Tecumseh Elementary School

Music Department

Mr. Donald R. Avery, Jr. - General Music

Mr. Avery has a B.S. in Music Education from the University of Dayton and a M.M. in Wind Conducting from Butler University. He has studied conducting with Dr. Timothy Swinehart, Harvey Benstein, and Stanley DeRusha. Mr. Avery has 14 years experience as a high school band director, as well as, adjunct faculty at the University of Dayton. He is also a marching band adjudicator and clinician and a former member of the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps, from Rosemont, Ill. Mr. Avery has been a music teacher in the Xenia Community Schools since 2000.

Ms. Tami Savard - Instrumental Music

Tami Savard has a B.S. in Music Education from Central Michigan University and a M.M. from Wright State University. Ms. Savard has been teaching instrumental music in the Xenia Community Schools since 1992. Prior to coming to Xenia she taught in New Lebanon and Ramstein, Germany.

Kaye Kelly - Character Choir

Kaye Kelly has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Manchester College (Indiana) and a M.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Dayton.  Mrs. Kelly has taught kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grades in Fairborn and Xenia, as well as music for grades 1-8 at St. Adalbert’s parish.  She also directs an Ecumenical Choir that presents the cantata, “The Seven Last Words of Christ,” each Good Friday.   Mrs. Kelly retired from Xenia Community Schools (and Tecumseh) in June, having taught in Xenia since 1988.  This is her first year to work with the Character Choir.  She resides in Dayton, has 4 grown children and 14 grandchildren.

What's going on in the general music classes at Tecumseh?

KG
The students are practicing their music for kindergarten graduation. They are looking forward to performing at the end of May.

1st Grade
The 1st graders are learning to identify sections and phrases in music. They are also learning to aurally identify specific instruments. The students are practicing reading simple rhythms.

2nd & 3rd Grade
The students are using their accumulated knowledge of music to play the bell sets.

4th & 5th Grade
The students have completed the recorder karate program. Mrs. Luken’s class won the class competition. They are currently working out of their respective music text books.

Congratulations to Mrs. Luken's 4th graders for winning the "Recorder Karate" class competition. There were 14 students in the 4th and 5th grade that received a black belt. They were:

5th Grade
Valerie Pitzer
Shelby Barlow
Mychal Royal
Amy Wilkinson

4th Grade
Nathan Beem
Rachel Claus
Alex Grigsby
Jeffrey Phillips
Morgan Seifert
Trey Galliger
Matthew Graham
Megan Miller
Mikaela Tebbing
Alexandria Trevino