Winter Break

Songs of the Week:

8th Grade - Invitation to the Dance, coda section
7th Grade - Invitation to the Dance, coda section
6th Grade - your favorite two or three-line song

Extra credit practice cards are due on Monday, January 7. Have a safe, happy, and restful break.

MORE EXTRA CREDIT

Extra Credit Question:
Check out these two sites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5akbOKGSFM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQmoTJFScMY

What do you think is the future of robotic musicians? Tell me what you think of them and your reaction to the videos. Five complete sentences, minimum.
Drop your answer in the practice card box or email eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us for 10 extra credit points.

Extra Credit Question:
Who wrote Pachelbel's Canon?
When was it written?
What was the original instrumentation (what instruments were used for the piece)?
What is basso continuo?
Google "Pachelbel" and go to the wikipedia sight for help. Email your answers for 5 points to eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us or drop your answer in the practice card box.

Want more extra credit? Keep scrolling down and look out for the words "Extra Credit." Good luck!

Week of Nov. 18

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!

SOLO & ENSEMBLE FEES DUE THIS WEEK! $6 for an ensemble, $12 for a solo.

Travelling with instruments: Always make sure that instruments are in a "people-friendly" temperature. DO NOT check your instrument with the baggage or strap it to the roof rack of your car. Also make sure that nothing lays on top of an instrument in a soft case (cello & bass). The wood is more fragile than you think!

Practice cards are for extra credit this Monday - and many of you need it!! Please consider practicing!!

Song of the Week:
6th Grade: Ode to Joy on pg. 23
7th Grade: pg. 1 of your small ensemble piece
8th Grade: pg. 1 of you small ensemble piece

All students should be practicing/reviewing music from the recent weeks. See blogs below for more practicing assignments and ideas.

Week of Nov. 11

Extra Credit Question:

1) What is the role of the concertmaster in the orchestra?
2) How many concertmasters does the Indianapolis Symphony orchestra have?
3) What are their names?

For help with these questions go to wikipedia and www.indianapolissymphony.org then to About Us, The Orchestra, Strings.
Turn your answers in to the practice card box to earn your 5 extra credit points.

8th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Halleluia from B-C
Continue learning notes for Ensemble pieces
Still - Lots of C# and F# on low strings, please remember high 3's and extentions
Halleluia - practice small sections at a time. Go one note or rhtyhm at a time if necessary.
Chanukah - check out the key changes throughout piece
Thanksgiving - Set metronome to 76 this week
Sleigh - Violin 1 work on smooth sections. Don't stop the bow

7th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: Mission Song from 41 to repeat. Also practice that section for your quiz on Friday.
Continue working on notes in Ensemble pieces
Purple book pg 44 - Scales, do all and remember to change your finger patterns!!
Purple book pg 30-31 - new rhythms

6th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: #80 Grandparents Day
Pg 21 - finish learning quiz
Pg 22-23
Holiday tunes - continue working on slur in Up on Housetop, begin learning B parts to all songs
Need note name help? Go to 8notes.com/games, click on Note Trainer. If you play viola, cello or bass, click on "settings" to change your clef practice to alto or bass clefs. See how fast you can get 100 notes correct!

Week of Nov. 4

Practice Tip: Everyone has new music this week. The most important aspect to learn first is the RHYTHM. Count and clap. Write in the counting in pencil. Airbow a section to feel how the bow needs to move.

No "song of the week" this week - my apologies for the tardy blog post.

8th Grade:
Green book - A minor scale
Solo & Ensemble music - see tip above
Perpetual - try speeding up tempo to 72. Use online metronome if you don't own one: www.metronomeonline.com
Sleigh - remember fast and light bows
New music - slow work for notes, count out all the new rhythms

7th Grade:
Purple - p. 26-27 finish learning
D & C scales - remember to change your finger patterns!
Solo & Ensemble music - see tip above
Mission song - practice the measures that are hard for you.

6th Grade:
Holiday tunes - see tip above
Book pg 20-21
Prepare quiz on bottom of p. 21
D scale

Week of Oct. 28

CONGRATULATIONS ON A TERRIFIC CONCERT LAST TUESDAY!!

Practice Tip: Practice 4 days this week for 30 minutes each day. Record the time on your practice card, get a parent to sign it, and turn it in on Monday.

8th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: Perpetual Thanksgiving, Section "C"
Green book pgs. 30-31 - Eb major scale
Perpetual Thanksgiving - slowly learn notes, use small bows since the song will be performed quickly with small bows.
Sleigh Ride - learn notes, staccato eighth notes

7th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: Mission Song meas. 1-20
Purple Book pgs. 26-27 & pg. 44 Scales
Mission Song - learn notes, work on rhythms
New song - later this week

6th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: #64 (Play quiz on Friday)
Review book pages 14-15 for note reading
Book pg 18-20
New sheet music - later this week, learn notes and rhythms

CONCERT OCTOBER 23!!

FALL CONCERT REMINDER

What: 6, 7, 8 Grade Orchestra Concert
When: Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Time: 7:00 PM
Arrival time for students: 6:30 PM
Where: Northview Middle School Auditorium
Dress: White dress shirt
Dark dress pants (black, charcoal, navy)
Dark dress shoes
Students not dressed appropriately will not perform and not get a passing grade.
This concert is part of our class requirements and a letter grade will be given.
Students are expected to stay for the whole concert and quietly listen to all groups perform.

Questions, comments, conflicts? Call Mrs. Ohly-Davis at 259-5428 ext. 806, email
eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us or send a note to school.

Week of Oct. 8

FUNDRAISER ORDER FORMS DUE TUESDAY OCTOBER 9!!!

Zack De Pue is the new concertmaster for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of Time for Three, an inovative trio that combines classical, rock, country and hip hop music. Go to www.timeforthree.com. What are the names of the other two musicians in the group? What instruments are in the trio? Under "listen and watch" listen to various cuts of the group playing. Which one do you like best? Email your answers to: eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us for 5 extra credit points.

8th Grade Orchestra:
Find your concert attire that you will wear for Fall Festival next week (concert October 8 at NC at 7PM)
and make sure it still fits!!! - White shirt, black pants or skirt, black dress shoes.
Song of the Week: Rosin Eating Zombies #57-72 – fast!
Focus on Mythos and Tango for concert.
Continue polishing Don Q, Rockin, and Rosin Eating Zombies

7th Grade Orchestra:
Find your concert attire that you will wear for Fall Festival next week (concert October 8 at NC at 7PM)
and make sure it still fits!!! - White shirt, black pants or skirt, black dress shoes.
Song of the Week: Creatures #25-33
Focus on Rigaudon and Medieval Wars for concert.
Continue learning Creatures and polishing Andantino & March

6th Grade Orchestra:
Song of the Week: Boil ‘em Cabbages
Book pg. 12-13
"Scary" Story
Twinkle with Mississippi Hot Dog and regular rhythms
Boil ‘em Cabbages with regular rhythm, Down Kitty Up Kitty variation, and double stop variation (bow on A and D string).

Week of Oct. 1

Practice Tip: Add variety to your practice. As 7th and 8th graders approach their Festival Concert next week, we need to practice the whole piece at tempo a few times. However, to keep the piece fresh and exciting (and to continue polishing), ALSO practice the piece in many other ways as well. Slow down, speed it up, reverse dynamics, no slurs, all slurs, etc. Sky's the limit for ideas!

Fundraiser: Thanks to all who are working hard on selling items and getting donations. Fundraiser order forms are due Tuesday, October 9. Keep up the good work!

8th Grade
Practice Cards are due Monday, Oct. 8. Permission slips for field trip are due Friday.
Song of Week: Pick 16 measures of music on your own
Green book pg. 28-29
Review Tango and Mythos for concert
Rockin Halloween - speed up and add ENERGY!
Don Q. - slow down again to focus on TUNING.
Rosin Eating Zombies - think before you play - get all notes right

7th Grade
Practice Cards are due Monday, Oct. 8. Permission slips for field trip are due Friday.
Song of the Week: Creatures #1-12
Purple book pg 14-15
Review Rigaudon and Medieval Wars. Practice LOOKING UP when you see a tempo change sign or word!!!
Keep learning notes for Creatures
Review Andantino and March - we will work on this next week

6th Grade
Practice Cards are due Monday, Oct. 8.
Song of the Week: Book #31
Finish review book pg 10-11
Look ahead to pg 12-13
Boil 'em Cabbage Down - practice as is, with down kitty up kitty, and double stop A string
F#F#F#F# G- G-
F#F#F#F# E- E-
F#F#F#F# GGGG
F#F#EE D- D-
D Scale
"Scary Sounds"

Week of Sept. 23

Practice Tip: Getting a strong, full sound. Warm up with a scale and watch your BOW. It should be halfway between the bridge and the fingerboard. The bow should be parallel to the bridge. Also watch the string and see how much you can make it vibrate.

Extra Credit – 5 points
This upcoming weekend Augustin Hadelich will be performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. What competition did he win in the last year? What instrument does he play? What piece will he be playing? What is the price range for a ticket for the concert?

Email your answers to eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us or turn them in to the practice card box by Monday October 1.

FUNDRAISER STARTS SEPT. 26. Look for handouts to come home.

8th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Zombies #6-22
Green Book pg. 26-27
Polishing Tango and Mythos for Oct. 8 concert
Zombies: Check note accuracy carefully (Eb’s!!!)
Don Quixote: practice slowly and speed up as much as you can
Rockin Halloween: 42-50 & 72-75 still ROUGH – please work on it

7th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Medieval #19-43
Purple book pg. 13
Polishing Rigaudon and Medieval Wars for Oct. 8 concert – BOW DIRECTION!
Andantino and March: finish learning the notes
Creatures – new on Thursday!!

6th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week:
EE2000 Book #22 – Lightly Row
Bowing – practice favorite rhythm on open string 20x with perfect bowhand
Review pg. 8-9
Quiz on #22 this week (Friday)
Look ahead to pg. 10-11 for NEW NOTES!

Week of Sept. 16

ISTEP WEEK – Do your best on the test!!

Practice Tip: Practicing for fun and therapy. This week is going to be very stressful and demand a lot of concentration from you. Take this week and play your instrument for fun and to relax. Some ideas include reviewing old songs, getting together with a friend to play, make up a new song (improvise!), figure out how to play your favorite song on the radio, play a mini concert for your family or pets, figure out all the weird sounds that your instrument can make. Good luck on ISTEP!

Extra credit question: Find the answer and email it to eohly-davis@msdwt.k12.in.us for 5 points extra credit. You may also turn it in on a piece of paper. Which composer wrote “Scheherezade?” List his birth and death dates, what period of music he was active in, and tell me what Scheherezade is about.

8th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Don Quixote #13-end
Review all pieces

7th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Medieval Wars #89-end
Review all pieces

6th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Book #16
POSTURE POSTURE POSTURE!!! Make sure you are holding everything right and correcting yourself when you are not.
Review Essential Elements pages 6-9
Review Twinkle fingerings (on last week’s post, below)

Week of Sept. 9

Practice Tip: Repetition. Play short sections of music many times. Even if you know a section of music extremely well, playing it many more times will get that passage engrained in your fingers. You may even memorize a section. Memorization can free your mind to think about other issues such as phrasing, dynamics, and watching the conductor. Obviously, if you do not know a certain section well yet, you should also be doing many repetitions in order to learn and master it.

Concerts you may wish to attend:
*Sunday, Sept. 16: Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra with IVCI winner Celeste Golden. Indiana History Center, 5:30PM. violin.org
*Tuesday, Sept. 18: Meridian Piano Trio recital with Davis Brooks, violin, Eidson-Duckwall Recital Hall, 7:30 PM, Butler Univ. 940-9246
*Wednesday, Sept. 19: Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio. Indiana History Center, 7:30PM. ensemblemusic.org
*Saturday, Sept. 22: Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra at Clowes Hall, Butler Univ. 8:00PM. "Planets" by Holst. indianapolissymphony.org. Same program offered Sunday, Sept 23 at 3:00PM.
*Friday, Sept. 28 at 8:00 and Sunday, Sept. 30 at 3:00PM "The Magic Flute" Opera by W. A. Mozart. Clowes Hall at Butler Univ. indyopera.org
*Friday, Sept. 28 and Saturday, Sept. 29 at 8:00PM at Hilbert Circle Theater, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra with Augustin Hadelich, violin - Gold Medal winner of 2006 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. indianapolissymphony.org

8th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: Tango #28-40
Green book pg. 24-25 All
Tango: All, play #62-63 15x daily for tuning and pizz/arco switch
Mythos: All, violins play #23-29 15x daily for tuning; violas #53-58 in 3rd postion 15x daily
Don Quixote: All
Halloween: All, speed up tempo at 59

7th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: Rigaudon #26-42
Play quiz Wednesday: Rigaudon Violins & violas #18-34, Cellos #18-26, 34-42, Basses #34-50
Purple book pg. 12-15
Rigaudon: All, focus on small sections that are not going well yet
Medieval Wars: All, learn notes to last section
Andantino & March: Finish learning notes, clap all rhythms

6th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week: Hot Cross Buns (Play it 5x on 5 different days and mark your practice card!
F# E D- F# E D- DDDDEEEE F# E D-
SEE POST FROM AUGUST 29 TO REVIEW PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS AND CLUBS!!! The dates on your practice card may be missing this week. Just write down the days you practiced in a row at the bottom of the card. Don't forget that a parent needs to sign your card before turning it in on Monday, September 17.
Play Quiz Tuesday on #9 on page 5.
EE 2000 Book pg. 6-9
Bowing open strings with rhythms. GOAL: 20x on one rhythm with a PERFECT BOWHOLD. Stop often to double check if it still correct.
Notes for Twinkle
D D A A B B A- G G F# F# E E D-
A A G G F# F# E- A A G G F# F# E
D D A A B B A- G G F# F# E E D-

Week of Sept. 2

PRACTICE TIP: Play S-L-O-W-L-Y! Do not hurry through a part in the music that you cannot play well. Play each note individually or with a rhythm. Give yourself time to get to the next note correctly. Then add the original rhythm of the piece. Gradually speed up the tempo until you can play the passage flawlessly and up to tempo.

8th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Don Quixote #1-13
Play quiz Wednesday: Start at #17. You will play quiz individually.
Mythos - All, focus on ending
Tango - All, focus on ending and measure #63
Don Quixote - slow practice for tuning and note accuracy
Rockin' Halloween - start at 42

7th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: Andantino #17-end
Andantino - All, especially 2nd half
Rigaudon - All, focus on style (short eighth notes!!)
Medieval Wars - Learn notes starting at #35
March - Begin learning notes

6th Grade Assignment:
Song of the Week: We will start Club 25 next week.
Essential Elements 2000 (EE2000) - pgs. 1-5, Play each exercise 5-10x PIZZICATO (plucking!)
Learn parts of instrument for QUIZ FRIDAY
Keep working on pencil bowhold and rhythms 10x daily
Open string songs for review and with bow 10x daily
Review left hand "magic x" and "pop can hand" postures. Demonstrate the correct posture to a family member this week!

Concert-Going Opportunity

Jackson Wiley Tribute Concert - Festival Orchestra made up of friends and fans
Clowes Memorial Hall on the Butler Univ. campus
Sunday, September 2nd at 6 PM
Concert is FREE ($20 donation suggested)
For more info visit JacksonWileyTribute.com or call (317) 940-9271

Week of August 26

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT IS TUESDAY, AUGUST 28 FROM 7:00-9:00 PM. PARENTS & STUDENTS, PLEASE COME!

Practice Tip of the Week: Difficult part got you stumped? Practice many repetitions of small "chunks." My favorite small "chunk" is one measure. Practice a hard measure 5-10 times. Then practice the next measure 5-10 times. Practice both measures together and enjoy how much better they sound!

8th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week - Tango: 74-end
PLAY QUIZ - Wednesday - Mythos #1-17 - dynamics and tuning will be graded. Play in groups of 5, one member from each section.
Mythos spots: 1-17, circle all Bb's, smooth string changes, dynamic changes
Tango spots: measures 19-20 - 5x/day; 31-32 - 10x/day; 65 - 10x/day
Don Quixote: measures 9-10 & 27-28 - 5x/day 11-12 & 29-30 - 5x/day

7th Grade Assignment
Song of the Week - Medieval Wars: beginning-19
PLAY QUIZ - Wednesday - Rigaudon #1-10 - rhythm, bowing, and note accuracy will be graded. Students play alone.
Rigaudon: Practice measure long "chunks" from 1-34, 5x each, as needed
Medieval Wars: Count and clap from beginning to 49. Play small chunks as needed.
Andantino: Finish learning note names in this tune.

6th Grade Assignment
Recite musical ABC's - 5x/day
Pencil bowhold - 15x/day
Rhythms on arm - 5x each
Mississippi Hot Dog
Down Kitty Up Kitty
Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich
Red Light WAIT Go
Learn parts of instrument and bow

Week of August 19

Greetings Northview Orchestra Members!

I am creating this blog so that you and your parents can look up your practice assignments every week. I will also post periodic reminders about practice incentives that you can participate in. Need extra credit? You'll also find concerts and events that you can attend to get extra points.

Let's review the PRACTICE CARD POLICY:
1. You must practice a minimum of 4 days a week.

2. You must practice a minimum of 2 hours each week.

2a. This means that most students will practice 30 minutes on 4 different days

3. You must have a parent sign the signature box.

4. Turn in practice card on Monday in the "Practice Card Box."

5. Late practice cards will be accepted on Tuesday only.

6. Students absent at the beginning of the week should turn in the practice card the first day they return.

7. Please use your practice card, but in an emergency, I will accept a piece of paper with the days and times practiced with your parent's signature.


PRACTICE INCENTIVES

CLUB 25
Look for the "Song of the Week" posted on the board at school or on the blog.
Practice this song 5 times on 5 DIFFERENT days. (5x5=25)
On your practice card, mark a little star next to the number of minutes practiced on the days you played the song of the week 5 times.
I will put a sticker next to your name on a chart every week you choose to participate.
When you have 10 stickers, you will choose a full-sized candy bar of your choice! Yum!
You do not have to participate every week.

100 DAY PRACTICE CLUB
You practice 100 days in a row, with a 15 minute minimum every day for 100 days. You are not allowed to skip days. If you skip a day, you have to start over on day 1. The reward: All-you-can-eat ice-cream party with your favorite flavors and all the toppings. Delicious!

8th Grade practice assignment - Aug. 19-25
Warm-ups: C major Scale, Green book pg. 18
Mythos - Beginning to 41. Watch for Bb, nut one's, and bowings
Tango - Beginning to 28. Watch for Bb, nut one's, and dynamics
Song of the Week: Tango #1-20

7th Grade practice assignment - Aug 19-25
Warmups: Pages 2-5 in Purple book
Rigaudon - beginning to 26, work a few notes at a time until you get the pattern fast
Andantino - all. Watch for slurs and dynamics

6th Grade practice assignment - Aug 19-25
Bowhold on pencil
Instrument set-up
Practice musical ABC's forward and back