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.

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".