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6th Grade: We'll be continuing to reinforce the new notes F natural and C natural as well as slurs and string crossings. You’ve been given 5 of the 9 pieces we will play at String Jamboree (March 22nd). Don’t wait for a specific assignment to begin working on these pieces.
Use the ‘left hand’ and ‘right hand’ warm-ups we do in class to warm up before you practice at home. At this stage you can’t over do these important repetitions.
7th Grade: We’ve made great strides in our festival music (March 5th). American Folk Trilogy, Iowa Spring and Castle Lore are coming along nicely.
I chose this music because it uses the new skills we’ve learned this year. Advanced rhythms and bowings, lots of high threes and low ones for the upper strings, open position for the cellos and shifting opportunities for the basses.
8th Grade: Our festival music is coming along also. But before festival (March 6th) we’ve got the exciting performance on the Barrage concert (February 23rd). MacPherson’s Lament needs all of our attention between now and then. The other 2 pieces we’ll do at festival, Brandenburg No. 3 and Postcards From Russia are both tough also. Please make certain you give them the time they need so you are prepared for this important performance.
Mabry Symphony: As stated earlier on this blog, the performance on February 13th has been cancelled. The music for our festival (February 26th) is sounding great. Rites of Tamburo and Finale from Symphony No. 2 are both exciting. Meeting only once a week is a challenge. Please make sure you’re preparing your music so when we get together we can work on ensemble issues.
All: Please practice regularly and efficiently. We’ve talked at length in class about how to practice.
Locate then isolate the problem, work it out SLOWLY, put it back in context (with the measure or few beats before and after) then gradually work it back up to tempo.
Some problems won’t be fixed in one practice session, that’s why regular practice is so important.
Remember, each one of you is important to the quality of both the Mabry and Lassiter Orchestra programs.
Posted by Mr. Doemel
