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October 31, 2005
There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, November 3rd at 7:00 pm to discuss and answer questions about the Mabry Symphony trip to Savannah on January 27th. The meeting will be held in the Lassiter HS Orchestra room. The Lassiter Symphony is also performing at the GMEA conference. As this trip involves missing a day of school and an overnighht stay, this is an important meeting.
Posted by Doemel at 12:13 PM
Congratulations to Katie, Katherine, Emily, Andy, Rachel and Ruth for passing the first round audition for the Georgia All-State Orchestra. All-State is the highest honor for school musicians. The All-State audition process consists of auditions at the district, then state level. The All-State Orchestra event is in Savannah in early March.
Thank you for representing Mabry so well, congratulations again and good luck on the next audition.
Posted by Doemel at 12:03 PM
October 26, 2005
Click here
Posted by Doemel at 12:35 PM
October 25, 2005
The Problem
On our trip to Six Flags the other day I was with a group of very brave seventh grade girls. The first ride we went on was the Georgia Cyclone. After that we headed straight over to Acrophobia. If you’ve never done this ride, it’s a 200 foot plummet that literally takes your breath away.
As we were walking away talking about the ride one of the girls said, “That was awesome.” Someone else said, “That was scary.” A third said, “Yea, but not as scary as playing tests!”
I am aware of the students’ anxiety about playing tests. No matter how often I tell them not to be nervous, or how gentle I make my follow-up remarks, playing in front of peers can be unnerving.
The Solution
There is only one solution. Only one thing will relieve the nerves I have when performing in public. That thing is to be so prepared there is no chance I will make a mistake. That is where nervousness comes from, the fear that you will ‘look bad’ in front of your friends. If you are so prepared that there is no chance of making a mistake, instead of nervousness, you will be excited to play for your friends so they will hear how well you play.
Of course, for a playing test you should be ultra-prepared anyway. You are playing to demonstrate your progress and for a grade. So, ease the nerves, be prepared!
Posted by Doemel at 04:35 PM
The 8th graders are continuing to work on music for the Mabry Symphony performance in Savannah at the GMEA Conference. Please see elsewhere on this blog information about an important meeting regarding that trip.
We are working hard and focused in class, but conscientious practice at home is critical for this to be a successful performance.
Parents, please make certain that your child is putting in the work at home necessary to make this the great experience for them that I hoped it would be when I applied for the invitation. We simply can’t do it all in class.
Posted by Doemel at 12:38 PM
The 6th graders will be tested on #31, "Down the D Scale" on Wednesday, 10/26. This will asses moving from the A string to the D string.
We are also working on pages 16 and 17, using our bows. This is a skill that requires careful and focused home practice. Please monitor your child's home practice that they make efficient use of their time.
Posted by Doemel at 12:33 PM
October 18, 2005
The 7th graders have a playing test on Thursday, October 20th on #56 from the Essential Elements bk 2, "A Song For Anne."
This will assess progress on skills in the key of A major; C# on the g string, G# on the d string, forward extensions for cellos, high 3 and 4th finger on the g string for violins and violas and half position for the bass.
Posted by Doemel at 08:00 AM
October 13, 2005
Carole Brink, former Mabry AP, currently Principal of Davis Elementary has invited the 8th grade orchestra to perform at Davis on Tuesday, October 18th. Unfortunately, we do not have school busses available as they are needed for the afternoon high school run.
I have accepted the invitation to play and am asking that parents provide transportation for their child to and from Davis. I understand that some students might not be able to participate and am sorry. This is not a mandatory performance and missing it will not affect your grade or standing in the orchestra. I do hope that as many as possible will try to be there. Please set up a car pool if possible.
This is a good opportunity for us to show off and possibly recruit some future Mabry Orchestra members. On Tuesday, please have your child at Davis by 2:45. We should finish around 4:00. Thanks
Posted by Doemel at 04:41 PM
October 12, 2005
6th graders are using their bows now. This is a skill that MUST be reinforced daily at home. Up coming playing test is #31, but we’ll be jumping ahead to work on bowing on pages 16 and 17.
Posted by Doemel at 08:54 AM
7th graders have moved onto the keys of F and Bb. The pages in the book are 20-25. Upcoming Playing tests will be #56 and #98.
Posted by Doemel at 08:48 AM
October 07, 2005
Practice records recording home practice time for the previous 5 weeks (4 weeks for 6th grade) are due Monday 10/10. Here is a copy of the practice record. They are also available in the orchestra room.
Teachers must enter final grades before Friday 10/14 and report cards will be distributed at conferences the week of the 17th.
All missing work (playing tests) MUST be by completed by Thursday, 10/13.
Posted by Doemel at 02:33 PM
October 04, 2005
On Friday, October 21st Mabry Orchestra students will travel by county school bus to Six Flags for an evening of fun at Fright Fest! For more information and the permission form please click here.
Posted by Doemel at 12:41 PM
October 03, 2005
It's a difficult balance to give playing tests to assess student progress and still have adequate instructional time so that we continue to make good progress. Playing tests take a lot of class time.
We are still finishing up the playing test on #36 - Jesse James in 7th grade. In the meantime we're continuing to forge ahead with the dotted quarter-8th note rhythm, hooked bowing, new notes in the key of A major (see below) and today we looked at the dotted eighth-16th note rhythm, hooked.
Future playing tests will be #47 – Rondeau (assessing dotted quarter-eighth note rhythm, hooked bowing, crescendo) and #56 A Song For Anne (assessing A major notes c#, g#, forward extension for celli, high 3 and fourth finger for violins and violas and ½ pos. for bass).
Posted by Doemel at 04:30 PM
Sixth Graders are continuing to work on the notes on the "A" string and moving back and forth between the "A" and "D" strings. We will also step-up our work on beginning bow hold this week.
The next playing test will be #31 (not 32 which is the "Essential Elements Quiz"). I like #31 because they must cross to a string with fingers rather than crossing to an open string. HOVER!!
We'll be working on pages 12-14 this week.
Posted by Doemel at 12:25 PM
