Manhattan School for Children Newsletter October, 1999

Welcome back everyone! It's a somewhat emotional start to the year for our family since we've "moved on" to the upper school. People are taller there. (I am not, but they all seem to be.) The pace seems more serious, although quite comfortable. I have to admit, the prospect of having a "bus pass" is kind of exciting. (I really should get out more!)
Now, about all of your questions..................

1. Will there be a chorus this year? Yes, I will be working at the lower school beginning in October sometime. (Clubs all begin at the same time TBA but probably Fridays.)

2. Who may join? The MSC Chorus is open to 1st grade and up. In the past, very few of the upper school children have participated because of conflicts with other events, so I expect the group will be mostly 1st through 4th grade, but all are welcome.

3. How do we join? Somewhere around the end of September, I will post sign-up sheets, one per grade.

4. Do we have to "Audition"? No auditions are necessary. My requirements remain the same as always. Try as hard as you can, support your classmates and good citizenship and manners are a MUST!

I would like to remind parents that YOU are instrumental in the success of the chorus. Please remember that, while it is my joy to do this, it is a job and a difficult one at that. I do it as a volunteer and I will need your help to manage what will probably be a large group of children. I know you are all busy but, this is worth your time. If you are shy about knowing what you can do, just ask me. I'm really good at telling people what to do! My plan is to begin with 1st and 2nd grade for the first two weeks and then proceed with the entire group.

Here's what I will need people to volunteer for:

1. A parent from each class (mostly the lower grades) to organize them on the day of the rehearsal and bring them to the Dalcroze room and get them seated. In the past, the children have brought all of their "things" (there are MANY "things" as you know) The logistics are difficult and I can not handle it myself. I am open to suggestions about a plan that would make this easier.

2. I would like to have at least 2 parents in the room with us during each rehearsal. This just helps things run smoothly, particularly at the beginning. This will be especially true for concerts and special events.

3. I would like to have a roster of members and their phone numbers. (You can use the sign-up sheets that will be posted once they are completed.)

Well, I'm sure there are more questions, some of them from me, but at least we have a beginning.....love beginnings! See you soon!

The Taijiquan (T'ai Chi) class will function in teaching a series of basic fundamental and gross and fine motor skills of Taiji movement. The students will learn to identify and execute the movements of the Chen style Taijiquan form sequences taught per class. Success of these movement skills will be measured by testing their execution of each movement in a series, by name of each form executed. If this is done successfully it will be noted that the student has good knowledge of the movements in question.

1. Elegance: The beauty and grace of taiji movements impress many that don't know anything else about it. The coordination of limbs and torso, the integration of movement art forms that is widely admired. Such elegance results from implementation of taiji's basic principles and makes it pleasing and at the same time powerful.

2. Health: From its origins in Chinese martial arts, taiji has evolved into an exercise program that promotes healing and general well being. Taiji's combinations of physical and mental activity, physical and mental relaxation, mind-body interaction, breath control, and access to natural body energy provides the broad foundations for good health and the basis for treatment and cure of many illnesses. Documented health benefits from taiji practice are varied and pervasive, from improvements in postural alignment and balance, deeper breathing and stronger cardiovascular function, to increased strength, better flexibility, stress reduction and emotional stability. It affects diseases and dysfunction's such as arthritis, Parkinson's, high blood pressure, allergies, memory loss, and other ailments.

3. Self Defense: The martial arts aspect of taiji hasn't been eliminated even though it is used for competitive sport rather than for war. "Yong " or "usefulness" is still important in forming correct postures, and in comprehending the classic writings and teachings, and being able to apply those to practice of form and implementing methods.