February 4, 2013

Grade 6: Our goals for this week are to continue building our reading skill using our sol-fa syllables as we create and perform a simple song using the major pentatonic scale, and performing ostinati to accompany our melodies. (The pentatonic scale is often associated with Oriental melodies.)

During our first class of the week, we review by echoing and reading patterns using do, re, mi, sol and la. Students will perform their melody for Mei Ming's song with their partner/group. We will view 2-3 youtube videos which show performances of traditional Chinese instruments and Chinese music for the New Year.
During our second class of the week, students will choose pentatonic patterns to create and sing their own melody. They will perform it as a solo.
If time permits, students will use pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments to create their own 8 beat ostinati which could be used as a background for their song. 

Grade 7: Our goals for this week are to continue to build our ability to play in parts on our instruments, and read and play fluidly from notation.

During our first class of the week, we will hear some duets from students who have prepared songs 26, 33 or 34. Then many students will perform their penatonic 8 beat melodies alone and in groups of 2 to 4 students for a mark.  New concepts used in songs 29, 37 and 39 will be introduced. 

During our second class of the week, students will review songs 29, 37, 39 and continue hearing duets from groups of students. The reverse side of the pentatonic composing sheet will be assigned.

Homework: students should be practising songs 29, 37 and 39. Students should be expanding their 8 beat composition to a 16 beat composition using the reverse side of their composing sheet.

Grade 8: Our goals for this week are to performing measures 28-49 of "Crusade", and
continue our study of incidental music by exploring examples of incidental music across the history of film.

During our first class of the week, students will hand in their Analysis of a Theme written work. We will review measures 1-28 and begin measures 28-49. Students will be expected to perform these measures for a quiz next class. In the time remaining, we will view a presentation on the history of incidental music for films.

During our second class of the week, we will review measures 1-28 and some students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to perform this section. We will then complete the presentation on the history of incidental music for film. Students will complete the class with an activity which asks them to discuss and predict how the elements of music will be used for a video from youtube. The actual music will then be played and the effect discussed.

Homework: practice "Crusade" measure 1-49