Ms. Rennick

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students studied the materials over the past 6 weeks, and then took the test.  After the test was completed, students had the opportunity to boost their grades with a composer exercise.

Orchestra classes - Recorded the May concert music (such that it is at this point) in preparation for critiquing it tomorrow.  The skill of critique does not mean to "criticize", but to evaluate and offer suggestions for improvement.  We will listen to our recording, and offer suggestions to bring the music up to performance level.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - reviewed all the information from the past 6 weeks in preparation for the test next class session.

Orchestra classes - Both 3rd and 4th blocks took the 6 weeks test.  Next class session, we will be recording our May concert music on CD so that we can evaluate and critique our performance Friday.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students reviewed the topics covered over the last 6 weeks, then proceded to create study games for a "fun" way to review before the test next session.

Orchestra classes - Finished up the creation of the study games, then PLAYED them for about 20 minutes each.  The most novel game idea I have seen in 30 years, is the "Cootie Catcher" game.  This group takes top awards for most innovation.  Next class session is the 6 weeks test.  Study.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - Students first reviewed the information from the past 3 class sessions.  Then, took the quiz on the material.  After the quiz was completed, students then had a reading comprehension exercise involving articles spotlighting musicians in alternative performance styles.  We did not have enough time to review for the 6 weeks test today, so we will do it next class meeting.

Orchestra classes - First, students completed a review packet of everything covered over the past 6 weeks.  Once the packet had all the information in it, the students were then to create fun study games using the information.  We did not finish.  Class will have a short amount of time to complete them before we play them next class session.  6 weeks tests are Wednesday and Thursday, because the seniors have to have grade notification by March 31.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students wrapped up the strands studied over the last 3 class sessions. (Concert etiquette, Crossover styles, and 3 American Composers)  Students then had a reading comprehension exercise on "alternative" music styles for string instruments - Hip-hop violin, R&B cello, etc.  Next week is the end of the 6 weeks, which means reviews and testing.

Orchestra classes - Had SHOWCASE auditions today.  There were 3 showcase auditions in 3rd block, and 4th block had 4 auditions.  There will be a total of 4 showcases put on the concert.  After showcase auditions, students had review terminology to use in a choice of 2 ways - either create a game, or create a quiz using all the terms.  After the terminology exercise was completed, there was the same reading comprehension exercise as 1st block - on alternative string styles.  As with all classes - 6 weeks ends next week.  Expect reviews and testing.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - as yesterday's class.. studied 3 American composers of the 20th century.  (Copland, Ellington, and Larsen)  Students heard 3 samples of each composer's music, and discussed the stylistic differences.  Next class meeting, we will quiz over our last 3 class sessions' information - Concert etiquette, crossover styles, and the 3 American composers.

Orchestra classes - Both classes reviewed the various bowing styles (articulations) that could be used in music.  Then, students practiced more shifting exercises, followed by our concert music for May.  After rehearsal, students analyzed their music for examples of several bowing styles in each selection.  Tomorrow's class will be a performance check of this week's skills, plus auditions for showcase performance in the May concert.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students listened to, learned about, and analyzed music of 3 American composers of the 20th century.  (Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, and Libby Larsen)  Students compared and contrasted the 3 in a wrap-up exercise.

Orchestra classes - Continued with the grand review today, with Vibrato skills.  Students discussed types of music that is associated with alot of vibrato, and what types of notes typically use vibrato.  During our concert music practice, we called attention to places where vibrato is needed.  At the end of class, students demonstrated their skill at performing vibrato.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - Very small class today...  Wonder what happened.       Students began the unit blue day had yesterday.  We learned about musical CROSSOVER, which is mixing of musical styles.  There were many types and examples of each.  At the end of class, students had an exploratory exercise in deciding what style elements they would combine if THEY were composers.  There were also some wrap up written exercises to keep today's information fresh.

Orchestra Classes - Both 3rd and 4th blocks continued the gigantic review of performance skills.  Today's topic and skill was SHIFTING.  There were practice exercises before class began, and students were allowed to practice shifting after rehearsal, before being individually checked on shifting skills.  We will revisit shifting again, just before exams.  Tomorrow, classes will review and practice VIBRATO skills.  Orchestra students are reminded to keep practicing the May concert music.  It will be upon us before we know it.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Class started a new strand today - CROSSOVER music.  Crossover music is of mixed styles.  We talked of influences from composers and their regions, and about music that mirrors more than one culture.  Next class session we will explore 3 American composers and what influenced them.

Orchestra classes - are continuing their grand review of performance skills.  Today, we reviewed TEMPO indications.  Students began with a hypothetical series of situations and what tempo markings would apply to those situations.  Next, class performed simple scales at each of the tempo markings.  During concert music rehearsal, we also paid close attention to the tempo markings of our selections.  At the end of class, students had a written wrap-up assignment as a ticket out the door.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - as yesterday, students covered the Concert Etiquette standard.  We talked about concert etiquette rules for both performers and audience members alike.  We had 6 performance situations projected on the screen to use as real-life instances.  After the lecture and discussion, students broke into small groups to create skits demonstrating different concert settings and appropriate etiquette for each.

Orchestra classes - are nearly finished with the standard on performance with good TONE quality, INTONATION, BALANCE, BLEND, DYNAMICS, PHRASING, and tempo.   (we will cover tempo next week)  Students had a performance quiz in which they were allowed to select an excerpt to play that "showed off" their expertise in 4 of the standard strands - Tone, Intonation, Dynamics, and Phrasing.  Students also had a history exercise in which they correctly placed composers into their respective music history eras.