Friday 26 September 2014

End of September!

Reminders:
-Curiosity Club begins on Monday Sept. 29 at Campbell.  Meet outside the music office at 3:45.
-Junior Winds students are asked to return permission forms by Thurs. Oct. 2 for their retreat on Oct. 7

In Grade 6 Band
This week in Grade 6 band we added a fifth note to our repetoire.    With those five notes we experimented a little bit.   Some of the students were able to figure out the notes for In the Jungle and for Star Wars.   Those who did not work on those "for fun" songs will definitely get the notes to them.   We are doing our best to make students understand that learning an instrument is not a race.  

We also began working on our note hierarchy.    We have played half notes, whole notes and quarter notes.   We have experimented with their relationship with each other and composed on the spot our own songs that use each of these.   We experimented a little bit with using harmony and will continue to work on this.

In Grade 6 band we also had a little experiment.   Students were asked to play a line in their book and then given a minute to practice.  They heard very quickly how much practice helps.   This week we circled in students book exactly what to practice.   Most students were asked to practice the first couple of lines on page 7.   Students were asked to move on to the next line if they feel it was"mastered".

In Grade 7 Band
In Grade 7 Band we continue to work on our chromatic scale.    Some sectionals began experimenting with this and learned that "Blue Monk" by Thelonius Monk is based on a chromatic scale.   We will continue experimenting with this next week.    Grade 7's are working very hard at developing an ensemble sound.   This involves working on blend and balance and work at very hard at listening to other instruments.   This is harder than it seems and the Grade 7's demonstrated a great deal of patience as we worked at this.

In Grade 7 Band we also are exploring the full range of dynamics.   This involves playing many soft long tones, and many long tones that begin soft  and grow louder.    Students worked on Page 3 of their Orange book and next week will move on to Page 4.   Students are asked to practice their chromatic scale and P.4.

In Grade 8 Band

This week in Grade 8 band we have read through our three pieces, Shadows Unleashed, Furioso, and Joy.  We have also been working very hard on the circle of 4th's.  Students will be tested on the circle of 4th's starting next week and into the week after.  This will need to be for memory.

We will be having our U of R clinic with Professor Ghiglione on Friday, October 24th in the morning.  Students will be picked up at their home schools at 9:15 and returned by 11:30.  Attendance at the clinic is very important as it will really solidify our pieces and rehearsal techniques.


THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

Monday Day 5 - Sept. 29
9:00 - Perry Grade 7's and 8
9:45 - Perry 8's
10:00 - RCS Grade 6's
10:45 - RCS 7's
10:45 - Grant Road Grade 8's
12:45 0 Perry Grade 6 trumpets and euphoniums and percussion
1:30 - Perry 6 flutes and saxophones
2:30 - Perry 6 clarinets
3:45 -4:30- Curiosity Club (at Campbell)

Tues. Day 1 - Sept. 30
9:30 - Massey 7's
10:35 - Massey 8's
12:45 - McVeety Grade 8's
1:30 - McVeety Grade 7's
2:30 - McVeety Grade 6's
3:45 - Jazz Band

Wed. Day 2 - Oct. 1
9:30 - Perry, Grant Road, McVeety Grade 8's
10:35 - Perry, Grant Road, McVeety, RCs Grade 7's
12:45 - Massey Grade 6 saxophones and trumpets
1:30 - Massey Grade 6 flutes, french horns and low brass
2:30 - Massey Grade 6 clarinets and percussion 
3:45 - Jazz Band 

Thurs. Day 3 -Oct. 2
7:30 - Junior Winds
9:30 - Grant Road and Perry Grade 6 
10:35 - Massey, McVeety, RCS Grade 6
1:15 - Grant Road Grade 8 Percussion
1:30 - Grant Road Grade 7 Mr. Benjamin and Ms. Sklar
2:30- Grant Road Grade 7 Mr. Sweeney

Fri. Day 4 -Oct. 3
9:00- Grade 7 Percussion, clarinets, flute, Grade 8 low brass and low woodwinds
9:45 - Grade 8 percussion, horns, altos, and tenor, Grade 7 saxophones and trumpet
10:45 - Grade 8 trumpets, low brass, bass clarinets, and bari-sax, Grade 7 low brass and horns
12:45 - Grant Road woodwinds
1:30 - Grant Road Grade 6 french horns and trumpets
2:30 - Grant Road Grade 6 low brass



Friday 19 September 2014

Posture, Embouchure, and Air!

Reminders:
-Reminder to those students who have are renting school instruments, to  please return your rental form 
-Jazz Band Starts this week!   

In Grade Six Band 

There are daily improvements happening in Grade 6 Band!   This week we discussed a practice routine.   This included finding a spot that was not prone to distractions.   Students are reminded that 15 minutes at a time is an excellent amount of practice time.     We spent the first week of band focusing on three notes.   This week we added a fourth note.    Students are also encouraged to experiment with some of the notes in the fingering charts.  (This is not an expectation to be able to play all of these notes.   This is so that students are familiar with their fingering charts.)      

In band classes this week we also began experimenting with some of the notes we know and finding familiar tunes.    Many of us figured out the notes for "In the Jungle".    We will be writing these notes in our composition books so that we will have some songs "just for fun".   Students were also asked to come up with a quick composition.   Their compositions were wonderful.   They experimented with new notes and sounds and used lots of air.    

The Grade 6's have impressed us with their eagerness to help each other as well as demonstrate some very nice playing.   We have asked them to take a look at Page 6.  We told Grade 6's that if they feel it is mastered already to please go on to the next page.    Our goals are - proper posture, correct embouchure, (or grip for percussionists) and using lots of air.   

In Grade Seven Band

The Grade 7's have been doing some very nice site reading.   We realize many students did not have their instruments over the summer and are starting to get back in to playing.    We have asked students to work on long tones, brass players to continue working on lip slurs, flute players octaves, saxophones lower long tones, and clarinets "low's to highs" (over the break notes).   This week we reviewed our Concert Bb, Concert Eb and Concert F Scales.     As well, we are using our fingering charts on Page 55 to work on our chromatic scale.    We will be working on dotted rhythms and have asked Grade 7's to work on the last line on Page 3.   The band music we have started includes Dance Celebration, Largo, Autumn Celebration, and In the Court of the King.   

In Grade 8 Band 

This week the Grade 8's continue to work through the Circle of Fourths.    We started playing this in harmony.   This is quite tricky and requires a lot of concentration.    The Grade 8's are working through some of their new music.   This includes Joy, Shadows Unleashed and a new piece - Furioso.   

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

Monday Day 5 - Sept. 22
9:00 - Perry Grade 7's and 8
9:45 - Perry 8's
10:00 - RCS Grade 6's
10:45 - RCS 7's
10:45 - Grant Road Grade 8's
12:45 - Perry 6 flutes
1:30 - Perry 6 clarinets
2:30 - Perry 6 trumpets and euphoniums

Tues. Day 1 - Sept. 23
9:30 - Massey 7's
10:35 - Massey 8's
12:45 - McVeety Grade 8's
1:30 - McVeety Grade 7's
2:30 - McVeety Grade 6's
3:45 - Jazz Band

Wed. Day 2 - Sept. 24
9:30 - Perry, Grant Road, McVeety Grade 8's
10:35 - Perry, Grant Road, McVeety, RCs Grade 7's
12:45 - Massey Grade 6 saxophones and trumpets
1:30 - Massey Grade 6 flutes, french horns and low brass
2:30 - Massey Grade 6 clarinets and percussion 
3:45 - Jazz Band 

Thurs. Day 3 - Sept. 25
7:30 - Junior Winds
9:30 - Grant Road and Perry Grade 6 
10:35 - Massey, McVeety, RCS Grade 6
1:15 - Grant Road Grade 8 Percussion
1:30 - Grant Road Grade 7 Mr. Benjamin and Ms. Sklar
2:30- Grant Road Grade 7 Mr. Sweeney

Fri. Day 4 - Sept. 26
9:00 - Grade 8 percussion, horns, altos, and tenor, Grade 7 saxophones and trumpet
9:45 - Grade 8 trumpets, low brass, bass clarinets, and bari-sax, Grade 7 low brass and horns
10:45 - Grade 7 percussion, clarinets and flute, and Grade 8 low brass and low woodwinds
12:45 - Grant Road Grade 6 french horns and trumpets
1:30 - Grant Road Grade 6 low brass
2:30 - Grant Road Grade 6 woodwinds



Friday 12 September 2014

Back into the Routine!

Back into the Routine!

This week was all about getting back into the band routine.  The band room was redone over the summer and so many of the students were interested in seeing what the band room looked like and what it sounded like.    We had a couple of bus glitches that I believe are now worked out.   We have seen everyone at least once.   It is so nice to see the Grade 7's and 8's again, and so nice to get to know the Grade 6's.    

In Grade 6 Band .....

This week in Grade 6 Band we established the routine of coming into the band room and the expectations while in it.   Our main goal this week was to reinforce what was done on the weekend clinics and reinforce that playing an instrument is fun.   To do this we concentrated on the first three notes students learned, we watched for proper posture, embouchures, and use of air.   For percussionists this is proper posture, grip and use of air.    As their assignment students were asked to name their instrument, find a favourite note, and a favourite  sound effect (that is safe for them and their instrument).    We asked students to practice a few lines from Page 5 and demonstrate their favourite line in sectionals next week.   

In Grade 7 Band.....   


This week in Grade 7 Band we are getting back into the routine.   Many students were concerned because they "forgot some notes."   We started with a chromatic scale that used their fingering charts.   This was so that they could look at the note, note name and fingering.   We are hoping this will refresh memories!   Students are reminded to get some practicing in.   Students who we saw in sectionals this week were asked to practice the first three lines on Page 3 (from the Orange book) as well as their chromatic scale using their fingering chart.  

In Grade 8 Band......

The Grade 8's this week are also getting back into a routine.   Students began with some new music - Joy and Shadows Unleashed.   They are also working on the Circle of 4rths.    We will continue to work at this next week.   

Monday 8 September 2014

Welcome Back and Congratulations!

Welcome Back!

We are looking forward to a great year of music making.   


Congratulations to all Grade 6 students on a wonderful weekend at our Headstart Clinics.  

This week in Grade 6 Band classes we will be following up on many of the concepts demonstrated at our headstart clinic.   In grade 6 band we focus on getting a characteristic sound on our instrument and enjoying music making.   This week in class we are hoping to find out from students if they have a favourite sound or note their instrument makes.   We will be emphasizing that in band we move carefully, not always quickly and that learning an instrument is not a race.   We have many different learners and so we will learn some of our music with notes, some by ear, and some by pure experimentation.   We will post on our blog each Friday so that you know what has gone on in band class.   We will also ask students to write down in their composition books what it is they are supposed to practice each week.   We are looking forward to a great year with the Grade 6's.   Thank you for sharing your children with us this past weekend.   

Band classes are beginning this week.  Please have instruments at School for your first class!  
First Band Class  - McVeety - Tues. Sept. 9 (Day 1) afternoon 
First Band Class - Massey - Wed. Sept. 10 (Day 2) afternoon
First Band Class - Grant Road, RCS and Perry - Thurs. Sept. 11 (Day 3) morning


Thank you to all the Grade 7 and 8 students who helped at our Headstart Weekend!  Your help was greatly appreciated!  

Grade 7 and 8 Band Classes start this week!

First Band Classes
Tues. Sept. 9 - Day 1 - All Massey students in the morning
Tues. Sept. 9 - Day 1 - All McVeety students in the afternoon
Wed. Sept. 10 - Day 2 - All Grant Road, RCS, and Perry students in the morning (full band)

*Please have your instrument with you!   We will be playing!  We are looking forward to seeing each of you.