anybody can play all by himself or herself, but can he or she keep up with a
drummer, a bass player, a keyboardist, and a vocalist all at the same time on a particular piece. That is what I mean
when I refer to a “band mentality.”
The intermediate guitar students are steadily progressing through Book II. I am proud of their progress and look
forward to observing them advance on a weekly basis.
For a change of pace during the week, Fridays have been declared “Fun Fridays.” On Fun Friday, the students are
encouraged to demonstrate what they have learned and reach out of the box, so to speak. Often, a student will
present a piece to the remainder of the class. I have heard everything from AC/DC to Ozzy and from Green Day to
self-composed pieces. Once a song has been demonstrated and taught, we break up into groups and practice. The
kids seem to really enjoy this time and have fun learning songs that they are familiar with. Some of the students
simply enjoy practicing independently.
I am very proud of each and every one of the intermediate students.
*************************************************************
Without music, life is a journey through a desert.
Pat Conroy
*************************************************************
Parents,
I encourage you to urge your child to practice daily and to do so with diligence. Music is without doubt a gift that a
student can carry and enjoy for a lifetime.
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