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September 24, 2005
Paul Hogle, Vice President of Development for the Atlanta Symphony is offering Mabry Orchestra Students and Parents the following opportunity, $5 TICKETS!! (that's cheaper than a movie). The offer is good for two awesome programs in September and October.
The offer is good for these two great programs:
September 29, 30, October 1, 2005 at 8:00 pm
PAUL DUKAS: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (featured in the movie Fantasia)
LEONARD BERNSTEIN: Serenade for Violin
JOHANNES BRAHMS: Symphony No. 1
Marin Alsop, conductor
Tai Murray, violinist
OR
October 6, 7, 8, 2005 at 8:00 pm
PAUL WRANITZKY: Symphony in D Major
MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 20, K.466
Improvisations by ROBERT LEVIN
MOZART: Symphony No. 36, "Linz"
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Robert Levin, pianist
ORDERING TICKETS IS EASY:
1) go to www.atlantasymphony.org/tickets
2) log in to the system
3) put in promotion code 1808
4) choose from the concerts listed above
There is no limit on number of tickets ordered.
I got tickets for October 1st. See you there!
Posted by Doemel at 08:54 PM
September 23, 2005
The Sixth Grade Orchestra is continuing to work on excellent instrument position, left hand set-up and the notes on the D string; D, E, F# and G (Essential Elements bk1, pg. 6)
Here is a link to a site showing proper left hand placement on the instrument. It shows side-by-side pictures of common problems and the correct position.
Next week we’ll begin learning the notes on the A string; A, B, C# and D (EE bk1, pg. 10).
We’ve also done our first pre-bow hold exercises using a pencil and will continue to work that. (EE bk1, pg. 7-8).
Posted by Doemel at 12:35 PM
The seventh grade will be working on these new skills over the next couple of weeks.
DOTTED QUARTER - EIGHTH NOTE RHYTHM
Below it's compared to a quarter note tied to an eighth note. The two sound the same, but the tie is easier to understand because you can see each half beat involved (Essential Elements Bk. 2, pg. 10)
Listen and watch by right-clicking here. Choose "Open Link in New Window" then shrink that window to hear and see the rhythm.
HOOKED BOWING
We learned 'slurred staccato' bowing last year using quarter notes. 
Now we're learning it with the dotted quarter-eighth note rhythm (EE, Bk. 2, pg. 11). 
NEW NOTES
These new notes will allow us to play in the key of A major (EE bk. 2, pg. 12-13).
Posted by Doemel at 11:19 AM
September 22, 2005
PARENTS: I am working with the Lassiter Orchestra Booster Organization arranging our trip to Savannah in January(the LHS Symphony is also performing at this conference). We’re trying to keep costs as low as possible and also have an enjoyable trip. If anyone has an inside track on coach buses or lodging for 200+ in Savannah please contact me (Chris.Doemel@Cobbk12.org). We will have an information meeting soon. Check here for more info.
SYMPHONY MEMBERS: Thanks for a good rehearsal this morning. Next week we will split up again into separate string and wind rehearsals, we can cover more ground that way.
The winds should come to next weeks rehearsal with ‘Star of Valor’ and ‘Finlandia’ prepared. Remember, we can’t afford to spend these rehearsals learning notes and rhythms. You do that at home so Thursday mornings we can make ‘music’ out of the notes and rhythms.
Mrs. Doemel will work “Dark Adventures’ and ‘Sleigh Ride’. Same thing applies, have the notes and rhythms worked out by next Thursday morning.
Posted by Doemel at 07:35 PM
September 21, 2005
This has been on this blog for some time under the post "Important Stuff." Apparently, that wasn't grabbing enough attention, and I guess Important Stuff is a relative term. So, here's a link to the file.
Posted by Doemel at 04:08 PM
The Seventh Grade Orchestra is working on eighth notes and rests. In particular, the eighth note rest 'on the beat' and the eighth note played on the 'and' (second half) of the beat.
This is a slippery concept for some, but both classes seem to be getting it. Practicing (playing, clapping, shadow bowing) with a metronome REALLY helps.
Right-click this link, choose "Open Link in New Window" then shrink that window to hear and watch the rhythm.
Posted by Doemel at 10:44 AM
September 18, 2005
Calum MacKinnon comes for an 'Evening at Huthmakers' October 12, 2005. Join them for an exciting evening of Scottish music performed and taught by the master himself, Calum MacKinnon. Workshop starts at 7:00 p.m. Reservations are required. Please call 770.476.9443. Click here for more information including directions to Huthmaker's Violins in Duluth.
For information on other special events including Dixie's Saturday Tuning Classes and Anna's Sight Reading Sessions (both free classes) click on this link.
Posted by Doemel at 10:31 AM
September 16, 2005
On Tuesday, September 20th the Mabry Music Department will repeat last years successful fundraiser. It will last two weeks, ending Tuesday, October 4th. The delivery date has been scheduled for the week of November 14th. Just in time for the holidays! You can see the letter sent home with students by clicking here.
Posted by Doemel at 02:34 PM
September 14, 2005
Lincolnshire Posy – Percy Grainger.
One of my most favorite pieces of music, but an average performance will lessen the effect. The Eastman Wind Ensemble, The Netherlands Winds or military band recordings are best.
Percy Grainger (1882 –1961) was born in Australia. He spent 13 years tromping around England recording the folk songs of rural England. The movements of Lincolnshire Posy are based on these folk songs.
He moved to the US at the outbreak of WWI and enlisted as a United States Army bandsman. In 1918, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States. His piano solo ‘Country Gardens’ became a smash hit of the time and made him famous and wealthy.
In 1932 he became Dean of Music at New York University. Grainger invented the "Free Music Machine" which was the forerunner of the electric synthesizer.
Posted by Doemel at 11:24 PM
September 13, 2005
Hook - Blues Traveler.
An oldie, I guess, but goodie. Incredible harmonica...and the harmonic progression is identical to Johan Pachelbel's 'Canon in D'. Check it out.
John Popper is the singer, harmonica player. His favorite composers are Bach and Mozart.
Posted by Doemel at 12:48 AM
September 12, 2005
Progress reports will be distributed on Friday. Practice records for 7th and 8th graders were due last Tuesday. If you're late, I need it ASAP!
If a student is missing a playing test it's their responsibility to make it up!
Please check out my syllabus for the components of student grades. It can be found at the "Important Stuff" post below.
Posted by Doemel at 09:11 PM
Thank You! Attendance at our first rehearsal was excellent. At that meeting we decided Thursdays would be our regular rehearsal time. With only a 45 minute rehearsal, prompt arrival is critical. Please be in the orchestra room at 8:00AM.
I received our new commission, “Star of Valor” in the mail last week. We will sight read through it on Thursday.
We need volunteers to act as stage managers and librarians for Symphony. Let me know if you're interested.
Posted by Doemel at 09:03 PM
8th graders are also finishing up a playing test. We are working on new skills from their book, Essential Technique. We are continuing to work on vibrato, shifting and the spicatto (off the string) bowing technique. We’re also reading through the material we will perform in Savannah in January.
They received now folders today and will be assigned music this week. They will receive original copies of the music. This music is expensive to replace. Please help them keep track of it and have it in class every day.
Posted by Doemel at 08:58 PM
7th graders completed a playing test today which finishes our Book 1 review. Tomorrow we will start in their new book, Essential Elements 2000, Book 2. The first 7 pages are a review of last year and we will move through it quickly. The book is set up well, with a summary at the top of each page of the items to be reviewed. Since it’s more review, we’ll try to do 2 pages a day.
Here are this weeks assignments. Tuesday, pages 2-3, Wednesday, pages 4-5, Thursday, pages 6-7. Page 8 introduces new material so we’ll slow down for that.
Posted by Doemel at 08:55 PM
Here’s what’s happening in the Orchestra room this week.
6th grade – Sixth graders are working on left hand skills on the D string, learning the notes G, F# and E. This material is on page 6 and 7 in their books. They have a quiz scheduled for Thursday, 9/15 on exercise #16.
They will also begin recording their practice time tonight. Each student was given a practice record and we talked about how to use it today in class. If this gets lost or destroyed you can download and print one from this blog. (see ‘Important Stuff’ post below).
Posted by Doemel at 08:51 PM
September 01, 2005
Thank you 6th Grade Orchestra parents for getting instruments, books, shoulder rests, etc, etc. for your children in a timely manner. We're ready to go!
The first thing we've begun doing is working on good posture and a good instrument hold. Every skill that we learn builds on the previous one, so this basic "set-up" of the instrument on their shoulder or between their knees is critical to what follows.
Have them show you the correct position and ask them what the important elements are.
We've also learned/reviewed some basic music theory (note reading) skills like the beat, quarter note, quarter rest, staff, bar lines, measure, clef, time signature, repeat sign and learned a method of counting beats.
Next week we'll start putting fingers on the finger board.
Please make certain that these skills are getting some attention every night at home. Thanks!
Posted by Doemel at 11:13 AM
The 7th grade orchestra will have a playing test on Thursday, September 8th. The material is from last years book, Essential Elements 2000 bk. 1, page 45, #192, Simple Gifts. This test serves as a wrap up of the review we've done.
All 7th grade students should have E.E. 2000 book 2. We will begin working in it next week.
Posted by Doemel at 11:07 AM
Tomorrrow, September 2nd is the deadline for turning in Solo & Ensemble registration forms. The form is available on this blog (8/20/05). Tuesday, September 6th the first practice record is due (7th and 8th only). That practice record will record practice for the week of 8/29 only.
Posted by Doemel at 07:21 AM
