Week of Nov. 1, 2010

Grade 7: During the first class of the week, we will go over last weeks' test on their selected instrument. Students will hand in their Instrument Assignment Forms and their completed Rhythm Composition #1. During the second class of the week, students will learn about reading pitch (letter names) on the treble and bass staves, and will receive their first sheet of songs for their instrument, Staff Songs 1 and 2. They will learn how to use the 4 practise steps to learn new songs on Staff Songs 1 and 2.

Homework: "Looking UP and Looking Down" and Theory sheet - treble clef or bass clef.

Grade 8: This is week 7 in term 1. Students should be practising twice outside of class this week.

During the first class this week, students will listen to additional selections from the program "Blast Off" in preparation for our trip to the Toronto Symphony on Thursday morning. While remaining playing tests on Chorale Elegant are given, students will work in teams to learn the "war-word-music" chosen for their instrument.

During the second class of the week, students will work in small groups to plan and organize how/when the "war-word-music" for their instrument will be used. A large graphic score will be created and played in class.

Homework: Practise your instrument group's "war-word-pattern" using dynamics and expression. Journal #7 After hearing the musical patterns for war selected by your class and learning the one for your instrument, explain how and when your pattern should be used in the composition. Describe how you would create meaning using dynamics, tempo and other expressive elements. Be prepared to support your answer.

Week of Oct. 25, 2010

Grade 7: During the first class of the week, students who ordered a mouthpiece will be receiving them. They will have a written test on the instrument they will be learning this year.

During the second class of the week, students will review and practise the 4 measure pattern they composed last week ("Composition #1") by clapping. They will clap their measures for a peer and then will work on keeping a steady beat and performing their two patterns together as a duet. Once they are successful, they will perform these pattern on their instruments, choosing letter names/sounds for each note.

Grade 8: This is practise week 6 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During our first class of the week, students will be tested on a section of Chorale Elegante as discussed in class last week. While students are being tested, others will work on composing a pattern/melody based upon their war-word web (journal #6).

During the second class, students will hear a modern piece on the topic of war, "Metastasis" by Iannis Xenakis and an example of live looping. This will help them understand how the patterns for the composition will be planned together. They will then try to sell their pattern/melody to the rest of their instrument group to be used in the final composition. The one selected by the group will be learned and practised for homework by all of the members of the group.

Week of: October 18, 2010

Grade 7: This week students in grade 7 will be deciding upon their first and second choice instruments. Final instruments will be assigned during music class based upon student preference, playing ability, instrument availability, and balance. Once assigned, students are expected to purchase materials for their instrument so that they can begin more intense study. All mouthpiece and reed orders must be in by Thursday, October 21, 2010. Students may go to local music retailers such as Long and McQuade, St. Johns Music or Harknett Music to purchase mouthpieces and reeds or rent instruments.

During the second class of the week, we will begin learning about beat and rhythm, and begin to read and perform simple patterns in 4/4 time.

Homework: Complete instrument choice form and materials order form. Bring in form by Thursday to purchase materials through the school. Complete composing with rhythm worksheet and study for a test on your chosen instrument which includes: names of the parts, how to assemble and disassemble it, how to clean it, which hand holds the weight, the letter names and fingerings of the three notes we have learned, how to form your lips to make a sound, what is delicate about it, etc.

Grade 8: This is practise week 5 in term 1. Students are expected to practise 2 times outside of music class this week.

During our first class of the week, students will receive a trip form (trip to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 4, 2010). Journal #5 will be discussed and practise record sheets will be checked. Students may participate in the chromatic scale race and then all students will work on the final A1 section of Chorale Elegant.

During our second class of the week, we will be brainstorming words about war. Students will consider how they will use the elements of music to compose 4 measure musical patterns based upon these words and then select the best melody to contribute to the class composition. Patterns will be written using graphic notation.

Homework: Trip forms due. Practise all of Chorale Elegant with phrasing and dynamics in preparation for a performance test next week. Journal question #6: Create a word web which includes your thoughts, feelings, impressions, images and beliefs about war.

Week of: October 11, 2010

Grade 7:

During the first class of the week, students will begin learning about ther fourth and final band instrument. They will learn about assembly, tone production, holding position and how to play a two-tone song using notation. They will learn how to care for the instrument and disassemble it properly.

During the second class of the week, students will assemble it independently and learn a 3-note melody.

Homework: Students should complete their self-evaluation for instrument #4 on the sheet provided. They will need to rank the four instruments in order of preference and playing success.

IMPORTANT DATES:

MUSIC MATERIALS/RENTAL NIGHT - THURSDAY, OCT. 21, 2010 7:30 P.M. (music room)

Saxophone tryouts - Friday, Oct. 15, 2010 3:05-4:00 (for the best students in clarinet)

French Horn tryouts - Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010 3:05-4:00 (for the best trumpet players)

Drums/Percussion tryouts - Monday, Oct. 18, 2010 3:05-4:00 (by invitation of the teacher)

Tuba tryouts - Monday, Oct. 18, 2010 8:15-8:45

Grade 8:

This is practise week 4 in your practise record sheet. Students should be practising two times outside of class this week.

During our first class, students will discuss responses to the 4th journal question which was assigned last week. "Bits and Pieces" (the first composition for the term) will be returned and feedback provided. Students are expected to know/perform the B section of Chorale Elegant together.

During the second class of the week students may participate in the chromatic scale race, and may begin to work on the range race as a warm-up. We will listen to "Mars" in preparation for our trip to the Toronto Symphony on Nov. 4th and discuss how the composer uses the elements of music to depict war. The final A section will be started and should be continued for homework.

Homework: Journal question #5: Imagine that you are composing a piece of music about war. What feelings and impressions would you want to share about war, and how would you use the elements of music to be successful? Practise: chromatic challenge, range challenge, Chorale - B section and the last A section

Week of Oct. 4, 2010

Grade 7:

During the first class of the week, we will take up the homework assigned last week - evaluation of instrument #2. Then students will learn to set up their third instrument, learn how to hold it, produce a tone, tongue, and play a 2 note song. They will learn how to properly clean it and disassemble it.

During the second class of the week, students will review information covered in the first class and learn to play a three-note song.

Homework: Students will complete instrument evaluation #3.

Grade 8: This is practise week 3 in term one; students are expected to practise twice outside of class.

During the first class of the week, grade 8 students will share their responses to Journal Question #3 with the class. They will learn to play the concert Bb chromatic scale (in a chromatic scale, all 13 tones are played between from low concert Bb to high concert Bb.) They will then work with section partners to reach their second goal - students should know the entire A section or more. During classwork, many students will be asked to perform their composition "Bits and Pieces" and hand in their written copy.

During the second class of the week, students will continue working on performance goals and peer assess for the A section. The remaining compositions will be evaluated.

Homework: Begin learning to play the B section of the Chorale. Journal Question #4: Reflect upon your practise toward your first goal for Chorale Elegante. Are you satisfied with your progress so far and why? What are your next steps to improve your performance?