7th grade
Today, all 7th graders who take lessons with me received a master schedule for the 2nd marking period. The biggest problem I observed last marking period was in regard to lesson attendance. Although the lesson card procedure will remain exactly the same, I hope to improve lesson attendance by providing this schedule of every lesson, dress rehearsal, and concert for the remainder of 2009. Everyone is listed on this schedule, and I recommend that you write the dates and times of your lessons into your A-Pad. I understand that some lessons were scheduled during lunch periods, and I will be flexible about changing those times. All students enter the 2nd marking period with a clean slate; there is no need to make up lessons from the last marking period.
New practice logs will be distributed for 7th graders on Wednesday. If you are absent because of the choir trip or for any other reason, be sure to pick up a practice log 1st thing Thursday morning.
Rhythm testing finished today in class. I have viewed all of the tests and graded them. I am missing tests from:
New practice logs will be distributed for 7th graders on Wednesday. If you are absent because of the choir trip or for any other reason, be sure to pick up a practice log 1st thing Thursday morning.
Rhythm testing finished today in class. I have viewed all of the tests and graded them. I am missing tests from:
Curtis Ericson
Natasha Permaul
Emily Toffenetti
Kevin Zeng
All of these students were present today, so I'm not sure why they did not choose to take the tests. I will provide one more opportunity to take this first rhythm test, but soon we will be moving ahead to scale testing.
Scale tests will also begin on Wednesday. Students should be able to play (and describe, using a key signature) the following scales:
F Major, C Major, G Major, D Major
Play the scale in the way that is most comfortable for you. You may choose to play one or two octaves.
Today, we did work on Saturday at the Symphony, in the 3rd and final section. First violins are getting more comfortable with the tied rhythms around measure 50, and the more that they work with metronomes, the better it will be. Inner voices (violin 2 and viola) can still work on the chromatic passages, being careful both to tune the D# to E naturals (and back) and not slow down longer notations.
Variations on a Ground gets better every time we play it. We will work to create different characters in sections of the piece, and anyone interested in solos should plan on playing in orchestra during the next few rehearsals.
Harvest Song has reached a comfortable stage for us, which isn't necessarily good. We are set in certain tempos instead of using our ears to hear our fellow musicians. Practice giving your own breath cues so that you can feel a tempo before you begin playing it.
Natasha Permaul
Emily Toffenetti
Kevin Zeng
All of these students were present today, so I'm not sure why they did not choose to take the tests. I will provide one more opportunity to take this first rhythm test, but soon we will be moving ahead to scale testing.
Scale tests will also begin on Wednesday. Students should be able to play (and describe, using a key signature) the following scales:
F Major, C Major, G Major, D Major
Play the scale in the way that is most comfortable for you. You may choose to play one or two octaves.
Today, we did work on Saturday at the Symphony, in the 3rd and final section. First violins are getting more comfortable with the tied rhythms around measure 50, and the more that they work with metronomes, the better it will be. Inner voices (violin 2 and viola) can still work on the chromatic passages, being careful both to tune the D# to E naturals (and back) and not slow down longer notations.
Variations on a Ground gets better every time we play it. We will work to create different characters in sections of the piece, and anyone interested in solos should plan on playing in orchestra during the next few rehearsals.
Harvest Song has reached a comfortable stage for us, which isn't necessarily good. We are set in certain tempos instead of using our ears to hear our fellow musicians. Practice giving your own breath cues so that you can feel a tempo before you begin playing it.
6th
We are almost finished with rhythm testing in 6th (A/C). On Wednesday I will be ready to test the student council members (who were absent due to a meeting) and those bassists who did not yet test. I've watched most of the 6th grade rhythm tests, and I'm happy to see that many of you not only prepared, but are really internalizing the tempo from the metronome. We've already had many perfect scores!Also exciting was that we got all the way through Carmen, Carmela. It was rough at times, but it showed me that you have the stamina and focus to get through such a long and difficult piece. Basses should use metronomes to count their parts, making sure to play a dotted half note and a quarter note instead of two half notes. Don't forget to practice changing your bow grip from "bowing" to "pizzicato" grip!
