January 30, 2012

Grade 7: This is week 1 in term 2. Students are expected to practise twice this week outside of class.

During classes this week, our goal will be to continue to demonstrate independence when performing our part accurately on our instrument while other performers play other parts.

We begin our first class with a warm up for independence using the minor scale. Then, partners will be expected to perform "Aura Lee" for a mark, and we will begin song 54 which is a round or canon.

During the last class of the week, we will review song 54 and students will receive a copy of the band arrangement of "Star Wars". After analyzing the music and discovering/decoding new terms and symbols, students will be asked to begin learning a section of the piece.

Homework: Practise song 54 and Star Wars section assigned in class.

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

During classes this week, students will be marked on their ability to count and perform eight-note rhythm patterns and the performance of their part for "Raiders March". The success criteria for "Raiders March" include: use of correct fingerings/pitches, timing, dynamics, articulation, tempo and good tone. Students will also complete a self-evaluation.

Students will receive a copy of "Mission Impossible" and will begin by decoding the score, and learning to count and clap the 'back-bone' rhythm which is based upon 5 beats in a measure. Students will work on learning measures 21-31.

Homework: Practise Mission Impossible measures 21-31.

January 22, 2012

Grade 7: This is practise week 10 in term 1. Students are expected to practise twice this week outside of class time.

This week we will be focusing on adding expression to our music by learning to control the dynamic level (loudness) of our melodies, and developing independence (being able to play one melody/part accurately while a partner plays something else at the same time).

During the first class of the week, we will warm up using the major and minor scales, and focus on learning to recognize and perform using a variety of dynamic symbols. We will review song 45 and 49 and apply appropriate dynamics. We will begin song 53 which is a duet, a piece for 2 players, by clapping the rhythm of the 2 different part of the song.

By the end of the week, students should be able to clap and play their part (the A line or the B line) while their partner plays the other part. They will be expected to demonstrate their independence by performing this song with their partner during class next week.

Homework: Practise songs 45 and 49 with dynamics. Be able to control pitch and good tone at all dynamic levels. Learn one part of song 53 and be prepared to perform it with a partner who is learning the other part next class.

Grade 8: This is practise week 19 in term 1. Students are expected to practise twice this week outside of class time.

This week, we will review "Raiders March" and work on improving the overall impact of the piece by adding dynamic contrast between sections, adding articulation, and increasing the tempo.

To begin our unit on Music and Movies, studePublish Postnts will be asked to select and share a favourite piece of music that has been used as the background of a video of any kind. This can be a youtube recording, a recording on an ipod , a website which lets us hear the music, or CD. They will be expected to explain why they like it and which elements of music make it most appealing or memorable.

During our second class of the week, students will recieve a copy of a new band arrangement of a movie theme song to decode and begin practising.

Homework: When practising, students should be adding expressive elements to "Raiders March" and beginning 8 measures of our new piece. They should be prepared to share a favourite piece of music which has been used as a video/movie background and describe which elements of music are most appealing to them.

January 16, 2012

Grade 7: This is practise week 17 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During classes this week, we will complete the printing of our Staff Songs Class Book and students will have the opportunity to sign out the class book(s) overnight.

After Mad Minute reading drill, we will warm up using the concert Bb major scale and review song #45, William Tell.

We will begin song #33 and #49, which introduce 2 new low notes. We will use these new notes on our new scale sheet, the concert G minor scale.

Homework:

Practise songs 45 to improve speed, and begin 33 and 49. Practise the concert G minor scale.

Grade 8 This is practise week 9 in term 1. Students should be practising twice this week outside of class.

During classes this week, we will listen to a recording of Raiders March, and review counting eighth notes using 1+2+3+4+. We will apply that strategy to the 8 measures we selected for practise in Raiders March, and then play our selected measures as part of the entire piece.

Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of counting musical time using 1+2+3+4+ for a variety of rhythm patterns.

Students will be expected to set a new practising goal and write the counting under those measures.

To play along with the recording, go to:

http://www.alfred-music.com/player/BelwinConcertBand2009/30763/player.html

Homework:Practise Raiders March goal measures and write counting under notes and rests accurately.