Reminders:
-Optimist Information is being distributed, if you would like to order a picture, please fill in the attached picture form and return to us by March 17.
-Grade 8's - please return your trip permission forms
Congratulations!
Congratulations to all jazz band students on a wonderful concert on Thursday night! We look forward to rehearsals this week and your next performance.
Grade 6 Band
The grade 6's have had some excellent rehearsals. We are very proud of their use of rehearsal skills, and their improvement. We are focusing on our sheet music right now. We talked through with Grade 6's what a festival is. We explained it as a place to celebrate their many accomplishments. We also explained it as a place to share their music. We explained that at a festival there are other band teachers from across Canada and the United States who listen to us perform and their job is to listen to us and find something to teach us. This is called the clinic and occurs immediately after our performance.
Students this week were figuring out the notes to Happy Birthday and most students began to learn a new scale. This scale is Concert Eb. It is tricky for brass players because it goes quite high. Students are asked to concentrate on their sheet music. Festival is quickly approaching. Specifically measures 11-27 of Gentle Winds and 27-51 in Courtly Dance and Procession.
Grade 7 Band
Grade 7's are into the final preparations for the festival. They have been rehearsing extremely well in full rehearsals. We are looking forward to performing one of our pieces with the composer present. We have been working a lot on details now. The grade 7's have marked in many details including note endings, and dynamic changes. We have worked very hard at consistency in articulations. We still have a few problem spots. Students are asked to practice measures 1-20 in Cathedral and measures 57-end of Prelude. There are some really nice sounds happening, and we want to make sure practicing is kept up especially since this coming up week is a short one.
Grade 8 Band
It's the final two weeks before Optimist so it's all about polishing what we've learned thus far. African Marching Song is sounding great. Being as precise with the rhythms as possible is what will make the difference. Amen is improving every time we play it. Students must keep practicing these songs so that when the nerves set in on the stage at the Conexus, we have that muscle memory to make sure that we still are successful. Next week is short so please take your instruments home these next few weekends.
Friday, 28 February 2014
Friday, 14 February 2014
Have a Good Break!
Things to Remember:
- Jazz Students - remember - February Blues Thurs. Feb. 27! You will need to meet at Campbell at 6:30p.m.
-Grey Cup Marchers please get your scholarship applications in. They need to be received by
March 4.
-Grade 8's - permission forms have been handed out for the Grade 8 trip. Please get those turned in by March 4.
-Those Grade 8 students participating in the South Sask. Jr. Band, please make sure permission forms have been handed in for that.
-MAKE SURE INSTRUMENTS GO HOME FOR THE BREAK!!!!
-
Have a good Break Everyone!
Students have been working very hard and we have heard some excellent progress over the last 6 weeks. Students are reminded to take their instruments home and to get some practice in on their instrument. Festival is coming up very quickly. The first day back after the break will be Day 5. This is Perry sectional day and RCS grade 6 sectional day.
In Grade 6 Band
Grade 6's have been working quite hard, and the results of their hard work are starting to show. We have been watching for some habits forming that might make playing instruments difficult. Some of these habits include fingers flying extremely high from the keys, stand height and posture. Many of the students have grown over the last few months and so we have been reminding them that they will need to adjust their music stands to their new heights. Trombone players have been reminded that it might not seem like they need to stretch as far to reach some of their positions. Percussionists have been reminded to adjust the drum height to their height. Saxophone players have been reminded to adjust their next strap to a length that works.
Gentle Winds has few notes, but is quite difficult because it is written in 3/4. This week we worked quite hard at getting a 3/4 feel, by not accidentally adding an extra beat. We also worked extremely hard at moving together and figuring out what to listen for. Students are now asked to look at measures 25 -the end. Courtly Dance is coming along. We have some discrepancies in how fast we want to go. We begin at one tempo and end quite a bit slower. This is mainly because our ending is not as polished as the opening. Students are asked to to take a look at 43-end.
In Grade 7 Band
There were some very nice sounds coming from the Grade 7's this week. Prelude and Celebration is coming along extremely well. This week we worked extremely hard on our note endings and phrasing. Students identified spots where the phrase was moving and acted accordingly. Generally we have been saying as your notes move higher, get louder, as your notes move lower get softer. We are looking forward to playing it for the composer in March. Students are asked to take a look at 85 to the end. We still have a few wrong notes in there that need to be fixed. (This pieces does have a tricky key signature change. We almost have it, but need it to be completely fixed!)
Our second festival piece is Cathedral. We are working away at this. We have the notes mostly down, but are working hard at addressing the style. Most of the students are trying to play this slower than it is actually intended. Students are asked to make sure notes stay smooth, but at the same time that we do not slow down. This is hard. Students are asked to specifically look at measures 1-20. This is the part that tends to slow down the most. Part of the reason for this is that there are some funny accidentals in here.
In Grade 8 Band
We had a very successful band class this week. We have finally finished Amen in it's entirety. Individual practice still needs to happen, especially on the middle section but it is now in our grasp. We really worked on the ending since we hadn't spent much time on it before. Once we get it straightened out we were able to put it all together. I've been very pleased with the amount of practicing that has happened on this piece.
We also played through African Marching Song and continued with the suggestions that Dr. Lonis gave us during our clinic. Keeping the dynamics soft and light help it to stay in it's groove. Have a great week off.
Don't forget to get those trip permission forms in ASAP. We would love to have any parents who are able to volunteer to chaperone come with us.
- Jazz Students - remember - February Blues Thurs. Feb. 27! You will need to meet at Campbell at 6:30p.m.
-Grey Cup Marchers please get your scholarship applications in. They need to be received by
March 4.
-Grade 8's - permission forms have been handed out for the Grade 8 trip. Please get those turned in by March 4.
-Those Grade 8 students participating in the South Sask. Jr. Band, please make sure permission forms have been handed in for that.
-MAKE SURE INSTRUMENTS GO HOME FOR THE BREAK!!!!
-
Have a good Break Everyone!
Students have been working very hard and we have heard some excellent progress over the last 6 weeks. Students are reminded to take their instruments home and to get some practice in on their instrument. Festival is coming up very quickly. The first day back after the break will be Day 5. This is Perry sectional day and RCS grade 6 sectional day.
In Grade 6 Band
Grade 6's have been working quite hard, and the results of their hard work are starting to show. We have been watching for some habits forming that might make playing instruments difficult. Some of these habits include fingers flying extremely high from the keys, stand height and posture. Many of the students have grown over the last few months and so we have been reminding them that they will need to adjust their music stands to their new heights. Trombone players have been reminded that it might not seem like they need to stretch as far to reach some of their positions. Percussionists have been reminded to adjust the drum height to their height. Saxophone players have been reminded to adjust their next strap to a length that works.
Gentle Winds has few notes, but is quite difficult because it is written in 3/4. This week we worked quite hard at getting a 3/4 feel, by not accidentally adding an extra beat. We also worked extremely hard at moving together and figuring out what to listen for. Students are now asked to look at measures 25 -the end. Courtly Dance is coming along. We have some discrepancies in how fast we want to go. We begin at one tempo and end quite a bit slower. This is mainly because our ending is not as polished as the opening. Students are asked to to take a look at 43-end.
In Grade 7 Band
There were some very nice sounds coming from the Grade 7's this week. Prelude and Celebration is coming along extremely well. This week we worked extremely hard on our note endings and phrasing. Students identified spots where the phrase was moving and acted accordingly. Generally we have been saying as your notes move higher, get louder, as your notes move lower get softer. We are looking forward to playing it for the composer in March. Students are asked to take a look at 85 to the end. We still have a few wrong notes in there that need to be fixed. (This pieces does have a tricky key signature change. We almost have it, but need it to be completely fixed!)
Our second festival piece is Cathedral. We are working away at this. We have the notes mostly down, but are working hard at addressing the style. Most of the students are trying to play this slower than it is actually intended. Students are asked to make sure notes stay smooth, but at the same time that we do not slow down. This is hard. Students are asked to specifically look at measures 1-20. This is the part that tends to slow down the most. Part of the reason for this is that there are some funny accidentals in here.
In Grade 8 Band
We had a very successful band class this week. We have finally finished Amen in it's entirety. Individual practice still needs to happen, especially on the middle section but it is now in our grasp. We really worked on the ending since we hadn't spent much time on it before. Once we get it straightened out we were able to put it all together. I've been very pleased with the amount of practicing that has happened on this piece.
We also played through African Marching Song and continued with the suggestions that Dr. Lonis gave us during our clinic. Keeping the dynamics soft and light help it to stay in it's groove. Have a great week off.
Don't forget to get those trip permission forms in ASAP. We would love to have any parents who are able to volunteer to chaperone come with us.
Friday, 7 February 2014
In the Band Room This Week!
Things To Remember:
-Those Junior Winds Members who are playing on Saturday at All Saints Anglican Church - please meet at 6:30p.m.. We will perform at 7:00p.m. and be done at about 7:15p.m. Please wear your band t-shirt, black pants, black shoes and black socks.
-Jazz Students - Reminder February Blues is quickly approaching! Please make sure Feb. 27 is marked on your calendars!
In Grade 6 Band
This week in Grade 6 band we began a new piece. It is entitle Belah Sun Woman and based on an ancient Australian Aboriginal story. As we learn this piece, we will also learn the story. This piece is called a project piece as it is written in five movements. Each movement focuses on a concept or skill that it is important for ensemble playing. Some of these concepts we start without instruments and then add instruments later. This week we began the first movement. We began by learning the chant and then creating movements to the chant in groups. Soon we will be adding drumsticks to this. We will be supplying drumsticks for everyone for this. This is a piece we will pick away at, and is a good opportunity for students to try something a little different!
As well this week we have continued working on our two Optimist pieces. Students were asked to make our pieces a practice priority. Specifically measures 43-the end of Courtly Dance and Procession and measures 11-27 of Gentle Winds. This week we also talked about habits. We have been doing some posture checks and taking a few quick pictures and video to demonstrate to students habits (such as crossed legs, or keeping fingers close to their instrument keys) that we need to watch out for. Some students did not realize some of these habits were starting to emerge. We had a few giggles over some, and will continued to work on these. (All pictures and video will be erased.)
Students this week also listened to examples of the two pieces they are playing. Examples of these can be found on listeninglab.stantons.com. Once on this sight students need to do a search for their pieces and then can play it. Many thought it was quite helpful to hear a recording.
In Grade 7 Band
We were treated to a clinic with Dr. Dale Lonis this week. Dr. Lonis is an internationally renowned educator, conductor, and performer. He is from Chicago and has worked with groups from all over the world. We were quite lucky to have him working with our students this week.
During our clinics he worked with our students on identifying three important musical elements. He worked on rhythm. Students tried fast and slow rhythms, and he had some interesting sayings to help them with them. He worked on pitch by having students learn a song (Soft Kitty) by scale degrees. And finally he worked on style. To do this he demonstrated how a piece can mean many different things by the way in which it is played.
Students are asked to practice measures 1-27 of Prelude et Celebration and m.1-20 of Cathedral. A recording of Cathedral may be found on listeninglab.stantons.com. Since Prelude et Celebration has not been published yet, a recording of this piece can only be found on the composer's website. The url is http://www.jonathandagenais.net/prelude-celebration.php.
In Grade 8 Band
We were fortunate enough to have another clinc with Dr. Lonis. This was an excellent experience because we got to follow up on what we worked on with Dr. Lonis in the fall. We spent some time on African Marching Song which we hadn't really dived into yet.
Playing tests continue in Amen. The good news is we're almost half done! We still have lots to go but there's lots of repetition in the rest of the piece so it should all be coming together very soon
-Those Junior Winds Members who are playing on Saturday at All Saints Anglican Church - please meet at 6:30p.m.. We will perform at 7:00p.m. and be done at about 7:15p.m. Please wear your band t-shirt, black pants, black shoes and black socks.
-Jazz Students - Reminder February Blues is quickly approaching! Please make sure Feb. 27 is marked on your calendars!
In Grade 6 Band
This week in Grade 6 band we began a new piece. It is entitle Belah Sun Woman and based on an ancient Australian Aboriginal story. As we learn this piece, we will also learn the story. This piece is called a project piece as it is written in five movements. Each movement focuses on a concept or skill that it is important for ensemble playing. Some of these concepts we start without instruments and then add instruments later. This week we began the first movement. We began by learning the chant and then creating movements to the chant in groups. Soon we will be adding drumsticks to this. We will be supplying drumsticks for everyone for this. This is a piece we will pick away at, and is a good opportunity for students to try something a little different!
As well this week we have continued working on our two Optimist pieces. Students were asked to make our pieces a practice priority. Specifically measures 43-the end of Courtly Dance and Procession and measures 11-27 of Gentle Winds. This week we also talked about habits. We have been doing some posture checks and taking a few quick pictures and video to demonstrate to students habits (such as crossed legs, or keeping fingers close to their instrument keys) that we need to watch out for. Some students did not realize some of these habits were starting to emerge. We had a few giggles over some, and will continued to work on these. (All pictures and video will be erased.)
Students this week also listened to examples of the two pieces they are playing. Examples of these can be found on listeninglab.stantons.com. Once on this sight students need to do a search for their pieces and then can play it. Many thought it was quite helpful to hear a recording.
In Grade 7 Band
We were treated to a clinic with Dr. Dale Lonis this week. Dr. Lonis is an internationally renowned educator, conductor, and performer. He is from Chicago and has worked with groups from all over the world. We were quite lucky to have him working with our students this week.
During our clinics he worked with our students on identifying three important musical elements. He worked on rhythm. Students tried fast and slow rhythms, and he had some interesting sayings to help them with them. He worked on pitch by having students learn a song (Soft Kitty) by scale degrees. And finally he worked on style. To do this he demonstrated how a piece can mean many different things by the way in which it is played.
Students are asked to practice measures 1-27 of Prelude et Celebration and m.1-20 of Cathedral. A recording of Cathedral may be found on listeninglab.stantons.com. Since Prelude et Celebration has not been published yet, a recording of this piece can only be found on the composer's website. The url is http://www.jonathandagenais.net/prelude-celebration.php.
In Grade 8 Band
We were fortunate enough to have another clinc with Dr. Lonis. This was an excellent experience because we got to follow up on what we worked on with Dr. Lonis in the fall. We spent some time on African Marching Song which we hadn't really dived into yet.
Playing tests continue in Amen. The good news is we're almost half done! We still have lots to go but there's lots of repetition in the rest of the piece so it should all be coming together very soon
Friday, 31 January 2014
Making Practice Routine!
Things to Remember this Week
Clinics with Dr. Lonis
Perry and Grant Road Grade 7's - 9:20-10:20 on Tuesday
Massey, Grant Road, and RCS Grade 7's - 9:30-10:30 on Wednesday
Grade 8's 10:35-11:35 on Wednesday
Congratulations
Congratulations to all students participating in the Regina Public Schools Jr. Select Band this weekend!
In Grade 6 Band
The grade 6's are coming along and there are some very nice sounds! We began working on the third chapter this week. At the start of this chapter we reviewed 3/4 time and began to explore 2/4 time. We will continue to work through our books. Most students were assigned the last two lines on page 18 and the first line of page 19.
In our sheet music we have made huge improvements. This week we worked on creating a steady pulse. There are many tricky parts in our sheet music and sometimes we go at our own pace instead of the same pulse as the group. (This meaning, the hard stuff we slow down in, the easier things we try to rush through!) Students were encouraged to try playing with a metronome or the metronome app. We got a little stuck still in our "B" section or measure 27-43 in Courtly Dance and Procession. In Gentle Winds we need to sustain our notes. It is quite hard to hang on to our notes and move exactly together. We concentrated on measures 19-end and will work on the opening measures next week. There really are some nice sounds, we look forward to hearing what next week will sound like!
In Grade 7 Band
We have continued to work our way through the Orange Book. Students were asked to pay close attention to all the articulations that are marked in the exercises that we have been doing. We have been emphasizing subdivisions. Many students get off in their rhythms because they are not subdividing. We worked hard on this during this past week. We will be continuing in the Orange Book on Page 5-6. Students are encouraged to practice with a metronome or using the metronome app.
In our music we worked on measures 20-end of Cathedral. We worked on staggered breathing and playing long tones with decrescendos. In Prelude et Celebration we mainly worked on measures 27-49. We focused on articulations, and dynamics. Students are asked to practice 1-49 of Prelude and measures 1-21 of Cathedral.
In Grade 8 Band
Weekly playing tests are continuing. The next one is on measures 58-74 of Amen. This is one of the most difficult passages in the entire piece. All of our students' hard work is starting to pay off. The piece is really starting to come together. The key to practicing this next section is to take it REALLY SLOW! Once the moving parts are correct at a slow tempo then we can start to gradually pick up the tempo.
This next week we get the honour of having Dr. Lonis work with us again. This is especially good because we get to show him how we improved on what he taught us in the fall when we worked with him. And we will get to see him again at Optimist so we can take it to another level again!
Clinics with Dr. Lonis
Perry and Grant Road Grade 7's - 9:20-10:20 on Tuesday
Massey, Grant Road, and RCS Grade 7's - 9:30-10:30 on Wednesday
Grade 8's 10:35-11:35 on Wednesday
Congratulations
Congratulations to all students participating in the Regina Public Schools Jr. Select Band this weekend!
In Grade 6 Band
The grade 6's are coming along and there are some very nice sounds! We began working on the third chapter this week. At the start of this chapter we reviewed 3/4 time and began to explore 2/4 time. We will continue to work through our books. Most students were assigned the last two lines on page 18 and the first line of page 19.
In our sheet music we have made huge improvements. This week we worked on creating a steady pulse. There are many tricky parts in our sheet music and sometimes we go at our own pace instead of the same pulse as the group. (This meaning, the hard stuff we slow down in, the easier things we try to rush through!) Students were encouraged to try playing with a metronome or the metronome app. We got a little stuck still in our "B" section or measure 27-43 in Courtly Dance and Procession. In Gentle Winds we need to sustain our notes. It is quite hard to hang on to our notes and move exactly together. We concentrated on measures 19-end and will work on the opening measures next week. There really are some nice sounds, we look forward to hearing what next week will sound like!
In Grade 7 Band
We have continued to work our way through the Orange Book. Students were asked to pay close attention to all the articulations that are marked in the exercises that we have been doing. We have been emphasizing subdivisions. Many students get off in their rhythms because they are not subdividing. We worked hard on this during this past week. We will be continuing in the Orange Book on Page 5-6. Students are encouraged to practice with a metronome or using the metronome app.
In our music we worked on measures 20-end of Cathedral. We worked on staggered breathing and playing long tones with decrescendos. In Prelude et Celebration we mainly worked on measures 27-49. We focused on articulations, and dynamics. Students are asked to practice 1-49 of Prelude and measures 1-21 of Cathedral.
In Grade 8 Band
Weekly playing tests are continuing. The next one is on measures 58-74 of Amen. This is one of the most difficult passages in the entire piece. All of our students' hard work is starting to pay off. The piece is really starting to come together. The key to practicing this next section is to take it REALLY SLOW! Once the moving parts are correct at a slow tempo then we can start to gradually pick up the tempo.
This next week we get the honour of having Dr. Lonis work with us again. This is especially good because we get to show him how we improved on what he taught us in the fall when we worked with him. And we will get to see him again at Optimist so we can take it to another level again!
Friday, 24 January 2014
Congratulations and Moving Ahead!
Things to Remember:
-Junior Select Students bring your Consent and Waiver and $15 to Junior Select Band on Thursday afternoon
Congratulations!
Congratulations to all Jazz Band students on a job very well done at Balfour on Wednesday night!
Grade 6 Band
This week in Grade 6 band we finished up the second chapter in our book. We reviewed accents and we learned or for some students reviewed a new note. This note is low note. Students who had not experimented with the lower registers of their instruments were quite surprised with the extended range of their instrument and how different it felt to play low.
We continued to work on our sheet music. We learned about musical form this week. We learned what ABA form was in music and how this can help us with our practicing. Students quickly saw how similar measures 1-27 and 43 to the end in Courtly Dance and Procession. We also saw how different measures 27-43 were. We concentrated our efforts on the "B" section (measures 27-43) this week. Some students began writing compositions in ABA form. In Gentle Winds, we have begun the actual piece. At the bottom of this piece of music there are "musical jumpstarts." We have concentrated on these until we had a feel for 3/4 time.
This week some students began figuring the notes out for the James Bond Theme. Students who did not get the notes for James Bond this week will get it next week. We again circled in books what to practice. Most students have the first three lines on Page 18 circled.
Grade 7 Band
We continued working on dotted rhythms this week. We have been encouraging students to try practicing with a metronome or to try the metronome app. We have been encouraging students to subdivide. We are finding many students want to rush through longer notes.
We continue to work on tone by playing long tones at various dynamic levels and practicing crescendoing on each tone. Students have also been encouraged to make sure they have fingering charts with them as we work our way through some new notes in some of our sheet music.
We concentrated on beginning to 27 of Prelude and Celebration and measures 20-end of Cathedral. We also began a little bit of work on the aleatoric section of Pandora. This is a section of music that is not written in measures, but rather by seconds. Students are asked to practice m1-27 of Prelude and 20-end of Cathedral.
-Junior Select Students bring your Consent and Waiver and $15 to Junior Select Band on Thursday afternoon
Congratulations!
Congratulations to all Jazz Band students on a job very well done at Balfour on Wednesday night!
Grade 6 Band
This week in Grade 6 band we finished up the second chapter in our book. We reviewed accents and we learned or for some students reviewed a new note. This note is low note. Students who had not experimented with the lower registers of their instruments were quite surprised with the extended range of their instrument and how different it felt to play low.
We continued to work on our sheet music. We learned about musical form this week. We learned what ABA form was in music and how this can help us with our practicing. Students quickly saw how similar measures 1-27 and 43 to the end in Courtly Dance and Procession. We also saw how different measures 27-43 were. We concentrated our efforts on the "B" section (measures 27-43) this week. Some students began writing compositions in ABA form. In Gentle Winds, we have begun the actual piece. At the bottom of this piece of music there are "musical jumpstarts." We have concentrated on these until we had a feel for 3/4 time.
This week some students began figuring the notes out for the James Bond Theme. Students who did not get the notes for James Bond this week will get it next week. We again circled in books what to practice. Most students have the first three lines on Page 18 circled.
Grade 7 Band
We continued working on dotted rhythms this week. We have been encouraging students to try practicing with a metronome or to try the metronome app. We have been encouraging students to subdivide. We are finding many students want to rush through longer notes.
We continue to work on tone by playing long tones at various dynamic levels and practicing crescendoing on each tone. Students have also been encouraged to make sure they have fingering charts with them as we work our way through some new notes in some of our sheet music.
We concentrated on beginning to 27 of Prelude and Celebration and measures 20-end of Cathedral. We also began a little bit of work on the aleatoric section of Pandora. This is a section of music that is not written in measures, but rather by seconds. Students are asked to practice m1-27 of Prelude and 20-end of Cathedral.
Friday, 17 January 2014
Back into the Routine!
Things To Remember
-Jazz Students, please bring $5 for our Jazz night at Balfour
-Please make sure your name is on all band books. (We have found a couple and do not know whose they are!)
Jazz Students
Schedule for Wed. Jan. 22
4:00 - Meet at Balfour
4:00-5:30 - Master classes
5:30-6:00 - Pizza
6:00-7:00 - Big Band
7:30 - Concert
Grade 6 Band
The Grade 6's this week continued to work on different types of articulations, and continued to work on 3/4 time. We have discussed musical form and how this helps with practicing. Many Grade 6's were quite surprised to learn that after we had learned measures 1-27 in Courtly Dance and Procession, we also basically knew measures 43 to the end. This is because this piece is written in an ABA form. We began a little work on measures 27-43. Students were asked to practice these measures. In Gently winds, we continued to work on the musical jumpstarts at the the bottom of the page. We also had a little fun creating the sound effect of a "gentle wind."
This week we also learned a little about dynamics. Students demonstrated piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, and forte. The majority of students agreed it is more difficult to play soft than loud. We tried playing some "pick up" notes as well this week. (This is when a piece does not start with beat one.) We again circled in books a few practice lines. Most students were asked to practice the first two lines of page 14. The first line on this page includes a new note. We have played it before, but not named it.
Grade 7 Band
The Grade 7's this week continued their work on articulations. All students have been playing out of the orange book. If you have had difficulty getting the orange book please let me know. Grade 7's have also been reviewing dotted rhythms. In our review of these rhythms we seem to have been a little stuck on specifically dotted quarter notes. We practiced by playing, clapping and counting this rhythm with a metronome. In our book we will be moving on to page 4 next week.
In our sheet music we have worked on measures 49 - end of Prelude and Celebration. We will begin work on measures 1-27 next week of this piece. (This is the tricky part!) Students also have worked on measures 29-end of Cathedral. We will be working more on this piece next week. Students also received the piece Pandora. Many are anxious to begin this as it has several sound effects that are quite fun to play. We will begin some work with this next week.
Grade 8 Band
The Grade 8's have begun their playing tests on the circle of 4ths for memory as well as the first 9 measures of Amen. Those who have finished the playing test now have measures 10-42 of Amen to practice for their next playing test. Practicing is essential for this piece to work and students are quickly realizing that they need to put in some time to learn their parts. Remember to practice smartly...don't just play something over and over again without a goal. Your time is valuable so set achievable goals and make small improvements. These small improvements will add up in the long run. Have a good weekend!
-Jazz Students, please bring $5 for our Jazz night at Balfour
-Please make sure your name is on all band books. (We have found a couple and do not know whose they are!)
Jazz Students
Schedule for Wed. Jan. 22
4:00 - Meet at Balfour
4:00-5:30 - Master classes
5:30-6:00 - Pizza
6:00-7:00 - Big Band
7:30 - Concert
Grade 6 Band
The Grade 6's this week continued to work on different types of articulations, and continued to work on 3/4 time. We have discussed musical form and how this helps with practicing. Many Grade 6's were quite surprised to learn that after we had learned measures 1-27 in Courtly Dance and Procession, we also basically knew measures 43 to the end. This is because this piece is written in an ABA form. We began a little work on measures 27-43. Students were asked to practice these measures. In Gently winds, we continued to work on the musical jumpstarts at the the bottom of the page. We also had a little fun creating the sound effect of a "gentle wind."
This week we also learned a little about dynamics. Students demonstrated piano, mezzo piano, mezzo forte, and forte. The majority of students agreed it is more difficult to play soft than loud. We tried playing some "pick up" notes as well this week. (This is when a piece does not start with beat one.) We again circled in books a few practice lines. Most students were asked to practice the first two lines of page 14. The first line on this page includes a new note. We have played it before, but not named it.
Grade 7 Band
The Grade 7's this week continued their work on articulations. All students have been playing out of the orange book. If you have had difficulty getting the orange book please let me know. Grade 7's have also been reviewing dotted rhythms. In our review of these rhythms we seem to have been a little stuck on specifically dotted quarter notes. We practiced by playing, clapping and counting this rhythm with a metronome. In our book we will be moving on to page 4 next week.
In our sheet music we have worked on measures 49 - end of Prelude and Celebration. We will begin work on measures 1-27 next week of this piece. (This is the tricky part!) Students also have worked on measures 29-end of Cathedral. We will be working more on this piece next week. Students also received the piece Pandora. Many are anxious to begin this as it has several sound effects that are quite fun to play. We will begin some work with this next week.
Grade 8 Band
The Grade 8's have begun their playing tests on the circle of 4ths for memory as well as the first 9 measures of Amen. Those who have finished the playing test now have measures 10-42 of Amen to practice for their next playing test. Practicing is essential for this piece to work and students are quickly realizing that they need to put in some time to learn their parts. Remember to practice smartly...don't just play something over and over again without a goal. Your time is valuable so set achievable goals and make small improvements. These small improvements will add up in the long run. Have a good weekend!
Friday, 10 January 2014
Happy New Year!
Things to Remember
-Jazz Band students - Jan. 22 Jazz night
-Junior Select Band students - Bring forms to Select Band
Back Into the Routine
Happy New Year to everyone! This week for all band students was about getting back into the routine. Students were reminded that if they did not practice over the holidays that they would probably feel sore after playing their instrument this week. Students were reminded to get some practice in on their instruments so that they re-build their muscles and quickly get back to where we left off.
Grade 6 Band
In Grade 6 Band we began new sheet music. We began working on Courtly Dance and Procession, and Gentle Winds. Both of these pieces have very specific challenges for students. We worked figuring out different styles of notes. We names and played staccato notes, agogic accents, tenutos, and as we called them "normal" notes. As we began figuring out our sheet music we did it in this process. We first clapped the rhythms, we then played the rhythms on our concert Bb note, we then aired it, and then we began trying to play - SLOWLY! We stressed to Grade 6's that learning music slowly is important so that we get all the right notes and rhythms first.
As we worked on Gentle Winds, we worked on a new time signature. We learned 3/4 time. Students were told that when we play in 3/4 time, we always go back to one right away. This makes sure we do not leave gaps in our music. We tried waltzing and some of us even composed a 3/4 song on the spot.
This week we also reviewed our note tree, and learned that a dotted half note in 4/4 or 3/4 time gets three beats. We spent a fair amount of time learning that a dot beside a note makes the note longer, a dot above or below a note makes the note shorter. Most students are about on page 13 of their books. Students were given a couple of lines that circled in their books to practice.
Grade 7 Band
All Grade 7's this week began work in the Second Measures of Success Book (The Orange Book). If students do not have this book, they were asked to pick up a copy at either St. John's Music, or Long and McQuade. Please call first to make sure the instrument type book is in stock. If students are unable to get a book, please let us know.
We have been working on note types this week. We have specifically been concentrating on "agogic" or accented notes. We have learned that it is one thing to play it as an individual, but an entirely different thing to be able to do it as a group! We have also begun work on our Concert C scale. We have begun working on Prelude et Celebration and Cathedral. These will be the two pieces we will be performing at Optimist festival.
Some of the Grade 7's have been asking about music apps. We have suggested if they have their parents permission, they may want to download "pro-metronome." This is a metronome app that is free. There are some fingering apps available as well, however, the ones we have found so far cost something. We will keep on the look out for free ones. Until then, one student suggested downloading a fingering chart and importing it into ibooks. We have not tried it yet, however, this student has done this successfully. If students come across useful music apps, they are asked to please let us know so that we can let others know!
Grade 8 Band
Grade 8's should begin working on our two pieces for Optimist Band Festival. We are having a playing test on our circle of 4th's for memory next week and also the first 9 measures of Amen. Amen is a very difficult piece and students are reminded that practicing needs to happen if we are going to be able to play this piece in time.
The other piece we are working on is African Marching Song. This piece has been fun to play and students should practice this piece keeping their eyes on the rhythm. There are lots of syncopated rhythms in this piece and the melody keeps repeating but with slight variations in the rhythm.
So if there is a theme to this week's message it's practice practice practice!
-Jazz Band students - Jan. 22 Jazz night
-Junior Select Band students - Bring forms to Select Band
Back Into the Routine
Happy New Year to everyone! This week for all band students was about getting back into the routine. Students were reminded that if they did not practice over the holidays that they would probably feel sore after playing their instrument this week. Students were reminded to get some practice in on their instruments so that they re-build their muscles and quickly get back to where we left off.
Grade 6 Band
In Grade 6 Band we began new sheet music. We began working on Courtly Dance and Procession, and Gentle Winds. Both of these pieces have very specific challenges for students. We worked figuring out different styles of notes. We names and played staccato notes, agogic accents, tenutos, and as we called them "normal" notes. As we began figuring out our sheet music we did it in this process. We first clapped the rhythms, we then played the rhythms on our concert Bb note, we then aired it, and then we began trying to play - SLOWLY! We stressed to Grade 6's that learning music slowly is important so that we get all the right notes and rhythms first.
As we worked on Gentle Winds, we worked on a new time signature. We learned 3/4 time. Students were told that when we play in 3/4 time, we always go back to one right away. This makes sure we do not leave gaps in our music. We tried waltzing and some of us even composed a 3/4 song on the spot.
This week we also reviewed our note tree, and learned that a dotted half note in 4/4 or 3/4 time gets three beats. We spent a fair amount of time learning that a dot beside a note makes the note longer, a dot above or below a note makes the note shorter. Most students are about on page 13 of their books. Students were given a couple of lines that circled in their books to practice.
Grade 7 Band
All Grade 7's this week began work in the Second Measures of Success Book (The Orange Book). If students do not have this book, they were asked to pick up a copy at either St. John's Music, or Long and McQuade. Please call first to make sure the instrument type book is in stock. If students are unable to get a book, please let us know.
We have been working on note types this week. We have specifically been concentrating on "agogic" or accented notes. We have learned that it is one thing to play it as an individual, but an entirely different thing to be able to do it as a group! We have also begun work on our Concert C scale. We have begun working on Prelude et Celebration and Cathedral. These will be the two pieces we will be performing at Optimist festival.
Some of the Grade 7's have been asking about music apps. We have suggested if they have their parents permission, they may want to download "pro-metronome." This is a metronome app that is free. There are some fingering apps available as well, however, the ones we have found so far cost something. We will keep on the look out for free ones. Until then, one student suggested downloading a fingering chart and importing it into ibooks. We have not tried it yet, however, this student has done this successfully. If students come across useful music apps, they are asked to please let us know so that we can let others know!
Grade 8 Band
Grade 8's should begin working on our two pieces for Optimist Band Festival. We are having a playing test on our circle of 4th's for memory next week and also the first 9 measures of Amen. Amen is a very difficult piece and students are reminded that practicing needs to happen if we are going to be able to play this piece in time.
The other piece we are working on is African Marching Song. This piece has been fun to play and students should practice this piece keeping their eyes on the rhythm. There are lots of syncopated rhythms in this piece and the melody keeps repeating but with slight variations in the rhythm.
So if there is a theme to this week's message it's practice practice practice!
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