Hermanson's Orchestral Wonders

Much is coming up next week!

Monday:
8th Grade Playing Test – #155, half note = 80
8th Grade Disney Trip Parent Meeting – 7pm, Theatre

8th General Music – Quiz: Musicals: Ancient Greece to "Show Boat"

6th Grade – Notes and fingering quiz

Tuesday:
All Orchestra Members - Fundraising kick-off 8:15 or 4:30, Cafeteria (you only need attend one!)

Friday:
7th Grade – notes, fingering quiz

6th General Music – rhythm quiz

Saturday:
South Carolina Cello Choir, held at USC in Columbia, SC

We’re officially well in to the school year – Progress Reports come home today.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me. Several students have already turned in missing assignments – please check iParent first if you want to confirm if your child fits this category. If you have any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me using the link on the left of the page.

Other indications for the Fine Arts department that school is underway:

8th Grade Students and Parents:

Disney Trip Meeting, 7pm Monday September 24th in the Theater

All Students:

Fundraising Kick-Off Tuesday, September 25th

8:15am and 4:30 pm in the CAFETERIA

Come see what we’re offering and how you can help your program grow!

For 7th and 8th Grade Students, the second practice log is due this week. The next due date for practice logs is OCTOBER 1.

Have a fantastic  day! The weather is beautiful. Have you ever practiced outside? It’s a great feeling – try it soon!

Symphony has now had two successful rehearsals. In Symphony, we get to play with "Band" instruments – woodwinds, brass and percussion. I’m so glad we are able to offer this opportunity – something most students don’t get to experience until High School or later!

We meet Thursdays from 4:30-5:30.
Strings report to the orchestra room first to tune. 

Currently we are playing the James Bond Theme and The Navy Hymn. More pieces are always being added. Let me know if you are interested in joining us!

Parents – Thank you for coming out to Open House this week. It was so nice to meet our new families and  see the experience ones again!

For those parents who could not attend Open House, I told everyone about the website (http://McClureOrchestra.googlepages.com) and some important dates to keep in mind:

September 24th - 8th Grade Disney Trip Parents meeting, 7pm in the Theatre
September 25th – Fundraiser Kick-Off before and after school
(cellists only) Sept. 29th: South Carolina Cello Choir in Columbia, SC
December 6th – Winter Concert, 7pm (6th Grade report to Orchestra room at 5:45, 7th and 8th report at 6pm)

Also, Orchestra Shirts are in the works! Please be on the lookout for more information in the coming month. We are extremely fortunate to have one of our own parents designing our shirts for us!

7th and 8th Grade Students: Practice Logs are due Monday, September 17th
Please fill out the "Goals"  section each time you practice!
For example, for a new piece of music, your goal might be note fluency or keeping a steady tempo.
For something you’ve had longer, perhaps intonation, rhythm accuracy or working the tempo higher.
Once you’ve  successfully gotten the rhythm and notes, phrasing and dynamics would be appropriate.

Goals should be for small sections; ideally, work on each goal for a maximum of 10 minutes and then move on, even if it’s not reached – you can always come back! This avoids (or at least limits!) frustration.