Sept. 30-Oct. 4 Happenings

5th

This week we will be continuing individual lessons. Because of the early out on Tuesday, all Tuesday lessons will be held on Wednesday so please plan accordingly. Students should be practicing the first five notes in their lesson books on pages 4 and 5. All wind players should be focusing on tonguing each note when they begin playing and practicing tonguing multiple notes on each pitch.

Middle School

6th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales from EE Book
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythmic accuracy

Warm-Up:

• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, Ab #1, 2
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. The Year of the Dragon
1. Rehearse transition between slow and fast sections
2. Discuss articulations with winds for fast passages
3. Isolate sixteenth note passage in saxophones
2. A Celebration Overture
1. Isolate melody and counter lines beginning at measure 5
2. Reinforce opening section, emphasizing crescendos and accents
3. Establish balance within the percussion section
3. Falcon Fanfare
1. Distribute and read

7/8th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythm and listening

Warm-Up:

• Concert Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. Silver Star March
1. Begin increasing performance tempo
2. Focus on dynamic contrasts between sections
3. Continue focusing on low brass for bass line melody section
2. The Invincible Warrior
1. Incorporate dynamic changes
2. Identify and incorporate articulations
3. Perform full runs
3. At the Crossroads
1. Begin establishing style of melody between sections
2. Identify melody and counter lines
3. Focus on accuracy of performance with accidentals

High School

Objectives:

• Establish rehearsal routine/expectations
• Rehearse pieces for the Fall Concert
• Football Game
• Begin concert program and publicity
• Finalize Jazz Band Audition Information

Warm-Up:

• Major Scales
• 3rds in given key
• Chromatic
• Bach Chorale 

Music Rehearsal:

1. Torch of Liberty
1. Work to balance within percussion section
2. Isolate off-beat passages and rehearse
3. Reinforce dynamic contrasts
4. Continue to refine march style articulation
2. Crossings in Time
1. Refine intonation within sections 
2. Reinforce tempos and transitions
3. Continue to challenge soft dynamic playing and delicate entrances
3. The Old Castle
1. Isolate opening measures with chimes
2. Isolate melody in clarinets, flutes, and saxophones
3. Reinforce proper tempi and transitions
4. Begin performing full runs

Sep. 23-27 Happenings

5th

This week we will begin band lessons. At this point we are not ready to have full band, but we will begin rehearsing our first five notes in lessons. Students should be working on pages 4 and 5 in their lesson books, with a focus on playing, memorizing, and identifying the first five notes.

Middle School

6th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales from EE Book
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythmic accuracy

Warm-Up:

• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, Ab #1, 2
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. Summer Sand
1. Rehearse in sections
2. Focus on entrances and ending points (cut-offs)
3. Begin incorporating dynamic contrasts
2. The Year of the Dragon
1. Rehearse transition between slow and fast sections
2. Discuss articulations with winds for fast passages
3. Reinforce counting and rhythmic accuracy in the opening section
3. A Celebration Overture
1. Distribute and read 

7/8th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales
• Collect marching lyres
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythm and listening

Warm-Up:

• Concert Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. Silver Star March
1. Identify and isolate sections for form
2. Experiment with varying articulation types to determine what best fits
3. Begin focusing on low brass for bass line and melody 
2. The Invincible Warrior
1. Reinforce areas with counting/rhythmic challenges
2. Incorporate dynamic changes
3. Identify and incorporate articulations
3. At the Crossroads
1. Distribute and read

High School

Objectives:

• Establish rehearsal routine/expectations
• Reinforce warm-up procedures and tuning expectations
• Rehearse pieces for the Fall Concert

Warm-Up:

• Major Scales
• 3rds in given key
• Chromatic
• Bach Chorale 

Music Rehearsal:

1. Torch of Liberty
1. Continue to reinforce together entrances and release points
2. Work to balance within percussion section
3. Isolate off-beat passages and rehearse
4. Reinforce dynamic contrasts
2. Crossings in Time
1. Isolate first 1/2
2. Focus on intonation within sections 
3. Rehearse balance between sections
4. Define tempos and transitions
3. The Old Castle
1. Isolate opening measures with brass solos
2. Define shaping of dotted quarter passages and sustained passages
3. Isolate melody in clarinets and low ww voices

Sept. 16-20 Happenings

5th

This week I will be meeting with all of the band students at least once. Monday will be percussion, Tuesday/Thursday brass, and Wednesday/Friday will be woodwinds. This week we will cover the basic hand positions and instruments with the percussion, fundamentals of holding instruments and begin playing with brass, and fundamentals of holding instruments, reed care and assembly, and begin playing with woodwinds. If all goes well, there should be some interesting sounding to be heard in Graettinger and Terril by the end of this week!


Middle School

6th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales from EE Book
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythmic accuracy

Warm-Up:

• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, Ab #1, 2
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. Summer Sand
1. Isolate counting of 3/4
2. Rehearse in short passages focusing on feeling in 3
2. The Year of the Dragon
1. Perform full run if possible
2. Isolate passages with counting, focus on entrances and rhythmic correctness
3. Rehearse transition between slow and fast sections
3. Possibly distribute new piece

7/8th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales
• Collect marching lyres
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythm and listening

Warm-Up:

• Concert Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. March
1. Identify and isolate sections for form
2. Experiment with varying articulation types to determine what best fits
3. Perform in sections
2. The Invincible Warrior
1. Begin rehearsing in sections
2. Isolate areas with counting/rhythmic challenges
3. Incorporate dynamic changes
3. Possibly distribute a new piece

High School

Objectives:

• Establish rehearsal routine/expectations
• Post chair placements and distribute folders/music
• Begin reading pieces for the Fall Concert

Warm-Up:

• Major Scales
• 3rds in given key
• Chromatic
• Bach Chorale 

Music Rehearsal:

1. Begin reading pieces distributed
1. Talk through meter, key, form, feel
2. Attempt full runs on every piece
3. Make selections by Tuesday 
4. Begin rehearsing selected pieces

Sept. 9-13 Happenings

5th

Monday woodwinds will meet to discuss the parts of their instruments as well as assembly

Tuesday brass will meet to discuss the parts of their instruments as well as assembly


Middle School

6th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales from EE Book
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythmic accuracy

Warm-Up:

• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, Ab #1, 2
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. Summer Sand
1. Isolate counting of 3/4
2. Rehearse in short passages focusing on feeling in 3
2. The Year of the Dragon
1. Perform full run if possible
2. Begin rehearsing in sections

7/8th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales
• Prepare SSB and School Song for Homecoming
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythm and listening

Warm-Up:

• Concert Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. March
1. Identify and isolate sections for form
2. Reinforce listening and matching articulation
3. Perform in sections
2. The Invincible Warrior
1. Discuss sight-reading techniques
2. Perform full runs if possible
3. Begin rehearsing in sections
3. School Song
1. Distribute and read through
2. Isolate opening for articulation length
4. SSB
1. Distribute and read through
2. Isolate percussion opening and phrasing

High School

Objectives:

• Chair Placements
• Practice Marching
• Coronation, Parades, Homecoming Game

Warm-Up:

• Major Scales
• 3rds in given key
• Chromatic
• Bach Chorale 

Music Rehearsal:

1. Hush
1. Isolate solo section
2. Stand and mark time
2. Rehearse Outside
1. Perform in Parade Block
2. Isolate solo section
3. Reinforce horns up and horns down times

Sept. 3-6 Happenings

5th

Our 5th grade rental night will be held on Sept. 6th beginning at 6:00 in the Terril Lunch Room. I hope to see you all there with your young musicians!

Middle School

6th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales from EE Book
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythmic accuracy

Warm-Up:

• EE Pg. 40 Bb, Eb, F, Ab #1, 2
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. Distribute new music
1. Discuss sight-reading techniques
2. Perform full runs if possible
3. Begin rehearsing in sections

7/8th

Objectives:

• Rehearse major scales
• Rehearse concert pieces, focusing on rhythm and listening

Warm-Up:

• Concert Major Scales: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G, D
• 3rds
• Chromatic

Music Rehearsal:

1. March
1. Identify and isolate sections for form
2. Reinforce listening and matching articulation
3. Perform in sections
2. The Invincible Warrior
1. Discuss sight-reading techniques
2. Perform full runs if possible
3. Begin rehearsing in sections

High School

Objectives:

• Chair Placements
• Learn HUSH and begin marking time
• Distribute and rehearse assorted pep band music

Warm-Up:

• Major Scales
• 3rds in given key
• Chromatic
• Bach Chorale 

Music Rehearsal:

1. Hush
1. Isolate like-rhythmic passages
2. Introduce dynamic concepts
3. Isolate solo section
4. Stand and mark time
2. Read assorted pep music for RA and incoming GT students
1. Mickey
2. Land of 1,000 Dances
3. Old Time R & R
4. Hawaii 5-O
5. Lean on Me
6. Gonna Make You Sweat
7. Others as time allows