Taking that final bow...
5/17/2019
Graduation May 21st @ 6:00You may think: "I don't have a graduate this year, why should I go to graduation?" Graduation at Pacific Northern Academy is a time honored tradition. This is the moment that one can truly see what an education at PNA has brought to the lives of these students. Each graduate delivers their speech with poise, articulation and meaning. Over my 9 years at PNA, I have heard speeches that have far surpassed those of high school students. When we honor our PNA graduates we honor their whole self. Shields that reflect interests and accomplishments are displayed. 8th Graders are even in charge of choosing the music to accompany their ceremony. This year the 8th chose "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman(to be performed by the 2nd through 8th Grade) 8th Grade will be performing Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" Both songs are very fitting for the ceremony but more importantly is that the graduating 8th Grade class has a connection to that piece of music. Something in the lyrics expresses how each of them are feeling at this moment. Graduation is a special event and a time to reflect on each graduates journey to this moment and what lies ahead. To really see the impact an education at PNA has on a student, one only needs to listen to the words of our graduating class. We are a community at PNA, and all PNA families are invited and encouraged to attend this heartwarming ceremony. It will be a glimpse into the future of your own PNA graduate! This years graduates were involved with every musical aspect of the ceremony. The class will be performing Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" and the PNA Choir will be performing "This is Me" from the Greatest Showman! They even chose their processional music which promises to be "avengerous"! When the ceremony is over this 8th Grade class will celebrate like "ALL STARS" as they set off on their "highway to high school" and "never stop believing" in the things they will accomplish! All the best!!! Ready, Set, RECORDERS!It's kind of a right of musical passage. Who didn't play recorder in elementary school? How can just the mention of the word "recorder" strike fear into the faces of moms, dads and music teachers everywhere? I mean it's a harmless piece of plastic with some holes drilled into it. They aren't expensive at all! It's a simple instrument that will unlock the joys of music for years to come! Ok, all joking aside, alot can be learned by playing the recorder. PNA 3rd Graders have spent the whole first part of the school year learning how to read music for this momentous occasion! By learning the recorder, they are learning other music theory notation. Time signature, note value, note names, and other dynamic and artistic marks musicians use to give music it's layers. And not just sound like notes on a page. My middle school band director always said: "Anyone can play notes. A musician plays music." Ava demonstrates the use of a "fermata" - a pause of unspecified length on a note or rest. The class must hold the note until Ava gives the cutoff!
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February 2021
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