A Singing Sensation
By: Amy Davidson, Music Education Teacher
Mrs. Davidson
and choral
students
Do Re Mi Jaguars
choral group
Every Wednesday afternoon, a group of about fifty students choose not to get on
the bus and go home to start their evening activities. They choose more school! This
dedicated group is the Do Re Mi Jaguars, the 4th and 5th grade chorus at Jefferson
Elementary.
The Do Re Mi Jaguars was founded in 2013, although they were named Jefferson
Elementary Chorus at the time. The name Do Re Mi Jaguars was student created in 2014.
Any 4th or 5th grade student at Jefferson Elementary can elect to be a part of the chorus.
The primary purpose of the Do Re Mi Jaguars is to provide quality and proper vocal
instruction for those students who want more music than their regular weekly music
classes. The students learn correct posture, breathing, and singing embouchure. They
learn how to listen and sing in two-or three-part harmony - sometimes four or five
part when singing their favorite rounds! The Do Re Mi Jaguars are also like a family,
supporting each other and lifting each other up in song.
The Do Re Mi Jaguars have participated in a variety of performances over the past
three years. Annually, the students perform at the Jefferson Elementary Holiday Show,
the Spring Art Show, and the West Jefferson Hills School District Choralpalooza, a chorus
festival for all chorus students in grades 4-12. The students’ favorite performance has
been a yearly spring visit to Arden Courts to sing for the residents. The students love to
visit with the residents and sometimes don’t want to leave. The students have also visited
the Byham Theater to see “A Musical Christmas Carol,” and will participate in an Opera
Improv with the Pittsburgh Opera this spring. These wonderful opportunities are made
possible through funding from TJArts.
The Do Re Mi Jaguars is growing every year with dedicated and talented singers.
Their beautiful music reflects their hard work and determination. Thank you to TJArts for
letting us share their gift of song.
West Jefferson Hills | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 57
W E ST J E FFE RSON HI L L S SC HOOL DI ST RIC T NE WS – J E FFE RS O N E LE M E N TA RY S CH O OL
In addition to fostering a passion
for reading with her students during
library class, Mrs. Gargan has been busy
developing various reading incentive
programs such as the “Paws to Read
Challenge” and “Read Across America”
celebrations, as well as collaborating
with our PTA to offer our students
and their families the “Scholastic Book
Fair”. These incentives, programs, and
celebrations of reading take advantage
of students’ innate love of reading and
continue to promote the importance
of literacy development throughout
the school.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the SpotEd
Media Studio and art room, Mr.
Gebhardt is taking advantage of
the resources acquired with SPARK
funding from The Sprout Fund and
the STEAM grant to promote 21st
century learning skills, digital literacy,
and media production. Mr. Gebhardt
continues to facilitate our morning
announcement program (JETV News) as
well as other initiatives, such as utilizing
the 3D printer during his architectural
design unit and teaching video game
design, to promote the importance of
STEAM education throughout the art
curriculum.
Lastly, Mrs. Amy Davidson proudly
leads an elementary choral group
(Do Re Mi Jaguars) that meets after
school every Wednesday to rehearse
for various performances throughout
the school and community. The success
of her program has quickly ignited
our students’ passion for music. What
began as about 20 members has quickly
evolved into a choral program that has
over 50! Additionally, Mrs. Davidson
regularly collaborates with the TJ Arts
organization to facilitate assembly and
field trip opportunities to the Byham
Theatre and Pittsburgh Symphony.
In addition to all of their instruction,
practices and educational programming,
all “specials” teachers remain active
monitors throughout multiple settings
within the school, such as morning and
afternoon duties and lunch/recess time.
This affords each one of them the truly
unique opportunity to get to know each
and every student throughout
the building. They optimize the term
“team players” and are an integral part
of the JES community and the success of
our school.
West Jefferson Hills
Do Re Mi Jaguars