Kaitlin Murphy
Music Teacher
About the Teacher
I attended Delta State University for my education degree in K-12 vocal music.
This is my first year at Shadow Oaks Elementary School, and I am so excited to meet all your children and have a wonderful time making music with them!
I’m originally from Pearl, MS, but now I live in Horn Lake with my boyfriend and our three cats. I spend my free time at home, crafting, reading, writing, or with my cats.
Music Rules
Be Safe
Be Polite
Be Cooperative
Be Responsible
Be Kind
What are we working on?
In the month of December, across all grades we are working on reading rhythms ,identifying High/Low pitches and melodies, and learning the story of The Nutcracker.
Kindergarten is focusing on simple rhythms and High/Low pitches.
First Grade is focused on using their music time to practice for their upcoming Winter Lights program.
Second Grade is playing rhythms on the drums, playing a game called "poison rhythm" and identifying melodies.
Winter Program Powerpoint
Book of the Month
Our book of the month is The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker illustrated by Jessica Courtney-Tickle.
To quote the back of the book, “Follow Clara on a magical adventure in this retelling of the classic ballet story. Watch the Nutcracker battle the Mouse King, meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and journey to the Land of Sweets, where wonder and excitement await...”
Musician of the Month:
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
May 07, 1840 – November 06, 1893
Romantic Period
Born in Russia
Piotr (or Peter, as we would say in English) Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born in Votkinsk, a town in Russia’s Ural Mountains. When he was 8 years old, his family moved to the capital city of St. Petersburg. Even though Tchaikovsky was a good musician as a kid, that wasn’t considered an “acceptable” profession, so his parents made him study law instead.
But even in law school, Tchaikovsky continued to study music. Eventually, he gave up his legal job and went to the St. Petersburg Conservatory. After he graduated, he moved to Moscow to teach at the new conservatory there. It’s now named for him.