Island Students Learn the Art of Music

Fourth grader Paul Wandrie plays his recorder during the Spring Music Program at Mackinac Island Public School Wednesday, May 24.

Mackinac Island Public School students in kindergarten through seventh grades sang, danced, and played musical instruments at the Spring Music Program Wednesday, May 24. This year's program featured folk music.

Kindergarten and first grade students sang "Yankee Doodle" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and kindergarten through third grade students sang "Oh, Susanna."

Second and third grade students sang "Yankee Doodle," "John Henry (Virgina Reel)," and "What Did Delaware?" Using their air guitars, the students had fun on a rockin' version of the more traditional song, "Frere Jacques."

Fourth and fifth grade students performed "Merrily We Roll Along," "Au Clair De La Lune," and "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" on their recorders. "When the Saints Go Marching In" was the challenge piece for the fourth and fifth graders, as they really had to concentrate on counting and time, Music teacher Jessica Clark told the audience.

Sixth and seventh graders played "Aura Lee" and "Are You Sleeping?" on xylophones.

Playing together is the hardest and most important thing to learn, Mrs. Clark told parents.