This Just In....

All 8th grade tests have been postponed until after the break due to unavoidable schedule changes.  Make sure you practice over break because you will take all 6 scale tests when you come back on Tuesday, January 5th.

Happy Holidays from MC to YOU!!!  :)

Winter Concerts

Tis the season for many concerts:

Tuesday, December 8th 4th period Orchestra will perform at NCHS at 5pm for the annual NCHS Orchestra Dinner Theatre

Tuesday, December 8th Full Symphony will play on the Band Concert Night beginning at 7pm

Thursday, December 10th  6th Grade Ensemble, 7th Grade Orchestras, and 8th Grade Orchestra will perform at Awtrey at 7pm in the theatre.

Tuesday, December 15th Vivace Ensemble will perform with the Chorus beginning at 7pm.  The orchestra will not begin performing until 7:30pm although parents are encouraged to attend the Chorus performance at 7pm.

Falalalalaaa la la la laaaaaaaaa

:)

The B Flat Scale map is below with the fingerings. Please make sure you understand this scale by Friday because you may have to write or label a scale map. If you have any questions please see MC.

B Flat Scale Map w/ fingerings

Scale Video Lesson

The link for the scale video lesson is below. This video provides you with step-by-step instructions on how a scale is put together, which is what you will have to do with your theory warm-up on Thursday. If you still need additional help, please see MC.

Scale Video Lesson

EQ: How do rhythm, melody, and style work together to create diversity in music

Monday: Smart Music for B-flat Scale intro (pizzicato), F and B-flat fingering chart(classwork)......Men of Harlech March review within your small ensembles to prepare for assessment tomorrow--focus on articulation, dotted quarter rhythm, intonation, and bowing. Play Bells of Christmas and Variant for each other for a grade. Violas and Cellos from Group #2 will play the rhythmic motif in Journey for a grade also.

Tuesday: Smart Music for B-flat scale intro (ARCO), MC will give the answers to the F and B-flat fingering chart.......Men of Harlech March small ensemble test, Smart Music using 12/8 rhythms--translate into 4/4, how are they related and how do you count in compound meters? Break into sections: Group #1 will be in sectionals using their Deck the Halls Contract. Group #2 will be with MC sight-reading Deck the Halls....what are the steps?

Wednesday: Group #1 Deck the Halls Contract.....Group #2--B flat scale without smart music.....how is it different and what piece can you apply this scale to?........Journey of the Magi--focus on intonation, accidentals and articulation (viola and cello). Variant measures 49 to the end---focus on intonation between violin I and viola because you are tutti in octaves.

Thursday: Group #1 Deck the Halls Contract......Group #2 B-flat scale warm-up....Journey of the Magi from measure 38-68 with special emphasis on the violin parts. Do the viola or cello parts have the violin II harmony later in the piece? Focus on bowings and intonation. Variant review from yesterday and play from beginning to the end.

Friday: Group #2 will read articles and write critiques using specified criteria. Group #1 will work with MC on the Bells of Christmas and begin Charlie Brown.

Learning Goals

1. Understanding of the B Flat Scale
2. Knowledge of how to apply the B Flat Scale
3. Dotted Quarter Notes
4. Bells of Christmas(Jingle Bells and Silver Bells)
5. Charlie Brown Intro
6. Variant with dynamics and phrasings
7. Journey of the Magi with correct articulations and accurate intonation

EQ: How do you create timbre while still focusing and maintaing accurate intonation and rhythm?

Concert Preparation:

Make sure you are practicing Danza and King Tut at home for accurate intonation. There are a lot of accidentals which make those pieces challenging.

Monday: read through House and learn how to accompany a movie with narration.

Tuesday: rehearse with Dr. K on the stage----focus on balance, dynamics, and style

Wednesday: focus on King Tut with a House(w/ video) run through----we will primarily polish up the end of King Tut (off the string brush stroke and intonation--accidentals)

Thursday: run through of all pieces--fix any issues

Friday: compare and contrast your two october concerts

Learning Goal:

Perform a successful concert and be able to articulate the concepts learned from each piece.

You guys did a great job today on Danza with Dr. K.

Cellos please practice your part at the end so that it sounds polished and confident. Remember when playing with a soloist you must be able to hear the soloist which means your dynamics will change from what the music has printed. All students need to watch MC carefully because I change based upon what the soloist does.

EQ: How do you improve your focus and preparation for concerts?

This week we will rehearse King Tut and Danza Latina. All students need to practice their music at home for accurate intonation and rhythm. Especially violas in King Tut at 26---NO MORE BEES PLEASE :) Dr. K will rehearse with us on Tuesday so make sure you feel secure with your parts on Danza.

Learning Goals

1. Focus while playing
2. Play through both pieces with minimal issues
3. Create dynamic contrasts by writing in music and following the conductor

EQ: ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR CONCERT AND HOW DO YOU KNOW?

This week I only want you to focus on your weak spots within your music. NO ONE CAN PLAY ANY PIECE PERFECTLY. We will play through and record each piece Monday and Tuesday....I am confident that if you truly try and practice outside of class this can be an amazing concert! Don't let yourselves down, don't let your classmates down, and finally don't let your music down.

Wednesday: Concert reflection. We will watch the concert and critique our performance.

Thursday: Read Danza and begin working on King Tut

Friday: Test on King Tut--can you adjust to the accidentals?

Learning Goals

1. Professionalism---learning how to get ahead even if you are behind
2. Use appropriate terminology to critique performances
3. How to sight-read?
4. Positive attitude!

EQ: How do you polish a piece for concert preparation?

This week we will focus solely on your pieces for the upcoming concert:

Symphony No. 4

Rites of Tamburo

Viola Hero

1st Half of Danny Rocks: I am doing this to show parents a preview of what is to come :)

All students need to work on dynamic contrast and balance within the ensemble. We have worked really hard on our individual parts now make sure we hear and support what is important. We will be working with the band throughout the week on Rites both as a full symphony and in small ensembles so that you can hear/ match styles with the band.

Learning Goals

1. How to play with a band
2. Adjust dynamics and balance as it relates to melody and harmony
3. Listen and adjust to other sections while you are playing
4. Polish a piece for a performance (dynamics, articulations, balance, phrasing)

Since we missed so much school last week, I have modified last weeks blog for this week. Remember that practice logs are due on Wednesday!! You must have at least 160 minutes to get an A and it must be signed by a parent.

Btw your concert is in two weeks, ARE YOU READY? ARE WE READY?

EQ: How do you learn a new piece of music?

I AM LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE OF PRACTICE AND WILL BE TAKING CONDUCT POINTS FOR THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE NOT PREPARED FOR CLASS!

Monday: D Scale --pay attention to finger patterns they are the difference between good intonation and bad intonation, Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece for a grade--balance and ensemble are our focus for this piece. You have all of the parts in front of you, how does your part fit? Dotted Quarter Notes in the Book--we took the pre-test and did not do so well so this week we will focus on how to count dotted quarter notes and read the road signs. Melody--Rites of tamburo excerpts and 1st violins play Symphony from measure 35-53.

Tuesday: D scale, Rhythm from Rites of Tamburo---see your warm-up. Dotted Quarter Notes in your Book---you play this for a grade tomorrow. Melody--Rite of Tamburo excerpts. Viola Hero from the beginning to the end---we have already learned the rhythm from this piece now all you must do is support the viola melody....what does this mean? 1st violins play Symphony from measures 35-53 and begin learning the end of Danny Rocks with Dr. K. Cellos how do you play quietly?

Wednesday: Open String Warm-up, Listening Log, D scale, Dotted Quarter Notes Post test---make sure you follow the road map and count all dotted quarter notes (1-2-3). You will be taking this by stands in small ensembles. Rites of Tamburo excerpts with cello/ bass accompaniment---guess what they play dotted quarter notes : ) 1st violins play Symphony from measures 35-53. Continue working on Viola Hero from 25 to the end....what special effects do we need for this piece!!!!

Thursday: Theory--play your chord progression for each other and be able to explain it. D scale and Rites of Tamburo---the major riff....all of our bows need to go the same direction and follow the articulation. Danny Rocks from the beginning through the time signature....focus on changing the changing timbres, how must you change your bow stroke, articulations, dynamics, and bow speed?

Friday: Test on Rites excerpts and Viola Hero as a class from beginning to the end. 1st violins will also play Symphony from measures 35-53.

Learning Goals:

1. Viola Hero
2. Rite of Tamburo main riff with appropriate articulations
   
3. Have an understanding of how to create standard chord progressions
4. Learn how to count dotted quarter notes

EQ: How do you accompany/support the melody?

Monday: G Scale --pay attention to finger patterns they are the difference between good intonation and bad intonation, Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece--balance and ensemble are our focus for this piece. You have all of the parts in front of you, how does your part fit? Dotted Quarter Notes in the Book--we took the pre-test and did not do so well so this week we will focus on how to count dotted quarter notes and read the road signs. Rhythm--the Funk in Danny Rocks and opening Viola Hero rhythmic motif

Tuesday: G scale--using the rhythm from Viola Hero...make sure you are at the frog with a heavy rock stroke!!! Dotted Quarter Notes in the Book, Danny Rocks--the Funk for cello/ bass and the slide for 2nds and violas. What techniques are necessary to play in a rock style?

Wednesday: G scale (same as yesterday), Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece, Dotted Quarter Notes Post Test, Sectionals--violins, cello, and bass will play they Funk part in Danny Rocks. Violas are with MC learning Viola Hero from 28 to the end. You will have to play as a section the funk so make sure you are practicing efficiently during sectionals.

Thursday: G Scale---play using Viola Hero rhythm for a grade, Open String Warm-up, #6 Tone piece--play for a grade in small ensembles...I am listening for balance and ensemble (playing together in the same part of the bow using correct articulations). Danny Rocks--measure 76-84...how does this part change in character and how do we communicate that with our bows?

Friday: Test on Danny Rocks--measures 55-84. YOUR WARM-UP IS DUE!!!

Learning Goals:

1. G Scale--intonation and FINGER PATTERNS

2. Viola Hero Rhythm (measures 1-10 and 25-32)

3. #6 Tone piece with proper balance and ensemble (playing together in the same part of the bow using correct articulations)

4. Danny Rocks measures 55-84

5. Understanding of Dotted Quarter notes and how to read a musical road map

EQ: How is harmony created and how does understanding all the parts of a piece help the intonation and rhythm within an ensemble

Monday: Today was technique day although we did not get to play your open-string warm-ups. We went over analysis of a piece of music (#6), which basically means you break the music down into its essential parts so that you understand everything that is going on while you are playing.

Tuesday: Pay attention to the board so that you can find out how to complete an analysis of the 1st eight measures which is due on Friday. Please turn this into the basket.....not the box : ) Rhythm flashcards (playing instead of clapping), Danny Rocks (except violins who will be working with Dr. K to fine tune Symphony No. 4) Those students working on the Danny Rocks excerpts will be learning to play in the celtic style.

Wednesday: Sectionals on Danny Rocks except that the violins will be with MC. Open-String warm-up, and Symphony No. 4 as a class---hopefully it will be better this week in the violin sections.

Thursday: rhythms, #6, Symphony No.4 and Danny Rocks

Friday: ONLINE CONCERT : )---SEE LAST WEEKS DETAIL.....also make sure you have performed your scales pass-offs by the end of the day today (IT IS A TEST GRADE)

WEEK 2 MODIFICATION

The online concert has been postponed until next Friday because many students are not preparing their music at home.  This means that we will continue playing Symphony No. 4 for another week, I am terribly sorry for this inconvenience but there is nothing I (MC) can do about it.

Remember that this is piece was simply to refresh your note reading abilities.......

EQ: HOW DOES TONE, INTONATION, AND RHYTHM CREATE MUSIC?

Monday: Technique Day!!!!!

We will play your scales, warm-up, and rhythm flashcards.

Tuesday: Scales, #6 analysis, Symphony No. 4 (mm. 29-48)

Wednesday: Warm-up and focus on Symphony No. 4 because on Friday you will play an online concert showcasing what you have learned the past three weeks of school. 2nd violins and violas needs to focus on playing all of their eighth notes in measures 62-65. 1st violins you have a lot of notes and without practice it will just not happen (YOU CANNOT LEARN THIS IN CLASS).

Thursday: #6 Anaylsis is due and you must clap your rhythms from the warm-up (both weeks) as a section. We will polish up Symphony No.4 for your online concert the following day. How does helping know what the piece is made of (theory) help you play it?

Friday: Record your online concert (Scales, Symphony No.4, #2, and #6)

8th Grade Week 1

Monday: Technique Day and Dictionaries are DUE!!!

Tuesday: Sectionals--work on rhythms, #2, and Symphony

Wednesday: Retake of #2 and you will receive new scales (you need to mark the half steps for homework). Receive a new tone builder and continue work on Symphony

Thursday: Clap tuesday's rhythms as a section for a grade and rhythmic dictation, and continue work on Symphony

Friday: TEST on Symphony, Warm-up is DUE, 8th Grade Skills Inventory is DUE

NEXT WEEK YOU WILL HAVE TO PASS OFF THE THREE SCALES WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR TWO WEEKS.