Week of: November 29, 2009

Grade 7:
This week grade 7 students will complete a Mad Minute reading drill and warm up using the notes of the scale to develop long tones and tonguing skills. As a class, students will work on improving the playing of Staff Songs 3 melodies, and will demonstrate their progress by performing one of the selected songs individually. Students will have a chance to create and perform a 4 measure musical "answer" to a musical question.
During the second class, the new note used in Staff Songs 4 will be introduced and homework will include practicing the songs on Staff Songs 4 using the four practise steps (clap the rhythm, say the letter names, silently finger the notes in time, play the song). Composing #3 "Composing Question and Answer Phrases" will be assigned. It is due one week from the date assigned.
Grade 8:
This week students will review concepts about blues rhythms (swinging eighth notes and syncopation) and apply what they know to create short rhythmic patterns. They will write the counting under the notes in measures 39-45 of Spiderman and be able to walk, clap, count and play these measures. Students will be asked to create, write and perform/clap a simple 2 measure rhythm pattern which incorporates swinging eighth notes and syncopation.
During our second class of the week, our goal will be to play a variety of these jazzy patterns on our instruments using the notes of the blues scale, the first step in creating a blues solo. Through listening and experimentation, students will be asked to reflect upon what makes a good blues solo. Homework includes practising combining syncopated/swinging patterns on the notes of the blues scale to build a blues solo.

Week of: November 22, 2009

Grade 7:
"Mad Minute " note reading drill #2 will begin our first class of the week. We will review basic care and maintenance for all instruments and then complete Staff Songs Sheet #2 in class, focusing on a connected, flowing melody from note to note. The concept of question and answer phrases (musical question and answer sentences) will be introduced. Staff Songs Sheet #3 will be handed out and begun during our second class. Homework includes practising twice outside of class to learn Staff Songs Sheet #3 and prepare one song for a performance test.

Grade 8:
Students in grade 8 will continue working on improvising melodies using the notes of the blues scale. This week we will be learning how to write blues lyrics and read/play syncopated rhythm patterns. Homework for the week includes writing two verses of lyrics in blues style, improvising syncopated patterns using the notes of the blues scale and learning to play measures 39-45 of "Spiderman".

Week of: November 16, 2009

Grade 7: This is week 1 of term 2 and all students are expected to practise twice every week outside of class time. Each practise should be recorded on the student's Practise Record Sheet. By the end of the week, students should be able to play most songs from Staff Songs 1, Staff Songs and their composition. Mad Minute drills will begin this week to help students improve their note reading speed.

Grade 8: This is week 1 of term 2. Self-evaluation forms are due the first class of the week. We will finalize holiday music groups and students will be asked to prepare their part during their two practise sessions this week. (outside of class time) Each practise should be recorded on the student's Practise Record Sheet.

This week, we will also begin our unit on the Blues, starting by learning to recognize the blues and play the blues scale.

Rehearsals this week: Holiday Concert - Dec. 9, 2009 !!
Choir Tuesday morning 8:15
Senior Band Tuesday at lunch
Rock Band Wednesday 8:15
Senior Choir Thursday at lunch
Guitar Club Friday at 8:15

Week of November 9, 2009

Grade 7: Students should hand in signed Instrument Loan Forms so that they may begin taking instruments home; instruments must be returned the following school day before 9:00 a.m. Composing #2 is due and students will asked to perform their composition and on of melodies on Staff Songs 2 for a performance evaluation. (Any students who did not complete the clapping examples or the written notation quiz will complete them during class time.)

Students should begin a regular practise routine - twice per week outside of class time for 15-20 minutes - at home or at school. Practise will help to improve note reading/playing skills and keep students progressing at the pace of the class.

Grade 8: Students are expected to complete and hand in any remaining assignments including: Venn Diagram, composition #1 - major, composition #2 - minor, When Words Fail Music Speaks, practise record sheets, Self-Improvement-Plans, etc. Students will complete the Term 1 self-evalutation .

Students will perform a section from "Crusade" or one of their compositions for a final performance evaluation.

Week of November 2, 2009

Grade 7:
Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their rhythm reading skills by clapping a 4 measure pattern in class. Instrument numbers will be assigned and loan forms should be signed and returned so that school instruments can be taken home next week. Students will use their fingering chart and the 4 practise steps (clap and count, say the letter names in time, do the fingering in time, play and reflect) to learn songs 1-3 on Staff Songs Sheet 1. Composing Assignment #2 will be handed out (composing based upon a character from the fable "The Hare and the Tortoise") This assignment should be completed and handed in during the following class.

Grade 8:
Composing #2- The Minor Scale should be handed in during the first class of the week. Students should be prepared to play their composition and all sections of "Crusade". The culminating analysis project "When Words Fail, Music Speaks" will be assigned and is due at the end of the week or first class of next week - depending upon the class.