Upcoming Events
-Thursday, May 9th: Orchestra Extravaganza Concert @Twin Groves. 4th/5th Grade Orchestra will perform at 6:30pm (*Please note that students must arrive by 5:30pm on this date)
4th Grade
What we did this week:
-Reviewed the Monkey Song with the bow!
-Practiced reading our D and A string notes for our Note Naming Quiz next week!
Assignment:
-p. 15 #43, p. 18 and 19, Staff Wars (D and A strings)
Practicing Expectations:
Students should be writing down their assignment at each lesson. Our goal is to practice every day that we eat! We should be aiming to take our instruments out every day and practicing. There is NO time limit at this point. Students should be practicing each day for however long they are able to. Students should record their minutes for each day and get their practice record signed. If a student has practiced every day and has it signed, they receive a sticker! (This will be very important later this year...)
Membership Toolkit:
The Boosters Membership ToolKit is how the Boosters will communicate important information to the parents of students participating in the band or orchestra programs. The ToolKit gives you online access to forms for ordering your students required concert polo shirt, forms to volunteer for various activities or serve on the Booster Board, and forms to register for events (i.e. the “End of the Year” party). All purchases can be paid online with your credit or debit card! Please stay “in the know” and create an account in the Boosters Membership ToolKit today! To create an account and get started head to https://bandandorchestraboosters.membershiptoolkit.com and follow the prompts. If you already have a Membership ToolKit account with the PTO at your school, you can use the same e-mail and password to set up this account.
Questions about Membership ToolKit or how to order a concert polo shirt? Please contact Marlene Mahn at [email protected]
Thank you!
Lesson Schedules:
4th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule
5th Grade
What we did this week:
-Learned the E string notes (for violins and basses) and the C string notes (for violas and cellos)
Assignment:
-Violas and Cellos: p. 36+37
-Violins and Basses: p. 38 and 39
*p. 32 and 33 "Spy Guy" and "Chromatic Moves"
Practicing Expectations:
Our goal is to practice 15-20 minutes each day for 6 days. Students should record their minutes in the practice record and get it signed each week.
-Students should practice each song in small parts at least 5x-10 every day.
-Below are the steps on how to practice our songs in the book:
1. Name the notes in rhythm, making sure to tap your foot to a steady beat beforehand.
2. Name the notes AND finger the notes, making sure to tap your foot to a steady beat.
3. Play the song pizzicato (plucking) making sure to keep a straight wrist. 4."Shadow bow" while fingering the note names to help practice our bowings
5. Play the song with the bow, making sure to bow from your elbow.
Lesson Schedules: