Adding It All Together Now it is time to put the three beginning notes together. Notes: B and A Notes: A and G Notes: B and A Notes: B, A, and G Notes: B, A, and G Notes: B, A, and G

Welcome to the Recorder Karate Dojo! Get ready to earn your belts and become a Recorder Karate Master! Each song brings a new challenge, helping you learn new notes, build your skills, and grow as a musician. Successfully master each song to earn your next belt! Keep an eye out for fun bonus songs along the way, too! Remember, practice doesn't mean perfect. Practice means PROGRESS! Every time you play, you're getting better. Grab your recorder, give it your best, and let the musical adventure begin! The White Belt Selection WHITE BELT Hot Cross Buns Demonstration Video with Recorder WHITE BELT Hot Cross Buns Performance Video (no recorder) The Yellow Belt Selection YELLOW BELT Gently Sleep Demonstration Video with Recorder YELLOW BELT Gently Sleep Performance Video (no recorder) The Orange Belt Selection ORANGE BELT Merrily We Roll Along Demonstration Video with Recorder ORANGE BELT Merrily We Roll Along Performance Video (no recorder) The Green Belt Selection GREEN BELT It's Raining Demonstration Video with Recorder GREEN BELT It's Raining Performance Video (no recorder) The Purple Belt Selection PURPLE BELT Old McDonald Had a Farm Demonstration Video with Recorder PURPLE BELT Old McDonald Had a Farm Performance Video (no recorder) The Blue Belt Selection BLUE BELT When the Saints Go Marching In Demonstration Video with Recorder BLUE BELT When the Saints Go Marching In Performance Video (no recorder) The Red Belt Selection RED BELT Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Demonstration Video with Recorder RED BELT Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star Performance Video (no recorder) The Brown Belt Selection BROWN BELT Amazing Grace Demonstration Video with Recorder BROWN BELT Amazing Grace Performance Video (no recorder) The Black Belt Selection BLACK BELT Ode to Joy Demonstration Video with Recorder BLACK BELT Ode to Joy Performance Video (no recorder)

Find all the pictures and videos from Kocurek programs and concerts here for viewing. MEDIA GALLERIES Welcome to our media galleries. Here you can view photos and videos from a variety of our concerts, programs and events throughout the years. Click on one of the links to begin exploring through some of our performances and events. PHOTOS The moments worth remembering EXPLORE PHOTOS VIDEOS The performances worth reliving WATCH VIDEOS Have a Memory to Share? Help us preserve the special moments that make our music program memorable. SUBMIT YOUR MEDIA

Who is Mr. VandeWalle? Learn more about the music teacher at Kocurek Elementary School in Austin, Texas. The Full Story Who would have thought that a kid playing the recorder in elementary school would grow up to spend his life teaching music to kids doing the very same thing? Well, here I am! I've been teaching music since 1999 and have proudly called Kocurek Elementary home since 2007. Nearly two decades later, this school feels like family. I've watched students grow up, graduate, and even return with children of their own. It's pretty special, even if it does make me feel a little old! My love of music started in elementary school with recorders, folk songs, and learning to read music. In 5th grade, I discovered the clarinet and saxophone, and I was hooked! Music became a huge part of my life throughout middle and high school, including my years at Austin's Crockett High School. Since then, music has taken me on some incredible adventures. I've performed with groups like Salsa del Rio, Blu Funk Junction, and Aubrey Logan, and even traveled to Mexico, Ireland, England, and Amsterdam to perform. Not bad for a kid who started out squeaking on a recorder! I've taught middle school and high school band, but elementary music is where I found my home. There's nothing quite like watching children discover their musical abilities and grow in confidence. Some days we make beautiful music. Other days, well, we're making progress! I've also had the opportunity to write music curriculum for McGraw-Hill's Spotlight on Music and Mighty Music Publishing's Music Memory, serve in music education leadership roles, and receive Teacher of the Year honors at both Widen Elementary and Kocurek. One of my proudest accomplishments is starting the Koala Choir in 2007 and watching it grow into such a special part of our school. Outside the classroom, my greatest joy is my family. My wife, Michelle, and I live in Kyle with our two daughters, Haylee and Rebecca. Our oldest has even caught the music bug and now sings in her high school choir and plays in the orchestra. As a musician and music teacher, getting to sit in the audience and cheer on my own child is pretty wonderful. It's nice being on the other side of the concert for a change! I'm incredibly grateful for my family's love, laughter, and patience with a music teacher whose work occasionally follows him home. After all these years, what means the most to me isn't the concerts, performances, or awards. It's the people, the laughter, and the memories we've made together. I hope my students leave my classroom knowing they were encouraged, appreciated, and capable of great things. And if they're still singing one of our songs twenty years from now, I'd call that a pretty big success!

The Koala Choir was established in 2007 by Mr. VandeWalle and has been a representive group of young musicians ever since. Learn more about this program and how to get involved. About Our Choir Discover more about the Koala Choir at Kocurek Elementary. Join the Choir Auditions, registration, and expectations AISD Honors Choir Celebrating outstanding student musicians in Austin ISD. Member Zone Calendars, Practice Materials and everything choir members need. Coming up for the Koala Choir NOV 7 AISD All-City Choral Festival Saturday - AISD Performing Arts Center DEC 10 Koala Choir Winter Concert Thursday - 6:30pm - Kocurek Cafetorium DEC 11 Koala Choir Pizza 'n' Movie Friday - 3:15pm-5:00pm - Music Room The Kocurek Koala Choir has been making music and memories since I started the program in 2007! Made up of talented and enthusiastic 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, our choir has become a special part of the Kocurek community, performing both on campus and throughout the Austin area. Auditions are held at the beginning of each school year and are open to all 3rd–5th grade students. Since space is limited, students who aren't selected right away are placed on a Reserve List and may be invited to join as openings become available. Each year, we present two major concerts, one in the fall and one in the spring, along with other special performances when opportunities arise. Over the years, we've performed at the grand opening of the AISD Performing Arts Center, Southpark Meadows, retirement communities, and other locations around Austin. Being a Koala Choir member is about more than just singing! I expect my students to be positive role models, show good citizenship, and represent our school with pride, both in and out of the classroom. Our Koala Choir Handbook outlines these expectations and everything students need to know about being part of the program. I'm proud of what we've built over the years, and I love watching each new group of singers grow in confidence, musicianship, and friendship! Students who wish to participate in the Kocurek Koala Choir will need to be registered to audition. This registration must be completed by an adult and all information must be provided. Registration does NOT guarantee students a spot in the choir but gives them permission to audition and participate if they are selected. Students will audition using our School Song. This includes the movements and choreography. The registration link can be found below. You will also find a link to view the choir handbook and a link to the audition selection. It is expected that the audition music be memorized. School Song Audition Practice Video Choir Handbook English Spanish Online Registration Information Being selected for the Austin ISD Honors Choir is one of the highest honors a young singer in our district can receive! Each year, some of the most talented 5th-grade singers from across Austin ISD come together for the All-City Choral Festival, a special concert celebrating their musical talent and hard work. All 5th-grade Koala Choir members have the opportunity to audition for this prestigious group. I share audition information and music early in the school year so interested students have plenty of time to prepare and give it their best shot. The number of students selected from Kocurek varies each year based on campus enrollment, making every spot especially meaningful. Those chosen have the opportunity to rehearse and perform alongside some of the best elementary singers in Austin, culminating in a wonderful concert at the AISD Performing Arts Center each fall. I'm incredibly proud of every student who takes on this challenge. Earning a place in the district Honors Choir is a tremendous accomplishment and a special recognition of their dedication, musicianship, and love of singing! Click the picture below to enlarge

The Maurine Kocurek Award of Music Excellence is a valued and treasured award at our school. Learn more about the Maurine Kocurek, the award named after her, and the students who have received the prestigous honor. When Mr. VandeWalle stepped into the role of music teacher at Kocurek Elementary School, he encountered numerous challenges. Transitioning into a school where the previous music teacher had been the only one in its history made it difficult for the students to accept the newcomer. However, fate intervened when the Koala Choir, under Mr. VandeWalle's guidance, visited the Westminster Retirement Home to sing Christmas Carols for Mr. Kocurek and friends. This encounter led to a meaningful friendship between Mr. VandeWalle and Mrs. Kocurek, during which they discussed his role as the new music teacher and the obstacles he faced. Mrs. Kocurek encouraged Mr. VandeWalle to push through the challenges and create HIS own music program.. During his first year at Kocurek, Mr. VandeWalle had contemplated leaving to find a different position. Encouraged by Mrs. Kocurek's belief in him and inspired by the choir's performance, Mr. VandeWalle decided to stay at Kocurek and build his own musical legacy. Over the next couple of years, they continued to connect through Christmas Caroling trips and phone conversations. In gratitude for her unwavering support and friendship, Mr. VandeWalle established the "Maurine Kocurek Award of Music Excellence" as a tribute to her love for music. Mr. Van and Mrs. Kocurek (2007) Though Mrs. Kocurek passed away in 2011, her name and passion for music live on through this award. Throughout the school year, 5th-grade students at Kocurek Elementary are provided with a plethora of opportunities to engage and immerse themselves in various musical experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. These experiences contribute to their musical growth and development. We take great pride in presenting the "Maurine Kocurek Award of Music Excellence" to students who consistently go above and beyond in their musical pursuits. It serves as a tribute to the late Mrs. Kocurek, a strong supporter of the music program at Kocurek Elementary School. This annual award celebrates the highest level of musical achievement among our students. When selecting recipients for this esteemed honor, various criteria are evaluated, notably active engagement in extracurricular pursuits like the Koala Choir, the AISD Choral Fest, the AISD Music Memory Contest, the AISD Recorder Fest, and related musical endeavors. Above all, each recipient exemplifies exceptional commitment not only to personal growth but also to the advancement of their musical community and the betterment of those within it. The eagerly awaited announcement of the award winners takes place at our annual 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony, held each May. It is a moment of recognition and celebration, honoring our outstanding fifth-grade students who have demonstrated excellence and dedication in all aspects of music and to all those around them. 2027 Announced in May 2027 2026 Rowan Ebert-Sipe Laurel Logan 2025 Amelia Rosario-Arocho Gabriel Cepeda 2024 Araya Mulrooney Taurus Monroe 2023 Lauren Power Kate Horner Aiden Legendre Simone Louderback 2022 Taylor Barrera Barrett Brown Hope Dever Henry Head 2021 Harper Ebert-Sipe Zion Watson 2020 No selections due to Covid 2019 Paola Garcia Ashley Flores Gavin MacAlpine Isabella Olivares 2018 Jennessa Holley Angela Vasquez Calum Cheah Robert Lockay 2017 Althea Sobrevga Michelle Conchas Justin Tapp 2016 Alisa Irvin Alison Maass 2015 Maya Anthony Ameriss Gover Marisol Peters 2014 Gwenyth Grillo Mariana Leon Azabeth Petriella Haleigh Sells 2013 Adelynn LeMoine Bradley Mudd 2012 Madison Wilson Lyandra Martinez Sebastian Sandoval Pedro Zaragoza 2011 Alisha Johnson Martin Berron, Jr. 2010 Avery Baldwin Jerardo Sandoval 2009 Denae Ravago Nabil Bayoumi Load More

< Back Spring Concert 2016 View photos from the Kocurek Koala Choir's Spring Concert (May 2016). https://youtu.be/LYwP5oGVjqA Previous Next

< Back Winter Concert 2025 Previous Next

< Back Spring Concert 2008 View photos from the Kocurek Koala Choir's Spring Concert (May 2008). Previous Next

< Back Spring Concert 2026 View photos from the Kocurek Koala Choir's Spring Concert (May 2026) when we traveled back in time to 1986 to celebrate Kocurek's 40th Anniversary. https://youtu.be/rNHqEmJhaHc Previous Next

Learn more about Mr. VandeWalle's music classes. What is it all about and what is the goal of elementary music education at Kocurek Elementary School? ABOUT OUR MUSIC CLASSES OUR ESSENTIAL AREAS CLASSES At Kocurek Elementary School, students from Kindergarten through fifth grade have the opportunity to attend Essential Areas classes, which include Music, Art, and Physical Education (PE). These classes are scheduled on a three-day rotation, with day one focusing on Music, day two on Art, and day three on PE, and then the cycle repeats. Each of these classes is led by a qualified and state-certified specialist in their respective content area The general music classes at Kocurek Elementary cover a wide range of topics and learning objectives. Students are exposed to various aspects of music education, including singing, playing musical instruments, and reading and writing music. Additionally, students have the opportunity to explore music history through the Music Memory curriculum. This comprehensive approach to music education ensures that students receive a well-rounded and engaging musical experience, fostering both their musical skills and their appreciation for the art of music. OUR MUSIC CLASS Music belongs to everyone. For centuries people have sung and played instruments, told stories, shared news and preserved important events. Although the preservation of our musical heritage began as an aural tradition, in the twentieth century the teaching of music and related subject matter had begun to be relegated to the classroom. It is a natural activity for young children to sing and to create with free play and movement. These activities must be encouraged to help our society become musically literate. A small percentage of students will become professional musicians. I don't expect every student who walks through my classroom door to become a professional musician. What I hope is that they leave with an appreciation for music, the confidence to participate, and the ability to understand and enjoy music throughout their lives. OUR MUSIC GOALS As a result of the involvement in music education, the following non-musical effects may be achieved: 1. a building of self-esteem through successful experiences during the music lesson 2. an establishment of higher levels of thinking 3. creativity and self-expression 4. development of large and small motor skills, hand-eye coordination and aural skills 5. an acceptable level of social interaction in a classroom environment Our goal is to provide a complete music education environment that will offer an ongoing source of enjoyment which will enhance each student's quality of life.

Ready for an Extra Challenge? Welcome to our Recorder Karate Bonus Selections! This special page is for students who are ready to push themselves a little further, take on new challenges, and see just how much they can accomplish! Each bonus song offers an extra opportunity to build your musical skills and go beyond our regular Recorder Karate belt tests. These songs are completely optional, but students who successfully perform a bonus selection for me in music class will earn a special reward for their extra effort and achievement! Remember, great musicians aren't made overnight. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn, improve, and grow. Practice means progress!Good luck, and happy practicing! BONUS White Belt Selection BONUS WHITE SELECTION Au Clair de la Lune Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS WHITE SELECTION Au Clair de la Lune Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Yellow Belt Selection BONUS YELLOW SELECTION Down by the Station Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS YELLOW SELECTION Down by the Station Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Orange Belt Selection BONUS ORANGE SELECTION Kuma San Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS ORANGE SELECTION Kuma San Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Green Belt Selection BONUS GREEN SELECTION I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS GREEN SELECTION I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Purple Belt Selection BONUS PURPLE SELECTION Old Brass Wagon Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS PURPLE SELECTION Old Brass Wagon Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Blue Belt Selection BONUS BLUE SELECTION Lightly Row Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS BLUE SELECTION Lightly Row Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Red Belt Selection BONUS RED SELECTION Yankee Doodle Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS RED SELECTION Yankee Doodle Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Brown Belt Selection BONUS BROWN SELECTION The Wedding March Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS BROWN SELECTION The Wedding March Performance Video (no recorder) BONUS Black Belt Selection BONUS BLACK SELECTION Happy Birthday Demonstration Video with Recorder BONUS BLACK SELECTION Happy Birthday Performance Video (no recorder)