...no, not OUR recordings. Yikes.
Here are professional recordings that you can use a a practice reference......happy long weekend!
Serenade: Gargoyles
Fright Night
Shadows in the House
Concert: Goblin Boogie
Sneaking Suspicion
Addams Family
Chamber: Night on Bald Mountain
Paranoid Android
Danse Macabre
Philharmonia: Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Halloween Spooktacular
Labyrinth and the Mad King
Symphonia: The Evil Eye and the Hideous Heart
Ghost Carnival
Edward Scissorhands
Friday, August 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
What is success?
As a teacher, I'm given a lot of definitions of what "success" looks like for people in my job. There are national standards and GCPS standards that provide a concrete definition of what doing my job successfully means (if you're curious, these are our national standards and these are the AKS for Gwinnett).
But those are just the beginning of the goals I have for myself and for you. I watched a video recently that asked me to think about what MY definition of "success" is...is it just the national standards? Meeting the AKS? Or is it something more? Personally, I think goal-making (as completely cheesy as it sounds) is important. How do you know where to go if you don't have a final destination in mind?
With that being said, I'm going to share some of my goals for the year with you...and you're going to share some of yours with me. (More on that later!)
My goals:
- create a classroom where you are encouraged to solve your own problems. I want you to be able to find extra music, tune your instrument, and even do some minor repairs without asking me. This not only helps you become a critical thinker, but also frees up class time for more important things.
- work hard and play hard. We have a lot to accomplish during the year. And I know that you are going to be amazed at where you are musically in May. But I don't want every day to be a grueling, painful, boring practice marathon...so yeah, we sometimes watch music videos. Or TED talks. Or we listen to a song. Or we get off on a tangent about commercials of the 1990s.
- scaffold information. There are key things that you need to know about music: melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, form, style. I want you to be able to recognize and talk about those even if they change from piece to piece.
- be comfortable in this space. When I was in high school, the orchestra room was THE place to hang out. It's where I saw all of my friends first thing in the morning, during class (dur) and even after school sometimes (you know, before my mom picked me up). Because you are an orchestra student, the orchestra room is YOUR room (except if you have gum. Or food. Because rules.) as well as my room. You should feel welcome here, and this should bethe space where you are most able to be yourself.
Now it's your turn! For a homework grade, tell me 3 goals you have for yourself for the year or for your high school career. They can be musical or non-musical goals...just as long as they are real. If you don't want people other than me to see your goals, you can submit them on paper. This assignment is due by midnight on Tuesday, September 3rd...NO EXCUSES, NO EXCEPTIONS.
But those are just the beginning of the goals I have for myself and for you. I watched a video recently that asked me to think about what MY definition of "success" is...is it just the national standards? Meeting the AKS? Or is it something more? Personally, I think goal-making (as completely cheesy as it sounds) is important. How do you know where to go if you don't have a final destination in mind?
With that being said, I'm going to share some of my goals for the year with you...and you're going to share some of yours with me. (More on that later!)
My goals:
- create a classroom where you are encouraged to solve your own problems. I want you to be able to find extra music, tune your instrument, and even do some minor repairs without asking me. This not only helps you become a critical thinker, but also frees up class time for more important things.
- work hard and play hard. We have a lot to accomplish during the year. And I know that you are going to be amazed at where you are musically in May. But I don't want every day to be a grueling, painful, boring practice marathon...so yeah, we sometimes watch music videos. Or TED talks. Or we listen to a song. Or we get off on a tangent about commercials of the 1990s.
- scaffold information. There are key things that you need to know about music: melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, form, style. I want you to be able to recognize and talk about those even if they change from piece to piece.
- be comfortable in this space. When I was in high school, the orchestra room was THE place to hang out. It's where I saw all of my friends first thing in the morning, during class (dur) and even after school sometimes (you know, before my mom picked me up). Because you are an orchestra student, the orchestra room is YOUR room (except if you have gum. Or food. Because rules.) as well as my room. You should feel welcome here, and this should bethe space where you are most able to be yourself.
Now it's your turn! For a homework grade, tell me 3 goals you have for yourself for the year or for your high school career. They can be musical or non-musical goals...just as long as they are real. If you don't want people other than me to see your goals, you can submit them on paper. This assignment is due by midnight on Tuesday, September 3rd...NO EXCUSES, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Friday, August 2, 2013
Welcome Back!!!
I'm so pumped to start this school year....I missed you guys!!
A few housekeeping items....I don't know how many of you check this blog regularly (lol, most of you didn't check it when you had assignments....), but if you do see it, share with your orchestra friends!
BOOSTER CLUB: it's so important for the continued awesomeness of our orchestra that everyone joins booster club. You can visit the booster club website here and find out more about how to join. WHY is it so important to join? Well, we use booster funds for all kinds of things....awards, new music, hiring instructors, and buying materials like new strings.
We WILL start playing on Monday, August 12th....but if you want to bring your instruments before that we can get them tuned and ready to go.
Our first concert is going to be an awesome Halloween-theme...lots of fun spooky music. You guys. I'm so excited I can't stand it.
A few housekeeping items....I don't know how many of you check this blog regularly (lol, most of you didn't check it when you had assignments....), but if you do see it, share with your orchestra friends!
BOOSTER CLUB: it's so important for the continued awesomeness of our orchestra that everyone joins booster club. You can visit the booster club website here and find out more about how to join. WHY is it so important to join? Well, we use booster funds for all kinds of things....awards, new music, hiring instructors, and buying materials like new strings.
We WILL start playing on Monday, August 12th....but if you want to bring your instruments before that we can get them tuned and ready to go.
Our first concert is going to be an awesome Halloween-theme...lots of fun spooky music. You guys. I'm so excited I can't stand it.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)