Popular Music

This week, due to MME testing, the students watched part two of the series Ken Burns Jazz. In the video students learned about Louis Armstrong, who is considered to be the father of jazz and improvisation. Students also explored the early blues and it's many forms (country blues, classic blues, and boogie-woogie).

Next week students will take a closer look at the origins of jazz, New Orleans, and Storyville (the birthplace of jazz). A quiz is expected for Friday, March 20, 2009 on the Blue and early Jazz. More info to follow. Have a great weekend. =>)

Clintondale Bands Website

Just a reminder to all students involved to regularly check the online home of the Clintondale Bands, http://sites.google.com/site/clintondalebands. Updates are added on a regular basis to the News Room link on the left navigation.

Mr. Messina =>)

Popular Music

This week we will continue our look into African American syncopated musics including Ragtime, Animal Dances, the Foxtrot, Blues, and Early Jazz! If you miss a day, be sure to get notes from a classmate!

Instrumental Music Students!!!!

For information regarding all band classes please check our new website!

http://sites.google.com/site/clintondalebands

Check it out for:

Event Calendar
News Room
Media Center
Band Booster Information
Anything else Band Related!

1st, 2nd and 3rd Hours

1st hour is continuing their work in small ensembles. We have set up three distinct ensembles, a brass quintet, woodwind quartet, and percussion trio. This has allowed me to work with the students on a more one on one basis to aid in their development.

In 2nd hour we have continued on expanding our book. This week we will work on cleaning 25 or 6 to 4, Pardon My Blues, and Smack Dab in the Middle. It is vital that all students come to class with the notes and rhythms learned so that we can work on learning how all of our parts fit together.

This week in 3rd hour we will discuss what the students were to complete this past Thrusday and Friday (Chap 2 Guided Reading). The Guided Reading assignment will be collected for a grade. We will complete Chap 2 and introduce Chap 3, which will be handed out for reading and discussion.

Concert Band

We're counting down toward our band festival performance at Anchor Bay High School. Just a reminder that we perform at 4:30PM on Friday, March 6, 2009. We hope to have all of your help and support as the students show what they're made of!

This week we're counting down toward our clinic with Prof. Bianchi from Wayne State University. He'll be in on February 24th during 5th and 6th periods. This is an extremely important rehearsal and attendance will be counted for a grade.

I can not stress enough that band, like other courses can not be taught at home. In class we do not learn how our individual parts go, but how they fit together in the overall ensemble. Thus, there is no way to make up a missed class period. It is essential that students attend all rehearsals on time and ready to work! Be prepared with a pencil!

Third Hour Week of 2/2

Tuesday

Discuss chapter 2 reading from yesterday.
>collect chapter definitions.

Wednesday

Complete chapter 2 discussion (Popular music in the 19th century).

Thursday

Review for chapters 1 and 2 quiz tomorrow.

Friday

15 Question Quiz on Chapters 1 and 2 (Multiple Choice).
Introduce Chapter 3 (The Emergence of African American Music)

Second Hour Week of 2/2

Tuesday

Smack Dab in the Middle: 52-75
>achieve correct notes, rhythms, articulations, and play with a full, supported sound.
Pardon My Blues: Beg-B
>Work for solid drum fills to "kick" the band
>Achieve correct notes in bassline
>Winds- work for correct notes, rhythms, and articulations

Wednesday

Reinforce concepts achieved yesterday.

Thursday

SDITM: 26-52
>Notes, rhythms, and articulations
PMB: B- D.C. al Coda
>Begin at letter C
>Work for correct notes, rhythms, and articulations
> Get drums to "kick" the band better (fills).

Friday

Work to reinforce concepts achieved yesterday.

First Hour Week of 2/2

This week the students have been broken into smaller "chamber ensembles." The goal of these smaller ensembles is to give students more of a chance to shine and to allow for work on individual tones, intonation tendencies, and reading skills (correct notes and rhythms). Students will work in smaller ensembles for the duration of the week.

Zero Hour Week of 2/2

Zero Hour Weekly Objectives-

Tuesday

UNM: Trio - End
>Work on consistent march style
>Ensure students are playing correct notes and rhythms
>Produce a balanced band sound and tone (pyramid of sound)

Tricycle: 17-39
>Read discription of piece
>Label themes
>Work for detached style in Theme 1 melody
>More connection in countermelody
>Work transition at 27

Wednesday

Reinforce objectives achieved yesterday.

Thursday

Tricycle: Beg- 17
>Detached style in ostinato part
>Tune woodwind chords (bars 5-6, 7-8, etc.)
>Catch triangle part
>Rehearse transition into 17

Highland Legend: 20-42
>Detached style
>Balance chords in accomp. part
>Work toward a dark and balanced concert band tone (balance and blend)

Friday

Reinforce objectives achieved yesterday. Run through festival selections.