Final Exam Schedule

Take note of your final exam time. I will have passes available 1 day before your assigned playing time, and it is important that you check with your teacher during homeroom so that you will not be late. Bring all required materials with you as you will not have an opportunity to go to your locker during that time.

All day and time requests were honored. Students who did not choose a time for their exam were put into the remaining available time slots. If you have a field trip or other exam conflict, please notify me immediately. I will do the best I can to reschedule.

6^th Grade - A/C

Ryan Adkison 6/21 @ 10:10

Alex Beams 6/2 @ 2:00

Bridget Bellanger 6/11 @ 9:30

Michelle Burmistrova 6/21 @ 11:30

Ryan Dillon 6/17 @ 2:00

Bill Dong 6/17 @ 10:50

Katie Gonick 6/9 @ 2:00

Delaney Guntert 6/10 @ 11:30

Sara Kogelmann 6/17 @ 10:10

Cynthia Leonard 6/6 @ 11:30

Gretchen Long 6/11 @ 2:00

Matthew Lurie 6/7 @ 9:30

Eva Mazzella 6/3 @ 2:00

Michaela Mazzeo 6/9 @ 10:50

Britany Nauman 6/9 @ 11:30

Ahna Pearson 6/21 @ 11:30

Elizabeth Reedy 6/3 @ 2:00

Alfredo Salazar 6/4 @ 10:50

Elaine Santos 6/11 @ 11:30

Catherine Seita 6/11 @ 10:10

Sera Song 6/8 @ 10:50

Nora Stevens 6/11 @ 10:10

Aurora Trainor 6/9 @ 2:00

Rebecca Tucker 6/9 @ 9:30

Michael Zhu 6/3 @ 11:30

6^th Grade - B/D

Rachel Cardiff 6/7 @ 11:30

Marko Crnkovic 6/14 @ 10:50

Matthew Darby 6/3 @ 9:30

Megan Govin 6/3 @ 10:10

Sarah Hanlon 6/10 @ 4:15

Claire Hill 6/10 @ 9:30

Nataleigh Huber 6/11 @ 9:30

Winsor Jewell 6/18 @ 1:20

Jacob Kelley 6/10 @ 10:50

Matthew Krieg 6/14 @ 9:30

Lucas Laing 6/10 @ 1:20

Alana Lake 6/17 @ 10:10

Annie Lin 6/10 @ 11:30

Sydney Marotta 6/10 @ 1:20

Sabrina Milks 6/8 @ 9:30

Cory Parker 6/2 @ 9:30

Sophie Patka 6/2 @ 9:30

Joseph Petitti 6/4 @ 11:30

John Piechowiak 6/4 @ 10:50

Catherine Rafferty 6/14 @ 11:30

Allison Reiner 6/3 @ 9:30

Eliana Rowe 6/8 @ 1:20

Gabrielle Sanza 6/10 @ 9:30

Alexander Selsley 6/14 @ 9:30

Paul Trichilo 6/10 @ 10:50

Katie Yang 6/8 @ 1:20

7^th Grade

Markos Abebe 6/4 @ 11:30

Arianna Barnum 6/7 @ 10:50

Naila Brown 6/7 @ 10:50

Alicia Chen 6/17 @ 2:00

Elijah Clemente 6/21 @ 2:00

Vivian Dai 6/9 @ 10:10

Curtis Ericson 6/8 @ 11:30

Madeline Farry 6/17 @ 9:30

Thomas Fortune 6/4 @ 2:00

Emily Gunther 6/4 @ 2:00

Shaddai Henry 6/11 @ 11:30

Hannah Hernandez 6/21 @ 10:50

Jennifer Hoffmann 6/9 @ 10:10

Sazeed Huq 6/21 @ 9:30

Heather Krofft 6/3 @ 11:30

Rosemary Leicht 6/18 @ 10:50

Kristina Marinopoulos 6/18 @ 2:00

Allyson McAuliffe 6/7 @ 9:30

Christina Morawski 6/4 @ 9:30

Carrie Rose Mulligan 6/14 @ 1:20

Jo Ann Mulligan 6/14 @ 1:20

Walter Nyangaga 6/18 @ 11:30

Nihaal Pabba 6/9 @ 9:30

Natasha Permaul 6/14 @ 11:30

Amir Rastegar 6/9 @ 10:50

Jacob Rosenberg 6/21 @ 9:30

Gianluca Russo 6/17 @ 11:30

Gerardo Salazar 6/4 @ 9:30

Sophia Schermerhorn 6/21 @ 10:50

Rachel Swyer 6/18 @ 10:50

Erin Templeton 6/17 @ 11:30

Emily Toffenetti 6/14 @ 2:00

Rebekah Wolanski 6/14 @ 10:50

Michelle Yu 6/17 @ 9:30

Kevin Zeng 6/3 @ 10:10

Alana Zervos 6/21 @ 10:10

8^th Grade

Elise Burby 6/18 @ 8:50

Sarah Byerly 6/3 @ 8:50

Sydney Campbell 6/18 @ 11:30

Laura Chevalier 6/4 @ 8:50

Julia Chong 6/4 @ 8:50

Ali Gohlke-Schermer 6/10 @ 2:00

Courtland Ingraham 6/21 @ 2:00

Pranav Kannan 6/7 @ 8:50

Abigail Kedik 6/18 @ 9:30

Josh Lamb 6/7 @ 8:50

Andrea Long 6/11 @ 2:00

Mary Jean Mulligan 6/18 @ 9:30

Emma Pearson 6/19 @ 2:00

Karthik Ramesh 6/8 @ 8:50

Katie Randorf 6/8 @ 8:50

Joe Sipzner 6/8 @ 9:30

Naomi Tenenini 6/7 @ 11:30

Amy Toscano 6/10 @ 2:00

Michael Trichilo 6/9 @ 11:30

Mathilde Warren 6/14 @ 2:00

Andrew Xu 6/8 @ 10:50

Final Exam Times/Dates

I've decided that with all the testing, field trips, and other disruptions to the daily schedule, it would be better for me to give you the opportunity to sign up for the most desirable final exam time.

The list of available days and times has been posted on the storage closet doors in the orchestra room.
Please consult your A-pad planner before signing up for a time.


No 8:50am/Mod 1 times have been listed, but they are available if anyone is interested. Activity Period exams can also be arranged, but students should come talk to me about this ASAP.


Helpful Hint: Do not wait until the last minute to sign up for a time. Also, do not put off your final exam until the last possible date in the event of a last-minute conflict.

Students who are not signed up by Wednesday afternoon (this Wednesday -- May 26th) will be assigned a time and responsible for changing it with me at least 2 days before the exam if there is a conflict.

Please come prepared and ready to play!

Final Exam Excerpts

6th Grade

Violin A
Fiddles Out West: m29-37
Edelweiss: m37-44
Sea Song Suite/I. Drunken Sailor: m41-end

Violin B
Fiddles Out West: m13-16, m52-end
Edelweiss: m37-44
Sea Song Suite/I. Drunken Sailor: m41-end

Viola
Fiddles Out West: m13-17, m29-37
Edelweiss: m45-end
Sea Song Suite/I. Drunken Sailor: m41-end

Cello
Fiddles Out West: m13-29
Edelweiss: m1-12
Sea Song Suite/I. Drunken Sailor: m41-end

Bass
Fiddles Out West: m13-29
Edelweiss: m29-39
Sea Song Suite/I. Drunken Sailor: m41-end


7th & 8th Grade

Violin 1
For the Star of County Down: m41-49; m158-166
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 "Second Movement": m15-24
Viva la Vida: m9-16

Violin 2
For the Star of County Down: m49-57; m117-125
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 "Second Movement": m9-17
Viva la Vida: m9-16

Viola
For the Star of County Down: m33-41; m117-125
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 "Second Movement": m9-17
Viva la Vida: m9-16

Cello
For the Star of County Down: m57-75; m108-117
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 "Second Movement": m9-17
Viva la Vida: m9-16

Bass
For the Star of County Down: m90-104; m142-150
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 "Second Movement": m17-24
Viva la Vida: m9-16

6th Grade Assembly Concert

The FMS 6th Grade Assembly will take place on Thursday, June 24th in the Cafetorium.

The 6th Grade Orchestra, Band, and Choir will perform at this assembly, so students should plan on bringing their instruments to school that day.

Any student renting an instrument from school should plan on playing that instrument in the daytime performance. They can return their rental that day.

Chamber Strings

Our concert is less than 2 rehearsals away! Wednesday, June 9th -- the Dessert Concert @ FMS!

For this concert, we will play: O Mio Babbino Caro, Be Boppin' Bourree, and Dance of Iscariot.

Today, we played all three pieces in their entirety and rehearsed sections from O Mio Babbino Caro and Be Boppin' Bourree. I was happy to hear that our dynamics discussions from last week's O Mio rehearsal stuck and made this week's music more beautiful! Also, kudos to the cello section who restrained themselves from pushing the tempo forward (as is so easy when playing staccato or pizzicato) in Be Boppin'. I am hardly concerned with the fact that it is not perfect yet, but rather, am happy that you have realized -- and begun to address -- that weaker area.

Next week I WILL start with Dance of Iscariot. So many good things are happening with this piece! Among them:

• dynamics (especially impressive in 1st violins)
• bow location (thanks for staying in the lower half with those dotted/accented 8th notes violas)
• accents (yay 2nds!)
• tempo considerations (both maintaining and changing when indicated -- great, cellos!)

In attendance today were:

Alicia Chen

Gretchen Long

William Wang

Bill Dong

Marko Crnkovic

Karthik Ramesh

Catherine Rafferty

Andrea Long

Naila Brown

Katie Yang

Excused because of Earth Science field trip:

Joe Sipzner

Emma Pearson

Absent:

Katie Gonick

Erin Templeton

Arianna Barnum

Gianluca Russo

Rachel Swyer

Cody Ingraham

Students who have missed 2 or more rehearsals should come see me to arrange a time to play excerpts. Because our concert is coming up so quickly and we have had so few rehearsals, it is important that you be keeping up with your share of practicing even when you are absent. A satisfactory performance of the following excerpts is necessary to participate in our concert:

Violin 1:

Be Boppin' Bourree - m5 (take 2nd ending) - 11; m 21-1st ending

O Mio Babbino Caro - m5-9; m57-end

Dance of Iscariot - m29-38; m44-52; m59-67

Violin 2:
Be Boppin' Bourree - m5-12; m16-19

O Mio Babbino Caro - m45-53 (counting rests!); m59-end

Dance of Iscariot - beginning; m38-49; m67-76

Viola:

Be Boppin' Bourree - m11-15; m 23-end

O Mio Babbino Caro - m21-25; m59-end

Dance of Iscariot - m29-38; m42-49; m59-76

Cello:

O Mio Babbino Caro - m17-25; m35-49

Be Boppin' Bourree - m5-13; m23-end

Dance of Iscariot - m29-35; m44-50; m86-end

Lesson Group Updates - Monday/Tuesday

M1

2 lessons so far (5/3 @ 8:50, 5/10 @ 10:10)

Materials: Seitz excerpt sheet, Major Scale Sheet, Orchestra music

Notes: all have begun to record major scales as part of their final exam submission

Most recent assignment: Bb Major scale in 2 octaves; Memorize excerpts #1 & #2 from Seitz sheet; Learn notes, rhythms, and bowings from excerpt #5; Special attention to "Second Movement" m15-18

M2

2 lessons so far (5/3 @ 11:30, 5/10 @ 2:00)

Materials: Allegro sheet, Major Scale Sheet, Orchestra music

Notes: significant absences; Gerardo has begun to record scales for final exam submission

Most recent assignment: finish memorizing Allegro (last week's assignment was to memorize the first/second/last line); review key signatures of major scales

M3

2 lessons so far (5/3 @ 9:30, 5/10 @ 10:50)

Materials: Minuet in G excerpt sheet, Major Scale Sheet, Orchestra music

Notes: our biggest obstacle is intonation! Pay attention to your tapes, and use solfege to find starting pitches; Kristina, Nihaal, and Rachel have begun to record scales for final exam submission

Most recent assignment: Memorize excerpts #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 @ quarter=60-80bpm for the next lesson. Remember to chant the steady rhythm before using your bow. Continue to practice the F Major scale, and look at Brandenburg "Second Movement" m15-17

M4

2 lessons so far (5/3 @ 10:50, 5/10 @ 8:50)

Materials: Minuet in G excerpt sheet, Major Scale Sheet, Orchestra music

Notes: generally good with key signature identification and finger placement! Practice in front of a mirror to improve posture.

Most recent assignment: Bb Major scale in 2 octaves; Minuet in G excerpts #1, #2, #3 @ quarter=60-80bpm; Minuet in G excerpts #4 and #5 at a comfortable tempo

M5

2 lessons so far (5/3 @ 1:20, 5/10 @ 9:30)

Materials: Allegro, Major Scale Sheet, Orchestra music

Notes: need to develop the back, shoulder, and abdominal muscles needed to hold instrument horizontally. Pitch suffers as a result of poor playing posture.

Most recent assignment: Eb Major scale; finish memorizing Allegro

T1

1 lesson so far (5/4 @ 10:10) and one tomorrow

Materials: Seitz excerpts, Orchestra music

Notes: focus on intonation! Sometimes the "half steps = fingers touching" rule does not always apply. Use your ears to listen for intervals!

Most recent assignment: Bb Major scale; Seitz excerpts #1 & #2 @ eighth=84-108; Brandenburg "Second Movement" m15-16

T2

1 lesson so far (5/4 @ 8:50)

Materials: Fiocco Allegro, Orchestra music

Notes: some students have begun to record scales for final exam submission; Shifting excercises in Brandenburg must be done s l o w l y or else you'll just be practicing incorrectly. Practice doesn't make perfect -- perfect practice makes perfect.

Most recent assignment: Bb Major scale in 2 octaves; Fiocco Allegro m36-39 @ sixteenth = 80-120; m18 in Fiocco Allegro @ eighth=80-120; Brandenburg "Second Movement" m15-25

T3

1 lesson so far (5/4 @ 2:00)

Materials: Bartok Folk Dances/Duets, Gavotte from Orchestral Suite #3, Orchestra Music

Notes: great attendance and very good effort being shown by this lesson group! Remember that accidentals carry through the measures. In Gavotte II, hear sol-mi-do in the key of A major (use do to find mi -- tune mi and sol for double stop), and keep 2nd finger down

Most recent assignment: Eb Major scale in 2 octaves; Gavotte II: m16-18; both parts of Maypole Dance (No. 2, Andante, G Major, cut time)

Chamber Strings

Our spring Chamber Strings performance will be on the Dessert Concert on June 9th. On this concert, we plan to play:

Be Boppin' Bourree

O Mio Babbino Caro

Dance of Iscariot

Today, we worked mostly on Be Boppin' Bourree. When playing in the jazz genre, it is fun to break some of the "rules" of classical music. Some of these rules include:

• Not adding glissando (slippy-slides) between notes that call for use of the same finger.
• Playing 8th notes as straight du-de's that can be futher divided into du-ta-de-ta's.
  

However, in order to break the rules, we must know how to follow them properly. As an ensemble, we had great difficulty playing our parts to a metronome set at quarter=80bpm. As Be Boppin Bourree consists only of eighth notes and quarter notes, playing with a slow metronome tempo should be an easy task. Remember: tempo is in YOUR hands. I can conduct, I can tap, I can count out loud, but what it comes down to is that you must be able to know where you are, where you're going, and how long it takes to get there. Practice with metronomes! I want to be able to break some rules really soon!

In contrast to the hurried tempos in and careless articulations in Be Boppin', O Mio Babbino Caro was really beautiful this week. Cellists are now getting a good sense of what I have been asking for in those measures with 3 notes slurred (and marked with tenutos). We discussed and tried a lot of dynamics in rehearsal. The piece doesn't have many dynamics marked, so we should ask ourselves:

• Do few dynamic markings mean little change in dynamics?
• Are phrases marked with dynamics or do we have to add them in?
• How do I know what is a phrase? (Hint: watch the youtube video of Renee Flemming singing this!)
• How do I get from one dynamic marking to the next? (crescendo vs. subito)
• How does my dynamic compare to the markings in other sections?
• How can my bow help me achieve a good sound at this given dynamic?
• Is there anything I should write in to remind me of dynamics?
  

Speaking of bowing, we can also pay attention to when bow changes occur. Are you changing at the exact same time as your stand partner? As your section leader? As your friend in another section?

In attendance were:

Joe Sipzner

Katie Gonick

Alicia Chen

Erin Templeton

Gretchen Long

William Wang

Bill Dong

Marko Crnkovic

Rachel Swyer

Karthik Ramesh

Catie Rafferty

Andrea Long

Naila Brown

Cody Ingraham

We're sorry we missed:
Arianna Barnum

Gianluca Russo

Emma Pearson

Katie Yang

Chamber Strings

Thank you so much to all the Chamber Strings musicians who participated in the Presidential Awards ceremony on Wednesday by playing the National Anthem! I received many compliments on your performance, and the faculty, staff, and ROTC members who were involved in the ceremony were happy to add live music to their event. I am grateful for your participation, preparation, and the maturity you showed during the performance, and I am impressed with the speed and ease at which you added this new piece to your repertoire.

Monday's rehearsal began with a quick rehearsal of the Star Spangled Banner, moving to O Mio Babbino Caro, and ending with a bit of Be Boppin Bourree. First violinists should start to look at some of the fingerings that are marked in O Mio Babbino Caro as they shift into 3rd position. We use 3rd position in some of our lesson music and in the new Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 ("Second Movement").

Why do we shift? There are a couple reasons why shifting is a necessary skill for string players:

• To reach higher notes. As we shift "up" (closer to our bridge and further from our scroll), the notes get higher in pitch.
• To make fingerings more comfortable. In certain keys, notes are more easily achieved somewhere other than 1st position. Think about the biggest stretches you have to make in 1st position. When you move "up" on the fingerboard, the intervals (whole and half steps) get closer together, so we don't have to stretch as much.
• To achieve a desired tone. As a violinist, I love my E string. It is a bright, vibrant, loud, and exciting string. However, as an orchestral player, the E string just doesn't fit in. It can be too icy, too piercing, and just too different from the strings on the viola, cello, and bass. As orchestral players, our job is to blend: we should strive to create a similar sound, tone, timbre, and quality as the other members of our section and our orchestra. Shifting to achieve a desired tone is what we do when we stay on a particular string for a passage instead of changing to a brighter/darker, thinner/thicker string.
• To minimize string crossings (or eliminate them completely). When dealing with complicated or confusing bowings, sometimes it is easier for us to shift positions so as to keep our arm level and bowhair contact on the string the same. Shifting to avoid string crossings becomes a special concern when using ricochet or other advanced bowings.

Lessons: May

Lesson Groups
**Please note that there are small changes in lesson group assignments**

M1: Vivian Dai, Carrie Rose Mulligan, Walter Nyangaga, Michelle Yu, Jo Ann Mulligan
M2: Arianna Barnum, Shaddai Henry, Sazeed Huq, Gerardo Salazar, Kevin Zeng, Josh Lamb, Katie Randorf
M3: Kristina Marinopoulos, Nihaal Pabba, Gianluca Russo, Rachel Swyer, Alana Zervos
M4: Markos Abebe, Madeline Farry, Christina Morawski, Pranav Kannan
M5: Elijah Clemente, Allyson McAuliffe, Natasha Permaul, Amir Rastegar

T1: Mary Jean Mulligan, Amy Toscano, Andrew Xu, Mathilde Warren, Erin Templeton
T2: Ali Gohlke-Schermer, Joe Sipzner, Naomi Tenenini, Alicia Chen
T3: Laura Chevalier, Karthik Ramesh, Michael Trichilo

W1: Heather Krofft, Rebekah Wolanki, Elise Burby
W2: Curtis Ericson, Rose Leicht, Emily Toffenetti, Jacob Rosenberg
W3: Naila Brown, Jennifer Hoffmann, Hannah Hernandez, Sophia Schermerhorn
Q: Michael Zhu, Bill Dong, Ahna Pearson, Katie Yang

Th1: So Yeon Kim, Sera Song
Th2: Delaney Guntert, Claire Hill, Eliana Rowe
Th3: Sydney Marotta, Joseph Petitti, (Katie Yang)
Th4: Cory Parker, Sophia Patka, Alfredo Salazar, Alex Selsley, Cynthia Leonard, Rebecca Tucker
Th5: Matthew Krieg, Catie Rafferty, Allison Reiner, Michelle Burmistrova

F1: Sarah Byerly, Julia Chong, Andrea Long
F2: Cody Ingraham, Abigail Kedik, Sydney Campbell

Lesson Schedule - May

Monday, May 3rd BD
8:50: Dai, Mulligan, Nyangaga, Yu, Mulligan (Absent: Walter -- made up 5/6)
9:30: Marinopoulos, Pabba, Ruso, Swyer, Zervos (Absent: Nihaal)
10:50: Abebe, Farry, Morawski, Kannan (Absent: Markos, Pranav)
11:30: Barnum, Henry, Huq, Salazar, Zeng, Lamb, Randorf (Absent: Arianna, Shaddai, Sazeed, Gerardo, Kevin, Josh, Katie)
1:20: Clemente, McAuliffe, Permaul, Rastegar (Absent: Elijah, Natasha)

Tuesday, May 4th AC
8:50: Gohlke-Schermer, Sipzner, Tenenini, Chen (Absent: Naomi -- came 10:50-11:10 on 5/7)
10:10: Mulligan, Toscano, Xu, Warren, Templeton (Absent: Mary Jean, Amy, Andrew)
2:00: Chevalier, Ramesh, Trichilo

Wednesday, May 5th BD – Math Testing
Mod 4: Ericson, Leicht, Toffenetti, Rosenberg (Absent: Curtis, Emily, Jacob; Curtis & Emily missed last week)
Mod 5: Brown, Hoffmann, Hernandez, Schermerhorn (Absent: Naila, Hannah, Sophia; Jennifer missed last week)
Mod 11: Krofft, Wolanski, Burby (Absent: Heather, Rebekah, Elise; all missed last week)
Mod 12: Zhu, Dong, Pearson, Yang (Absent: Ahna, Katie; Ahna is out of the country)

Thursday, May 6th AC – Math Testing
Mod 3: Guntert, Hill, Rowe, Marotta, Petitti (Absent: Delaney -- came Mod 6), Sydney, Joe, Katie; Sydney, Delaney, and Joe were absent last week)
Mod 5: Song, Kim, Parker, Patka, Salazar, Selsley, Leonard, Tucker (Absent: So Yeon, Cory, Sophie, Alex, Cynthia; Sophie and Cory were absent last week)
Mod 12: Krieg, Rafferty, Reiner, Burmistrova (Absent this week and last: Michelle)

Friday, May 7th BD
8:50: Byerly, Chong, Long (Absent this week and last: Sarah, Andrea)
1:20: Ingraham, Kedik, Campbell (Absent: Abigail -- came at 9:30, Cody, Sydney; Absent last week: Cody, Sydney)

Monday, May 10th AC
8:50: Abebe, Farry, Morawski, Kannan (Absent: Markos, Pranav, Christina; Christina came @ 10:50)
9:30: Clemente, McAuliffe, Permaul, Rastegar (Absent: Elijah, Natasha)
10:10: Dai, Mulligan, Nyangaga, Yu, Mulligan
10:50: Marinopoulos, Pabba, Russo, Swyer, Zervos (Absent: Gianluca)
2:00: Barnum, Henry, Huq, Salazar, Zeng, Lamb, Randorf (Absent: Arianna, Shaddai, Sazeed, Gerardo, Kevin, Josh, Katie)

Tuesday, May 11th BD
8:50: Mulligan, Toscano, Xu, Warren, Templeton (Absent: Amy)
9:30: Chevalier, Ramesh, Trichilo (Absent: Michael)
11:30: Gohlke-Schermer, Sipzner, Tenenini, Chen (Absent: Alicia -- made up at 8:50am)

Wednesday, May 12th AC
8:50: Ericson, Leicht, Toffenetti, Rosenberg (Absent: Curtis, Emily)
10:10: Krofft, Wolanski, Burby (Absent: Elise)
11:30: Zhu, Dong, Pearson, Yang
2:00: Brown, Hoffmann, Hernandez, Schermerhorn (Absent: Sophia)

Thursday, May 13th BD
8:50: Guntert, Hill, Rowe (Absent: Delaney - came @ 9:30, Eliana - went to nurse)
9:30: Song, Kim
10:50: Marotta, Petitti (Absent: Sydney)
11:30: Krieg, Rafferty, Reiner, Burmistrova (Absent: Michelle - went to nurse)
2:00: Parker, Patka, Salazar, Selsley, Leonard, Tucker

Friday, May 14th AC
9:30: Ingraham, Kedik, Campbell (Absent: Cody, Abigail, Sydney)
2:00: Byerly, Chong, Long (Absent: Sarah, Andrea)

Monday, May 17th BD
8:50: Marinopoulos, Pabba, Ruso, Swyer, Zervos (Absent: Kristina, Nihaal)
9:30: Barnum, Henry, Huq, Salazar, Zeng, Lamb, Randorf (Absent: Shaddai, Sazeed, Gerardo, Kevin, Josh, Katie)
11:30: Clemente, McAuliffe, Permaul, Rastegar (Absent: Elijah, Allyson, Natasha)
1:20: Abebe, Farry, Morawski, Kannan (Absent: Maddy, Pranav -- both made up during AP on 5/18)
2:00: Dai, Mulligan, Nyangaga, Yu, Mulligan

Tuesday, May 18th AC
9:30: Gohlke-Schermer, Sipzner, Tenenini, Chen (Absent: Joe)
10:10: Chevalier, Ramesh, Trichilo (Absent: Karthik, Michael)
2:00: Mulligan, Toscano, Xu, Warren, Templeton (Absent: Mary Jean, Amy, Andrew)

Wednesday, May 19th BD
8:50: Krofft, Wolanski, Burby (Absent: Heather, Rebekah, Elise)
10:50: Zhu, Dong, Pearson, Yang
11:30: Ericson, Leicht, Toffenetti, Rosenberg (Absent: Curtis, Emily, Jacob)
1:20: Brown, Hoffmann, Hernandez, Schermerhorn (Absent: Sophia)

Thursday, May 20th AC
8:50: Parker, Patka, Salazar, Selsley, Leonard, Tucker (Absent: Sophie, Rebecca -- came @ 10:10)
9:30: Marotta, Petitti (Absent: Sydney)
10:10: Krieg, Rafferty, Reiner, Burmistrova (Absent: Catie -- came @ 8:50)
11:30: Song
2:00: Guntert, Hill, Rowe (Absent: Claire, Eliana)

Friday, May 21st BD
10:50: Ingraham, Kedik, Campbell (Absent: Cody, Abigail, Sydney)
11:30: Byerly, Chong, Long (Absent: Sarah, Julia, Andrea)

Monday, May 24th AC
8:50: Barnum, Henry, Huq, Salazar, Zeng, Lamb, Randorf
10:10: Marinopoulos, Pabba, Ruso, Swyer, Zervos
10:50: Clemente, McAuliffe, Permaul, Rastegar
11:30: Abebe, Farry, Morawski, Kannan
2:00: Dai, Mulligan, Nyangaga, Yu, Mulligan

Tuesday, May 25th BD
9:30: Mulligan, Toscano, Xu, Warren, Templeton
11:30: Chevalier, Ramesh, Trichilo
2:00: Gohlke-Schermer, Sipzner, Tenenini, Chen

Wednesday, May 26th AC
8:50: Zhu, Dong, Pearson, Yang
10:10: Ericson, Leicht, Toffenetti, Rosenberg
10:50: Brown, Hoffmann, Hernandez, Schermerhorn
2:00: Krofft, Wolanski, Burby

Thursday, May 27th BD
8:50: Krieg, Rafferty, Reiner, Burmistrova
9:30: Guntert, Hill, Rowe
10:50: Parker, Patka, Salazar, Selsley, Leonard, Tucker
1:20: Marotta, Petitti
2:00 Song, Kim

Final Exam Information

Final Exam Information

Information regarding the final exam was distributed in classes this week. The following post just reiterates what was announced in class.

When: beginning in June (in place of lessons)

How: recorded submission (to be done in school at assigned time)

What: Scales, Excerpts, Solo Piece

Worth: 35% of your 4th quarter grade (Combines performance, preparation, and lessons)

Scales: I will ask you to play scales from the following list: C, G, D, A, E, B, Ab, Eb, Bb, F (7th grade: C, G, D, A, E, Eb, Bb, F; 6th Grade: C, G, D, A). You may not use any materials to help you play these scales. I will choose what scales I'd like to hear. Know your key signatures!

Just like at NYSSMA, scales should be played at a comfortable, steady tempo with the best tone possible.

Scales will be graded as follows:

Correct Key Signature Yes No 10pts

Accuracy of Pitch 5 4 3 2 1 (x2 = 10pts)

Correct fingerings 5 4 3 2 1 (x2 = 10pts)

30pts total

Excerpts: An excerpt is a small section of music. I will choose 1-2 excerpts from our 4th quarter music for you to play. Your excerpt will be played with a metronome within a designated range. You must bring your own music to use. The excerpts that I will choose from will be announced in advance so that you can prepare them to the best of your ability.

Excerpts will be graded as follows:

Rhythm 5 4 3 2 1

Pitch/Notes 5 4 3 2 1

Dynamics 5 4 3 2 1

Articulation 5 4 3 2 1

Phrasing 5 4 3 2 1

Preparation* 5 4 3 2 1

*Came with all music, played from memory, ease of playing/familiarity with music, etc

Solo: You may choose any of the pieces we have worked on in lessons this year. Solos do not have to be memorized, but students have to provide their own music. If you went to NYSSMA this year, you can play that solo, and if you study privately and would like to play something that you worked on with that teacher that is fine!

Pick a solo that highlights your abilities. A harder solo played poorly will not showcase your musicianship skills as well as a slightly easier one that is performed with comfort and proper technique.

Solos will be graded as follows:

Rhythm 5 4 3 2 1

Pitch/Notes 5 4 3 2 1

Dynamics 5 4 3 2 1

Articulation 5 4 3 2 1

Phrasing 5 4 3 2 1

Preparation 5 4 3 2 1

The final exam is worth 100pts: 30 for scales, 30 for excerpts, 30 for solo. The last 10 points are to be earned through correct and appropriate posture.

Orchestra Update

As of today, all 6th graders have received practice music for the remainder of the year. In their packets are: Edelweiss, Fiddles Out West, Sea Song Suite, and Black and White. Students should focus their practicing this week on Fiddles Out West and the first parts of Sea Song Suite.

In 8th grade, information about the final exam was distributed along with new music. The concert review/NYSSMA reflections are due back to me on Thursday. Be specific with your responses! I am very interested in the depth of your reflections and your understanding of our spring repertoire. This assignment will be graded for quality of answers.

In rehearsal, we looked at very very small sections of two of our new pieces: Star of County Down and Brandenburg No. 3 ("Second" movement). Attention should be paid to m49-57 in Star of County Down and the first 9 measures of Brandenburg. Take everything very slowly so as to catch all those notes and accidentals, then work up to a comfortable tempo.

Final Exam Information

This week, 6th, 7th and 8th graders are receiving information about their final exam. The final will be worth 100 points and has 3 main parts:

1. Scales

2. Excerpts

3. Solos

All information, including requirements, procedures, and grading rubrics can be found on the handout they received. That information will be posted online later this week. Students should take some time this week to review the requirements and evaluate what elements of the final exam have already been mastered.

Chamber Strings

Today we worked on two songs: Dance of Iscariot and The Star Spangled Banner. Our national anthem is a new piece that they received today because we have been invited to play at the President's Achievement Awards ceremony on May 5th at 3:30pm. Chamber Strings will play right in the beginning, and they can leave right after our performance. Unfortunately, because it is a Wednesday, there are no late buses. Students should arrange to have their parents pick them up on this day.

In Dance of Iscariot, we touched upon a number of items:

1. Dotted/Accented eighth notes as seen in the 2nd violin and viola parts: Play these as low in the bow as you can get! Right next to the frog, with a slight bounce. To play in this location for any length of time in a consistent tempo is tiring. Only diligent practice with a mirror and a metronome will develop the muscles needed to maintain this character.

2. Accidentals between m56 and 76 in 2nd violin and viola parts and how to achieve them: We wrote in 2 sets of fingerings in these sections. The first stays in what we call "half" position because we set our fingers behind the tapes that they usually fall on. When we play this passage in half position, we can hit all the notes, but it makes for awkward string crossings. Instead, I highly recommend that the 3rd position fingerings be used (shifting to 2nd finger on the A# in m63 and staying in 3rd position until beat 4 of measure 65).

3. Accelerando in m84 for violins: We only have 1 measure to get to our Presto tempo at m85. As much as I'd like to be consistent, accelerandos have potential to be different every time. Practice pushing the tempo faster at varying degrees so that you will be comfortable no matter what happens.

4. Presto section: mark in your part how many repeated measures you have. Violin 1 plays the B-A-B-A-B-A-B-A figure for 8 measures (or 7 measures with the 8th measure accented). Violin 2 plays G-F#-G-F#-G-F#-G-F# for 4 measures before switching to the double-stopped section. Viola also has 4 measures before you change.

In attendance were:

Joe Sipzner

Gretchen Long

Alicia Chen

Katie Gonick

Erin Templeton

Arianna Barnum

William Wang

Bill Dong

Marko Crnkovic

Gianluca Russo

Karthik Ramesh

Catie Rafferty

Andrea Long

Cody Ingraham

We missed:
Rachel Swyer

Emma Pearson

Naila Brown

Katie Yang

Lessons for Last week of April

Attention 7th and 8th graders: please check here for updates on the lesson schedule this week. There will be a lot of changes due to ELA and other testing because I have to be in other places to help out. Lessons on Thursday should be normal, but Monday-Wednesday lessons could be mixed up quite a bit. I apologize for any confusion!

Congratulations!

This has been an exciting week for the musicians at Farnsworth! Congratulations to all 7th and 8th graders on their excellent performance Thursday night -- you looked and sounded wonderful!

I am very proud of all the students who participated in the NYSSMA Solo Festival this weekend in Ravena. I could not have asked for a better representation of our string program! The solo and small ensemble performances by Farnsworth orchestra students could not have been possible without the significant focus, determination, and preparation that you showed. I hope you are all very very proud of yourselves!

Hiawatha 7

Hiawatha 7 will be visiting the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center during science class (10:10 to 11:30) next week. Each class will go one day. Students in perf music will not miss their music class.

Please contact me this week if you are a member of this team and will be on the field trip on Tuesday, April 20th. We have a sectional from 9:30-10:10 that day, and I want to make sure that everyone who is scheduled at that time will be able to attend.

Chamber Strings

Welcome to a new month of Chamber Stringing!

The bulk of today's work was from Dance of Iscariot. We began with m38-52 and addressed the huge amount of notation found in the parts (such as: articulation, dynamics, and bowing). Each element of notation contributes to another and makes the general intention of the musical phrase more meaningful and easier to accomplish. Do your best not to become overwhelmed by everything you see on the page. Break it down using this process:

1. Rhythm Be able to chant all rhythms while keeping a steady beat. The rhythms in Dance of Iscariot are not challenging, but they may become confusing when heard with other parts.
2. Notes Check out any accidentals that occur. They are not outrageous or irregular, but they are accidentals! Once all notes have been learned, stick 'em alongside your rhythm chanting. Chant and pluck, chant and bow.
3. Bowings & Articulations Bow direction concerns are not usually my next recommended step, but they are important for steps to come. Use the breath markings as reminders to lift your bow and control direction. Those down bows should be taken at the frog to avoid any unpleasant sounds. Watch for accents, dots, and other articulation indicators and remember what we discussed about bow location.
   
4. Dynamics Once you've figured out the bowings and articulations, you can start putting them to use. Dynamics are what this passage is all about, and the bowings and articulations serve the greater dynamic purpose. Be careful of the subito changes!

Backing up, we skimmed m29-38. This piece is all about character and atmosphere and ideas, and this is a great passage to think about. Upper strings, while not necessarily playing melody, should be sneaky and smooth. Continue to use broad strokes in the middle of your bow, but release pressure to keep the volume low. Cellos continue the short, half step motive with a sinister sound.

Aaaand then we get to the fugual section! Entrances are broken down like this:

52-59: 2nds and violas

59-67: 1sts

67-76: cellos

Let's aim for more of a capoiera approach instead of the musical fighting we discussed :)


We ended with a bit of "B" Suite for Strings, of which we will only play I. Be-Boppin' Bourree. Cellos, for now, take the dots off those notes. We will do a lot more work on feeling the microbeats so as to keep a steadier pulse. In the meantime, practice without dots and with metronomes so that we can later establish a feeling of carefree, relaxed lightness in that opening.

Some things to think about when practicing:

• Slurred half steps: slide! gliss between notes! jazz it up!
• Practice taking different endings and repeating
  
• Use the bowings to help with those picky dynamics!
  

In attendance were:

Joe Sipzner

Katie Gonick

Alicia Chen

Arianna Barnum

Gretchen Long

William Wang

Bill Dong

Marko Crnkovic

Rachel Swyer

Emma Pearson

Catie Rafferty

Karthik Ramesh

Andrea Long

Naila Brown

Cody Ingraham

We're sorry we missed:

Erin Templeton

Gianluca Russo

Katie Yang

Limited number of NYSSMA Lessons Available!

If you do not already have a NYSSMA lesson scheduled for this week and would like one, come see me during homeroom tomorrow to take one of these available times:

Monday 4/12 AC

11:30

Wednesday 4/14 AC

11:30

NYSSMA Solo Festival - Times & Information

Festival Site: Ravena Coeymans Selkirk HS
ID:30 Zone:7
Address: Route 9W Ravena, NY 12143
4/16/10 & 4/17/10

**Please plan to arrive 45min - 1 hour prior to the time you are scheduled. This will allow you time to park, find the gym to warm up, locate your room, and fill out your forms.**

No photocopies are allowed at the NYSSMA festival. I have highly encouraged students to memorize their solo pieces so as evidence for full preparation. If you are still experiencing difficulty with your memorization, please discuss your concerns with me and/or contact John Keal Music to order additional copies of the original music.

Barnum, Arianna: Saturday 12:20pm Room S4

Burmistrova, Michelle: Saturday 2:15pm Room S2

Chen, Alicia: Saturday 11:05am Room S4

Darby, Matthew: Saturday 10:15am Room S2

Dong, Bill: Saturday 11:20am Room S4

Gonick, Kathryn: Saturday 10:20am Room S5

Krieg, Matthew: Friday 7:00pm Room S2

Lake, Alana: Saturday 1:55pm Room S2

Long, Gretchen & Andrea: Saturday 11:30am Room S5

Mulligan, Carrie Rose: Friday 7:10pm Room S4

Mulligan, Jo Ann: Friday 7:20pm Room S2

Mulligan, Carrie Rose, Jo Ann, and Mary Jean: Friday 4:35pm Room S4

Mulligan, Mary Jean: Friday 5:45pm Room S2

Pearson, Emma: Saturday 2:40pm Room S3

Rafferty, Catie: Saturday 10:15am Room S3

Russo, Gianluca: Saturday 2:35pm Room S5

Selsley, Alex: Saturday 1:45pm Room S5

Sipzner, Joey: Saturday 10:55am Room S2

Swyer, Rachel: Saturday 2:25pm Room S2

Templeton, Erin: Saturday 10:55am Room S4

Trainor, Aurora & Katie Gonick: Saturday 10:45am Room S2

Wang, William: Saturday 2:30pm Room S4

Yang, Katie: Saturday 10:45am Room S4

Yu, Michelle: Saturday 11:15am Room S2

Directions to Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School

Ravena High School is located on Rt. 9W, approximately ½ mile north of the village of Ravena, and approximately 12 - 13 miles south of Albany from exit 23 of the NYS Thruway.

From the north, east, west: Take NYS Thruway to exit 23 (Albany). Bear right onto Rt. 9W south. Travel approximately 12 - 13 miles. The school will be on the right.

From the south: Take NYS Thruway to exit 21B (Coxsackie). Bear right onto Rt. 9W north. Travel approximately 7 - 8 miles, through the village of Ravena. The school will be about ½ mile north of the village, on the left.

There is ample parking on the Ravena campus. Upon entering the campus, the High School is the building to the right.

1) Cars should park in either the large main lot on the left, or in the first lot on the right.

Both of these parking lots are adjacent to Rt. 9W.

2) Busses should park in the huge paved area straight ahead, between the High School (on the right) and the Middle School (to the left).

3) Percussion equipment may be unloaded at the gym entrance, which is closer to the percussion warm up area. Turn at the first right after entering the campus and go straight towards the football field and around to the left behind the building. Look for signs; someone will be there to assist you.

4) ALL PARTICIPANTS SHOULD ENTER AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR REGISTRATION. (Except percussionists unloading equipment at the gym entrance.)

Dress Rehearsal & Sectional Schedules

Review the dates for dress rehearsals, concerts, and sectionals and mark the times in your A-pads. Please also know the name of your stand partner and the approximate stand number prior to your arrival at the dress rehearsal. All dress rehearsals will be held onstage. Sectionals will be held in the orchestra room.

Bring your own copy of the music to all dress rehearsals and sectionals!!

Cellists and 6th Grade Bassists: due to the limited number of instruments available in our classroom, please make arrangements to bring your instrument from home on the day of your assigned dress rehearsal.

Monday, April 12, 2010
2:00-2:40pm: 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Dress Rehearsal on Stage

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
8:50-9:30am: 6th Grade Orchestra Dress Rehearsal on Stage

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
9:30-10:10: 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Dress Rehearsal on Stage

Thursday, April 15, 2010
6:45pm: 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra members arrive
7:30pm: 7th Grade Concert Concert (with combined 7/8 orchestra)

Monday, April 19, 2010 - 1:20pm - 7th/8th Sectional in Orchestra Room
Joe Sipzner, Walter Nyangaga, Gerardo Salazar, Shaddai Henry, Christina Morawski, Elijah Clemente, Naomi Tenenini, Alyson McAuliffe, Arianna Barnum, Katie Randorf, Michelle Yu, Rachel Swyer, Emma Pearson, Rebekah Wolanski, Andrea Long, Jennifer Hoffmann, Cody Ingraham, Sophia Schermerhorn, Curtis Ericson, Thomas Fortune

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 - 9:30am - 7th/8th Sectional in Orchestra Room

Ali Gohlke-Schermer, Alicia Chen, Mathilde Warren, Erin Templeton, Pranav Kannan, Jo Ann Mulligan, Carrie Rose Mulligan, Josh Lamb, Sazeed Huq, Kevin Zeng, Amir Rastegar, Natasha Permaul, Laura Chevalier, Karthik Ramesh, Naila Brown, Sarah Byerly, Abigail Kedik, Jacob Rosenberg, Julia Manobianco

Tuesday, April 20, 2010
10:10-10:50am: 6th Grade Orchestra Dress Rehearsal on Stage
6:45pm: 6th Grade Orchestra members arrive
7:30pm: 6th Grade Concert

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 8:50am - 7th/8th Sectional in Orchestra Room

Mary Jean Mulligan, Vivian Dai, Andrew Xu, Gianluca Russo, Kristina Marinopoulos, Markos Abebe, Alana Zervos, Maddy Farry, Amy Toscano, Nihaal Pabba, Michael Trichilo, Elise Burby, Heather Krofft, Julia Chong, Hannah Hernandez, Sydney Campbell, Rose Leicht, Emily Gunther

April 23, 2010
12:50pm 7th & 8th Grade NYSSMA Majors Evaluation Festival

Lesson Schedule March/April - Revised

Lesson Groups

Monday 1 Alicia Chen, Vivian Dai, Carrie Rose Mulligan, Walter Nyangaga, Erin Templeton, Michelle Yu
Monday 2 Arianna Barnum, Shaddai Henry, Sazeed Huq, Gerardo Salazar, Kevin Zeng
Monday 3 Kristina Marinopoulos, Nihaal Pabba, Gianluca Russo, Rachel Swyer, Alana Zervos
Monday 4 Markos Abebe, Maddy Farry, Christina Morawski, Jo Ann Mulligan
Monday 5 Elijah Clemente, Allyson McAuliffe, Natasha Permaul, Amir Rastegar

Tuesday 1 Mary Jean Mulligan, Amy Toscano, Andrew Xu, Pranav Kannan
Tuesday 2 Ali Gohlke-Schermer, Joe Sipzner, Naomi Tenenini
Tuesday 3 Josh Lamb, Katie Randorf, Mathilde Warren
Tuesday 4 Elise Burby, Laura Chevalier, Karthik Ramesh, Michael Trichilo

Wednesday 1 Heather Krofft, Rebekah Wolanski
Wednesday 2 Curtis Ericson, Hannah Hernandez, Rose Leicht, Emily Toffenetti
Wednesday 3 Naila Brown, Jennifer Hoffmann, Jacob Rosenberg, Sophia Schermerhorn

Thursday 1 So Yeon Kim, Sera Song
Thursday 2 Delaney Guntert, Claire Hill, Eliana Rowe
Thursday 3 Sydney Marotta, Joseph Petitti, Katie Yang
Thursday 4 Cory Parker, Sophie Patka, Alfredo Salazar, Alex Selsley, Cynthia Leonard
Thursday 5 Matthew Krieg, Catie Rafferty, Allison Reiner, Rebecca Tucker, Michelle Burmistrova

Friday 1 Sarah Byerly, Sydney Campbell, Julia Chong, Andrea Long
Friday 2 Cody Ingraham, Abigail Kedik, Asaph Ko

3/22 AC

8:50 Alex Selsley

9:30 Gianluca Russo

10:10 Rachel Swyer

11:20 Chamber Strings: Concert @ GHS

No Activity Period

3/23 BD

8:50 1&3

9:30 4

10:50 2

11:30 NYSSMA:

1:20 Catie Rafferty

Activity Period: 6th Grade

3/24 AC

10:10 Arianna Barnum

10:50 1

11:30 2

2:00 3

3/25 BD

8:50 2

9:30 Cynthia Leonard

10:50 Michelle Yu

11:30 Erin Templeton

1:20 Katie Gonick

2:00 1

Activity Period: 7th Grade

Monday 3/29 AC

9:30 5

10:10 1 & 4

10:50 3

11:30 2

2:00 Catie Rafferty

Activity Period: Chamber Strings (All Members)

Wednesday 3/31 AC *No 7th Grade Cello Lessons

10:10 Mulligan Trio

10:50 Matthew Krieg

11:30 1

12:40 Joe Sipzner

Thursday 4/1 BD

9:30 Alex Selsley

10:50 2 & 3

11:30 1

1:20 4 & 5

2:00 Gianluca Russo

No Activity Period

Monday 4/12 AC

11:30 NYSSMA

2:00 7th & 8th Orchestra Dress Rehearsal

Activity Period: Chamber Strings

Tuesday 4/13 BD

10:50 Rachel Swyer

1:20 Catie Rafferty

2:00 Arianna Barnum

Activity Period: 7th Grade

Wednesday 4/14 AC

9:30 7th & 8th Orchestra Dress Rehearsal

10:10 Michelle Yu

11:30 NYSSMA

2:00 6th Grade String Quartet

Thursday 4/15 BD

8:50 2 & 3

9:30 4 & 5

10:50 Erin Templeton

11:30 1

1:20 Katie Gonick

Activity Period: 6th Grade

7:30pm 7^th & 8th Grade Orchestra Concert @ FMS

Friday 4/16 AC

8:50 Matthew Krieg

10:50 Joe Sipzner

11:30 Gianluca Russo

2:00 Catie Rafferty

No Make-up Lessons during Activity Period

NYSSMA Solo Festival @ RCS

4/17 NYSSMA Solo Festival @ RCS

Monday 4/19 BD

9:30 2

10:50 NYSSMA

11:30 5

1:20 4 & 1

2:00 3

Activity Period: Chamber Strings

Tuesday 4/20 AC

8:50 3

10:10 4

11:30 1

2:00 2

Activity Period: 7th Grade

7:30pm 6^th Grade Concert @ FMS

Wednesday 4/21 BD

8:50 3

11:30 2

1:20 1

Thursday 4/22 AC

8:50 5

9:30 1

10:10 2

10:50 3

11:30 4

No Make-ups during Activity Period

NYSSMA Majors @ Shaker

Friday 4/23 BD

8:50 2

1:20 1
No Make-up Lessons during Activity Period

NYSSMA Majors @ Shaker

Monday 4/26 AC

8:50

9:30 1

10:10 2

10:50 3

11:30 4

2:00 5

Activity Period: Chamber Strings

Tuesday 4/27 BD

9:30 2

1:20 1

2:00 3

Activity Period: 6th Grade

Wednesday 4/28 AC

8:50 1

10:10 2

10:50 3