SmartMusic

Have you and your student tried SmartMusic yet?  SmartMusic is an interactive music learning software download which offers instant feedback.  SmartMusic is available by a subscription for $40 per year.  The software can be used for practice, assessments, and has a variety of toolbox features (tuner, fingering guide, etc).  A student can record themselves and practice with or without an accompaniment.  Each method book (except for Essential Technique) can be downloaded, as well as the majority of songs we will be playing this year.  In addition to these a vast library of over thousands of solo pieces can be downloaded.  Once you’ve purchased the subscription all downloads are free.  Check out all the information here:  http://www.smartmusic.com

Bowling Party!

Have you heard the news?!  We are having an all night bowling party!  Our musicians work hard and we want to reward them as they head into the second half of the year.  The bowling party is done in a lock in format at Severna Park Bowling.  The party will be Friday, Janury 15.  Each instrumental music student is invited to bring one guest.  Cost is $30/person.  Of course, we will need some brave chaperones too (chaperones who do not plan to bowl are not required to pay the $30 fee).  

All this information and more can be found on the flyers that should be coming home this week with all instrumental music students.  You can also find the flyer under the forms tab above.  Space is limited so get your orders in as soon as possible!   

Thank You

A huge thank you to everyone who donated supplies or came out to help with the renovations of the practice rooms and music stands!  We still have some work to do on the stands, but the practice rooms are much brighter and more enjoyable.

December/January Newsletter

The December/January newsletter is now available!  As always, the newsletter is filled with lots of information so please take a moment to read it over. We have lots of exciting events coming up to share with you!

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Trip Reminder

STUDENTS

1.  Students who are  in orchestra should come at the regularly scheduled rehearsal time 8AM.  Band students may arrive on their regular bus but should report to the cafeteria not advisory. Students will be marked SA (school activity) for periods 1-4.  The should be prepared to go to 5th and 6th period.

2.  Students should have money to purchase lunch.  Everyone received their 1st choice or 2nd choice of lunch locations and a great deal of time was spent making this work based on their requests.  Changing lunch locations will not be considered.  The restaurant choices are listed below, please look at the menu online to get an idea of how much lunch money is needed.  I will be asking that students going to Five Guys please get some friends together in advance and make a group order, this will be much quicker as they only have one cashier.

3.  ATTIRE- students should come prepared to see a major U.S. symphony, this is a "dress up" occasion.  The instrumental uniform would be appropriate. (in fact preferred for 7th and 8th graders)  If a student does not have appropriate clothes please have them see me prior to Wednesday December 2nd.

The following pieces will be performed, hearing the pieces prior to the concert would make the concert more enjoyable.  The concert theme is about those composers Wagner and Tchaikowsky and how their works pushed the envelope of new music for the time.  Both pieces were not well received initially but through time have become Orchestral standards.  It seems that throughout musical history you "like what you know" and deviations from the norm have always met with some disapproval.  Another possible theme could be the lengths that one could go through for the love or the love of their art.

Richard Wagner   Overture to the Die Meistersinger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUarKeg0cjc 

Peter Tchaikowsky   Swan Lake Op 20A  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S76CGGPqI3s

No. 1 Scene

No. 3 Danses des cygnes    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVSb3dFszH4

No. 6 Danse Espagnole    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCEo3YAgZe8

No. 8 Mazurka   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWlvY0BiLs4

No. 29 Scene finale    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3a0kNPfKEc 

John Williams    Jurassic Park   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZh88vz8b8 

Chaperones please arrive by 8:45 and park in the faculty parking lot.

All County Band Audition Music

Audition music is now available to all those wishing to try out for All County Band.  Just click on the tab above and then choose your instrument.  

All Country Band Auditions will be held January 6, 2016 at Southern High School. 

Movie Night Time Change

Please note that the time for movie night on Friday, December 4 has changed to 4-6 PM.  Tickets can still be purchased using the bottom of the flyer and at lunch.  The $5 ticket includes hot cocoa and cookies.  Additional snacks will be available for purchase.  We are showing Home Alone.  This should be a fun afternoon for all so please join us!