The choirs are sounding good and developing sight reading and harmonizing skills. Students now complete self evaluations at the end of each rehearsal to really think about their own progress and understanding of music.

The violinists are learning their first piece of music that is written in two parts! We are working to listen to each other and play as an ensemble. If your student is struggling with violin please encourage them to meet with me over lunch so that I may work with them!

Violinists have started bowing and will continue to bow on the D and A strings, as well as tune their own instrument.

The choirs will begin two new pieces, El Vito, a song in Spanish and Soon I will be done, a spiritual.

The choir has been hard at work reading 2 and 3 part music using solfege (do, re, mi). Although it has been tough work, it is paying off as students develop music literacy and improved intonation. Not to mention reading music has been proven to increase math and reading comprehension!

Violinists are working on reading notes on the staff. Up until this point the letter names have been given in their music. This week I expect students to move away from reading the letter names to reading the notes on the staff. I expect that each student be able to play one piece on the staff before they progress to bowing. 

Students must be practicing violin at home in order to progress and be successful in the classroom. If your student is struggling or not enjoying playing please let me know so that I can arrange a time to meet with her outside of class.

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).

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.

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.

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

Students will have music Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this week.

I will be sending home a registration form Monday asking if your student will be in General Music/Choir or General Music/Violin for 2009-2010 music. It is important that this is returned to me by Friday, July 17 so that I can start organizing scheduling logistics.

Student scholarships are available and will provide students with a violin, book, and lock. Scholarship information is also being sent home Monday. Scholarship essays are due Friday, July 17. Late applications will not be accepted.  

This week in music we will be learning a new piece for our concert which is a medley consisting of four popular tunes from the sixties. As always, we will be working on sight-reading, posture, and breath support for singing. We will also be listening to Imagine by John Lennon and discussing the lyrics and how they relate to the social culture of the sixties. 

Each music class is in charge of a different aspect of the concert. I have asked girls to start bringing in props and cardboard to paint decorations. Please do not let them bring in anything valuable or sentimental to your family because I cannot assure the security of all items. We will be researching, planning, and creating things that support our music this week!

Students have been making great progress reading and sight-singing music in tune! We will continue to work on developing this through exercises. 

We will also be learning and singing Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan and having a shared inquiry discussion about the lyrics.

Blowin’ In The Wind