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November 30, 2006
The Mabry Symphony WILL NOT perform on December 5th. Also, the rehearsal on the 7th is cancelled. Please learn the 2 pieces you have so when we get together we don't have to use our limited rehearsal time to work out notes and rhythms.
Posted by Doemel at 02:39 PM
November 28, 2006
Fall 2005 Concert Letter-3.doc
Click on the file name above to view and download the Winter Concert letter.
There is also a request for chaperones.
Posted by Doemel at 05:31 PM
This is excerpted from the Orchestra Handbook that was handed out in August.
Uniform Information
IMPORTANT! Due to the design of most concert stages, Mabry's included, short skirts will not be allowed as concert attire. All students need to feel comfortable and relaxed during their performance and should dress in a way that will not inhibit the posture required to play their instrument.
Unless otherwise stated, Mabry Orchestra concert attire is as follows: for the young ladies a long (ankle length or longer) solid black skirt or black slacks, long sleeve white shirt, and black or dark dress shoes, for the young men solid black slacks, long sleeve white shirt and long tie, black socks and black or dark dress shoes. T-shirts, jeans and sport shoes are NOT appropriate concert attire. Students not dressed appropriately will not be allowed to take the stage and will be considered unexcused. Please address problems regarding this to me early enough to be resolved. The school dress code is enforced at all orchestra functions.
Posted by Doemel at 11:21 AM
November 20, 2006
The Mabry 6th, 7th and 8th grade orchestras will perform on Thursday, December 7th at 7pm in the theater at Mabry. The 7th and 8th grade orchestras should arrive at 6:15 to tune and warm-up. The 7th grade orchestra will meet in the Chorus room and the 8th grade orchestra will meet in the Orchestra room.
The 6th grade orchestra will stay after school that day for a final run-through and to combine classes. This is the only time we will be able to combine both classes so please make plans to stay after school. We will order pizza for dinner (or you may bring your own dinner from home).
We will need chaperones through out the evening. Chaperones are needed in the Orchestra, Chorus and Band rooms beginning at 6:15. We will also need help with the 6th grade dinner at about 5:30. Also, chaperones are needed during the concert to sit with each orchestra that is not playing. Please volunteer to help.
There will be a reception following the concert in the cafeteria.
Posted by Doemel at 08:16 PM
November 15, 2006
Whether or not your son or daughter will ever be 'great' on the cello, violin or whatever, if they ever hope to be great at anything, this is a 'must read'.
"The best people in any field are those who devote the most hours to what the researchers call "deliberate practice." It's activity that's explicitly intended to improve performance, that reaches for objectives just beyond one's level of competence, provides feedback on results and involves high levels of repetition.
For example: Simply hitting a bucket of balls is not deliberate practice, which is why most golfers don't get better. Hitting an eight-iron 300 times with a goal of leaving the ball within 20 feet of the pin 80 percent of the time, continually observing results and making appropriate adjustments, and doing that for hours every day - that's deliberate practice.
Consistency is crucial. As Ericsson notes, "Elite performers in many diverse domains have been found to practice, on the average, roughly the same amount every day, including weekends."
Evidence crosses a remarkable range of fields. In a study of 20-year-old violinists by Ericsson and colleagues, the best group (judged by conservatory teachers) averaged 10,000 hours of deliberate practice over their lives; the next-best averaged 7,500 hours; and the next, 5,000. It's the same story in surgery, insurance sales, and virtually every sport. More deliberate practice equals better performance. Tons of it equals great performance."
This quote says the same thing with smaller words. "The average ones practice until they get it right. The great ones practice until they can't get it wrong."
It's all about the reps. Pitching, hitting, throwing a football, free-throws, back hand-springs, left handed lay-ups, Grand Jete's, building muscles or playing the viola. It's all about the repetitions, done correctly of course!
Posted by Doemel at 09:32 PM
The Mabry Symphony will rehearse tomorrow morning. Please arrive at 7:50 so we can begin playing at 8:00. Percussionsts please arrive early enough to be set up at 8.
Posted by Doemel at 05:18 PM
November 14, 2006
This is the 'front page' of my blog. It'll only hold so many posts. If there's something you can't find (practice records, or our calendar for instance), click on General Information on the right. All posts will then appear. Scroll down until you find what you need. Practice records are the last three pages of the orchestra handbook, which is at a link in a post called Orchestra Handbook. The calendar is there also.
Posted by Doemel at 10:23 AM
November 10, 2006
Monday, November 13th.
Posted by Doemel at 06:21 PM
November 09, 2006
Congratulations to Chad, Emily, Andy, Rachel, Ian and Ruth. Each passed the first round of auditions for the Georgia Music Educators All-State Orchestra. The audition consists of scales, a prepared piece and sight-reading, so passing the audition is a great validation of the skills they've worked so hard to master. The final audition is January 13th and the All-State event is in Savannah the first weekend in March. Good luck to all of them as they prepare for the next round
Posted by Doemel at 05:18 PM
November 08, 2006
The Mabry Symphony will rehearse tomorrow morning. Please arrive at 7:50 so we can begin playing at 8:00. Percussionsts please arrive early enough to be set up at 8.
IMPORTANT! The Mabry Symphony is an extracurricular activity, you are not required to participate. But, as a member, your attendance is critical. Just like any other 'team', every member is important. For a group that only meets once a week and is attempting to prepare for concerts and a festival performance, attendance is mandatory.
If you choose to go to a study session instead of Symphony you will be counted absent. After 3 unexcused absences you will be replaced.
The way to avoid this is to know when tests are being given, study and be prepared.
Posted by Doemel at 02:39 PM
November 06, 2006
The fundraiser was a huge success. Thank you to all who participated.
The fundraiser products will be delivered and distributed on Thursday, November 16th.
To avoid congestion, families who’s last name begins with the letters A-L can pick up their order from 4:45 until 6:30 and families whose last name begins with the letters M-Z can pick up their orders from 6:30 until 8:30. Please DO NOT arrive for your order before 4:45. It will not be available.
Please enter the back (bus) lot through the Steinhauer Road driveway adjacent to the Sweat Mtn. baseball fields. Park and come into the covered play area. Your brochure will be pulled and your order retrieved. You will check your order and sign to verify it’s accuracy.
We need volunteers to help with the distribution. There will be a volunteer meeting in the Orchestra room at 4:30 this Thursday, November 9th. If you can help with the distribution but cannot attend the meeting this Thursday, please email me at Chris.Doemel@Cobbk12.org. There will be 2 shifts for volunteers. 12-4 to assemble the orders, and 4:30-8:30 to help with the distribution.
Thank you again for supporting the Orchestra fundraiser.
Posted by Doemel at 09:39 PM
