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