Dearborn STEM Music

Listening Exercise: Same as 9/10 (see yesterday’s post)

8th Grade Band: Students were placed in small groups and given a list of music exercises they were to play through by the end of the hour. Mrs. H rotated helping each group and answering questions throughout the hour.

6th Grade Band: All students have finally been assigned an instrument WOO! Experienced Musicians were paired with beginners and given a task list of skills they taught the new players. “Teachers” and students assessed each other’s proficiency at the end of the hour. Mrs. H completed instrument auditions.

7th Grade Band: Same as 8th.

All Groups: Listened to Song For My Mother by Anton Dvorak played by Norwegian trumpet player Tine Thing Helseth and analyzed the trumpet tone and technique.

8th Grade: Students worked in three groups: percussion, brand new players and returning players. Each group had a list of technique exercises that we worked through on a rotating basis.

6th Grade: Continue instrument auditions. We are very close to everyone being assigned to an instrument. Students who are experienced players worked solo or in small groups and chose a song from the method book to work on that showcased their current ability level.

7th Grade: Percussion, trumpets and flutes worked on sight reading concert music or technique exercises in groups. Everyone else continued instrument auditions.

8th Grade – Complete Instrument Assignments, sight read the Star Spangled Banner and Hail to the Varsity (both to be performed at EFHS Homecoming game). Hail to the Varsity is now on the Music Listening Guide Page on the blog. Homework: if you have an instrument, review new music and come to class prepared with questions.

6th Grade – Instrument Auditions and continue to finalize assignments. Review Music Manual and calendar. Homework: Turn in signed music manual sheet if needed and complete Google Classroom “Getting to Know You” Survey. Sign up for Google Classroom (codes found in manual)

7th Grade – Instrument Auditions and continue to finalize assignments. No homework for this class. Bring instruments on Thursday please!

Students listened to the Salonen Concert for Cello No. 1 and learned what a concerto is. 8th Grade students were assigned instruments, 6th Grade had intro to class did instrument tryouts, and 7th grade reviewed simple exercises in book one and had an intro to Trepak, a Philharmonic song for the winter concert.

Homework: Turn in signed music manual sheet if needed and complete Google Classroom “Getting to Know You” Survey.

I hope everyone had a relaxing and fun-filled summer vacation. I spent a lot of time at the lake and up north, went on a tour around Lake Michigan with my band, put on a music festival and adopted a new dog named Marvin.

Over the next few days we will go over classroom rules and norms and determine instrument assignments. Students do not need to bring instruments to school until Mrs. Hartrick explicitly instructs you to do so (most likely after Labor Day). Here is the schedule for the remainder of the week:

Tuesday Aug. 27th – B DAY, Orchestra

Wednesday Aug. 28th – A Day, Band

Thursday Aug. 29th – B Day Orchestra

Tuesday, Sept. 4th – A Day Band