January 9, 2012

Grade 7: This is practise week 8 in term 1. Students should have 16 signatures on their practise record sheet by the end of this week.

We will begin with Mad Minute (note reading drill). If time permits will begin song 45, Theme from William Tell, in class. This song includes a new concept - the pickup. A pickup appears at the beginning of a song and consists of a beat or two of music (less than a full measure) which get the song started. In William Tell, there is one beat of music at the beginning. These eighth notes were"stolen" from the last measure and should be counted 4+ when you clap or play.

We will be working in the computer lab to create a class Staffsongs Book. Using their own Question-and-Answer compositions and Finale music software, students will learn how to input notes, rests, and expression symbols, hear it played by the computer and edit it to create a final version. They will then print professional version for the class song book.

Homework: Practise song 45, William Tell using the 4 practise steps.

Grade 8: This is practise week 16 in term 1. Students should practise twice this week outside of class.

Students who have not performed their Peace Hymns should arrange for a performance time this week before/after school. This week students begin "Raiders March", a new band arrangement. They will decode their score and will select a section for study and practise.

The class will also watch a video about how music helped to end war and save the cultural identity of the population in Estonia.

Homework: Practise your 8-16 measure selected section of "Raiders March".

Dec. 19, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 7 in term 1. Students should have 14 practise signatures by the end of this week.

During classes this week, students will review song 42 and perform their question and answer compositions. They will receive feedback on the writing and performance of their music based upon the rubrics provided.

Homework: Sleep late, eat holiday foods, spend time with family and friends, and have fun! See you in 2012!

Grade 8: This is practise week 15 in term one.

During classes this week, students will have time to rehearse their peace hymn with their group and then will perform it for everyone. They will receive feedback on their written work and their performance.

Homework: Sleep late, eat holiday foods, spend time with family and friends, and have fun! See you in 2012!

Dec. 12, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 6 in term 1. Students should have 12 signatures for practise outside of class by the end of this week.

In class this week, students will warm up using their scale and will be reviewing songs 25 and 38. Using the rubric provided, students will work on their composing assignment, creating a melody which has a 4 measure "question" phrase and a 4 measure "answer" phrase which they can play.

Homework: Practise song #41 and 42 in your book, and your question and answer composition. Be able to perform them in class next week. Final journal questions are due this week and should be typed.

Grade 8: This is practise week 14 in term 1. Students should practise twice this week outside of class.

In class this week, students will discuss the rubric for their Peace Hymn. They form groups or 3 or 4 to compose an original 8 measure Peace Hymn. Students will use the composing steps outlined last week:

* choose the 8 chords for their hymn (beginning and ending with the I chord)

* select a whole note from each chord to play (be sure that all chord notes are used)

* add another chord note to each measure on beat 3 so that there are two half notes per measure

* add some quarter notes and passing notes (non-chord notes) to create interest and movement between chord notes (different players do this in different measures)

If time permits, we will continue learning and perfecting "Jingle Bell Rock".

Homework: practise your Hymn so that you can perform it next week with your group.

Dec. 4, 2011

Grade 7: This is practise week 5 in term 1. Students should have 10 signatures by the end of this week. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During class this week, students will review song #14 in Essential Elements 2000 and discuss the ways that composers create great melodies using small musical patterns. They will listen for patterns in examples of recorded music, and will look for patterns in songs in the song book.

Students will be asked to create a one-measure pattern and manipulate it in at least 4 different ways.

They will learn song 18, 25 or 38 and be able to identify patterns in these songs.

Journal Question 7: FINAL JOURNAL (to be handed in next week) Using your journal questions 1-6 and your experiences in class, identify your strengths, and describe a number of practise strategies which have helped you to be successful in these areas. Identify your areas of weakness, and a number of practise strategies which will help you to improve.

Homework: Practise songs in Essential Elements

Grade 8: This is practise week 13 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

Our goal this week is to learn about harmony and the use of chords in music. We will begin by brainstorm words and ideas about peace and create a peace web. We will play Peace Hymn and identify how chords are creates using scale notes which are a skip apart. After learning to play and create chords of their own, Students will receive a scale worksheet and write their own chords, labeling them based upon their scale set/location. They will create a simple hymn and perform it.

Homework: Continue practising "Jingle Bell Rock".