Week of November 17

Songs of the Week
8th: Halleluia B-C
7th: Amazing Grace ending starting at 4/4 time
6th: Lightly Row, both parts on page 25

Assignments:

6th Grade
TURN IN YOUR PRACTICE CARDS! THEY AFFECT YOUR GRADE!
Ode to Joy Quiz on Friday
Review pg 23-24
Learning pg 25
Review note names and rhythms

7th Grade
TURN IN YOUR PRACTICE CARDS! THEY AFFECT YOUR GRADE!
Purple Book pgs 28-31, review
Danza - review key signature and practice LOW FIRST FINGERS!
Amazing Grace - check counting at end
Castle Lore - violins, finish learning notes
Ensemble piece - finish learning notes and rhythms

8th Grade
TURN IN YOUR PRACTICE CARDS! THEY AFFECT YOUR GRADE!
C Minor Scale in Green Book
Halleluia quiz from B-C on Monday
Trepak 61-end
Tumblers at P-end
Review all other songs

EXTRA CREDIT:
Who is this week's featured soloist with the Indianapolis Symphony? What instrument does she play? What piece will she be performing? (Spell the composer's name correctly!) Turn in your answer to the practice card box by Tuesday, November 25.
You may earn additional extra credit by attending the concert and writing a one page review of the concert. Also this weekend: Hansel and Gretel opera at Clowes Hall on Friday night and Sunday afternoon; North Central High School production of Aida on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. All good for extra credit with program and one page write-up.

Week of October 27

HOORAY and CONGRATULATIONS to all the Orchestra members for last Tuesday's concert! The Fall Scary Concert is one of my absolute favorite things all year, and this one was one of the most special occasions thus far in my career! Thanks for all of your hard work.

Songs of the Week:
Grade 8: Halleluia, beginning to A
Grade 7: Dragon Dances, Beginning to 13
Grade 6: #64 in the book, for your quiz

Assignments:
Grade 6
Our goal is to continue learning more notes and rhythm patterns as quickly as possible before Winter Break.
Quiz on #64
Practice pages 20-22 in the book.

Grade 7
Scale Unit: We are focusing on learning how our finger patterns and key signatures change as we start a scale on different notes. Page 42-45 in the Purple Book will help you figure this out.
Also, begin work on new pieces
Dragon Dances: Notes and rhythms
Amazing Grace: Slower and sustained playing

Grade 8
Scale - Bb Major on Pg 28-29 of the Green book
Chanukah - watch out for all the key changes!
Halleluia - rhythm, rhythm, rhythm
Concerto - the eighth notes get the beat at the beginning and end.

Extra Credit
Go to www.indianapolissymphony.org to find the answers to these questions.
The Indianapolis Symphony is playing three pieces by composers from which country this week?
Who is the soloist and what is she playing?
Who is the conductor?
Put the answers in the practice card box by Monday, November 3. Additional extra credit can be earned if you attend one of the concerts this weekend and write a page report on it. Staple your report to the program.

Week of October 20

CONCERT!!! TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 at 7:00 PM, Northview Auditorium. BE THERE by 6:30 wearing white shirts, dark pants, dress shoes! GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!!

Fall Break Practicing: Students wishing to practice for extra credit during Fall Break may turn in practice cards on Monday, October 27. Students wishing to continue the 100 day practice club need to continue practicing every day to remain eligible!

New Music:
8th Grade: Start looking at the new music packet of music for our holiday party performance.
7th Grade: New music packet. Try and focus on one of the pieces to get started.
6th Grade: Review through page 19 in the book and look ahead to page 20-21.

2008 Fall "Scary" Concert

What: Fall “Scary” Orchestra Concert
When: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM
Arrival: Be here by 6:30 PM
Place: Northview Middle School Auditorium
Dress: White dress shirt
Black or navy pants / knee-length skirts
Dark dress shoes
FREE and open to the public!

Fall Decorations needed: We usually decorate our stage in a “scary” or “Fall” theme for this concert. If you have pumpkins, scarecrows, fake grave stones, fall colored lights, etc. that we could borrow for the day, we would greatly appreciate it. Please label your items with your name. Also donations of streamers and the fake spider web cotton would be a great addition to our stage’s look. We will decorate after school Tuesday the 21st.

Other considerations: Students are requested to stay until the end of the concert. Concert attendance is required and will be rewarded with a grade.

Song of the Week
7th & 8th Grade: Pick a spot in the music that is not quite polished.
6th Grade: Scary Story including all the songs in it.

Everyone should be reviewing the ALL music for the concert next Tuesday!

Week of Sept. 1

Grade 8
Song of the Week: Kassation 17-25
Focus on Kassation: Notes, rhythms, tuning. Practice SLOWLY and in SMALL CHUNKS.
Mambo: Work on your section's melody spot. Might be for a quiz...
Star Spangled Banner: keep tuning it up. Nice job on this piece so far!
Fossils / Elephant: Identify the accidentals and learn where they are on your fingerboard.


Grade 7
Song of the Week: Joust
Joust: COUNT the rests. Work on more bowspeed on ACCENTS.
Integrity: Quiz on Friday.
Orpheus: Keep learning the notes. When you are comfortable, bounce the eighth notes.
Dorian: 27 - speed up this section

Grade 6
Song of the Week: Hot Cross Buns
Book pgs. 4-6
Bow grip and rhythms
A string notes: What are they? How do you play them?

Week of August 25, 2008

8th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week; Fossils from m. 17-26
Practice a 2 octave G Scale as your warmup.
Fossils - m. 17-26
Night Shift - shifting parts
Mambo - Count and clap!
Kassation - NEW! - learn notes, 3/8 time signature
Stars Spangled Banner - articulation!

7th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Joust from m. 13-25
Practice Purple book pgs. 8-13 as warmups
Joust - learn notes
Integrity - learn notes and rhythms

6th Grade Assignment:
What you should be practicing:

Bowhold on a pencil:
Right Hand holds the pencil!
Thumb TIP touches pencil.
Thumb is curved.
Middle finger folds over the pencil, touching at first knuckle across from thumb.
Ring finger folds over pencil, also touching at first knuckle. Hug the FROG!
Index finger flops over and lands on the pencil between the first and second knuckle.
Pinky tip rests lightly on top of pencil.
All joints should be rounded, flexible, relaxed. In case of double joints, the joints should be eased into the right position with the help of the other hand. The more you practice un-sticking the joints, the sooner they will stop locking up.

Exercises:
Bunny munches the pencil
Bunny ears wiggle
Tap the pencil with different fingers (TAP TAP taptap Tap; T-A-P T-A-P; Pinky pinky pinky tap; Circle circle; Pet The Frog)
Elevator
Rocket ship
Place pencil on head, shoulders, forhead, nose (any place would be great to add taps).
Windshield wipers, fast and slow
Wrist waves Hello, Side to side, Circles
Rhythm exercises with pencil in hand and focusing on opening and closing the elbow
Mississippi Hot Dog (Pepperoni Pizza)
Down kitty Up kitty
Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich
Red Light (STOP!) Go
Also do rhythm exercises without bow with right hand moving along the
left arm. Start each rhythm by going in the “DOWN’ direction.

Getting the violin/viola into playing position:
Make sure you have a sponge on!!
Feet together
Make a “V”
Step left foot out a little
Sway like a tree in the breeze
Slide left hand on “magic X”
Hold shoulder of violin
Statue of Liberty
Flip
Land the violin/viola on your SHOULDER (not chest / collar bone)
Nose, scroll, and left foot should all be lined up
Try “no hands”
Violin/viola is parallel to the floor.
A little animal lives between your arm and ribs
Slide “magic X” toward the scroll
Check for light in the valley and/or mouse hole
Place finger TIPS on the tapes on the fingerboard
Does your wrist look like a pizza server?? (Straight wrist please)
Fingertips should look “square” and be able to balance a penny on the tops
Elbow under the violin/viola

Pluck the open strings OVER the high dot with left hand
DAD SONG: DAD- DAD- DDAA DAD-
Pluck open strings with right hand
Remember the “L” shape
Chickens in the chicken coop!
Attach thumb to end of fingerboard
Pluck songs with fingers.
TAKE YOUR TIME TO GO OVER THE POSTURE CHECKLIST BEFORE STARTING! DO IT RIGHT!!

Songs: Hot Cross Buns
F# E D - F# E D - DDDDEEEE F# E D –

Mary Had a Little Lamb
F# E D E F# F# F# - E E E - F# F# F# - F# E D E F# F# F# F# E E F# E D –

Twinkle
DDAABBA- GGF#F#EED-
AAGGF#F#E– AAGGF#F#E-
DDAABBA- GGF#F#EED-

Parts of the instrument:
Identify: Scroll, pegs, peg box. Nut, fingerboard, strings, fine tuners, tailpiece, button, chin rest, f-holes, sound post, ribs, neck, shoulders, front, back, purfling, bridge.
Bow: Tip or point, stick, winding, grip, adjusting screw, frog, ferrule, hair

Notes: What are the names of the notes on the lines? What are the names of the notes in the spaces?

Welcome BACK!

Greetings, and welcome to the 2008-09 school year and blog notes. In brief, this is what is happening this week:

7th and 8th Graders: Practice Cards DUE - Monday, August 25
Song of the Week is 7th grade - Calypso, measures 1-16; 8th grade - Night Shift, measures 1-14

6th graders can take instruments home on Friday, August 22. Students should bring instruments back to school for class on Monday. Please help your student find a safe place to leave the instrument at home. It should not be near heaters or air conditioner vents. It should not be left in a hot car. Please make sure that no pets can tear it apart. No one else should be allowed to touch the student's instrument, especially siblings and other small children; the instrument is the sole responsibility of the student. Please help protect this valuable resource.

Parents: Check out Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 26 from 7-9 at Northview. Hope to see you there!

End of Year Wrap-Up!

WOW! Can you all believe a whole school year has zoomed past again???!!! I wanted to take a quick opportunity to thank everyone for all the hard work that happened this year and wanted to remind you of summer opportunities.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITY #1
Michael Strauss, our very own orchestra parent and the Principal Viola (first chair) of the Indianapolis Symphony will perform a VIOLA SOLO, "Harold in Italy" by Berlioz on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7. A viola soloist appearing with a major symphony is a RARE TREAT. Seeing viola soloist whom we all know and love is EVEN BETTER! Click on the Indianapolis Symphony link on the right side of this page to learn more and GET TICKETS!! See you there!

SUMMER OPPORTUNITY #2
Washington Township Summer Orchestra Camp will run from July 7-11 from 8AM to 4PM for 7th & 8th graders. The beginners will meet daily from July 7-18 between 9-11AM, depending on your instrument. YES, there is still room available up to the day camp begins. Please contact Corinne Imboden at cimboden@msdwt.k12.in.us at your earliest convenience.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITY #3
Private lessons are great any time of year. Check out what openings local teachers who are booked during the year have during the summer. A great way to keep your playing in shape and improving for the rigors of next school year!

MY PLANS + EXTRA CREDIT for you next year:
I will be travelling to Europe for three weeks to attend the International Viola D'Amore Congress in Ochsenhausen, Germany, and to visit cultural highlights in Vienna, Austria. Here are your extra credit questions: What is a Viola D'Amore? How does it differ from the stringed instruments that you play? How is it the same? You may find the following link helpful with your research: www.violadamoresocietyofamerica.org/ What continent are Germany and Austria located on? What famous composers have worked and lived in Vienna?

Thanks again for a great year! Have a safe and music-filled summer!

KINGS ISLAND TRIP INFO

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL STUDENTS PERFORMING IN THE POPS CONCERT ON TUESDAY! GREAT WORK!

Kings Island 2008
Northview Orchestra
Saturday, May 17
DRESS: JEANS, SHORTS(MUST BE “SCHOOL” LENGTH), casual shoes, NV t-shirt

FOR YOUR SAFETY: ALL students MUST wear the Northview shirt all day unless a parent signs them out. ALL students MUST check in at the Eiffel Tower between 2:00-3:30PM. ALL students MUST have at least one "buddy" from Northview to walk around the park with. Violations of these three items have consequences of a time out at the Eiffel Tower and a green sheet.

TIMELINE

7:45 AM - Chaperone Meeting near Door 5
Students report for T-shirt pick-up (enter @ Door 5)
8:00 AM - load buses, take attendance
8:15 AM - leave NV for Kings Island
9:20 AM - or thereabouts - reach Indiana state line - CHOWTIME!!!
(CLEAN UP YOUR MESS – NO LITTERING!!)
10:30 AM - Arrive at main gate of Kings Island; tickets will be passed out as you leave bus; (NO ONE MAY RE-ENTER THE BUS UNTIL TIME TO LEAVE THE PARK)
2:00-3:30 PM - CHECK IN AT THE EIFFEL TOWER
You MUST report in at the chaperone station between 2:00 and
3:30PM. No exceptions; NO TARDIES! Green sheet is consequence.
6:50PM- FINAL CHECK-IN at Main Gate by the fountains; stay with the group after check-in, and return to the buses in small groups.
> Know your bus number
>Use restroom and get dinner BEFORE checking in!
7:10PM - Final attendance taken on buses. BE THERE!!!!

9:50 PM - ARRIVE AT NORTHVIEW
> Clean up bus
> Turn in T-shirt

Northview am drop-off: Door #5
Evening pick-up: Door #5 - auditorium

FINAL NOTES:

1. Dress appropriately for the weather predictions; bring an extra shirt or jacket for the bus.

2.WEAR A WATCH - You must be on time!!

3. NO students are permitted to be signed out to another parent.

4. If you are going home with your own parent, he or she must sign you out at the chaperone station, (Eiffel Tower) or at Kings Junior High School right after the performance. Bottom line: if you won’t be coming home on the bus, you have to be properly signed out before 7:00PM.
>TURN IN YOUR NV T-SHIRT WHEN YOU ARE SIGNED OUT<

5. Each NV student must be with at least one other NV student at all times. If you get separated, go IMMEDIATELY to Eiffel Tower, (the chaperone station) and wait for a group that you can join.

6. Bring some money for a snack or meal. Refreshments will be served on the bus in the morning, but it won’t be enough to last all day!

7. Behavior at all times is to be according to acceptable standards as stated in the NV handbook. Any problems will be handled by the principals on Monday, and could result in serious consequences.

8. Do not bring anything that you would hate to lose. The buses are not totally secure, and there are no guarantees about lost personal items.

9. Behavior on the bus includes the “NO SHRIEK” Rule. Loud stereos, screaming, singing will not be part of this trip. Throwing objects on the bus will be treated the same as throwing objects in the classroom.
HAVE A GREAT TIME - BUT NOT AT SOMEONE ELSE’S EXPENSE.
As a representative of Northview Middle School, you are to act responsibly at all times.

CARRY THIS SHEET WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES

Week of May 5

SPRING POPS CONCERT IS TUESDAY MAY 13 at 7:30PM in the NORTHVIEW AUDITORIUM. Be here for tuning at 7:00PM. Concert dress is black dress pants, white dress shirt, nice dress shoes. NO JEANS, NO SNEAKERS, NO T-SHIRTS!!!

LAST WEEK OF CONCERT ORCHESTRA AFTER SCHOOL!! I'LL SEE 7TH AND 8TH GRADERS ON TUESDAY FROM 4-5:20 PM OR FRIDAY FROM 7:30-8:50 AM. MANDATORY REHEARSAL IS SATURDAY, MAY 10 FROM 9-11:30. GET ME YOUR EXCUSES IN WRITING IF YOU HAVE A CONFLICT.

Song of the Week:
7/8: Mariachi 42-73
6: Flirtation Letter H to end

6th Grade Assignment
Perfect our three large group pieces. Play through each 2x every time you play to see how much stamina you need for the concert.

7/8 Grade Assignment
Make sure to play ALL of you pieces at least 5x this week. It is a lot of music to get through. Look at problem spots. If I stop you in class, you know it is a problem spot. Play it 10x each.

Extra Credit
Go to http://philharmonicindy.org. When is this orchestra putting on its next concert? Where will it be? Who is the conductor? What are they playing? Put your answer in the practice card box. For even more extra credit, ask Mrs. Ohly-Davis for free tickets to attend the concert. Check to make sure that a parent can attend with you first. You can write another extra credit report about your experience going to this concert.

Week of April 28

CONCERT ORCHESTRA REHEARSALS - TWO WEEKS OF EXTRA REHEARSALS TO GO!!! Tuesday 4:00-5:20PM; Friday 7:30-8:50AM; Mandatory Saturday rehearsal on May 10 from 9:00-11:30AM.

Songs of the Week:
6th Grade: Flirtation - H to end
7th /8th: Pirates at 85

6th Grade Assignment
Book 2 - pgs 8-11 for review and new
Flirtation - finish learning the notes and start polishing the tuning.
Wexford - play all
La Rejouissance - play all

7th and 8th Grade Assignment
Polish spots in all pieces.
Don't forget to practice OLD CONTEST MUSIC! We will be playing this at the concert!

Week of April 21

NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, APRIL 26. Friday's AM rehearsal is rescheduled for Thursday at 7:30 AM.

Songs of the Week:
6th: Flirtation - beginning to D
7th/8th - Pirates, your toughest 24 measures

6th Grade Assignment:
Wexford Circle - polish
La Rejouissance - SHORT QUARTER NOTES!!
Flirtation - finish learning the notes

7th & 8th Grade Assignment:
Lord of Dance - All
Pirates - All
Reap the Blessings - All
A La Mariache - All

Extra Credit:
Check out http://philharmoniker.web-feedback.de/index.asp. What piece is the cellist playing? How many points did you earn?
Turn in your answer to the practice card box.

Week of April 14

Reachout Week: 7th Graders, please be aware that your practice requirement is ONE HOUR over TWO DAYS this week since most of you will be gone for three days. Everyone else, please practice FOUR DAYS for a total of TWO HOURS time, as usual. Make sure your practice card is SIGNED before turning it in!!

Concert Orchestra will meet as usual on Tuesday from 4:00-5:30PM and Friday from 7:30-8:50AM!

Songs of Week:
6th Grade: La Rejouissance - beginning to 25
7th & 8th Grade: Pirates - beginning to 21

6th Grade Assignment:
NEW BOOK: pgs. 10-11. If you still need to purchase your book, please bring Mrs. Ohly-Davis your $7 this week!
La Rejouissance: 25-45
Wexford Circle: All

7th & 8th Grade Assignment:
Focus on Pirates and Lord of the Dance - practice YOUR tough sections.
Reap the Blessings - beginning
A La Mariachi - Section in TWO FLATS!!

Week of April 7

Welcome back! Hope everyone had a great Spring Break. I am doubling my efforts to keep this site updated for you for the rest of the year! Happy Practicing!

7TH/8TH GRADE CONCERT ORCHESTRA CONTINUES TO MEET TUESDAY FROM 4-5:30 AND FRIDAYS FROM 7:30-8:50 AM. BE THERE TO MAINTAIN YOUR KING's ISLAND ELIGIBILITY AND MASTER THE NEW MUSIC!

7th & 8th GRADE KING'S ISLAND MONEY IS DUE THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 10.

SONG OF THE WEEK:
6th Grade: Wexford Circle from 16-29
7th & 8th Grade: Pirates from beginning to 3/4 time signature change.

6th Grade Assignment:
New Book 2, pg. 10-12
Wexford Circle - finish learning notes
La Rejouissance - look at notes and "up up hooked bows"

7th & 8th Grade Assignment:
Pirates: beginning section - quiz Friday
Lord of the Dance - speed up 67-99
Blessings - clap rhythms before playing
Mariachi - check out those flats!!! NO B WHATCHAMACALLITS!

Check out what Lord of the Dance "looks" like! Copy and paste this link to new page. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQmBHHvmrD4&feature=related

Week of January 28

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN SOLO & ENSEMBLE ON SATURDAY!

7TH/8TH GRADE CONCERT ORCHESTRA CONTINUES TO MEET TUESDAY FROM 4-5:30 AND FRIDAYS FROM 7:30-8:50 AM.

8th GRADE STUDENTS IN SIDE BY SIDE: REHEARSAL DURING SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, PERIOD 2-3. PLEASE LET YOUR TEACHERS KNOW. CONCERT ON THIS THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 7:00 PM AT NCHS.

6th grade assignment:
Song of the Week: Spy Guy, pg. 32
Book pages 34-35
Review Westminster and Metro Gnome
Keep working on Hot Potato

7th grade assignment:
Song of the Week: Iscariot #1-18
Scales: Bb, F, G harmonic minor, G
Beginning vibrato motion exercises
Fandango - careful tuning
Alborada - SHORT!! Gradually speeding up
Iscariot - slowly learn notes and tune it up
Invitation - Style, make the piece dance like a waltz!

8th grade assignment
Song of the Week: Iscariot #1-18
Scales: E minor in Green Book
Vibrato exercises
Fandango - careful tuning
Alborada - SHORT!! Gradually speeding up
Iscariot - slowly learn notes and tune it up
Invitation - Style, make the piece dance like a waltz!

Week of Jan. 21

7th & 8th Graders: SOLO & ENSEMBLE THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 26 AT WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL! HAVE YOU TOLD YOUR PARENTS AND MADE RIDE ARRANGEMENTS?

7TH/8TH GRADE CONCERT ORCHESTRA CONTINUES TO MEET TUESDAY FROM 4-5:30 AND FRIDAYS FROM 7:30-8:50 AM.

8th GRADE STUDENTS IN SIDE BY SIDE: REHEARSAL DURING SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, PERIOD 2-3. PLEASE LET YOUR TEACHERS KNOW.

Grade 6 Assignment:
Song of the Week: Jingli Nona, pg 31
Begin learning notes for Hot Potato and Shoe Symphony. Say the notes, air bow, count out loud.
Review counting and difficult spots in Metro Gnome and Westminster.
Book pages 30-33

Grade 7 & 8 Assignment:
Song of the Week: Alborada from measures 27-35
Review and play through Solo and Ensemble pieces 5x each time you practice.
Practice B-flat, G minor and G major scales
Vibrato exercises
Practice difficult spots in Fandango, Alborada, Invitation. Begin TUNING the easy spots. Easy spots aren't correct until they are IN TUNE!!!

Extra Credit Questions:
Go to the North Central Orchestras website - http://ncorchestras.org/
1) How many orchestras does North Central have?
2) Who is the orchestra director at North Central?
3) When is the Tootsie Pops concert?
4) How much are the tickets for the Tootsie Pops concert?
5) How many different excerpts (short sections) do the Symphony violins have to play on the playing tape that is due January 17?
Turn in answers to practice card box.

Week of Jan. 7

Happy New Year!! As we come back from Winter Break, it is a good time to review the basics of good posture and good bow hold. When beginning to practice, take a few minutes to check up on your bow grip, sitting/standing straight, left hand posture. Good posture is the foundation of fabulous playing.

EXTRA CREDIT: Attend the North Central High School Bass Ensemble concert THIS Wednesday, January 9, at 7PM in North Central's Performance Classroom. BONUS: You don't have to write it up. Just attend and let Mrs. Ohly-Davis know that you are there!! 10 points.

6th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Westminster, beginning to Letter B
Book pgs. 29-30. Quiz on #107 Friday
Begin learning rhythm and notes for Westminster & March of the Metro Gnome

7th & 8th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Fandango #1-17
REMINDER: Concert Orchestra meets Tues. 4-5:20 and Fri 7:30-8:50
F Major scale
Learn Fandango and Alborada rhythms and notes
Continue practicing Invitation, especially Coda