Ms. Rennick

Week of October 31-November 4 (class notes)

Beginning Music Theory - This week will be spent on reviewing the first 15 standards that we have covered, ways they could be tested, and how they can be remembered best. (strategies for memory)   We will also begin working in "compound" meter as soon as the reviews are completed.  It might be completed in one day, or might take 2 days.

Orchestra Classes - Both classes are continuing to work on the simple and compound meter rhythms begun last week.  There will be a performance test and a written quiz on them this week.  We are also finished with the decisions on which selections to use for the Winter concert.  Rehearsals will focus on those selections.  The Lindley 8th grade orchestra members have been invited to participate in our concert on December 6th.  This will give them a chance to meet high school orchestra members and work with them a little bit before joining next year.

Week of October 31-November 4, 2011

Nine-Weeks Assessments were administered the week of October 17-21, and the summaries of student performance are as follows:

Beginning Music Theory (blue day) 

-  average increase in scores from pretest to 9 weeks was 21 points.

Beginning Music Theory (white day)

- average increase in scores from pretest to 9 weeks was 14 points.

Intermediate Orchestra                  

- average increase in scores from prestest to 9 weeks was 36 points.

Advanced Orchestra

- average increase in scores from pretest to 9 weeks was 31 points.

Week of October 24-28, 2011

Beginning Music Theory - This week's focus will be major KEY SIGNATURES.  We will look at WHERE to find them, WHAT they tell us, and HOW to interpret them.  To complete this standard, students must first know what sharps and flats are, where they are placed, and the order they appear.  Then, class members will use the tool called the "circle of 5ths" to determine the name of the key.

Orchestra Classes - After the last 2 weeks on Major and Minor key signatures and the scale performances, we will be working rhythms.  We had already covered basic rhythm performance in the back of the exercise books, but will now focus on the differences between SIMPLE and COMPOUND meters.  Each day, students will see, hear, and perform examples of each type.  There are also specific conducting patterns that go with each rhythm type.  Students will practice conducting in simple and compound time signatures..... in addition to working on the music for the upcoming December concert.

Week of October 17-21, 2011

Beginning Music Theory - Final reviews are underway for the 9-weeks test this week.  Once the 9-weeks testing is completed, the answers will be analyzed to find weaknesses as well as strengths.  Since this is the first time this class has ever been offered here, it will serve as a guideline for future years.  Students are to be studying all the old materials at home.

Orchestra Classes - are continuing to work on Major and Minor key signatures as well as performing the Major and Minor scales in preparation for the performance part of the 9-weeks test this week.  The general written review will take place Tuesday.  In addition to preparing for the testing, classes have also been looking at new music (sightreading) possibilities that could be included on the December concert.  There will be another order for uniforms sent out the first week of November, for those that did not get their order in to me the last time around.

Week of October 10-14, 2011

Sophomore PSAT testing week.

Optional ASVAB testing.

Beginning Music Theory - This week we will finish up the unit on intervals by creating major and minor triads, continue sight-singing, and review the perfect, major, and minor individual intervals.  Next week will be the 9 weeks testing review and 9 weeks testing.

Orchestra Classes - Monday 10/10 - rehearse on stage both during class as well as after school.   Tuesday 10/11 - rehearse on stage during class (last chance); followed by the Fall Concert at 7 pm.  Wednesday 10/12 - listen to the recording of the performance with a GMEA judges' critique form.  Thursday 10/13 - Major and relative Minor scales (in earnest, now) in preparation for testing.  Friday 10/14 - Continue Major/Minor pairs getting ready for testing next week.

Week of October 3-7

Beginning Music Theory - Class is continuing to work on intervals, classifications of intervals, singing intervals, recognizing written intervals, and finally HEARING intervals.  (in addition to sight-singing by scale steps)  We will begin reviews next week in preparation for the 9 weeks cumulative test.

Orchestra Classes - Both groups are working hard to get ready for the concert in ONE WEEK.  Students are to practice the difficult spots and get them ready to perform.  This week, we will rehearse in "traditional", "stereophonic", and in small groups.  Each will give the student different perspectives of the music around him or her.   Chamber Orchestra only has 2 more rehearsals before the concert.  (Tues and Thurs)

Concert Details:  1. After-School rehearsal Monday, October 10, from 3:40-5:00

                         2. Concert Tuesday, October 11,  - - arrive in uniform at 6:45, processional at 6:55

                         3. Third block plays first, and is expected to remain for the entire concert.