Newsletter #12 12/30/10

(see original email for live links)

***Save the Date*** (click here for our calendar)
No Sectionals the month of January - all students have after school rehearsals with Chamber groups
Jan 15 - Chamber Orchestra performs at OMEA convention
Jan 13 - Mandatory Trip meeting for Chicago students and parents
Jan 20 - All City auditions
Feb 1 - Advanced Chamber Music Concert - Loucks (CO)
Feb 4 - Portland Cello Project at downtown library

Contained within:

1) December Performance Assignment reminder
2) History and music for Auld Lang Syne
3) A busy month for Chamber Orchestra members
4) Explanation of Chamber Music unit for January
5) No Sectionals for the month of January
6) Live Performance Review reminder

1) December Performance Assignment reminder
All students have received paperwork and/or been reminded about the December Performance Assignment - PDR (Plan-Do-Review). Students need to perform 'in public' some time during the month of December (or first few days of January). "In public" just means that it's for other people - family and/or friends is fine. One suggestion is to play Auld Lang Syne on New Years Day - see the info below. All students should have Suzuki books and Green and/or Beige books that have music that can be performed. On January 3 or 4 students will write down how their 'performance' went in the composition books at school - once reviewed, points will be given for the assignment. There is no 'make up' points available for this assignment after January 4.


2) History and music for Auld Lang Syne
At the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve, everyone sings a familiar melody - Auld Lang Syne. If you don't think you know, it you probably do. The words are different and I've never fully understood the meaning of them. You could fulfill your December Performance Assignment by playing this for your New Years Eve crowd or on New Years Day... Here's the Wikipedia info on the tune:

Auld Lang Syne Wikipedia

Here's a link to see the music in treble clef (F major):

Auld Lang Syne

And, another resource

Sheet Music and listening link

Or, just google search for Auld Lang Syne Sheet Music and then click on images for results - tons of versions available online.


3) A busy month for Chamber Orchestra members
The month of January is going to be a busy one for Chamber Orchestra members. Here's a list of what we're working on:

Chamber Music Project - students are required to meet weekly with their chamber music group. Concert is February 1 (and during Finals).

OMEA performance - on Saturday Jan 15 students will be performing a 20 minute performance at the Oregon Music Educators Assoc. conference in Eugene. We're playing Giannini, Britten, and maybe Tango.


All State - 7 of our members are playing with the All State orchestra at the OMEA convention the weekend of January 14. They will leave the All State rehearsal to come perform with us when we play as Chamber Orchestra at OMEA on Saturday Jan 15.

All City auditions - all but one of the Chamber students are doing a live audition for All City. I'm hopeful that many will make it into the All City orchestra. We will work on this material some during class, and some after school.

Please be focused during rehearsals and practicing efficiently at home. Keep up your vitamins and minerals too - it's a bad month to get sick.

4) Explanation of Chamber Music unit for January
In the month of January, all students will participate in a Chamber Music unit. The first few days will be dedicated to selecting and sight reading music. The 2nd and 3rd weeks of January students will rehearse on their own and be coached by guest musicians. There are no sectionals the month of January - students will need to practice weekly with their chamber music partners after or before school. This rehearsal can happen at school, but, can also be at student homes. Once the rehearsal is registered with me weekly, students will receive full participation points for the week.

Finals at West happen January 26, 27, and 28. For our final, students will perform their chamber music group in front of the class - this in-class performance will be video taped and put up on our YouTube site. Each student will also assess the performance of their peers. There will also be a short written final in each class - content of this test will be discussed and reviewed over the weeks before the final.

Students in Chamber Orchestra will perform their chamber music at a performance on February 1 at the downtown public library, Loucks Auditorium. There might be a group or two from Sinfonietta and/or Titan Strings invited to perform on this chamber music concert too.

5) No Sectionals for the month of January
The month of January there are no sectionals for Sinfonietta or Titan Violins. All students will be required to find time to work with their chamber music partners once per week. If students need assistance with this after school rehearsal, I am available to work with them.

6) Live Performance Review reminder
Reminder that all students must attend one live concert - collegiate or professional - each semester. This assignment is due January 25. Students who saw concerts in September, October, November or December just need to complete a review for credit. Review information (survey or essay) is up on the website - www.titanorchestras.com - click on Student members and then on Review Information.

If you haven't seen a concert yet, there are a few concerts these next few weeks - check the Art Smart Salem website for January:

http://artsmartsalem.org/january.html

There is a Camerata Music performance and 2 Oregon Symphony performances that students can see - through Art Smart, there are student discounts available for most performances. Students who run the risk of not completing this assignment (because they cannot attend a live concert in the next 4 weeks) can come talk to Ms. S for alternative arrangements. I feel very strongly that musicians not only learn to be good audience members, but that students are supportive of local, live music! Students receive inspiration and motivation from seeing professionals play.

Thanks for reading all the way down to the end of the newsletter...
~Ms S.

Congratulations Lauren C!

Senior violist Lauren C. has made the finals of the Connie Fritz Memorial Concerto Competition for the Salem Chamber Orchestra. On Jan. 9 in the afternoon Lauren will perform her concerto movement live with accompanist in front of the judges. Good luck Lauren!

David Klinkenberg's coming to Salem this weekend

Contemporary violinist David Klinkenberg is coming to Salem's People's Church this weekend - some of these shows are sold out. He is a wonderfully inspirational nationally-touring violinist who plays at many churches during the holiday season. Very exciting that he's here in Salem again this year.

Here's a link to his tour website with ticket info:

http://www.davidklinkenberg.com/tour.php

Newsletter #11 (emailed 12/8/10)

***Save the Date*** (click here for our calendar)
Wed Dec 8 - Winter Concert (Titan Strings and Sinfonietta)
Thu Dec 9 - Capital Manor (Chamber group) 4-6pm
Mon Dec 13 - Winter at West Dress Rehearsal 4:30 - 8:30 (Chamber)
Wed Dec 15 - Winter at West (Chamber)
Thu Dec 16 - Winter at West (Chamber)
Fri Dec 17 - Capital Manor (select students) 5pm
Sat Dec 18 - Prelude at OR Symphony Portland (Chamber group)

Contained within:

1) Chicago Trip deposit #2 is due Friday
2) Titan Strings videos up on the blog
3) Concert Tonight (Dec. 8) for Titan Strings and Sinfonietta
4) Winter at West details for audience and members
5) Stocking stuffer ideas for young musicians...
6) Thank you to parents!!!

1) Chicago Trip deposit #2 is due Friday Dec. 10

Just a reminder that an important deadline comes Friday - all students wanting to attend the Chicago tour must have their next payment turned into the grey box by 2:30 Friday. Please see emails that have been sent to you regarding amounts and contact info if there are any questions. Save the date - Thursday January 13 at 6:30 - for a special Chicago Trip meeting (pizza will be provided). At this meeting we will go over the itinerary, paperwork needed, packing guidelines, rehearsal schedule for January and February, and more. At least one parent per student family are asked to attend this meeting. Students going on the trip will be required to attend this meeting.

2) Titan Strings videos up on the blog
Titan Strings went to Portland Children's Museum on Thursday Dec. 2, 2010 - click on the link below to see the videos embedded into our blog:

Titan Strings PCM video Blog Entry

Of, you can go to www.youtube.com/titanorchestras to see the videos directly on YouTube

3) Concert Dec. 8 for Titan Strings and Sinfonietta
Wednesday December 8 is our Winter Concert for Titan Strings and Sinfonietta. The concert will be at 7pm in the auditorium. Sprague's intermediate orchestra, called "Symphony Strings", is our special guest.

Here's the schedule

5:30 - Titan Strings and Sinfonietta on stage to practice Jingle Bell Hoedown (please arrive 10 minutes earlier than stated)
6:15 dinner break - pre-order pizza, capri sun, ice cream for $5 (or, bring a dinner)
7pm performance
8:30ish - concert conclusion

A few select students Sinfonietta cellists and a bass player have been asked to bring home instruments to this concert. Violinists may want to bring their home instrument to assure they have an instrument for the Hoedown.

4) Winter at West details for audience and members
Winter at West is going to bigger and better than ever. This show is a celebration of the season - Promise of Peace - and information about the show will be written up in the Statesman Journal. Only Chamber Orchestra performs in this show (from the orchestra program) but I certainly hope that students and parents from the rest of the orchestra program will buy advance tickets and come - it's one of the finest productions we put on at West.

Tickets are on sale through the bookkeeper's office at West. Babysitting will be provided this year by Titan Tots.

Here's info for musicians:

Monday Dec. 13 - Mandatory dress rehearsal 4:30 - 8:30pm
Wed. and Thur. Dec. 15 and 16 - 6:30 call time in the orchestra room.

5) Stocking stuffer ideas for young musicians...

Here's a list of great ideas for stocking stuffers for young musicians - I'll provide a link on the items below at Shar Music (see original email for links), but you can ask the following dealers in town for the same items:Weathers Music, Uptown, Henry Strobels, David Kerr Violins

Jade Rosin (for cello/violin/viola)
A metronome
A tuner
A metronome tuner
Manhasset stand (available in many colors)
Violin gift plaque
Musical gifts like pins, earrings, instrument wrapping paper
A new case (not so much a stocking stuffer as a main present)
Gift membership to www.virtualsheetmusic.com - so students can print off all the music they'd like

6) Thank you to parents and students!!!

Huge thanks goes to the parents and students who helped our very successful Wreath, Poinsettia and Christmas Tree fundraiser this year. Tracy Riley and Steve Tatman took hours of their time to go up to the tree farm to fresh cut our beautiful trees. The following students helped with Wreath and Poinsettia set up and pick up:

Itati Guillen
Katerina Krazovskiy - and a friend who had nothing better to do!
Amanda Childers
Elizabeth Kirkpatrick
Riley Brostrom
Ana Ramirez
Stella Kim
Steve Tatman
Mark Lowen
Karen Tatman
Jacque Dodds - two shifts
Makayla McCauley
Kathy McCauley
Kim Dietz
Lori Dietz - two shifts

The following parents helped with tree pick up:
Tatmans
Tracy Brostrom
Gordy Harder
Gail Harder
Kim Dietz
Lori Dietz

And, as always, I thank the parent booster organization for providing such amazing fundraisers for the students!

Thanks for reading all the way down to the end of the newsletter...
~Ms S.

Titan Strings trip to Portland Children's Museum - Videos!

Titan Strings Introduction and Bourree:



Jingle Bells:



Up on the Housetop and Dreidyl



Deck the Angels



Show n tell

Ms. S playing "BugBach" - from years ago in LA

Newsletter #10 (emailed 12/1/10)

***Save the Date*** (click on "calendar" to the right for more info)
Christmas Tree, Wreath and Poinsettia pickup is this weekend!!! See below
Thur Dec 2 - Titan Strings Performance Trip - all day
Wed Dec 8 - Winter Concert (Titan Strings and Sinfonietta)
Mon Dec 13 - Winter at West Dress Rehearsal 4:30 - 8:30 (Chamber)
Wed Dec 15 - Winter at West (Chamber)
Thu Dec 16 - Winter at West (Chamber)
December Capital Manor Fridays

Contained within:

1) Xmas tree, Wreath and Poinsettia pickup...
2) Capitol Manor performance opportunity!!!!
3) Concert Dec. 8 for Titan Strings and Sinfonietta
4) Winter at West details for audience and members
5) We'll be 'caroling' in the halls...
6) Stocking stuffer ideas for young musicians...

1) Xmas tree, Wreath and Poinsettia pickup...
If you placed an order for either our Xmas tree or Wreath/Poinsettia fundraiser *YOU* need to pick up your plants (unless you are having the Xmas tree delivered). Here's the schedule:
Friday evening Dec. 3 8-9pm
Saturday Dec. 4 9-11am
Sunday is Xmas tree only!!!!

If you don't pick up your pre-paid items, they will slowly shrivel up and die (or I might rescue them) in the hallways of West.

2) Capitol Manor performance opportunity!!!!
Students - would you like to fulfill your December Performance assignment while having some fun playing carols? Friday Dec. 10 and 17 Capitol Manor is looking for 6-8 students to carol in the Sun Room. Ms. S will be there to help coordinate music and performance. This is a wonderfully inviting group of folks who come to hear us play - and it's a great way to share music this holiday season. Email Ms. S or come see me in class if you'd like to carol!

3) Concert Dec. 8 for Titan Strings and Sinfonietta
Wednesday December 8 is our Winter Concert for Titan Strings and Sinfonietta. The concert will be at 7pm in the auditorium. Sprague's intermediate orchestra is our special guest.

Here's the schedule

5:30 - Titan Strings and Sinfonietta on stage to practice Jingle Bell Hoedown
6:15 dinner break - pre-order pizza, capri sun, ice cream for $5 (or, bring a dinner)
7pm performance
8:30ish - concert conclusion

4) Winter at West details for audience and members
Winter at West is going to bigger and better than ever. This show is a celebration of the season - Promise of Peace - and information about the show will be written up in the Statesman Journal. Only Chamber Orchestra performs in this show (from the orchestra program) but I certainly hope that students and parents from the rest of the orchestra program will buy advance tickets and come - it's one of the finest productions we put on at West.

Tickets are on sale through the bookkeeper's office at West. Babysitting will be provided this year by Titan Tots.

Here's info for musicians:

Monday Dec. 13 - Mandatory dress rehearsal 4:30 - 8:30pm
Wed. and Thur. Dec. 15 and 16 - 6:30 call time in the orchestra room.

5) We'll be 'caroling' in the halls...
The last week of school before the winter break all periods of orchestra will be caroling in the halls of West - it's one way to share the season with our peers and colleagues. We will set out in both large and small groups and play well loved holiday carols.

6) Stocking stuffer ideas for young musicians...
Here's a list of great ideas for stocking stuffers for young musicians - I'll provide a link on the items below at Shar Music (check your email for the links), but you can ask the following dealers in town for the same items:Weathers Music, Uptown, Henry Strobels, David Kerr Violins

Jade Rosin (for cello/violin/viola)
A metronome
A tuner
A metronome tuner
Manhasset stand (available in many colors)
Violin gift plaque
Musical gifts like pins, earrings, instrument wrapping paper
A new case (not so much a stocking stuffer as a main present)
Gift membership to www.virtualsheetmusic.com - so students can print off all the music they'd like

If you need/want other ideas, and/or if you're interested in purchasing a new instrument or bow and need advice, please feel free to ask me.

Thanks for reading all the way down to the end of the newsletter...
~Ms S.