October 31, 2011

Grade 7: This week students will continue learning to read and perform music from notation. After reviewing beat and rhythm, students will learn how to name notes on the treble and bass staves and will receive a worksheet to practise naming notes.

Students will learn to play a variety of songs on Staff Song sheet 1 using the 4 practise steps: clap the rhythm at a steady beat speed, say the letter names of the notes in rhythm at a steady beat speed, do the fingering on their instrument while saying the letter names aloud, play. Students who have achieved 70% or more on their written test, have returned their signed Instrument Responsibility Form, and have demonstrated accurate playing of "Try For Three" will be permitted to sign out an instrument this week.

Make up tests and retests will be given on Tuesday, November 1 at 3:30.

Homework: Complete Treble/Bass Clef note naming worksheet; learn to play at least 4 songs on Staff Songs 1. Add letter names to their rhythm composition to create a melody. Transfer it to a piece of staff paper and give it a title.

Grade 8: This is practise week 8. Students should be practising the songs assigned and their composing to improve fluency and expression, and composing original melodies/patterns based upon the theme of WAR.

During our first class we will hear any remaining Bits and Pieces compositions. We will complete our listening in preparation for our trip to the Toronto Symphony on November 14th.

Students will continue brainstorming WAR words and select one that they can "play/compose for" on their instrument.

During the second class, we will listen to four "beats" from Youtube which use the g minor scale, and experiment with playing along. Classes will select one background to be used with their war patterns/compositions. The backgrounds are:

Emotional Beat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMx7BjElxWk&feature=related

Hip Hop Military Beat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1He8Vtrb_o&feature=related

Rap Beat Instrumental http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rv933r3M58&feature=related

War Cry Dark Angry Epic Orchestral http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgVzdAk_2k4&feature=relmfu

Students will form groups and begin planning how to organize each player's 2 measure ostinato (repeated pattern) into a WAR composition. (Their group's composition will eventually be recorded and used as a background for one a photo-story on war.)

Homework: Compose an original 2 measure ostinato or melody or ostinato for a WAR word.

October 24, 2011

Grade 7:

We will begin our first class by looking over returned tests. All students should be approved on their permanent instrument by Tuesday. Students who have not been approved should come before or after school for assistance. Instrument Assignment forms must be signed and returned. This week our goal will be to begin reading and playing notes on our assigned instrument using standard notation.

We will begin by learning about beat and rhythm, and compose a simple 16 beat pattern using standard notation. Students will be expected to add pitches to their rhythm pattern that make "musical sense" to create a melody, and perform it for the class.

Students will receive a copy of Staffsongs Sheet 1 and Staffsongs Sheet 2. As a class, students will learn how to practise (4 practise steps: clap, say, finger, play) and apply those strategies to the songs on Staffsongs 1.

Homework: Complete the Rhythm Composing assignment.

Grade 8:

This is week 7 in term 1. Toronto Symphony trip forms are due by November 3, 2011. Continuing out WAR AND PEACE unit, our goal is to play expressively for Alpha Squadron (war) and Gentle Winds(peace), and begin considering how we might compose and perform our own melodies expressively.

During our first class this week, we will present our Bits and Pieces compositions, aiming to play expressively using dynamics and articulation. For our first composition on WAR, we will brainstorm words about war and choose one or two words that can be "played by our instrument" to create a sentence. Example: (Flutes) The Bombs whistle down.

During the second class of the week, we will complete Bits and Pieces performances. Students will listen to a presentation about the performers and music for our trip to the Toronto Symphony on Nov. 14th.

Homework: Bring in permission forms for the Symphony Trip. Practise Gentle Winds and Bits and pieces using appropriate expression.

October 10, 2011

Grade 7: During this week, students will explore the fourth and final instrument, and receive feedback on their efforts. Some students will be invited to try additional instruments such as saxophone, drums, baritone horn, tuba, french horn, percussion, and oboe. Students will be required to attend an after school or before school meeting to explore these instruments; dates and times will be announced in advance.

Final instrument selection will take place next week. Information will be sent home indicating final instrument assignments, and details about Instrument Rental Night Oct. 25th at 7:00 p.m..

Homework: students will complete their 4th self evaluation and will study for a written test on their favourite instrument next week.

Journal Question 4: Now that you have tried at least 4 instruments, which one do you believe you will be most successful at playing? Support your answer by describing a variety of tasks at which you were successful in class.

Grade 8: This is practise week 5 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During class this week, all quizzes on measures 1-60 Alpha Squadron will be completed. Students will receive feedback on their "Bits and Pieces" written assignment, and learn to play their compositions. They will also listen to "Gentle Winds" and work on legato phrasing, reading/playing 3/4 metre, and breath control. To play along with the recording, copy the following web address into your header bar:

www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/mp3player.jsp?song_url=http://rockstar.jwpepper.com/mp3/10070378.mp3&song_title=GENTLE%20WINDS&filename=B_10070378

Homework: Students should practise all measures of "Alpha Squadron" and their goal section of "Gentle Winds" using a variety of practise techniques from "40 Fabulous Ways to Practise". Journal Question 4: What were your practise goals for this week? Describe how you practised and which of the "40 Fabulous Ways to Practise" helped you most in achieving your goal?

October 3, 2011

Grade 7: This week students will be completing their exploration of instrument 2 as we discuss the self-evaluation homework assigned last class. We will explore instrument 3 (either flute or trombone) this week, learning about the assembling and disassembling this instrument, care and cleaning, rest and holding position, playing technique and fingering for our three note song.

Homework: Students will complete a self-evaluation on this instrument at the end of the week and answer Music Journal question #3: After listening to recordings of trumpet, flute, clarinet and trombone performances on youtube, select your favourite recording. Explain why you liked it and what you learned about the instrument from this recording. Include the name of the performer, the title of the music and web address in your answer.

Grade 8: This is practise week 4 in term 1. Students should be practising twice outside of class this week and entering their work on their Practise Record Sheet.

In class, students will receive "40 Fabulous Ways to Practise". They will be tested on their ability to perform sections of "Alpha Squadron" between measure 1 and 60. Students will be provided with feedback on their performance.

"Bits and Pieces" composing sheet will be handed out and students will be asked to compose a simple, 8 measure melody made up of bits of other songs they have played. Bits of songs from Essential Elements and band music studied last year and this year may be used. "Bits and Pieces" is due one week from the date assigned.

Homework: Continue practising "Alpha Squadron" based upon feedback and finish learning all measures. You may choose to listen to the recording again to improve your articulation and dynamics: http://www.jwpepper.com/2475354.item Instead of a journal question this week, indicate your practise strategies on your "40 Fabulous Ways to Practise" sheet.

Complete the "Bits and Pieces" composition for your instrument using measures from other songs studied.