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