Ms. Rennick

Friday, April 29, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students presented their music related careers today, and did a very nice job.  There were many more verbal presentations this time, and I was very pleased with the confidence and poise that students showed.  The options for the presentation were: Poster, Brochure, Powerpoint, or verbal.  Next week, we begin reviewing for the final exams.

Orchestra classes - Students were in "normal" seating today, as opposed to stereo seating, which we'd been experimenting with.  I believe we play better in normal seating, so we will use that on the concert next Tuesday.  Rehearsal went well.  The next after-school rehearsal will be combined classes from 3:30-5:00 on stage to have our one chance to work together before the performance.   Practice, Practice, Practice.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - Students gave their presentations today on music-related careers.  Very well done.  Next several class sessions will deal with review topics and exercises preparing for final exams.

Orchestra classes - Rehearsed the May 3 concert music in stereophonic seating today.  Decision as to seating style will be Friday.  Advanced students had rehearsal after school today.  Next after-school rehearsal will be for all orchestra students on Monday on stage - run through the entire program.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students selected careers at random from a basket that are associated with the music industry.  Each class member is to find out background on the career - how much it pays, how much education or training is needed, and what the daily duties or job responsibilities are.  Presentations will be next class session.

Orchestra classes - Both 3rd and 4th blocks are gearing up for the concert next week Tuesday.  We will be rehearsing steadily until that time.  There are 2 more after-school rehearsals, as well.  (Intermediate class already had their rehearsal yesterday)  Advanced meets Thursday 4/28 after school, and both groups combine on Monday 5/2 after school.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - Students selected music related careers out of a "hat", and were instructed to look up information on them.  The rubric requires students find: Amount of education or training needed, Typical job duties, and Starting salary.  Presentations will be next class session.

Orchestra classes - rehearsed for the upcoming concert (in one week) in stereophonic seating today.  Rehearsal after school for the beginners and intermediates.  Rehearsal after school Thursday for the advanced students.  We will have a combined rehearsal on Monday after school.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Class members completed 4 stations on music related to: Math, Science, Social Studies, and Literature.  At the math station, students worked with note values, rest values, finding frequency of vibration, and created rhythms using note and rest values.  At the Science station, students experimented with sound waves, tension, and vibrating space.  In the Social Studies corner, students searched for music history dates and facts, as well as cultural differences in music around the globe.  At the final station, Literature, students interpreted quotes by famous authors on the subject of music, and created 4-line rhythmic and rhyming lyrics to selected school topics.

Orchestra - Both classes will be working hard all week on the music for our upcoming concert May 3rd.  Students are reminded that there are 2 required after-school rehearsals for each of the classes.  Tuesday for 3rd block, and Thursday for 4th block.  There will be a joint rehearsal on Monday, next week, May 2 in the theater just before our concert the next day.  Students are reminded to practice their troublesome spots in the music every evening (home practice).

Friday, April 22, 2011

Happpy Earth Day - please take care of the planet we have ^_^.

Music Appreciation AND Orchestra Classes all worked on tasks relating music to each of 4 academic areas:  Music and Math, Music and Science, Music and Social Studies, and Music and Literature.  The room was arranged in 4 station areas, and each station had experiments, discoveries, or exercises to complete.  Very successful.  It was out of the ordinary, and the novelty was a pleasant breath of fresh air.  Next week, however, the orchestra students need to get back into rehearsing for the concert coming up in barely more than a week.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - The students that did not present their projects last class were given the opportunity today.  Half the students did so.  The other half will not get credit - this has been assigned over a week ago.  Next class session we will have workstations for relating music to Math, Science, Social Studies, and Literature.

Orchestra classes - First, finished selecting the showcase participants by voting.  Then, learned what it meant to be in "stereophonic" seating while performing.  We held the entire rehearsal in stereophonic seating, and evaluated the effects at the conclusion of class.  Each day this week, we experienced a different seating - Monday: "normal", Tuesday: "different partner", Wednesday: Big group vs Small group, and today: stereo.  Tomorrow, we will do the same exercise as Music Appreciation and work on the aspects of music related to Math, Science, Social Studies, and Literature.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day)  -  Students presented their projects on the relationship between arts and music through time.  Very impressed.  Good job.

Orchestra classes - Compared performance roles between playing in a large group, and a small ensemble.  Students were to describe the different effects on their playing in each situation.  After comparing - the class members then voted on which 4 showcases would be on the May performance.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Music Appreciation (blue day) - Students were to present their projects on music relating to other arts topics through time.  Only 5 students were prepared.  The rest of the class will take 25% off their earned grade if they present on Thursday.  Projects will not be accepted after Thursday, except in the case of EXCUSED absence from school.

Orchestra classes - Focused on their individual roles within the ensemble, and their group roles within the ensemble.  We arranged our seating so that students were not sitting with their "normal" partners.  After rehearsing the concert music, students were to identify the most difficult "spot" in the music and what makes it so problematic to play.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Music Appreciation (white day) - Students were reminded of what is needed in their projects, and then were allowed to work on (finish) their projects.  Presentations will be next class meeting.

Orchestra classes - reviewed all that is needed to "multitask" while performing.  Class worked on the concert music for the upcoming May performance, and finished with a list of the tasks musicians use while playing.