Arts Newsletter
Back to School 2013
Faculty Feature - Beth Tracy
Beth came to Collegiate in 1979 as a part time teacher. She has her Bachelors in Music Education from James Madison University and her Masters of Education from University of Richmond. She has spent the years since growing the music education for our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders into an integral part of the curriculum. Beth has not only grown the program from part time to full time, but also enjoyed the growth in the facilities and support for the programs she teaches. Her classroom has been in a closet, the gym, shared classrooms with the other music or even art teachers ... and now the large and lovely space she has today. In addition to teaching the nuts and bolts of music concepts and appreciation, Beth works with the classroom teachers to produce the big productions which tie in to each of these grades’ social studies. The Second Grade’s States Fair celebrates all of the United States with regional and national songs, dance and art. Beth teaches the songs, helps to identify the soloists, and accompanies the production which is staged in the Oates Theater in February. The Third Grade students study colonial times, and have a large “Colonial Days” celebration in late Spring which brings together the music, dance and culture of the times into a grade level production held in the Estes Multipurpose room in the Weinstein Music Wing at the Lower School. Beth teaches the students all of the songs for this production, and leads the student musicians while accompanying them during the event. The Third Graders learn to play handbells and other instuments during her classes, which they use to good advantage in their Concert of Carols held each year in December. The Fourth Graders study the westward movement of settlers after colonial days. Their “American Mosaic” presentation highlights people and events of that time period. Beth works with the students to learn the songs and instumental accompaniments for this program as well. Fourth Graders may also elect to participate in Cantorion, which is a choral group Beth leads that performs several times throughout the year at school events and community service venues. Beth also organizes and accompanies the fourth graders for their annual “Informances” where they showcase their newfound musical skills to their parents. She is one busy lady!