March 28-April 1 Happenings

With one week remaining until our Middle School Solo Contests please make sure that you and your student are prepared. You may check the performance schedule on the GT Band Website which is linked at the top of this blog. Also, make sure that your student arrives early for their performance to prevent our schedule from running behind. On a final note, all Club's Choice order forms and money are due on Monday, March 28th to Mrs. Sexe or Mr. Pedersen. I look forward to seeing you all at either 5th Grade Solo Night on Monday, April 4th or 6-8th Grade Solo Night on Tuesday, April 5th.

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Continue full octave Bb scales
• Continue Chromatic Scale
• Rehearse full page pieces
• Continue Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Page 28 #147
2. Page 40 Concert Bb #1, 2
3. Chromatic Scale
1. Begin playing as quarters up and down

Music Rehearsal:

1. Dragons of Komodo
1. Reinforce triplet rhythms and practice counting and playing
2. Reinforce off-beat entrances in percussion
3. Begin full runs
2. Rock, Roll, Row Your Boat
1. Reinforce melody sections
2. Perform in Sections
3. Let’s Rock
1. Perform full runs
4. Sultan’s Saber
1. Begin playing in cut-time
5. Possibly distribute new tunes

6th Band:

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Rehearse/Read Music
• Continue Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: Bb, Eb, F, Ab in EE Pg. 40
2. Chromatic Scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. Year of the Dragon
1. Collect
2. All the King’s Men
1. Perform full runs
3. Bay Town Festival
1. Read through and begin working in sections
1. Identify any new rhythms or markings
4. Russian Sailor’s Dance
1. Distribute and read through

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Read and Begin Rehearsing New Spring Concert Pieces
• Continue Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
1. Alternate articulation patterns
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Loch Lomond
1. Rehearse 6/8 section for supporting parts
2. Begin incorporating rubato
2. Mambo Cubano
1. Begin rehearsing syncopated sections and isolating problem rhythms
2. Reinforce percussion parts with counting and performing technique
3. Blue Ridge Rhapsody
1. Re-read and discuss
4. Tailspin
1. Read through and discuss

High School

Objectives:

• Continue rehearsing major scales
• Soloists rehearse with accompanist
• Continue rehearsing with Solo Contest Ensembles
• Percussion Ensemble Rehearsal
• Sax Ensemble Rehearsal
• Finalize Concert Selections

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s
1. Change articulation pattern

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. March King March
1. Play through and decide yes/no
2. Continue looking for another possible march option
3. As if On Wings
4. Yorkshire Ballad
1. Discuss proper balance of long-line vs. moving parts
2. Begin incorporating shaping elements
5. Celebration and Dance
1. Begin incorporating articulations and accents
2. Move Brandon to timpani
3. Continue working with clarinets on the mixed-meter sections
4. Begin isolating the middle slow section for shaping

March 21-25 Happenings

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Continue full octave Bb scales
• Continue Chromatic Scale
• Rehearse full page pieces
• Continue Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Page 28 #147
2. Page 40 Concert Bb #1, 2
3. Chromatic Scale
1. Begin playing as quarters up and down

Music Rehearsal:

1. Chesapeake March
1. Collect
2. Dragons of Komodo
1. Reinforce triplet rhythms and practice counting and playing
2. Reinforce off-beat entrances in percussion
3. Begin full runs
3. Rock, Roll, Row Your Boat
1. Reinforce melody sections
2. Perform in Sections
4. Let’s Rock
1. Perform full runs
5. Sultan’s Saber
1. Begin playing in cut-time
6. Possibly distribute new tunes

6th Band:

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Rehearse/Read Music
• Continue Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: Bb, Eb, F, Ab in EE Pg. 40
2. Chromatic Scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. Year of the Dragon
1. Collect
2. All the King’s Men
1. Perform full runs
3. Bay Town Festival
1. Read through and begin working in sections
1. Identify any new rhythms or markings
4. Theme and Fanfare
1. Distribute and Read
5. Possibly distribute new piece

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Read and Begin Rehearsing New Spring Concert Pieces
• Continue Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
1. Alternate articulation patterns
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Loch Lomond
1. Rehearse 6/8 section for supporting parts
2. Begin incorporating rubato
2. Mambo Cubano
1. Begin rehearsing syncopated sections and isolating problem rhythms
2. Reinforce percussion parts with counting and performing technique
3. Distribute New Pieces and Read
1. Blue Ridge Rhapsody

High School

Objectives:

• Continue rehearsing major scales
• Continue rehearsing with Solo Contest Ensembles
• Percussion Ensemble Rehearsal
• Sax Ensemble Rehearsal
• Continue Reading New Music Possibly Make Selection Choices

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s
1. Change articulation pattern

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. March King March
1. Play through and decide yes/no
2. El Capitan
1. Play through and decide yes/no
3. As if On Wings
4. Yorkshire Ballad
5. Celebration and Dance
1. Begin correcting articulations and rhythms

Special Post

To those of you that take the time to visit my blog I want to take a moment to brag. Last night the Graettinger-Terril Band Students in grades 7-12 performed at our annual Pops Concert. I, and the students, all left the performance feeling wonderful about the work they had done. These young people have worked very hard over the past months to prepare and all of their hard work and effort truly paid off. I simply want to say to those that read this that I am extremely proud of these young people! They have decided that okay isn't good enough for their bands and they understand that the only way to improve themselves is through work. So to you students, I say JOB WELL DONE!

Until next time,

Mr. Pedersen

Mar. 14-18 Happenings

All the 7-12 Band Students look forward to seeing you at the Pops Concert on Tuesday at 7:00 in the Graettinger Gym.

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Continue full octave Bb scales
• Continue Chromatic Scale
• Rehearse full page pieces
• Begin Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Page 28 #147
2. Chromatic Scale
1. Refresh on playing ascending, and continue playing one-at-a-time descending

Music Rehearsal:

1. Chesapeake March
1. Reinforce counting and independence
2. Continue performing in large sections
2. Dragons of Komodo
1. Reinforce triplet rhythms and practice counting and playing
2. Reinforce off-beat entrances in percussion
3. Begin full runs
3. Rock, Roll, Row Your Boat
1. Reinforce melody sections
2. Perform in Sections
4. Possibly distribute new tunes

6th Band:

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Rehearse/Read Music
• Begin Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: Bb, Eb, F, Ab in EE Pg. 40
2. Chromatic Scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. Year of the Dragon
1. Perform Full Run
2. All the King’s Men
1. Perform full runs
3. Bay Town Festival
1. Read through and begin working in sections
1. Identify any new rhythms or markings
4. Theme and Fanfare
1. Distribute and Read

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Perform Pops Concert
• Begin Solo Spotlight

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
1. Alternate articulation patterns
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
1. Perform full runs
2. When You Believe
1. Perform full runs
3. Loch Lomond
1. Rehearse 6/8 section for supporting parts
2. Begin incorporating rubato
4. Mambo Cubano
1. Begin rehearsing syncopated sections and isolating problem rhythms
2. Reinforce percussion parts with counting and performing technique
5. Possibly Distribute New Music

High School

Objectives:

• Perform Pops Concer
• Continue rehearsing major scales
• Continue rehearsing with Solo Contest Ensembles
• Begin Reading New Music

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s
1. Change articulation pattern

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Eagles Medley
1. Full Runs
2. Beatles Medley
1. Full Runs
3. 80’s Medley
1. Full Runs
4. Distribute and read through potential Large Group/Fine Arts Concert music
1. March King March, El Capitan
2. Celebration and Dance
3. Yorkshire Ballad
4. As if On Wings
5. Others as Possible
1. Read Through and work lightly, turn in Pops Music

Mar. 7-11 Happenings

Attention: The Pops Concert will take place Tuesday, March 15th in the Graettinger Gym. Please come and support our HS Choir, 7/8th Band, and High School Band as they have all worked very hard this winter and will present a great show that evening. The 7/8th Band will begin at 7:00 so come early.

Middle School

5th Band

Objectives:

• Continue full octave Bb scales
• Continue Chromatic Scale
• Rehearse full page pieces

Warm-Up:

1. Page 28 #147
2. Chromatic Scale
1. Refresh on playing ascending, and begin playing one-at-a-time descending

Music Rehearsal:

1. Chesapeake March
1. Reinforce counting and independence
2. Continue performing in large sections
2. Dragons of Komodo
1. Reinforce triplet rhythms and practice counting and playing
2. Reinforce rest counting between 4/4 and 2/4
3. Begin full runs
3. Rock, Roll, Row Your Boat
1. Begin rehearsing in sections

6th Band:

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Rehearse/Read Music

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: Bb, Eb, F, Ab in EE Pg. 40
2. Chromatic Scale

Music Rehearsal:

1. Year of the Dragon
1. Perform Full Run
2. Signed, Sealed, Delivered
1. Perform full runs
3. All the King’s Men
1. Reinforce and identify the road map for the piece
2. Perform full runs
4. Bay Town Festival and Theme and Fanfare
1. Read through and begin working in sections
2. Identify any new rhythms or markings

7/8th Band

Objectives:

• Continue scale rehearsal
• Rehearse Pops Music

Warm-Up:

1. Play through Concert Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, and D
1. Continue playing scales in cut-time
2. Play one major scale in a 3rds pattern
3. Play Chromatic Scale
1. Alternate articulation patterns
4. Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go
1. Continue incorporating articulations
2. Work with upper woodwinds on melody sections
3. Perform full runs
2. When You Believe
1. Continue working with flute on opening melody
2. Work with alto saxes to not overplay
3. Continue incorporating dynamic markings
4. Reinforce looking at the Rit.
5. Perform full runs
3. Possibly begin looking at Loch Lomond
1. Read through opening and ending sections in 4/4

High School

Objectives:

• Rehearse Pops Concert Pieces
• Continue rehearsing major scales
• Continue rehearsing with Solo Contest Ensembles
• Begin Reading New Music

Warm-Up:

1. Play through all Major Concert Scales
1. Begin playing scales in cut-time
2. Goal of all scales in 2 minutes
2. Play one key in 3rds
3. Play one relative-minor scale
1. Natural Minor
2. Harmonic Minor
4. Play Chromatic Scale 3x’s
1. Change articulation pattern

Tune

Music Rehearsal:

1. Eagles Medley
1. Continue playing full runs, focusing on watching at transitions
2. Incorporate dynamic contrast and articulations
2. Beatles Medley
1. Work with flutes/clarinets on Hard Day’s Night chromatic passage
2. Reinforce musical shaping of sections
3. Continue playing full runs, focusing on watching at transitions
3. 80’s Medley
1. Continue working on forte-piano crescendos
2. Begin developing greater dynamic contrast between sections
3. Continue playing full runs, focusing on watching at transitions
4. Distribute and read through potential Large Group/Fine Arts Concert music
1. Marches
2. Mixed-Meter
3. Slow/Lyrical
4. Hold any possible pieces in folders and turn in obvious “No”