Category Archives: Uncategorized

What are we doing this week?

Guests this week
Ms. Judy Drtina will be doing group lessons Monday and Tuesday.  She is available for private lessons outside of school as well.  Let me know if you want her contact information.

Band on Quad/Awards volunteer sign-ups
We still need more help – specifically (but not limited to):

• taking plaques to Cary Awards to be engraved
• printing certificates
• unpacking and checking trophies for accuracy
• coordinating the meal
• take photos
• take orders for band pins

Please sign up on the google spreadsheet, then email Mr. Grush for more information.
Band on Quad/Awards volunteer sign-ups

Free tickets to Raleigh Ringers June 8 Concert
There are no names entered so I cannot do a  reverse raffle.  Please enter your information in the google spreadsheet!

Enter reverse raffle for Raleigh Ringers Tickets and order CD’s/DVD’s

Also, if you wish to order something from the Raleigh Ringers website, enter that info as well.  We can get free shipping if I order everything together.

Upgrade Your Sound
Music and Arts is having its annual events for students who are ready to “Step up” to a higher quality instrument.  Many students are ready for a more professional instrument between 8th and 10th grades.  I would encourage students to go try some instruments.  6th graders will do this on our field trip in May.  I’m still trying to confirm a date.

http://www.musicarts.com/Upgrade-Your-Sound—Information-g27153t0.mac

MS Band Stars and Stripes Pass-off Thursday, 4-17
This is an additional pass-off not on the original syllabus.  I need to hear individuals play to determine who has mastered their parts and who may need help from me.  🙂

The Intonation Pain Scale  (This one is probably my favorite)
http://www.tonedeafcomics.com/comic/intonation-pain-scale/

What are we doing this week?

Guests this week
Ms. Judy Drtina will be doing group lessons.  See “What are we doing this week”.

Band on Quad/Awards volunteer sign-ups
We will need help from dozens of people.  Please sign up on the google spreadsheet, then email Mr. Grush for more information.
Band on Quad/Awards volunteer sign-ups

Beginning Band Concert Outfits needed for May 7 Band on the Quad
Click for outfit information

Free tickets to Raleigh Ringers June 8 Concert
Enter your information in the google spreadsheet.  Next Sunday night, we will have a reverse raffle, drawing names from the magic hat.  The last 3 names to be drawn win a set of 4 tickets! 

Enter reverse raffle for Raleigh Ringers Tickets and order CD’s/DVD’s

Also, if you wish to order something from the Raleigh Ringers website, enter that info as well.  We can get free shipping if I order everything together.

MS Band Tuning Exercise Pass-off in class Thurs. April 10
The pass-off for MS Band students this week is a tuning exercise.  Students should download the SmartMusic file for their instrument to practice.  Students will play along with the SmartMusic file in class and I will evaluate how well they play in tune with SmartMusic’s piano sound.

Alto Sax Tuning – MS

Clarinet Tuning – MS

Flute Tuning – MS

Horn Tuning – MS

Tenor Sax Tuning – MS

Timpani Tuning – G

Timpani Tuning – F

Trumpet Tuning – MS

Trombone Tuning – MS

Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring nearly caused riots in its first performances.

http://www.tonedeafcomics.com/comic/the-rite-of-spring-the-movie/

http://www.tonedeafcomics.com/comic/the-rite-of-spring/

What are we doing this week?

Coming soon – Band on Quad/Awards volunteer sign-ups
We will need help from dozens of people.  Sign-up spreadsheet available soon!

Beginning Band Concert Outfits needed for May 7 Band on the Quad
Click for outfit information

Beginning Band Pass-off added to Class haiku calendar
Thursday – April 24.  Play Stars and Stripes from memory.

Raleigh Ringers (handbells) workshops were wonderful!
Listen, look, and watch!

BB_Handbells_3-27-14.mp3

MS_Handbells_3-27-14.mp3

US_Handbells_3-27-14.mp3

Pics (in onedrive)

Videos (in dropbox)

 Congratulations to three outstanding students
Andy Cooper auditioned for the All-State Jazz Band on March 8 and ranked as 2nd alternate.

Trevor Scanlon was selected to participated in NX Governors School East in the area of Instrumental Music.  He is the first band student selected in 10 years!

Pranay Tankala auditioned for the All-State Band on March 8 and was selected.  He will attend the clinic weekend at UNC-CH May 2-4.

So who can explain why these are funny?

http://www.tonedeafcomics.com/comic/more-music-sequels/

What are we doing this week?

T3 Band To Do List for Parents AND Students
Thanks to many of you for taking care of this. 
If you have not been able to do so, please complete as soon as possible.
Yes, you can still get full credit, just not extra credit.
Click for T3 To Do list

Change in Pass-off date for Beginning and MS Bands this week
MS – Message on the Rock, Wednesday 3-26
BB – Wipe Out, Friday 3-28

MS Band rehearsal with US Band May 6
This date is on the band calendar, but I forgot to add to the MS Syllabus.
US Band will come to MS band class on Tuesday, May 6 to rehearse Stars and Stripes.

Beginning Band Concert Outfits
Click for outfit information

US Course registration
Signing up for as many band classes as possible is a sure fire way to get a full ride at Harvard. 🙂
Seriously, please let me know if you have any questions.

Raleigh Ringers (handbells) come to band classes March 27
Members of the Raleigh Ringers will bring many of their different types of bells to play for band students. 
Students will also get to try their hands (pun intended) playing the bells.
Thank you to the PTAA for funding the grant to bring the Raleigh Ringers to us!

 http://www.rr.org/

The music  is taken from a larger work called “Thus Spake Zarathustra”
 http://www.tonedeafcomics.com/comic/a-space-odyssey/