HS Band Assignments During COVID-19 Break
Google Classroom Code: coucy4v
The assignment information is listed below for those who cannot access Google Classroom. If you can access Google Classroom, please visit the assignment on the classroom page (each title below will link directly to the assignment for your convenience) to submit assignments. If you cannot access Google Classroom, follow the directions below and record the assignment for me using any means you can (a phone, iPod/iPad, etc.). You can send it by email to [email protected] If you're having trouble, email me and I'll try to help.
COVID-19 Assignment #1 - Blue Ridge Saga
Practice and perfect the section of music listed for your instrument below. Once you have perfected it (Notes, rhythms, intonation, articulation, dynamics, expression, etc.), record yourself playing it and turn it in. If you submit this test early (multiple days before the deadline), you can make corrections play it again to improve your grade.
There is a great recording attached here for you to listen to. If you can play the same way the recording does, you'll be golden! Look for more pointers over the course of the week. General pointers: Tone is always most important. Use good air support and then don't play louder or softer than you can with a good tone. With that in mind, use a wider range of dynamics than you think you need to. Practice slowly with a metronome and tuner to help you play accurately. Once you have perfected all parts of the excerpt slowly, gradually work to play faster. Here is a free, online metronome: https://www.metronomeonline.com/
There is a great recording attached here for you to listen to. If you can play the same way the recording does, you'll be golden! Look for more pointers over the course of the week. General pointers: Tone is always most important. Use good air support and then don't play louder or softer than you can with a good tone. With that in mind, use a wider range of dynamics than you think you need to. Practice slowly with a metronome and tuner to help you play accurately. Once you have perfected all parts of the excerpt slowly, gradually work to play faster. Here is a free, online metronome: https://www.metronomeonline.com/
- Flute + Clarinets + Saxophones + Trombones + Euphoniums + Tubas: 65-72 in Blue Ridge Saga (Tempo should be quarter note = 120)
- Trumpets: 192-199 in Blue Ridge Saga (Tempo should be quarter note = 100)
- Percussion: Select either the snare drum part 130-137 (Quarter note = 120) or Mallets part 65-72 (Quarter note = 120. If one of those parts is the one you've been playing, that's the one you need to play for me. (Devin - I won't expect you to play rolls on the snare... if you play that, just work on the rhythms).
COVID-19 Assignment #2 - The Queen of Soul
Practice and perfect the section of music listed for your instrument below. Once you have perfected it (Notes, rhythms, intonation, articulation, dynamics, expression, etc.), record yourself playing it and turn it in. If you submit this test early (multiple days before the deadline), you can make corrections play it again to improve your grade.
Here is a recording for you to listen to. If you can play the same way the recording does, you'll be golden! Look for more pointers over the course of the week. General pointers: Tone is always most important. Use good air support and then don't play louder or softer than you can with a good tone. With that in mind, use a wider range of dynamics than you think you need to. Practice slowly with a metronome and tuner to help you play accurately. Once you have perfected all parts of the excerpt slowly, gradually work to play faster. Here is a free, online metronome: https://www.metronomeonline.com/
Queen of Soul:
Flute + Clarinets + Saxophones: 107-115 (Tempo should be quarter note = 120)
Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium: 16-23 (Tempo should be quarter note = 116)
Tubas: 20-23, 142-145 (Tempo should be quarter note = 116 for first set, 120 for second set)
Percussion:
-Snare and Bass: 34-42 (end on beat 1 of 42). (Tempo should be quarter = 116 and then slightly slower for 3/4 time). Use rim and head of snare or drum pad (unless you have a cymbal or two). Can count, clap, or play bass part on any surface that you'd like.
-Mallets: 139-145 (Tempo: Quarter = 120)
Here is a recording for you to listen to. If you can play the same way the recording does, you'll be golden! Look for more pointers over the course of the week. General pointers: Tone is always most important. Use good air support and then don't play louder or softer than you can with a good tone. With that in mind, use a wider range of dynamics than you think you need to. Practice slowly with a metronome and tuner to help you play accurately. Once you have perfected all parts of the excerpt slowly, gradually work to play faster. Here is a free, online metronome: https://www.metronomeonline.com/
Queen of Soul:
Flute + Clarinets + Saxophones: 107-115 (Tempo should be quarter note = 120)
Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium: 16-23 (Tempo should be quarter note = 116)
Tubas: 20-23, 142-145 (Tempo should be quarter note = 116 for first set, 120 for second set)
Percussion:
-Snare and Bass: 34-42 (end on beat 1 of 42). (Tempo should be quarter = 116 and then slightly slower for 3/4 time). Use rim and head of snare or drum pad (unless you have a cymbal or two). Can count, clap, or play bass part on any surface that you'd like.
-Mallets: 139-145 (Tempo: Quarter = 120)
COVID-19 Assignment #3 - Review of Haunted Carousel Performance at Band Festival
Listen to the recording of our band festival performance of Haunted Carousel. Answer the following questions using complete sentences (at least two complete sentences each). Number your answers and repeat the question as part of your answer (see example below).
1) What was your overall opinion of the performance (was it effective, did it sound as good as you thought, etc.)?
2) What is one thing you think you or your section should improve on? (be specific - give measure numbers, if applicable)
3) What is one thing you or your section did well? (again, be specific)
4) What is one thing you think another section, or the whole band, did well?
- OR - What is one thing you think another section, or the whole band, needs to improve on? (be specific)
Here's an example of a well-answered question (I am making up the measure numbers - this probably won't match up with our music):
2) One thing my section needs to improve on is our intonation in measures 52 and 53. It sounds like at least one of use was flat and needs to use more air support to keep the pitch up.
Here's an example of a poorly-answered question:
3) We are grate. We never make misteaks.
1) What was your overall opinion of the performance (was it effective, did it sound as good as you thought, etc.)?
2) What is one thing you think you or your section should improve on? (be specific - give measure numbers, if applicable)
3) What is one thing you or your section did well? (again, be specific)
4) What is one thing you think another section, or the whole band, did well?
- OR - What is one thing you think another section, or the whole band, needs to improve on? (be specific)
Here's an example of a well-answered question (I am making up the measure numbers - this probably won't match up with our music):
2) One thing my section needs to improve on is our intonation in measures 52 and 53. It sounds like at least one of use was flat and needs to use more air support to keep the pitch up.
Here's an example of a poorly-answered question:
3) We are grate. We never make misteaks.
COVID-19 (OPTIONAL) Assignment #4 - Music Composition (Extra Credit - 5 points)
I have written the start of Corona Calypso. I need you to add to it (4 or more measures). You can just add to your own instrument, or you can try adding to other instruments also (remember that many instruments transpose and probably won't use the same notes as you). You can even write a whole song, using multiple different part, if you want, This assignment is totally optional and will be counted as extra credit (5 points).
For those who are in Google Classroom - use the link above to go to the assignment in Google Classroom. You will click into Flat.io, then be asked to give Flat.io permission to access your Google Drive (so your files can be saved there). Finally, you will need to click on the classroom that's been created for this assignment and then on the assignment. Here is a demo of how to use Flat.io
If you're not in Google Classroom, visit manistique.flat.io and then enter the code COUCY4V to join the class. Select the assignment and get started!
For those who are in Google Classroom - use the link above to go to the assignment in Google Classroom. You will click into Flat.io, then be asked to give Flat.io permission to access your Google Drive (so your files can be saved there). Finally, you will need to click on the classroom that's been created for this assignment and then on the assignment. Here is a demo of how to use Flat.io
If you're not in Google Classroom, visit manistique.flat.io and then enter the code COUCY4V to join the class. Select the assignment and get started!
Free, Optional Resources
- uTheory - Music Theory Lessons: https://utheory.com/section/9kx5e
- SmartMusic: Offers the ability to find music to play along with to help you practice
- Visit: https://admin.smartmusic.com/join
- Enter the class code: YL6YA-PZKFL
- Mr. Connin will have to "grant you access" after you log in and use the code, so it may take a day or two. Please send me an email or message so I know to go in and give you access. After that you can:
- Search for Haunted Carousel and play along
- Search for Blue Ridge Saga and play along