Hello from Michael Goetz your orchestra man,
This week all my 4th grade students have received a new piece of music
entitled “Fiddlers Hoedown”. It is our first new piece of music not in our
book. We worked on this piece in class and all students should be practicing
the song at home.
The assignment this week in our book will either be page 20 numbers 67, 69,
and 70 or page 14 and 15 numbers 41, 42, and 43. Because of the snow day
last week some groups will be practicing pages 14 and 15 and other groups
have been assigned page 20.
I have reminded all my students to practice slowly at home and then try to
play along with the CD.
All students should have copied their assignment from the board onto their
practice sheet.
For my 5th grade students we are still working on our new piece
entitled “Indian Dance” I also handed out a new song entitled “First Scale
March” We now have 4 songs we are working on plus any page assignment in our
book. All my 5th grade orchestra students should be practicing page 9 which
will help them understand the rhythms for “Indian Dance”.
.
Since next week is a short week the assignments will not change.
One idea for the holiday break could be a musical play date with some
friends. We now can play many songs and with a few friends it could sound
like a little orchestra concert, along with some food and juice.
I hope everyone has a great holiday break.
That’s all for this week.
Michael Goetz/Orchestra
For all my parents, please make sure that your child or children practice at
least one hour a week. You can break that down into 10 minute practice
sessions five different days. (It will take about the same amount of time
that you brush your teeth and change to go to bed.)
Reminder to all my parents and students in regards to heat and cold
and how it will affect your child’s instrument.
Try not to have an instrument near a heat source since it will cause the
instrument to go out of tune much faster (also can make the glue come
undone). Extreme cold is also not a good thing for your child’s instrument so
please try not to leave the instrument in the car for a long period of time.
Having some humidity is fine for the instrument since it will keep the wood
in good shape and help keep the instrument in tune for longer periods of time.
Practice tips for Mom and Dad:
1. Provide a quite place for practice.
2. Arrange a regular time for practice; be sure to have a good seat,
good lighting, and a music stand (bass players will either stand or have a
very high stool to sit on).
3. Help your child keep a daily record of practice.
4. Be sure that your instrument is stored in a safe place.
5. Encourage your child to perform for others when the opportunity
arises.
6. Always encourage your child and show an interest in their study of a
musical instrument!!!
