Category Archives: Class News

8th Grade – New players continue with weekly goals. Experienced players played Eb scale and chorale and first 8 bars of Simple Gifts. Intro to history of Shakers in early America and the history behind Simple Gifts. Homework due Friday in Google Classroom.

6th Grade – Experienced players continue to sight read We Wish You a Merry Christmas. New players review first three notes and play through 1.10 in book. Homework for new players will be reviewed in class on Friday. Experienced players should upload video by Friday in Google Classroom.

7th Grade – New players continue with weekly goals. Experienced players continue to decode Hail to the Varsity to prep for EFHS Homecoming game. Homework due in Google Classroom by Friday.

For any student working on Hail to the Varsity for the EFHS Homecoming event, individual instrument recordings are now available on the “Music Listening Guides” tab. Please use these as a resource while practicing.

Studies show that the fastest and most effective way for a student to progress on their instrument is to take private lessons (and lots of dedication and practice of course). I’m excited to announce a partnership between STEM and the musicians of Dearborn High and Edsel Ford High to bring private lessons to our school.

I have a list of experienced high school musicians that are willing to come to STEM after school from Tues-Fri to offer 30 minute lessons for the low cost of $10 per lesson. Mrs. Hartrick will remain on site to supervise. Ideally students sign up for lessons on a weekly basis. Just email Mrs. Hartrick to get connected with a high school musician and schedule a lesson today.

8th Grade: Review staccato symbols and bow technique, sight read two exercises in EE book 1 featuring staccato. Decode Trepake 17-25. Homework in Google Classroom for all students due Friday.

6th Grade: Intro for new players/Review for experienced players of notes in first position on A string (B, C#, D). Practice playing in tune rather than just on tapes. Practice bow holds. Homework in Google Classroom for all students due Friday.

7th Grade: Intro for new players/Review for experienced players of notes in first position on A string (B, C#, D). Practice playing in tune rather than just on tapes. Rewa practice music in key of G major. Experienced musicians decode 60-end of Trepak. Homework in Google Classroom for all students due Friday.

For any 7th or 8th grade Band or Color Guard member planning to attend the EFHS Homecoming Game event on October 4th, the full group rehearsal has been moved from September 25th to October 2nd. Locations and times remain the same.

7th and 8th Grade students interested in participating in the EFHS Homecoming game received a permission slip and logistics today. Here is a digital copy:

8th Grade: New players continued on goals in book (first five notes, basic rhythms). Old players decode Ukrainian Christmas mm. 1-33. All musicians have homework due Friday in Google Classroom.

6th Grade: New players reviewed first three notes and songs on p.4. Old players helped new and chose more advanced songs to play in book as a group. Remember to bring money for a method book if you haven’t paid yet.

7th Grade: new players continued on goals in book (first five notes, basic rhythms). Old players worked on Hail to the Varsity. Experienced players have homework in Google Classroom.

8th Grade Band: All students review basic exercises with first five notes with new players for warm up. New players were given a week long goal to get to by Friday in book and worked independently in practice rooms. Experienced players read through Ukrainian Christmas and spot checked areas with major issues. ALL STUDENTS ASSIGNED PRACTICE HOMEWORK IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM DUE FRIDAY.

6th Grade Band: All students reviewed correct posture and instrument position, students were introduced to Breathing Gym and practice diaphragmatic breathing. Experienced players worked on “Where I’m At” songs in practice rooms while new players learned first three notes and played first songs in the book. NO HOMEWORK ASSIGNED UNTIL STUDENTS PAY FOR METHOD BOOKS.

7th Grade Band: Same as 8th Grade except that new players have not been given final goals for the end of the week so they do not have practice homework, only experienced players have practice homework due Friday.

8th and 7th Grade – New players reviewed notes on D string and were given a week-long practice goals that they began to review independently. Experienced players reviewed G major key exercises and continued to decode Trepak (winter concert piece). ALL MUSICIANS HAVE PRACTICE VIDEOS DUE IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM BY FRIDAY.

6th Grade – All players reviewed notes on D string and were given a week-long practice goals. Violinists reviewed bow hold and practiced a few songs with bow. ALL MUSICIANS HAVE PRACTICE VIDEOS DUE IN GOOGLE CLASSROOM BY FRIDAY.

On Sunday, September 22 at 3 PM, the DSO will give a free performance at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation. Across all of its 2019-2020 programming, the DSO celebrates the centennial of Orchestra Hall, built in 1919 as the first permanent home of the orchestra. From 1941-1951, Orchestra Hall became the Paradise Theatre, a celebrated venue for jazz and blues artists. The 2019-2020 season also marks the 20th anniversary of the DSO’s Paradise Jazz Series, which takes its name from Orchestra Hall’s ten-year history as the Paradise Theatre.

Join conductor Jacob Joyce as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra celebrates the centennial of Orchestra Hall, featuring works performed during the Orchestra’s first season at Orchestra Hall. The DSO pays tribute to the hall’s jazz roots with a performance of Duke Ellington Fantasy, a nod to the Paradise Theatre’s earliest concerts, which included a date featuring Duke Ellington just four weeks after the venue opened.

Here is a link to reserve tickets:

https://www.dso.org/ShowEventsView.aspx?id=6311&prod=6310

I just noticed that my daily blog posts have not posted since 9/5. My apologies! I have been writing them but I just realized I need to hit a final “Publish” button before they post. The new process confused me. I will make sure they actually publish going forward. Thanks for understanding.