Upcoming Events
-Thursday, November 2nd: 4th Grade Orchestra Demonstration Concert, 7pm @ Twin Groves
*Students must arrive at Twin Groves by 6:15pm
4th Grade
What we did this week:
- Received our concert songs!
-Reviewed how to "plop" our fingers when we skip from one note to the other
Assignment:
- Concert Songs and Staff Wars*
*Students should be practicing note naming at home via Staff Wars! This fun note naming game is a great way for our students to learn their notes.
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
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
Orchestra Concert Shirt Exchange Form
Please fill out the form found here if your child's ordered shirt does not fit. In order for an exchange to happen, your child must bring in the original ordered shirt and bag. Thank you!
Orchestra Lost and Found Box!
If your child is missing their books, accessories etc., please have them check the lost and found box on the stage at Prairie. If it is not in the box, please have them check around the room, since it is a shared room. Thank you!
5th Grade
What we did this week:
-Continued to work on "Song for Maria" for our Belt Week next lesson!
-Previewed the notes F natural and C natural
Assignment:
-p. 30 #116, Crystal City March
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:
5th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule
Topic of the Week
Fingernails and Orchestra!
Believe it or not, the length of our fingernails affect how we play our string instruments! Since we play with the fleshy tips of our fingers, our fingernails can get in the way of playing the correct notes. This is also true for fake nails or acrylics.
It is important that orchestra students trim their nails/avoid fake nails on a regular basis so that they do not get in the way of successful playing!