Also, our evening concert remains on Tuesday, May 10, at 6:00 pm. Please be at the fine arts center at 5:30 in concert dress.
Looking forward to the performances!!!
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Spring concert(s)!
A friendly reminder that our daytime concert at Berry Shoals is tomorrow morning, May 9, at 9:30 am. Please come to school in concert dress. I will give you time afterwards to change if needed.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Orchestra Sign-Ups
The Berry Shoals Orchestra loved playing for the visiting 4th graders this week! We can't wait to see all of you at sign ups on April 25 and 28 from 3-6 pm. Come by the orchestra room to try out our instruments!
Parents, if you have any questions about the program or rentals, don't hesitate to contact me.
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Orchestra Performance Assessment
Friday is the big day! I have created an itinerary for the day that will be available to students in hard copy if needed.
Performance Assessment Itinerary
The most important item right now is proper concert attire. Please make sure your child shows up to school on Friday in black and white concert dress. This is a large portion of our score and we want to make sure everyone looks uniform on stage.
Encourage your child to continue practicing, to eat a big breakfast on Friday (lunch will be late!) and don't forget to pack a bag lunch if you did not order a school lunch for that day.
Please let me know if you have any questions leading up to Friday!
Performance Assessment Itinerary
The most important item right now is proper concert attire. Please make sure your child shows up to school on Friday in black and white concert dress. This is a large portion of our score and we want to make sure everyone looks uniform on stage.
Encourage your child to continue practicing, to eat a big breakfast on Friday (lunch will be late!) and don't forget to pack a bag lunch if you did not order a school lunch for that day.
Please let me know if you have any questions leading up to Friday!
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
After School Rehearsals Reminder
Don't forget our after school rehearsals for Performance Assessment begin this week! Rehearsal schedule is as follows:
3-4:15 Thursday, February 25--UPPER strings only (violins/violas)
3-4:15 Thursday, March 3--LOWER strings only
(cello/bass)
3-4:30 Thursday, March 10--FULL ORCHESTRA, preview
concert to follow at 4:30 in the Cafeteria; Parents are invited to come watch the performance. It will last no longer than 15 minutes.
Please return the rehearsal form ASAP so I know your children will be present at rehearsal. We need every member there to be successful!
I will be sending home a permission slip soon for our travels to Performance Assessment on March 18. As a general reminder, students will need to be in proper concert attire: white blouse/polo/button down; black pants/skirt; black socks/stockings; black shoes. No jeans or t-shirts please.
I will be sending home a permission slip soon for our travels to Performance Assessment on March 18. As a general reminder, students will need to be in proper concert attire: white blouse/polo/button down; black pants/skirt; black socks/stockings; black shoes. No jeans or t-shirts please.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Mark Wood is finally here! Have you seen the write up in Escape? Our very own District 5 Orchestra students will be on stage tomorrow night performing with one of the founding members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra!
We are so excited about our field trip tomorrow, and in case your students haven't told you, they are receiving a FREE ticket to the concert Friday night. All 5th and 6th grade orchestra students get in free with one paying adult (students are not allowed to be dropped off and picked up later). Tickets are $8 if you reserve them through the Fine Arts Center today, and $10 at the door tomorrow.
If your family would like to use the free ticket, please have your child tell me tomorrow so that I can give them a ticket voucher.
Lastly, if you volunteered to chaperone for the field trip, I sent home a note with your child. Just in case it gets lost in Backpack Cavern, here is the information:
Role at destination: Keep students together; assist in seating students in auditorium; taking kids to restroom facilities if needed; monitoring for behavior during rehearsal; enjoying performance. :)
We are so excited about our field trip tomorrow, and in case your students haven't told you, they are receiving a FREE ticket to the concert Friday night. All 5th and 6th grade orchestra students get in free with one paying adult (students are not allowed to be dropped off and picked up later). Tickets are $8 if you reserve them through the Fine Arts Center today, and $10 at the door tomorrow.
If your family would like to use the free ticket, please have your child tell me tomorrow so that I can give them a ticket voucher.
Lastly, if you volunteered to chaperone for the field trip, I sent home a note with your child. Just in case it gets lost in Backpack Cavern, here is the information:
Date of field trip: Friday, January 29
Time to arrive at school: 9 am if following bus Departure time: 9:15 am
____ Ride on bus with students _X_ Drive self to location/meet at destination
Destination: D5 Fine Arts Center
Role at destination: Keep students together; assist in seating students in auditorium; taking kids to restroom facilities if needed; monitoring for behavior during rehearsal; enjoying performance. :)
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Technology Tuesday!
Happy (almost) Turkey Day, everyone! I know I am looking forward to a much deserved break, but at the same time am wondering, "How much will my students really practice?"
I'm here to offer some technology tips for practicing at home over the break or anytime!
Problem #1: I can't remember my note names!
Solution: At www.musictheory.net students can access a multitude of music tools, of which my favorite is the note identification game. I made a short tutorial on how to access and set up this tool. Print off your best scorecard page after naming 100 notes or more and bring it in on Monday for a prize!
Problem #2: I'm not sure what my music should sound like!
Solution: Try www.jwpepper.com for access to recordings of our concert music. Search by title and composer, then see if there is an audio icon. Follow along in your music or pop in an earbud and try to play along!
Problem #3: I'm going too fast...or too slow...ok too fast again!
Solution: Though there are many similar websites, www.metronomeonline.com is free and easy to use. I usually put an earbud in my right ear and keep the left one open for listening to my instrument. Practice under tempo and then speed up quick passages gradually.
Problem #4: I want a nicer instrument/new shoulder rest/colorful case!
Solution: I do all of my music equipment shopping online, especially when websites are running specials for free shipping. My favorite places to shop are www.sharmusic.com and www.swstrings.com. questions about any items? Their staffs are super knowledgeable, and I can always answer questions as well. Plus, they usually run gift specials this time of year.
Problem #5: I'm BOOOOOOOORED!
Solution: Random Video (insert day here)!!! Check out Mrs. Grant's Orchestral Entertainment YouTube playlist and keep yourself entertained for hours! Find a video you'd like to suggest for Random Video Friday? Send it to me via email or leave a comment on this post.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and I can't wait to see everyone refreshed and ready for our concerts!
I'm here to offer some technology tips for practicing at home over the break or anytime!
Problem #1: I can't remember my note names!
Solution: At www.musictheory.net students can access a multitude of music tools, of which my favorite is the note identification game. I made a short tutorial on how to access and set up this tool. Print off your best scorecard page after naming 100 notes or more and bring it in on Monday for a prize!
Problem #2: I'm not sure what my music should sound like!
Solution: Try www.jwpepper.com for access to recordings of our concert music. Search by title and composer, then see if there is an audio icon. Follow along in your music or pop in an earbud and try to play along!
Problem #3: I'm going too fast...or too slow...ok too fast again!
Solution: Though there are many similar websites, www.metronomeonline.com is free and easy to use. I usually put an earbud in my right ear and keep the left one open for listening to my instrument. Practice under tempo and then speed up quick passages gradually.
Problem #4: I want a nicer instrument/new shoulder rest/colorful case!
Solution: I do all of my music equipment shopping online, especially when websites are running specials for free shipping. My favorite places to shop are www.sharmusic.com and www.swstrings.com. questions about any items? Their staffs are super knowledgeable, and I can always answer questions as well. Plus, they usually run gift specials this time of year.
Problem #5: I'm BOOOOOOOORED!
Solution: Random Video (insert day here)!!! Check out Mrs. Grant's Orchestral Entertainment YouTube playlist and keep yourself entertained for hours! Find a video you'd like to suggest for Random Video Friday? Send it to me via email or leave a comment on this post.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving and I can't wait to see everyone refreshed and ready for our concerts!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Welcome back!
Back to school already? It's hard to believe the summer is gone, but I for one am VERY excited about returning to school. There are so many exciting events planned for this school year in our orchestra program. To stay up to date, make sure you subscribe to our blog. I will be adding a calendar page to keep everyone in the loop.
Do you have your instrument already? If not, be sure to make arrangements within the first week of school. Please consult me first if you are looking to purchase an instrument.
As always, if you ever have any questions, email me, call me, or leave a message on a blogpost. I will make my best effort to answer your questions as soon as possible.
See you at Meet the Teacher!
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