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.