I am so happy to continue to be part of the team of professionals educating your child at Northrop Community School.  This is my 21st year teaching music to young students and my 4th year teaching at Northrop. Prior to teaching at Northrop, I was Director of Bands at both the elementary and middle school levels guiding students on their instrumental music journey in the full band classroom.  Teaching a child how to learn independently, solve problems, be creative, and feel excited about learning are my most important job descriptions.

My primary performing instrument is the flute. Over the years, however, I have acquired the ability to demonstrate good tone quality and correct technique on every wind band instrument.  Most recently, I've started to learn to play the ukelele! :) 

I welcome your valuable input, suggestions, and feedback about how I can best serve your child, this school and its community.  Feel free to contact me to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about your child in music class.  The best way to reach me is email; amy.meenk@mpls.k12.mn.us.

Music UPDATE

All SPRING MUSIC CONCERTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. (updated 3/26)

Hello Northrop Families,

Our distance learning begins April 6th, and you can access music lessons for learning at home on the specialist teachers google website.

https://sites.google.com/mpls.k12.mn.us/northropcommunityschool/home

One music lesson will be posted every Monday of each week under your grade level.

Listed below are some fun educational YouTube channels and websites which all students can use. Listed on right sidebar under each specific grade are more spefice links for each grade level.

CLASSICAL MPR LESSONS FOR KIDS- With school canceled across Minnesota, it can be hard to fill your kids’ days. Classical MPR is here to help with Classical Kids Music Lessons. Every day, we’ll post a fun, listening-based lesson created by Classical MPR’s education specialist. Have some fun, learn something new, and introduce kids to the joys of classical music.

CHROME MUSIC LAB- Music is for everyone. Play with simple experiments that let anyone, of any age, explore how music works.

UNITED STATES ARMY FIELD BAND VIRTUAL CONCERT SERIES-   Since 1756, Army bands have stood side-by-side with Americans helping inspire them during times of peril. Beginning March 20th at 7 pm Eastern, The United States Army Field Band will focus on serving communities across the country the best way it can, by providing not just entertainment, but maintaining a connection between the American people and the Army

MUSIC TOOLS SOMERSET MUSIC- Choice board with many games and lessons. 

MUSICPLAY - Free Access to online learning curriculum during this time. Username: snow  Password: 2020

MAMA LISA'S WORLD- INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND CULTURE- a place for songs, rhymes, and traditions from across the globe for both kids and grown-ups!

INCREDIBOX- Mix music; Express your musicality

BEATLAB- create your own beats

INTERACTIVE RECORDER FINGERING

ONLINE UKELELE TUNER

ULITIMATE COLLECTION OF UKULELE TUTORIALS

VIRTUAL PIANO ONLINE

GAMES/ACTIVITIES by Phil Tulga

Classics For Kids- Treble Clef note name game

MusicTheory.Net- Note reading in bass and treble clef and much more music theory exercises

Speed Note Reading Tutor- note reading game

Drum Tracks for Jam/Practice- List of over 300 free drum only backing tracks – sorted by genre and tempo

TED-ED; A Different Way to Visualize Rhythm-" John Varney describes the ‘wheel method’ of tracing rhythm and uses it to take us on a musical journey around the world."

Boost Memory and Learning With Music

TED-ED- How playing an instrument benefits your brain.

TED-ED- How to read music

Music Standards & Curriculum

The State and National Standards are listed below.  Both sets of standards work well together.

The MN State Standards are listed as:

• Foundations
• Create
• Perform
• Respond

Click here to see the new 2014 National Standards 

The OLD National Standards were:

3.1 Sing
3.2 Perform on Instruments
3.3 Improvise
3.4 Compose & Arrange
3.5 Read & Notate
3.6 Listen & Analyze
3.7 Evaluate
3.8 Relationships between Music, the Other Arts and Disciplines Outside the Arts
3.9 History & Culture

  Northrop's Expectations in All Settings