Spring semester - January 17th, 2010

Dear students& parents,

So we are at the start of a new semester & it is note learning time. The easiest way to thoroughly learn your part is to do the following:

Take a small section of a piece & do the following:
-clap/count rhythm (with & without metronome)
-practice bowings in air
-say note names
-say fingerings
-play each note very slowly with the tuner
Remember that you are going to do all of these things on one small section at a time. When you have progressed on that small section, then you move to the next small section.
It is also important to focus on the highlighted parts of your music because that is where your section has a problem. It won't be fixed until everyone practices it.

Rehearsal/Homework - Sinfonietta

Notereading class 3-3.30pm:
-This is a "come when you want to" class & you do not have to attend weekly.
-You can practice these skills online @ the links on this page.

So far we are dealing with two relatively easy pieces. That means that if you all practice your music we can move onto some harder pieces.
Both of your pieces require the following:
-clap & count all of the piece
-take your music to your teacher
-focus on the highlighted sections
You also need to review the sheet which has an acronym for PRACTICE. There will be a quiz.

Rehearsal/Homework - Sinfonia

8 REHEARSALS BEFORE THE CONCERT!

Lovers' Waltz:
-This is by far our hardest piece for the March concert. It is full of rhythmic complexity which means that your practice should consist of LOTS of clapping & counting, & yes I do mean clap with your hands hitting each other & count aloud. You must take this to your teacher for help with your highlighted sections & the rhythm.

Ave Verum:
-I am very pleased with how quickly you are picking this up. The biggest overall issue is the intonation of the chromatic sections (where there are lots of accidentals) & the only way to work on it at home is to practice small sections slowly with a tuner.

Skywalker Scenes:
-You are doing a good job on this already, so now we begin to start increasing the tempo using the metronome. I suggest that you start by figuring out what speed you are doing it at now-play some, feel the pulse & then find that speed on your metronome.

Music theory:
By our next rehearsal you will all have memorized the order of sharps!

We are off to a fabulous start everybody! Keep it up!
That's all folks,
Louise :)