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Instrumental Demonstrations will be on Tuesday, September 7th for the 4th grade students

• Forms handed out for string lessons at the IS should be returned by September 13th to complete the lesson schedule
• The sooner you return your form, the faster you are put in the schedule and the earlier the lessons will begin
• 5th and 6th grade returning students received paperwork from Mrs. Sabol, please return your forms to Mrs. Sabol by September 8th

Course Syllabus Agreement Page is due on Tuesday, September 7th

• All students should have instruments for class and also a tag labeling their case with identification information
• We will begin working on scales and the orchestra music, so please make sure you have orchestra music folder for class on Tuesday

Class on Thursday:  Reminder to students – please print off the 2 octave scale sheets for class.  I will have extra copies if you need them from me.

• Orchestra Music will be handed out on Thursday for Class
• We will be working on scales in class, tuning, and intonation
• How to read a key signature and placement of fingers
• Begin working on music for class

As we are about to embark on a new school year, I hope everyone has had a fun filled summer that was restful and enjoyable with family and friends!  With the new movement of Standards-Based Report Cards and Assessments aligned with the standards, I have been busy updating curriculum and assessments to reflect this.  Below you will find a series of items:  rehearsal days for orchestra at each level, scale sheets for MS and HS, rubric for the scales, information about auditions for the string quartets or string ensembles, along with a rubric for the audition process.

After School Rehearsal Schedule for 2010-2011 School Year:

• HS Orchestra and Select Groups – Tuesdays after school in the Auditorium from the end of school until 4 p.m. unless indicated on a rehearsal schedule

• NAIS Orchestra and Select Groups – Wednesdays after school in the Music Room – Room 239A from the end of school until 4:00 p.m. unless indicated on a rehearsal schedule

• MS Orchestra and Select Groups – Thursday after school in the Orchestra Room from end of school until 4 p.m. unless indicated on a rehearsal schedule

Scales for MS:

ScalesinSeries-vn ScalesinSeries-va ScalesinSeries-vc ScalesinSeries-cb

Scales for HS:

Finale 2008 – [5 Major 2 Octave Scales - Violin Finale 2008 - [5 Major 2 Octave Scales - Viola

Finale 2008 - [5 Major 2 Octave Scales - Cello] Finale 2008 – [5 Major 2 Octave Scales – Contrabass

Rubric for Scales:

Orchestra Scale Rubric MS Orchestra Scale Rubric Grades 9-12

Audition Information:

Auditions will take place during the week of September 7th and possibly the following week for all small ensembles at the MS and HS.

Rubric for Audition:      Audition Performance Rubric Grades 6-12

Audition Music for Grades 7-12:  Musical Excerpt for Audition (only sections of this excerpt will be used )

Audition at the NAIS:  Music will be given out closer to the middle of September

Due to some issues with commitments with groups last year and for me to be fair with everyone involved, I have made up a contract for those participating in these select groups.  Please think about your schedule before you take the initiative to audition for a group that meets after school.  If you cannot be committed and make the time to be at rehearsals or at performances, then maybe you should reconsider auditioning.  When we are asked to perform for different venues in school and outside of school, it is a real commitment from everyone involved in the group.

While we all know we like to have fun over the summer and just cut loose from the school year, summertime is a great opportunity for all students to review what they have learned and to find some music that is fun to perform.  Take the summertime to do the following:

• Review the skills you learned throughout the school year
• If your posture was not correct, take this time to relearn and adjust
• Find a fun book of music from movies or other things you like and learn the music, then perform it for family and friends
• Find a group of friends to play your instrument with
• If you want to have instruction over the summer, find a private teacher for your instrument
• Find some websites to work on music reading skills or refresh your memory on music symbols, etc.
• Some websites:  Music Tech Teacher, Violin Online, Viola Online, and Cello Online, there are various other websites to go to also – just do a web search.
• Need any help or recommendations, please email me and I’d be happy to help

Things to watch for…..in the beginning of August, I will start posting scales, some sight reading pieces for various groups for upcoming auditions for small ensembles.  All items will be either a word document or a PDF, so you should be able to print them from the web directly.

Enjoy your summer and see you in about 2 months!!

High School - All music should be turned in by the end of the week, along with any class books you were given to use for the year.

String Quartet – rehearsals during class this week for graduation – if you plan on eating at school on Friday before we leave for graduation, make sure you bring in $5 before Friday and give to Mrs. Rocchi.  If you are traveling home with parents and not on the bus, please bring in a note for Friday.

Middle School - 8th graders should practice Somewhere and have it ready for 8th grade night of excellence.  String Ensemble we will rehearse on Friday in Activity Period for Graduation and next week – 8th grade night.   All concert music should be turned in by Friday and all classroom books.

Intermediate School – All concert music should be turned in by Friday, June 4th.  Lessons will take place throughout the week when students are available.  This will be the last week for lessons.  By next Tuesday, all district owned instruments that were loaned out for use should be returned.

Report Cards will be handed out by June 11th along with the summer newsletter of helpful tips for practicing and keeping your skills in place for the summer.

High School – Burn CD’s of Music Stories – listen to stories as a class and do a critique/ feedback session

• Hand in any outstanding music before the end of class
• Working in High Tech String Book on Shifting Exercises and Vibrato Techniques (Seniors Turn in Books)

Middle School

• Test on Spring Section from 26-38
• Working in lessons on Vibrato and Harmonization of rhythms and notes
• Two Assemblies this week – May 26th and 28th during activity period

Intermediate School

• Regular lesson schedule this week
• Make sure to have materials for lessons
• 3rd Grade Parent Night – Tuesday, May 25th – Report at 5:50 p.m. those involved – dismissal at 7:00 p.m. from event
• May 26th – rehearsal from 3-4:00 p.m. – check schedule you received in school
• May 27th – Concert for all orchestra students – report at 6:00 p.m. Concert begins at 7:00 p.m.
• May 28th – Assembly – recording session – from 9:00-10:30 a.m. in Auditorium