Weeks of 5/13 and 5/20: -Concert Preparation and reflection -Instrument "turn in" on May 24 Weeks of 4/29 and 5/6: -A Major Scale -Music theory- half vs. whole step identification -Polishing concert music by working on details such as: dynamics, bowing, intonation, tone quality, ensemble skills -Playing test assigned 4/29, due 6/13
Weeks of 4/15 and 4/22: -Review and reinforce shifting and extensions through 2 octave D/G Major scales -Introduce A Major scale -Rhythm work using sheet #5 -Work toward full play-throughs of all concert songs, beginning to incorporate use of correct dynamics, bowings, and other musical elements
Weeks of 4/1 and 4/8: -Finish EE book 1 and turn in -2 octave D Major scale- cello extensions, viola high 3rd finger, violin shifting -How to play dymanics with proper bow placement and weight -Beginnings to learning concert music- basic rhythm and notation elements
Weeks of 2/19 and 2/25: -Chamber music unit: students form small groups where they work on and perform a selected piece of music together -New scale- A minor -Tone and intonation development -Dynamics- what are they and how do we achieve the sounds?
Weeks of 1/6 and 1/14: -Preparing for concert music - Dynamics - Bowings - Style - Communication/listening skills - Demonstrate and understand the difference between F/F# and C/C#
Winter Break -Practice your scales with different bow and rhythm patterns (aim for good tone, posture, and intonation) -Practice your concert songs (Folk Festival and Hiawatha) *this is the most important thing to practice* -Review Moja Mbili and Song of the Wind
Weeks of 12/10 and 12/17 -Demonstrating knowledge of key signatures for D, G, and C Major scales -Demonstrating knowledge of the order of sharps- using a sentence -Learning a 2 octave D Major Scale -Play fluidly through Hiawatha and Folk Festival
Weeks of 11/26 and 12/3 -Memorization of key signatures for D, G, and C Major scales -Understand and be able to demonstrate the difference between F#/F and C#/C -Demonstrate an upbeat using Essential Elements exercises -Play almost fluidly through Folk Festival up until 3/4 section -Play accurate rhythms and notes through first half of Hiawatha
Weeks of 10/29 and 11/5 -Review known scales (D, G, and C Major), finger placement for scales, and work toward memorization of key signatures for each -Develop bow technique through the use of slurred notes- greater arm and wrist flexibility -Keep up with concert pieces we have already learned- Moja Mbili, Follow Me, Song of the Wind -Folk Festival- by the end of this period, be able to do a rough play through with the class. Familiarize with all notes and rhythms in the piece
Weeks of 10/15 and 10/22 -Continue work on C Major scale and identifying key signature -Essential Elements book- reviewing 3/4 time signature, learning the function of tied notes, beginning work on slurs -Song of the Wing playing assessment- reinforce notes, rhythm, tempo, circle bowings -New piece: Folk Festival, our first String Orchestra piece! Each instrument section has a different part that comes together in harmony with one another
Weeks of 10/1 and 10/8 -We will begin learning to play a C Major scale during week 6 -Increasing confidence with note names and placement -Introducing Key signatures -Reading/playing notes on the G string (violin, viola, cello), E and A string (Bass) -Playing Follow Me fluidly in a round -Song of the Wind- duet- note familiarity, circle bow when appropriate ***Playing test on Song of the Wing was assigned on 10/10. Due 10/19. Students can record at home before the due date or play in class on the due date***
Weeks of 9/17 and 9/24 -Proper demonstration of D and G scales during warm up *G Major scale playing check on 9/28 in class- in small groups, worth 10 pts -Demonstrating proper classroom procedures and engaging in the lesson -Music and note reading practice -Playing through "Scotland's Burning" and "Moja Mbili" with fluidity and knowledge of fingerings -Demonstrating proper posture while playing during individual practice and as a group