Did you know we have a school song? Usually, we learn it in music class each fall and then sing it for our Grandparents Day concert and other school events throughout the year. Singing activities are on hold right now, but the 8th-grade members of our select choir The Owl Tones came together to make a recording. They used our new music ensemble collaboration app, Cyborg Llama. Take a listen!
Hail to The Woods Academy! from The Woods Academy on Vimeo.
This February is the fifth anniversary of the creation of “Hail to The Woods Academy.” Sixth graders from the graduating class of 2018 worked together to compose the song during their music rotation. First, we invited Lower School students to brainstorm words and phrases. I love seeing how the words in the brainstorming activity still ring true, even in the middle of the pandemic!
School Song Word Brainstorm (February 2016)
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1B good school nice teachers fun affordable fun playgrounds excited to come to school stimulating good break from home
2B Owl Woods Trees Learning Unique Acorns Green Friends Nice teachers Many students Multicultural Community
3A Graceful Learn new stuff have wonderful teachers special activities have fun field trips fun classes great art classes amazing kind fun smart exciting stupendous educational neat superb teamwork field day helpful |
3B Catholic community Hail to the Owls Bring on the heat Wonderful students Green and white Education sensation Be true to your school
4B Green Curiosity Confidence Fun Inspiring Nice Owls Awesome Community Caring Interesting Amazing Better than any other Education ChromeBooks Technology Brilliant Good food Music Academic Community where curiosity and confidence thrive World language Teachers Friends Physical Education Art Guidance Buddies Books Catholic religion Kids Backpacks for Kenya Together Learn Kenyan sister school Science Classrooms Break and recess Lunch Exceptional Continuous learning Schedule Activities Forty years Prayers Math Spelling The best of the best since 1975 Social studies Library Homework Fun educational games Student body |
Next, our sixth-grade composers broke into three groups and got to work. Two groups chose to start with melody and the third began with lyrics. Ultimately, we blended pieces of each group’s work - taking a melody from one for the “A” section, a melody from another for the “B” section, and adding lyrics from the third group. It truly was a group collaboration with all hands on deck! Take a look at the lyrics!
Hail to The Woods Academy
By the 6th Grade Music Class: Niles Alburg, Alexandra Angelos, Michael Capuano, Audrey Kamine, Hannah Kirby, Will Lawrence, Jesse Manger, Amanda Phillips, Jack Raymond, and Luciana Wolcott
February 26, 2016
Hail to the Woods Academy
Home of the Owls, Green and White are we
Inspiring greatness, we will strive
Curiosity and confidence thrive
Students, teachers, family
We are a Catholic Community
Leading lives of significance
We will make a difference
Hail to the Woods Academy
Home of the Owls, Green and White are we
Learning, growing all day long
We are forever brave and strong
Chant:
Hail to the Owls, the Mighty, Mighty Owls!
Bring on the heat, we can’t be beat!
The Lower School brainstorm included a number of words and phrases from our school mission statement, and the sixth graders found a way to work many of them into the song. The beloved chant at the end of the song was created from the words of the third graders - our current eighth graders!
I’m looking forward to the day when we all can sing our school song together again. In the meantime, keep that GREEN and WHITE spirit alive!