Hermanson's Orchestral Wonders

SmartMusic Update - All 7th and 8th Grade students should have enrolled in SmartMusic in class today. Sixth grade will begin enrolling next week – and parents are welcome to come help out! I have assigned students exercises that they need to complete with SmartMusic. Students may do this in the Orchestra room before and after school, in class (though time is extremely limited here due to student-class length ratios) or at home with a subscription.

To begin with, SmartMusic assignments will not count towards the student’s Orchestra grade to give everyone a chance to become accustomed to the program and its requirements. Next semester this will change, however, so I highly encourage students to use it as much as possible in the next couple of months. There are literally hundreds of things to play along with at any level beyond what I assign students – SmartMusic makes practicing more like a game – how high can I get this time?

Should you wish to have a subscription for student use at home (remember, multiple students can play with it at someone’s house with only 1 subscription!) please visit www.SmartMusic.com and click on the “Support” tab. Look for this icon:

and follow the directions. The download is FREE! You can still access many features without a subscription, but the concert music and my assignments will not be viewable without a subscription. Students have already enrolled, so please click “Log In” when logging on at home.

The good news: Being a member of the CCPS means you will get a discount of almost 40% – $18.50 for the year instead of $30. When you consider how many books and exercises this includes, not to mention a chromatic tuner and metronome, this really can’t be beat.

SmartMusic does require a stereo microphone so it can hear your performance. Any microphone with two colored bands (stereo) will work – most computers come with one, and they can be found at any computer hardware store.

Please let me know if you have any questions at all. This is a new system for us, and I expect there to be some kinks we will need to iron out as we incorporate it into our instruction, but I really believe this will help your students progress much faster than studying with me alone.

Hello Parents!

I wanted to let you know there is now a dedicated page on this blog for those who would like to help out in the classroom. As tasks form that need assistance, I will post them on this page.

You may view this page by looking for the “Volunteer’s Corner” under the ‘Pages’ listings to the right side of the screen.

Please take a moment to look at the various ways you can help out with your child’s Orchestra program. Many are very flexible as to times, and all are flexible as to days and dates.

I would love to hear from you regarding your interests and how we can best use your talents to further our program to greatness. Please e-mail me so we can set up a time to work together.

7th Grade: Playing Test on #13, Chester from EE Book 2 – looking for correct rhythms, bowings, articulations, dynamics and intonation

8th Orchestra: Playing Test Thursday/Monday on EE Book 3 #12 – Third position for correct rhythms, fingerings and intonation

6th Grade: Playing Test on EE Book 1 #76, For Pete’s Sake, for intonation, rhythm and tone quality (how it sounds).

I will not be at school this Monday, October 26th, which means that Morning Practice is cancelled for that day.

7th and 8th Grade Concert is tonight, 7pm in the Theater. I can’t wait for everyone to hear our music!

We will also be performing at PTSA’s Fall Family Fun Night this Thursday. Not all students need to play, but we do want to be well-represented as McClure’s Orchestra! Students will perform about 7:30 and be finished by 8:00 (new time!)

Sixth Graders: This week’s snake is now on the Practice Snake page. If you need it, please download. There are also some copies available in the 6th grade Absent Folder in my room.

FundRaiser Update:

Thank you for your hard work, everyone! We have only 1 order left to be picked up (J. Balkwill). The total amount raised is $1751.00 That will take us a long way with lots of sectional coaches, Festival fees and in-class materials. Thank you again!

The drawing will be done on the morning announcements sometime in the next week so all students will be able to see it live. Good luck!

That means that all missing assignments (z’s) will become a 0 if not turned in tomorrow.

Just a friendly reminder

See you at the Concert Tuesday!

Concert: Tuesday, October 13th, 7pm, McClure Theater

Report Times:
8th Grade: 6:20
7th Grade: 6:40

Dress:
8th Grade: Black on bottom, Orange or black on top
7th Grade: Black on Bottom, Orange, Black or White on top

We have been invited to play at the McClure PTSA’s Fall Family Fun Night Thursday, October 15th. We will play the same music as at the concert. I would love for you to come, but understand that not everyone will be able to attend.

Please be present by 7:15, though you are encouraged to come at 7pm for the moviemaker’s movie kick-off of the night!

We will perform around 7:45 and be finished by 8:15 at the latest. Please enjoy the rest of the Fun Night with your family afterwards. I hear the Haunted Hall will be delightfully scary!

6th Grade:

New Snake handed out today. Please visit the Practice Snake page of the blog if you need any past snakes to turn in. This Snake is due Friday and WILL NOT be accepted late.

Informance (concert) is Tomorrow!! at 7pm in the Carpeted Gym here at McClure. Please arrive by 6:30 so we have time to tune and warm up before the concert. Dress is casual – no uniform this time. Cellists and bassists, please bring your own instrument for this (and every) concert.

All Grades:

Fundraiser pick up is TOMORROW from 4:30-8:00 in the Cafeteria. Please make plans to deliver your products promptly, or be prepared to store them in the freezer/fridge until you can deliver.

7th Grade HL for Wednesday: 2nd half of Swallowtail Jig from memory.

ednesda8th Grade HL for Wednesday: 4 measures from “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” I’ll tell you which four that day.

Calling all 6th Graders!

Have you forgotten to turn in a snake? Lost one? You’re in luck.

All practice snakes can now be found in the “Practice Snake” page on this blog. Print it out, complete the segments, color them in, and voila – no more missing grade!