 |
This has been a very exciting few weeks since break. All students have done a tremendous job of getting back in shape while expanding their technical facility and learning new (and more difficult) notes!! We are fully into "concert-preparation" mode and I think we're all happy to finally play REAL music! After school practice sessions continue to be an excellent way for your child to receive extra attention, earn practice minutes and receive extra credit!!! If your child is struggling, this is the best way to get him/her back on track!!! I know that grades have been looking a little scary lately. Please understand that with only a minimal amount of grades this early in the semester, one missed practice log is going to appear to have a tremendous effect on your child's grade. I promise once our playing tests are entered, grades will bounce back dramatically. Our next concert, originally scheduled for February, has been moved to March 13th (to alleviate scheduling conflicts at Goddard High
School). Details about the dress rehearsal and concert night procedures will be coming home shortly.
Finally, I am ecstatic to be working in the Goddard School District for my first year as a band director. Despite years of training and a couple
degrees, I recognize that this is a complicated position with hundreds of students with unique needs. In attempt to self-assess (everyone's As always, I invite you to email, call and/or stop by! I've had a few parents drop-in and observe and everyone had a great time! Thank you for your continued support of your child's music education!!! |
The 6th grade orchestra is now working out of the Essential Elements for Strings Book 2. The opening page of this book is a basic review of the D and G major scales with arpeggios, ¾ time, and key signatures. Shortly, the students will begin to learn about additional key signatures and complex rhythms. Therefore, it is very important that all students have this book. Please contact me if obtaining this book is not possible at this time. The 5th grade orchestra has been introduced to a new note value, the eighth note. While the students understand that this new note value is faster than a quarter note, they are often tempted to practice their music way to fast. As your child practices at home, please encourage them to slow the tempo down and really listen to every note that is being played. It is not uncommon to hear a young student say "I can play it fast, but not slow", but the truth of the matter is they are playing a song fast that is riddled with many errors. A metronome will help assist with your child's practice session, and these are available at any music dealer and are quite inexpensive. I have also placed an order for 5 metronomes that can be checked out weekly. There will be a sign in sheet for students who wish to stay for after school practice. Discovery students are to sign up no later than Monday and Challenger no later than Tuesday. Our next concerts are scheduled for March 8,
2012 and May 14, 2012. I will send out additional
information about these performances in the
near future. |
The 5th graders are practicing the extended pentatonic scale with folk songs and singing games. It's not too early to mark your calendars for the 5th grade choir concert. The concert will be held on Tuesday April 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Discovery Main (South) Gym. This is a wonderful opportunity for your 5th grader to showcase some of the musical skills that we have been working on this year. So that you may better plan ahead, the dress for your student on that evening will be a white (or very lightly-colored…cream/tan) shirt (no spaghetti straps or mid-drifts, please) and black (or navy) pants (dark jeans, if necessary). If skirts are to be worn, they should be knee-length or longer (no mini-skirts, please). In preparation for the concert, solo auditions will be held, for those interested in participating, on Feb. 27th and 28th during music time. Dance auditions will be held on Tues. March 6th in the music room immediately after school. Instrument auditions will be held during music time in mid-March. An art contest is underway for the bulletin. Entries must be submitted by March 12th. To complete the major scale, the 6th graders are practicing fa and low ti with folk songs and singing games. I enjoy working with your children! |
 |
