Upcoming Events
- Friday, September 29: DEADLINE for Orchestra Concert Shirt Order forms. All shirt forms will be ordered through the Membership Toolkit for the D96 Boosters. Please see instructions below under "D96 Membership Toolkit".
- Thursday, November 2nd: 4th Grade Orchestra Demonstration Concert, 7pm @ Twin Groves
4th Grade
What we did this week:
- Reviewed the Ants Song!
- Began working on our left hand position
- Worked in our books and learned songs using the D and A strings
Assignment:
- pg. 5 and 6, left hand position
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 school year is off and running on a great note!! The District 96 Band & Orchestra Boosters are looking forward to a new year with some new and exciting changes! New this year is the Boosters Membership ToolKit. Our ToolKit is how the Boosters will now 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 order items for Booster fundraisers (i.e. after-concert socials, the gift card program, and membership/donations), and forms to register for events (i.e. the “End of the Year” party). And all purchases can now 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://bandandorchestraboo
NEW! The forms to order your students required concert polo shirt are now live and accessible through our ToolKit! Orders can now be placed for these shirts. The absolute last day to order a polo shirt for your student is Friday, September 29. When you set up your account in the ToolKit, you must complete the student information page, where you will check the boxes for the program your student participates in - either band or orchestra, or both. There are two separate polo shirt order forms, one for the BLUE BAND POLO SHIRT and one for the WHITE ORCHESTRA POLO SHIRT. You will only have access to the form that applies to your student(s). Shirts will be delivered to your student at school before their first concert.
Questions about Membership ToolKit or how to order a concert polo shirt? Please contact Sharon Anderson at [email protected].
Lesson Schedules:
4th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule
5th Grade
What we did LAST week:
- Reviewed G Major Scale
- Continued to work on slurs and ties
Assignment:
- p. 29 #108-112, p. 30 #116, p. 31 #119
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:
- Name the notes in rhythm, making sure to tap your foot to a steady beat beforehand.
- Name the notes AND finger the notes, making sure to tap your foot to a steady beat.
- Play the song pizzicato (plucking) making sure to keep a straight wrist.
- "Shadow bow" while fingering the note names to help practice our bowings
- Play the song with the bow, making sure to bow from your elbow.
Lesson Schedules:
5th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule
Topic of the Week
How to assemble our music stands!
Please use the links below to help assemble your music stand! These videos may not have the exact version of the stand that the students own, but it is very similar. Helpful Hint: Try and keep the stand together on a regular basis and keep in your room to help remind you to practice!