Laura Jeffrey Academy Music

Students have been hard at work learning how to read music and use their instruments! The choir this week will be starting a new piece and using solfege to figure out the pitches instead of me teaching themthrough rote. We have been doing exercises and writing the solfege in our music to practice and develop this skill.

Violinists will continue to develop thier ears by tuning their own A and D strings. We will be learning three notes on the D string - B, C#, and D. We will also be learning how to read notes on the treble clef. Students should be learning to use the bow next week!

Last week all students explored and discussed the many careers within the music industry. This week we will be focusing on record companies; what they do, how they function, and the departments within record companies (legal, sales, publicity, business affairs, new media, promotion, marketing, artists and repertoire).

This week in choir we will continue working on understanding how to read our music. Students are marking solfege (do, re, mi etc) in their music, doing daily sight reading excersies, and  learning game songs using solfege.

Violinists will learn three new notes on the A string, how to tune the A and D strings, and start practicing how to hold the bow.  They are progressing quickly!

Every class will be searching to find careers that exists in the music industry. We will be looking closely as to what each job entails and what skills are needed.

After a busy week back we are ready to dive into music making! This week in choir we will be working on posture, breath support, and how to read our music. We will be learning and playing a game song that will help us visually and aurally recognize so and mi.

Last week violinists learned the parts and strings of their instrument, how to hold it, and the notes D and A. This week they will be learning to read and play G, F#, and E, totaling 5 notes already! Students in violin class will always have violin on Mondays and Thursdays and every other Wednesday. This Wednesday they will not have violin. Please help your student to remember the days that they need to bring their violin.

Students learning violin during recess and PCN will meet this Tuesday and Thursday, although our regular meeting time will be Tuesdays and Fridays.

I am trying to put together a group for students who already play string instruments to play together, although finding a convenient time for everyone is a bit of a challenge. As of now, the best time may be before school, more information to follow.

As part of our music industry unit, this week students will be exploring what kinds of jobs and roles exist within the music industry and what types of skills are needed for each.

Welcome new families and welcome back old ones! I am extremely excited to begin the second year of our music program and the beginning of our string program.

This quarter we will focus more on the development and skills of being part of a musis ensemble. The choir will be working on sight reading music through daily excersises, games, playing the keyboard, and marking their choral literature. Hopefully by the end of the year students will be able to read their choral music and lead sectionals themselves! 

Violinists will begin with fundamentals while they develop the ability to listen and adapt as an ensemble. We will begin with  how to care for the violin, naming the parts, holding the instrument, and posture. Students will be playing this week so please make sure your student brings their instrument to school Tuesday!

This quarter everyone will also be learning about the music industry; what types of jobs are in the industry and what skills are needed, the dynamic between artists and record labels, how marketing affects consumerism etc. We will be using a variety of texts (articles, music lyrics, interviews) to have shared inquiry discussions around questions such as:  How are female musicians marketed? How are male musicians marketed? Are different genres of music marketed differently? Who produces and chooses winners for music awards such as the Grammys? Top Ten worldwide – Who reigns and why? Is popular music the result of democratic or undemocratic decisions?

I am looking forward to a busy and fun-filled quarter of music. If at anytime you have questions/concerns/ways to help your student be successful in the classroom please contact me! annied@laurajeffreyacademy.org