Upcoming Events
-Thursday, November 1st: 4th and 5th Grade Demonstration Concert, 7pm at Twin Groves
*Students must arrive by 6:00pm for tuning and warm-up
4th Grade
What we did this week:
-Reviewed left hand position
-Reviewed our concert songs
Assignment:
- Concert Songs
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 another great year. 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.
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 28. 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 Marlene Mahn at [email protected]
Thank you!
Lesson Schedules:
4th Grade Prairie Orchestra Lesson Schedule
5th Grade
What we did this week:
-Review "French Folk Song"
-Rehearsed our concert songs
Assignment:
-Concert songs, p.29
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:
Concert Q&A
Q: My child has a sports practice/game the night of the concert. Should he/she still attend the concert?
A: Yes! Our concerts are school events that are mandatory unless a student is sick, out of town or has a major emergency. If your child has a game or practice, piano lesson, dance class, you will just need to let the teacher/coaches know that your child has a concert that night and is required to attend. They will certainly understand and the great thing is that you already know the concert dates and can let them know in advance!
Q: Why do I have to bring my child so early before the concert starts?
A: We ask that students be there at least 60 minutes before the concert starts so that the students can get situated, tuned and warmed up before their big performance! You are more than welcome to drop your child off and relax in the cafeteria or go to Starbucks before concert time!
Q: Can I reserve seats in the Gym prior to the concert?
A: Because we will be warming up, we want the concert to be a surprise! Doors for the concert will open at about 6:50pm. You are more than welcome to wait in the cafeteria prior to that time.
Q: What does my child need to bring and where do they go once they arrive at Twin Groves?
A: We will be reviewing this in class! Students will need to bring their instruments, books and folders to the Orchestra Room at Twin Groves (there will be signs!). From there, they will go into the Large Gym, find their seat with their name card, and wait to be tuned! Students will also need to be in concert attire.
Q: How long does the concert last?
A: Our 4th/5th Grade concerts usually last about 45 minutes at the most.