Band Assignment due 11/7/13

Advanced Band:

Great rehearsal yesterday. Please continue to learn your parts with special attention to stylistic elements we addressed in class.

Continue to practice your scales daily.

Study and memorize the Circle of Fifths worksheet.

Rhythm and Beyond book: p 16-18. Complete written exercises. Study and play these rhythms on a single pitch.

Practice all of the sheet music: Pictures, Korean, Armed Forces, Processional, Hornpipe.

Concert at Iris Place next week. Look for an email with all the details! Andrew will prepare a 30 second introduction to Pictures and Katie will do the same for Hornpipe. Please send to me by Monday evening so I can give feedback.

I'm very proud of the progress you've made! Have a wonderful week and practice hard!

Hey, Intermediate Band members!! Here is your assignment:
-Read Psalm 100 and James 1 (all of both chapters)
-Remember these: God loves you; Jesus died for you; He wants you with Him.
-Practice both B flat and E flat scales.
-Practice your concert music.
Piece of cake, right? Love you guys.....

Beginning Band:

Great first rehearsal with band instruments yesterday!  Be sure to practice regularly this week for 20-30 minutes per day, 5-6 days per week.  As you know, consistent practice is what really pays off!

Recorder:
-  Work on finishing all Recorder Karate pass-offs.  Next rehearsal is the last day to pass-off and the last day I
   will accept practice records counting toward the MVP award.
-  Work on "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Ode to Joy" for our Fall Concert on Nov. 14.

Band Instrument:
-  Be sure to watch your Startup video on the DVD that came with your Essential Elements book.
-  Tap, clap and buzz/crow rhythms on p. 42 m. 1-12.
-  Brass students:  Practice buzzing low, middle and high pitches on mouthpiece.
-  Woodwind students:  Practice crowing on your mouthpiece.  Work to get a strong, steady tone.

* Please don't forget that we will be meeting from 12:30-1:15pm this week at Beech Haven.  Be sure to join us to fellowship with the residents at Iris Place following our rehearsal.

Band Assignement due 10/31/13

Beginning Band:

Be sure to have your instrument, stand, care kit and pencil for class on Oct. 31.  I will have your Essential Element books ready to give you that day.  I'm so excited about our first day with instruments!!!

- Practice "Amazing Grace" and more with CD and without.  We have two students with black belts now.  I'd love to have all of you with them next week!  =-)
- BE SURE TO LEARN YOUR NOTE NAMES AND FINGERINGS THOROUGHLY THROUGH PRACTICE. DON'T GET BEHIND!

I'm super proud of the evidence of practice I see.  Keep up the great work!Karen

Advanced Band:

Great rehearsal yesterday. Please continue to learn your parts.

October pass-offs continue with Andrew. I'm glad Andrew is due to get his cast off soon! Andrew, thanks for coming to band and being such a great band groupie while you healed!

Continue to practice your scales daily.

Study and memorize the Circle of Fifths worksheet.

Rhythm and Beyond book: p 15. Complete written exercises. Study and play these rhythms on a single pitch.

Practice all of the sheet music: Pictures, Korean, Armed Forces, Processional, Hornpipe.

Order of rehearsal: Pictures, Hornpipe, Armed Forces, Korean, Processional.

Band Assignment due 10/24/13

Beginning Band:

Much accomplished in a short time today- thanks to our awesome students!  Everyone has just about decided the instrument they intend to play.  Be sure to have your instrument, stand, care kit and pencil for class on Oct. 31.  I will have your Essential Element books ready to give you that day.

- Practice "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and more with CD and without.  I'd love to have more black belt recipients in
  class next week!
- BE SURE TO LEARN YOUR NOTE NAMES AND FINGERINGS THOROUGHLY THROUGH PRACTICE.  We
  will be adding on more new notes next rehearsal.  DON'T GET BEHIND!

Intermediate assignment:
Practice both scales, GMEA style, with arpeggios.
Continue to practice all of your pieces....we will play each one next week.
Thanks for working on them! Y'all sound FABULOUS!!

Advanced Band:
Our music is starting to shape up nicely. Please continue to learn your parts.

October pass-offs continue with Nate and Matt. This will happen at the beginning of our rehearsal.

Continue to practice your scales daily.

Study and memorize the Circle of Fifths worksheet.

Rhythm and Beyond book: p 14 Syncopation. Complete written exercises. Study and play these rhythms on a single pitch.

Practice all of the sheet music: Pictures, Korean, Armed Forces, Processional, Hornpipe.

Order of rehearsal: Pictures, Hornpipe, Armed Forces. If we have time we will rehearse the other stuff.

Two rehearsals remain before our first concert!

Band Assignment due 10/17/13

Advanced Band Assignment:

Nice progress was evident today!

We have only three rehearsal days until our concert at Iris Place. The Fall Concert is the week after that on November 14.  Keep up the good work!

October pass-offs continue next week. Daniel and Matt will play 8 major scales.

Warm-up: Nothing is more important than a good warm-up session before beginning your practice.  Brass should rotate through all the lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard. Katie, regular warm-up. Andrew, continue to rotate through the Chromatic Warm-ups that begin on p14 of Hilliard. Play in whole notes slurring the two notes of each bar and breathing at the bar line. Proper breathing will help all of you increase your lung capacity.

Scales: Your are responsible for learning the GMEA scales for your grade level plus chromatic scale entire range of your instrument. These (major) scales are your October pass-off!  We will have two people a day pass-off their scale sheet beginning October. Remember if want grading for credit all pass-offs are required.

Link for scales and etudes (print out): http://www.gmea.org.php53-10.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/band/all-state-band/

 Continue to work on the circle of fifths worksheet. Study and memorize.       

Rhythm and Beyond book:  Read and study p12-13. Complete all written work and exercises.

Sheet music: Hornpipe, Pictures at an Exhibition, Armed Forces, Processional, Korean Folk Rhapsody. Learn your parts with attention to dynamics and articulation. I'm depending on you to know your parts on all of these pieces! 

Just for Nate:  Practice rudiments with metronome. Demonstrate 4 rudiments for class next week, your choice. 12 major scales on bells. Your pass-off will include (in addition to scales) 4 rudiments of your choice. Here is a link to a website that has all of the rudiments with video:
 http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.php
Watch and learn.

Intermediate Band:
Practice both Eflat and Bflat scales.
Practice ALL of your pieces...."Armed Forces on Parade", "Declaration and Dance", "Waltz of the Weiner Dog", "New South Wales", and "America" (in Essential Elements)....be prepared for a pass-off on "Declaration".

Beginning Band Assignment:

Wow!  Lots of pass offs Thursday!  Please be sure to practice some every day.  We have a concert coming up on Nov. 14 during which we will perform on our recorders.  I am listening for the pieces you play really well...

- Work on breathing exercises we did in class.  Remember Fat Albert/Superman breath!
- Always practice good posture and hand position
- Don't forget to avoid squeaks and problems by:
  1) using "steam the window" trick when blowing air into recorder
  2) squeezing fingers to form recorder warts on fingers (make sure pads of fingers are flat on holes)
  3) articulate by saying "tu"
- Practice "When the Saints Go Marching In" and more with CD and without.
- BE SURE TO LEARN YOUR NOTE NAMES AND FINGERINGS THOROUGHLY THROUGH PRACTICE.  We
  will be adding on more new notes next rehearsal.  DON'T GET BEHIND!

* Instrument testing will occur this coming Thursday, Oct. 17.  Please make every effort to have you and your student at this rehearsal.  I hope to have everyone decide on their instrument that day.  I hope the students are as excited as I am!  =-)

Band Assignment, due 10/3/13

Advanced Band Assignment:

Because of your good preparation, we had a fruitful rehearsal yesterday.

October pass-offs start next week. See below.

Warm-up: Nothing is more important than a good warm-up session before beginning your practice.  Brass should rotate through all the lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard. Katie, regular warm-up. Andrew, continue to rotate through the Chromatic Warm-ups that begin on p14 of Hilliard. Play in whole notes slurring the two notes of each bar and breathing at the bar line. Proper breathing will help all of you increase your lung capacity.

Scales: Your are responsible for learning the GMEA scales for your grade level plus chromatic scale entire range of your instrument. These (major) scales are your October pass-off!  We will have two people a day pass-off their scale sheet beginning October 3. Sign-up for your pass-off date next week at band! Remember if want grading for credit all pass-offs are required.

Link for scales and etudes (print out): http://www.gmea.org.php53-10.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/band/all-state-band/

 Memorize (or review) the order of flats and sharps. Present to class a unique mneumonic device for each, ie, "Better Eat Another Dozen Greasy Chicken Fingers" but make up your own. Be creative! Thanks to Katie for sharing her awesome mneumonic for the order of flats!

Rhythm and Beyond book:  Read and study p10. Complete all written work and exercises.

Sheet music: Hornpipe, Pictures at an Exhibition, Armed Forces, Processional, Korean Folk Rhapsody. Mark phrases with breath marks in your part. We will address breathing issues.

Just for Nate:  Practice rudiments with metronome. Demonstrate 4 rudiments for class next week, your choice. 12 major scales on bells. Your pass-off will include (in addition to scales) 4 rudiments of your choice. Here is a link to a website that has all of the rudiments with video:
 http://www.vicfirth.com/education/rudiments.php
Watch and learn.

We have a concert on November 7th at Iris Place. Top contenders for program are Pictures at an Exhibition and Hornpipe. (Armed Forces is confirmed)


Intermediate Band Assignment, due 10/3/13:

*Hilliard, pp. 18-19 (again) and 33 #1, everyone
*Hilliard, p. 25 #3, flutes and clarinets (flutes, upper octave)
*There will be a pass-off on an eight-measure passage from the "New South Wales"....somewhere from measure 1 through measure 42....be on your toes!
*Essential Elements, p. 182 #36.
*And, keep practicing "Armed Forces on Parade"

Have fun practicing!!

Beginning Band Assignment:

Great work yesterday in working on your Recorder Karate pass-offs!  Please be sure to practice some every day.  There results of diligent practice are amazing for the listener and fun for the performer!

- Always practice good posture and hand position
- Don't forget to avoid squeaks and problems by:
  1) using "steam the window" trick when blowing air into recorder
  2) squeezing fingers to form recorder warts on fingers (make sure pads of fingers are flat on holes)
  3) articulate by saying "tu"
- Practice "It's Raining", "Old MacDonald" and more with CD.  Don't forget to leave the CD at home to use.
- BE SURE TO LEARN YOUR NOTE NAMES AND FINGERINGS THOROUGHLY THROUGH PRACTICE.  We
  will be adding on more new notes next rehearsal.  DON'T GET BEHIND!
- Bring 3 facts about the brass family of instruments to class.  Try to teach me something I don't know.  =-)

Assignment, due 9/26/13

Beginning Band:
Great rehearsal today!  So proud of the lines passed off and the hours practiced last week!  Keep up the great work!
Mrs. Karen
- Always practice good posture and hand position
- Don't forget to avoid squeaks and problems by:
  1) using "steam the window" trick when blowing air into recorder
  2) squeezing fingers to form recorder warts on fingers (make sure pads of fingers are flat on holes)
  3) articulate by saying "tu"
- Practice "It's Raining", "Old MacDonald" and more with CD.  Don't forget to leave the CD at home to use.
- BE SURE TO LEARN YOUR NOTE NAMES AND FINGERINGS THOROUGHLY THROUGH PRACTICE.  We will be adding on more new notes next rehearsal.  DON'T GET BEHIND!
- Bring 3 facts about the percussion family of instruments to class.  Try to teach me something I don't know.  =-)

Intermediate Band:
Hilliard book: page 25, #3 for EVERYONE
Hilliard book: pages 18-19, all numbers, brass only
"Armed Forces on Parade": work on the six-eight passage...if needed, write your rhythm counts underneath in pencil.
Essential Elements: #122, #124, #126, #129, #131 (beginning on page 24)
Have a great week!!
 
Advanced Band:
You are making good progress! Daily practice is the key to improvement:

Warm-up: Nothing is more important than a good warm-up session before beginning your practice.  Brass should rotate through all the lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard. Katie, regular warm-up. Andrew, continue to rotate through the Chromatic Warm-ups on p14 of Hilliard. Play in whole notes slurring the two notes of each bar and breathing at the bar line.

Scales: Your are responsible for learning the GMEA scales for your grade level plus chromatic scale entire range of your instrument. These (major) scales are your October pass-off!  We will have two people a day pass-off their scale sheet beginning October 3. Sign-up for your pass-off date next week at band! Remember if want grading for credit all pass-offs are required.

Link for scales and etudes (print out): http://www.gmea.org.php53-10.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/band/all-state-band/

New: Memorize (or review) the order of flats and sharps. Present to class a unique mneumonic device for each, ie, "Better Eat Another Dozen Greasy Chicken Fingers" but make up your own. Be creative!

Rhythm and Beyond book:  Read and study p6-9. Complete all written work and exercises.

Sheet music: Hornpipe, Pictures at an Exhibition, Armed Forces, Processional, Korean Folk Rhapsody.

Just for Nate:  Practice all rudiments with metronome. Demonstrate 4 rudiments for class next week, your choice. 12 major scales on bells.

We have a concert on November 7th at Iris Place!

Band Assignment due 9/12/13

Intermediate Band:
B flat scale
Essential Elements: #103, page 20 and #106 and #109 (both lines) page 21.
Hilliard: page 24, #1 and page 33, #1
"Armed Forces on Parade": Letter B to Letter C and Letter E to the six-eight section.
Happy practicing!!

Advanced Band:
I'm honored to be your instructor for this semester!  I hope to challenge and inspire you to new musical heights. Ms. Rachel

A friendly reminder: As a member of this group, you've committed to practicing a minimum of 45 minutes per day, 6 days per week.

Warm-up: Nothing is more important than a good warm-up session. Brass should rotate through the lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard. Katie, you should play your regular warm-up from lessons. Andrew, rotate through the Chromatic Warm-ups beginning on p. 14 of Hilliard. Play slowly and slur each interval.

Scales: You are responsible for learning the GMEA scales for your grade level. By the end of this semester, you will know all 12 major scales. Use Hilliard book as a reference for scales. Chromatic scale entire range of your instrument.

Rhythm and Beyond book: We will review simple rhythms. Read p. 6 and 7. We will discuss this material so be prepared to answer questions from these pages. Write beats in Exercises 2, 4, and 6. Complete rhythm review matching on bottom of p. 7.  Yes, this should be super easy for you but I have a purpose for this! Trust me.

Pass-off: As discussed in class, play a familiar hymn by ear for the class.

Sheet music:
Processional
Hornpipe

Lots of new music coming next week.  Thanks for a great sight-reading session yesterday. Have a great week and practice!

Summer Camp Forms

Summer Band Camp 2013

Summer Band Camp

Hosted by Athens Area Homeschool Band
When: August 12—15 from 9:00-12:00pm
Concert 1:00pm on the 15th
Where: Beech Haven Baptist Church, Athens
*Bring a lunch if you'd like to picnic at a park with us!
Who: Ages 9 and up. Camp classes are for beginners and experienced players.
How Much: $30 per student for the entire camp.
Contact: Karen 770-235-7484 or knmeuph@gmail.com
Registration forms:

Summer Band Forms

Band Assignment due 3/28/13

Beginning Band
Hello, all! Rehearse the following:
*Aunt Rhodie's Appetite
*Festive March
*Ode to Joy (I believe it's on page 14 in your books)

We will perform both "Aunt Rhodie" and "Ode" next week at Lanier Gardens. Have a blessed weekend and Holy Week!

Intermediate:
Remember to practice and bring your music for "This is my Country, " and "Calypso Bay" also for the Lanier performance!
Nate and Jack, see my note on the Intermediate assignment. (Rachel Simmons)

Warm-up on long tones for woodwinds and lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard for brass, p19 #1-#6, rotating 2-3 per day.  For long tones I suggest the Chromatic Warm-ups beginning on p14. Spend 5-10 minutes working on your tone. This will ensure a productive practice session.

Brass:  Next week please warmup with lip flexibility exercises 5-10 minutes before class.  We won't do these in class.  Woodwinds: warmup with chromatic warmups or long tones before class.

All of the following must be practiced daily with your metronome:

Scales: Practice each at least once a day. Hilliard p24 #1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15, 17, 19, 21, and 23. Practice all of the different articulations.  It is important to maintain your ability to play these scales.  You worked hard to learn them and you want to keep them sharp! Play the new scales in whole notes, then half notes, quarters, and so forth until you know them fluently.

Chromatic Scales: p60 and 61. Practice 2 per day. Also, using the fingering chart from your Essential Elements book, begin to learn the entire range of your instrument as a chromatic scale. This scale is your March pass-off! The correct range for your instrument is either the range on the fingering chart or from the GMEA requirements, whichever is greater.

I will listen to chromatic scale pass-offs next week before or after our performance.  Congratulations to Kyle and Nate for already passing off. Slow tempos are always welcomed.

Rhythm studies p62, follow the instructions at the top of the page practicing #1-#4.

Sheet music: Calypso Bay, Amazing Grace Chorale, God Bless America, This is my Country, and More Cowbell. (We will perform these at Lanier Gardens!) We will perform "This is my Country," and "Calypso Bay" at Lanier.

Nate and Jack: I want you both to play the snare solo in "This is my Country" so be prepared  on Thursday to practice this together immediately before the performance.

 Practice 6 days a week minimum of 45 minutes per session.  Make practice time a scheduled part of your homeschool day, just like math and science.  Don't save it for last and don't plan to practice "if you have time." You must make time.  You will be amazed and delighted with the results.

New terms to define:  enharmonic, chord, arpeggio, tonic, dominant, chromatic scale, intervals, meter, tempo, zucchini. (Continue to memorize these definitions)

Advanced:

Warm-up:
- Hilliard, Lip Flexibility p.19.  Rotate through #1-#6. Play 3 a day.

Scales:
- Practice all 12 major scales the range of your instrument.  If in question about # of octaves per scale,consult GMEA All-State Band scales Grade 11-12.


Book:
* Clap and count syncopated rhythms in Ployhar p.27 #13
* Play Ployhar p. 26 #14 with pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Pieces:  (Be sure to utilize your metronome when practicing these pieces!)
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (be sure to subdivide the beat with a metronome while you practice)
- March Grandioso
- Hornpipe from Water Music

Jazz:
- p.6-9 practice all excercises and "Uncle Milo's Sideshow"
- keep practicing "Jammin' With Charlie"

* Be sure to meet at 1:30pm on March 28 at the back entrance of Lanier Gardens.  You will only need your Hilliard book, March Grandioso and Eine Kleine.  Be sure to wear your band uniform!   =-)

Band Assigment due 3/21/13

Advanced:

Warm-up:
- Hilliard, Lip Flexibility p.19.  Rotate through #1-#6. Play 3 a day.

Scales:
- Practice all 12 major scales the range of your instrument.  If in question about # of octaves per scale,consult GMEA All-State Band scales Grade 11-12.

Book:
* Clap and count syncopated rhythms in Ployhar p.27 #13
* Play Ployhar p. 26 #14 with pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Pieces:  (Be sure to utilize your metronome when practicing these pieces!)
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (be sure to subdivide the beat with a metronome while you practice)
- March Grandioso
- Hornpipe from Water Music

Jazz:
- p.6-9 practice all excercises and "Uncle Milo's Sideshow"

Intermediate:
Very proud of your playing at SoloFest today!  Thanks for giving it your best! I will provide everyone with a copy of their judges sheets next Thursday.
And, if I may interject (this is Ms. J.), don't forget we need to cast "Aunt Rhodie".  I'll speak with Ms. R. and Ms. K. about the best time.  :-)
Warm-up on long tones for woodwinds and lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard for brass, p19 #1-#6, rotating 2-3 per day.  For long tones I suggest the Chromatic Warm-ups beginning on p14. Spend 5-10 minutes working on your tone. This will ensure a productive practice session.

Brass:  Next week please warmup with lip flexibility exercises 5-10 minutes before class.  We won't do these in class.  Woodwinds: warmup with chromatic warmups or long tones.

All of the following must be practiced daily with your metronome:

Scales: Practice each at least once a day. Hilliard p24 #1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15, 17, 19, 21, and 23. Practice all of the different articulations.  It is important to maintain your ability to play these scales.  You worked hard to learn them and you want to keep them sharp! Play the new scales in whole notes, then half notes, quarters, and so forth until you know them fluently.

Chromatic Scales: p60 and 61. Practice 2 per day. Also, using the fingering chart from your Essential Elements book, begin to learn the entire range of your instrument as a chromatic scale. This scale is your March pass-off! The correct range for your instrument is either the range on the fingering chart or from the GMEA requirements, whichever is greater.

Rhythm studies p62, follow the instructions at the top of the page practicing #1-#3. Yes, do this another week.

Sheet music: Calypso Bay, Amazing Grace Chorale, God Bless America, This is my Country. (We will perform these at Lanier Gardens!) We are scrapping "21 Guns."
 Practice 6 days a week minimum of 45 minutes per session.  Make practice time a scheduled part of your homeschool day, just like math and science.  Don't save it for last and don't plan to practice "if you have time." You must make time.  You will be amazed and delighted with the results.

If you participated in Solo Festival yesterday, you have passed-off for February!  We will be making arrangements to hear those who couldn't make it yesterday.

New terms to define:  enharmonic, chord, arpeggio, tonic, dominant, chromatic scale, intervals, meter, tempo, zucchini. (Continue to memorize these definitions)

BEGINNER:
*Page 14, #63-65
*Rhythms, #41-48
*"Aunt Rhodie"
*"Festive March", measures 13-26.  LEARN RHYTHMS FIRST!!  (Thanks.)

SO, SO, SO proud of your Solo Festival experiences yesterday!  I knew you could do it!!  God bless.

Band Assignment due 3/7/13

Beginning Band:

- Practice buzzing/crowing long note on your instrument. Use that Fat Albert/Superman breath!
- EE bk. 1: Count, clap and buzz/crow m.21-36
- EE bk. 1: Work on #54-58
- Pass off on #51 this Thursday

So proud of your progress!  Keep up the hard work and practice!  =-)
 
Intermediate Band:

There are NO changes or additions to the assignment from last week. Please refer back to the post before this one. You have much to work on: solo, Capitol Day, etc.

After Capitol Day, turn your focus to your solo because this event is coming up very soon.

A big "thank you" to all who are working so hard to make our band the best we can be!!  Keep up the good work.

Advanced Band:

There are NO changes or additions to the assignment from last week. Please refer back to the post before this one. You have much to work on: solo, Capitol Day, etc.

After Capitol Day, turn your focus to your solo because this event is coming up very soon.

A big "thank you" to all who are working so hard to make our band the best we can be!!  Keep up the good work.

Band Asssignment due 2/28/13

Beginning Band Assignment:

Keep working hard and consistently- practice outside of class is essential to your success!  You are sounding better every week.  =-)

Here's this week's assignment:
-  Essential Elements Book p. 42  count, buzz and play m.21-36
-  EE book practice # 55-57
-  Be sure to work on your solo!  We will pull out folks to work with the accompanists on Thursday.  Only 2 more weeks to prepare!

 Intermediate Band Assignment:

Warm-up on long tones for woodwinds and lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard for brass, p19 #1-#6, rotating 2-3 per day.  For long tones I suggest the Chromatic Warm-ups beginning on p14. Spend 5-10 minutes working on your tone. This will ensure a productive practice session.

All of the following must be practiced daily with your metronome:

Scales: Practice each at least once a day. Hilliard p24 #1,3,5,7,9,11,13, and 15. Practice all of the different articulations.  It is important to maintain your ability to play these scales.  You worked hard to learn them and you want to keep them sharp!

Chromatic Scales: p60 and 61. Practice 2 per day. Also, using the fingering chart from your Essential Elements book, begin to learn the entire range of your instrument as a chromatic scale.

Rhythm studies p62, follow the instructions at the top of the page practicing #1-#3.

Work hard on your solo. Practice the entire solo each day in the following manner: 1. Play all the way through with no stops. 2. Work on trouble spots and iron out any missed notes, rhythms, articulations, or stylistic problems. 3. Play through again with no stops.  This method ensures that you are practicing two "play-throughs" a day.

Sheet music: God Bless America, This is my Country, Amazing Grace Chorale.  Work hard on the sections we worked in rehearsal.  One more rehearsal until our performance at the state Capitol!

Practice 6 days a week minimum of 45 minutes per session.  Make practice time a scheduled part of your homeschool day, just like math and science.  Don't save it for last and don't plan to practice "if you have time." You must make time.  You will be amazed and delighted with the results.

As the instructors hear your solos, we will notify you when you've passed-off.

New terms to define and memorize:  pianississimo (ppp), fortississimo (fff), diminuendo (dim), prestissimo, molto, al dente, arpeggio, scherzo, phrase, glissando.

Advanced Band assignment:

Warm-up:
- Hilliard, Lip Flexibility p.19.  Rotate through #1-#6. Play 3 a day.

Scales:
- Practice all 12 major scales the range of your instrument.  If in question about # of octaves per scale,consult GMEA All-State Band scales Grade 11-12.


Book:
* Clap and count triplet rhythms is Ployhar p.26 #11
* Play Ployhar p. 26 #12 with pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Pieces:  (Be sure to utilize your metronome when practicing these pieces!)
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (be sure to subdivide the beat with a metronome while you practice)
- March Grandioso
- your solo (Be prepared to play with Mrs. Murdock.  Only two more rehearsals with your accompanists left!)

Jazz:
- Jammin With Charlie m.43-55 work on improvising
- p.16-19 work all exercises related to "Buffalo Head"

Much improvement on Eine Kleine and jazz.  Keep up the hard work!  =-)

Band Assignment due 2/21/13

Beginning Band Assignment:

Rhythm studies, page 42, numbers 13-20.
Practice #48, page 11, and numbers 53 and 54, page 12.  Remember to practice both lines of #54.
Continue working on your solo.
Have a great week!!

Intermediate Band Assignment:

Warm-up on long tones for woodwinds and lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard for brass, p19 #1-#6, rotating 2-3 per day.  For long tones I suggest the Chromatic Warm-ups beginning on p14. Spend 5-10 minutes working on your tone. This will ensure a productive practice session.

All of the following must be practiced daily with your metronome:

Scales: Practice each at least once a day. Hilliard p24 #1,3,5,7,9,11,13, and 15. Practice all of the different articulations.

Chromatic Scales: p60 and 61. Practice 2 per day. Also, using the fingering chart from your Essential Elements book, begin to learn the entire range of your instrument as a chromatic scale.

Rhythm studies p62, follow the instructions at the top of the page practicing #1-#3.

Work hard on your solo. Practice the entire solo each day in the following manner: 1. Play all the way through with no stops. 2. Work on trouble spots and iron out any missed notes, rhythms, articulations, or stylistic problems. 3. Play through again with no stops.  This method ensures that you are practicing two "play-throughs" a day.

Terms:  Define and memorize (review) the terms from the February 14th assignment.

Sheet music:  God Bless America, Amazing Grace Chorale, This is my Country.  (Some of you are missing very basic rhythms and notes on our pieces.  You have to practice if we're going to perform the pieces!)

To those band members who are practicing diligently: Keep up the good work!

Remember you are expected to practice 5-6 days per week, 45 minutes minimum.

Advanced Band
Warm-up:
- Hilliard, Lip Flexibility p.19.  Rotate through #1-#6. Play 3 a day.

Scales:
- Practice all 12 major scales the range of your instrument.  If in question about # of octaves per scale,consult GMEA All-State Band scales Grade 11-12.

* Play excerpt of your solo in class as a pass-off.   I'll be calling on you!  =-)

Book:
* Clap and count triplet rhythms is Ployhar p.26 #11
* Play Ployhar p. 26 #12 with pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Pieces:  (Be sure to utilize your metronome when practicing these pieces!)
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (be sure to subdivide the beat with a metronome while you practice)
- March Grandioso
- your solo (be prepared to play excerpt in class)

Jazz:
- Jammin With Charlie m.43-55 work on improvising
- p.16-19 work all exercises related to "Buffalo Head"

Thank you for your hardwork and dedication to our band.  Keep it up!  =-)

Band Assignment 2-14-13

Beginning Band:
*Warm up using the five-note scale, first playing each pitch on whole notes, then half notes, then quarter notes.
*Practice tapping foot to steady beat and subdividing eighth notes in your head.
*Rhythm studies #9 through #16, page 42.
*Practice number 45 (page 10) and numbers 46 through 51 (page 11).
*Continue working on your solo.
Have a great weekend! See you on Valentine's Day!

Intermediate Band:
Warm 5-10 minutes. This will help you have a more productive practice session. Lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard, p 19 rotating through #3-6.

Scales: Keep up and maintain the scales you know by playing them everyday. (Hilliard beginning on p 24) Additional scales to learn:Concert C major, G major, and D major. Always practice slowly at first. Alternate practicing scales with the different articulations shown on p 23.

Chromatic scales: p 60 and 62 #1-#4. Play 2 per day.

Rhythm studies p 62, follow the printed instructions at the top of the page practicing #1-#3.

New terms to memorize: Da capo (D.C.), Dal segno (D.S.), subito, sforzando (sfz.), divisi (div.). Review these terms: Marcato, staccato, legato, ritardando, fermata.

Your solo is the February pass-off. Be ready to play a short excerpt this week.

Amazing Grace Chorale, This is my Country, God Bless America, Calypso Bay.

Keep up the good work! If you haven't been doing good work (not practicing) please get started today! : )

Advanced Band
Warm-up:
- Hilliard, Lip Flexibility p.19.  Rotate through #1-#6. Play 3 a day.

Scales:
- Practice all 12 major scales the range of your instrument.  If in question about # of octaves per scale,consult GMEA All-State Band scales Grade 11-12.

* Play chromatic scale the full range for your instrument in class as a pass-off.

Book:
* Play Ployhar p. 26 #10 with pitch and rhythmic accuracy

Pieces:
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (be sure to subdivide the beat with a metronome while you practice)
- March Grandioso
- your solo (be prepared to play excerpt in class)

Jazz:
- Jammin With Charlie m.43-55 work on improvising
- p.16-19 work all exercises related to "Buffalo Head"

Thank you for your hardwork and dedication to our band.  Keep it up!  =-)

Band Assignment due 2-7-13

Beginning Band:
*Number 39, page 9
*Numbers 40-45, page 10
*Solo, solo, solo.... :-)
Have a great weekend!!

Intermediate Band:
Warm 5-10 minutes. This will help you have a more productive practice session. Lip flexibility exercises in Hilliard, p 19 rotating through #3-6.
 Scales: Keep up and maintain the scales you know by playing them everyday. (Hilliard beginning on p 24) Great progress has been made on the January pass-off. We will aim to complete these this week. New scales to learn: Concert C major, G major, and D major. Begin work on these. Alternate practicing scales with the different articulations shown on p 23.
Chromatic scales: p 60 and 62 #1-#4. Play 2 per day.

Rhythm studies p 62, follow the printed instructions at the top of the page practicing #1-#3.

New terms to define and memorize: pianissimo (pp), piano (p), forte (f), fortissimo (ff), mezzo piano (mp), mezzo forte (mf), larghetto, andantino, adagietto, and pizzeria (pizzeria). Make sure you know ALL of these terms. : )
 Your solo is the February pass-off. Be ready to play a short excerpt this week.
 Sheet music; Calypso Bay, Amazing Grace Chorale. We will pass-out music for Capitol Day this week.


Advanced Band
Warm-up:
- Hilliard, Lip Flexibility p.19.  Rotate through #1-#6. Play 3 a day.

Scales:
- Practice all 12 major scales the range of your instrument.  If in question about # of octaves per scale,    consult GMEA All-State Band scales Grade 11-12.

- Play chromatic scale the full range for your instrument.  Again, consult GMEA website if unsure.

Pieces:
- Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
- March Grandioso
- your solo (be prepared to play excerpt in class)

Jazz:
- Jammin With Charlie m.43-55 work on improvising
- p.16-19 work all excercises related to "Buffalo Head"

Thank you for your hardwork and dedication to our band.  We are so blessed to work with each of you!

Band Assignment due 1/31/13

Beginning Band:
*practice #33 through #39....NOT #37.
*practice your solo
*continue working on the pitches of the concert Bb scale that you know so far
Have a great weekend!!

Intermediate:
Warmup: Hilliard, Lip Flexibility p 19. Rotate through #1-#6. Intermediate should play 1 or 2 each day, Advanced should play 3 each day

Scales: Intermediate practice p. 18 same scales as before except expand to two octaves WHEN POSSIBLE. Advanced band members should be learning all 12 major scales the range of your instrument: 1, 2, or 3 octaves as the case may be.

Chromatic Scales: Intermediate p 60 #1 and #2. Advanced play chromatic scale entire range of your instrument. Work up to this a little at a time.

Intermediate terms to define and memorize: Adagio, Allegro, Andante, Grave, Largo, Presto, Vivace, Stringendo, Morendo, Allegretto.

Intermediate: Calypso Bay, Amazing Grace Chorale. Work on your solo. We will listen to solos during class.

The next pass-off (February) is your solo!

Advanced:
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, March Grandioso.
Jazz ensemble: Practice the licks WITH the CD on p 2; the blues scale "A" on p 3; memorize the intervals between each note of the blues scale (top of p 3); Listen and play all of the B, C, and D exercises with your CD. On "D" improvise your own solo using notes of the concert Bb blues scale.

Work on your solos. We will hear each person's solo in class starting next week.

Band Assignment due 1/24/13

Intermediate Band:
Great work yesterday, band! Here is your assignment:
Warm-up, Hilliard book, p. 18, #1-#4. Rotate these playing 2 each day.
Scales: Hilliard book, p. 24 #1, #3, #5, #7, #9.
Chromatic scales, Hilliard book, p. 60 #1-#4.

Next week you need to pass-off on the major scales mentioned above.
Calypso Bay with your metronome set at quarter =88
Spend an extra 15 minutes a day on your new solo.

Define the following terms and memorize:
staccato, legato, marcato, sostenuto, espressivo, crescendo, decrescendo, fermata, ritardando, accelerando.

Remember to practice 6 days this week for at least 45 minutes per session. Consistent practice will make a huge difference in your ability to play the assignments! Trust me!

Have a great week!
Rachel S.

Advanced Band:
I absolutely love working with this class!  Thankful for the privilege of doing so.  I know you will enjoy working with Mrs. Rachel and Mrs. Jennifer next week- they are so awesome!

As for practicing this week...
- work on practicing all scales within the Circle of Fifths
- practice Rhythm Studies #9-10 in I Recommend Book
- work on Rhythm Studies and Improv Excercises in Jazz Ensemble Book relating to "Jamming With Charlie"
- practice "March Grandioso"

Band Assignment due 1-17-13

Beginning Band:
Hey, Beginning Band! What a great class yesterday. Keep practicing! Here you go:
*Practice the concert Bflat scale pitches you know so far (the first five), up and down the scale without stopping.
*NUMBERS (not pages) 18, then 20-25.
Have a great weekend!!

Intermediate Band:
Good job with our rehearsal! This is going to be a fruitful and challenging semester!
Warmup: Hilliard book, page 18 #1 and 2.
Scales: Hilliard book, beginning on p.24 #1,#3, #5, #7, and #9.
Chromatic Scales: Hilliard Book, page 60 #1 and #2.
Pass-off for January 31 is the major scales mentioned above.
Calypso Bay with metronome set at quarter note =88

Advanced Band:
Really enjoyed our class yesterday!  I think we are going to learn much together...I can't wait!!!
* Be sure to use your jazz CD as you practice this week!  It is absolutely essential in learning to play jazz well...

- Work on all scales within the Circle of Fifths
- Practice Rhythm Study (I Rec Bk) p.25 #7& #8
- Say articulations then play RSVP Workshop #3 (* Be sure to number all measures of the Workshop beginning with m.1 at beginning of each style section.)
- Practice Rhythm and Improvisation Studies (Jazz Ens. Method) p. 2-4  USE YOUR CD!

Happy New Year!

All classes resumes January 10th.
Classes are moved to the gym building.
Jam Session 12-12:45pm (still have opens)
Beginning Band 1-2pm
Intermediate Band 1-2pm
Advanced Band 2-3pm
Please follow signs to your new rooms.