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.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, October 20, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
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!
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!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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?
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?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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?
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?
Friday, August 22, 2008
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!
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!
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