Hermanson's Orchestral Wonders

As many students have not turned in he Instrument Rubric Descriptions, it is linked below. You may download it and turn in by FRIDAY, January 28th for full credit, or for half credit if after the 28th.

Directions:

For each circle, describe what an appropriate and correct demonstration would look like when you are playing. e.g. – What does a proper left hand look like? There should be 15 circles total (11 for 6th grade).

6th Graders: Do not complete the circles under “Bow Control” as we have not gotten to that point in class yet.

Assessment Review Checklist

Let me know if you have any questions!

Class Updates:

All Grades: If you have not turned in your descriptions of the Playing Rubric, that needs to be done ASAP. Pinnacle does not like missing grades, and it has hurt many an average out there!

- SmartMusic assignments will be added this weekend. If you just can’t wait, there are tons of fun solo pieces to look at, or you could find a song we might play at the Spring concert!

8th Grade:

Added Concert: Tuesday, February 23rd (already scheduled as an after school rehearsal for everyone)

• We will be playing with Harrison High School – both by ourselves and side by side with the wonderful high school students! Concert at 7pm. I will provide dinner and transportation to Harrison. Parents are responsible for transportation home. There will be a permission slip coming home next week for this concert.

General Music: We are concluding our drum and rhythm unit with a percussion ensemble composition. These are due tomorrow when we begin recording your performances. In our next unit we will constructing our own instruments!

7th Grade: You have gotten 2 pieces of music. Rhythms and notes should be completely learned on Avatar by Monday (you can find this on SmartMusic). Midnight Tango’s first half should also be learned by Monday.

6th Grade: We have been learning slurs and 3/4 time this week, as well as training our ear with our tuners. We will have a videotaped test for bowing on #116 tomorrow. Practice in the mirror to make sure you know what your bow is doing.

Next Week:

Due to Conference Week and the Georgia Music Educator’s Association’s conference, I will see classes on the following days next week:

• First Hours – Monday and Wednesday
• Second Hours – Tuesday ONLY

You may keep instruments at home all other days. All instruments should be home by Wednesday night. Behavior cards will be marked for any instruments left after Wednesday.

Welcome the 2010! I hope the ice and snow did not keep you from enjoying the weekend – and practicing!

These next few weeks will be very interesting concerning how much students will get to play at school:

The end of this week (Wed-Fri) I will be out of town. However, students should still bring their instruments to school, as our substitute is certified in music and will be working with all students as we start the push towards Festival (LGPE) and Jamboree.

Next week is normal except for MLK, Jr holiday on Monday.

Conference week students will be coming to connections – and therefore Orchestra – in an A/B schedule

• Monday/Wednesday – First Hour Only
• Tuesday – Second Hour Only
• Thursday-Friday – I will be attending the State Music Educator’s Conference, so no instruments will be needed.

Be sure these dates are on your calendar!

• Tuesday, February 23 – 8th Grade Concert @ Harrison HS
• Tuesday, March 2 – Pre-Festival Clinic (7th & 8th Grades only) 4:30-6:30
• Thursday, March 11 – 8th Grade LGPE @ Lovinggood, 4:15-8:00
• Thursday, March 18 – 7th Grade LGPE @ Lovinggood, 4:15-8:00

If you need anything, please give me an e-mail!