Blog Archives - Ross Valley School District Music Program

Week #4

9/26/2018

Dear 5th Grade Orchestra!
This week we worked hard on bow holds, making a good sound... SUPER exciting!

This week’s homework:

Keep working on your belts! For some of you, this means YELLOW belt. Keep going! (For those of you who didn’t get an actual belt yet, they’re coming in the mail)
Practice #10-15 in your String Basics book. Look ahead if you can!

Have fun practicing!
Mrs. C :)

Week #3: See, I'm getting better at this posting thing!

9/19/2018

Dear 5th Grade Orchestra!

Hopefully you find this post on the website in a timely manner. If you did, then I must be getting the hang of things.

So, this week we worked on bow holds, open strings, using looooonnnggg bows, and keeping a steady beat. You all did great in class so keep up the work at home!

This weeks homework:
1. Work on #5 and Hoedown in order to get your first belt! Remember, you have 2 tries in class to play through the pieces as best you can. I am looking for perfect posture, nice hand position, and straight bows that stay in the track.

2. Practice V-L-I and I-L-V. This means, practice bowing from the frog all the way to the tip. Don't let your bow float off into the fingerboard area!

3. Practice #5-10 in your String Basics book. Remember to look ahead in your music and remember that half notes get 2 beats!

4. Look ahead on your Orchestra Karate Sheet! let's get as many belts as we can!

Thanks,
Mrs. C

P.S. If you watch the following video and tell me what it's about in class, then we can add 5 rocks to our class jar!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QgTF8p-284

Week #2: I had some technical difficulties...

9/17/2018

Dear 5th Grade Orchestra,

Again, I am sorry for the late post. I had some technical difficulties with the website. Long story short, the post didn't post like I thought it did... Thank you for being patient with me!

Let's get down to it. This week's homework is:
1. Practice setting up/ putting away your instrument. Remember to rosin your bow, and to take all of that rosin off as well! If you haven't gotten a cleaning cloth yet, please make sure that you get one. (Remember, an old, soft, t-shirt works just fine!)

2. Practice #1-5 in the String Basics book. If you haven't gotten your book yet, this a great time to order it on amazon now!

3. Look ahead on your Orchestra Karate Sheet! Read all about the directions and rules on the front side of the sheet. We haven't gotten Hoedown yet but you can certainly try to practice for your next belt!

As always, thank you for being great students and for being so excited about playing your instruments! Please take the time to staple your Orchestra Karate sheets into your books so that you don't lose them.

Remember, "Feet flat, back straight, hiney on the hump!" HUUUHHHHH

See you in class!
Mrs. C

P.S. Say hi in the comments below! Add your name and your school on the comments below, I'll have a special prize ready for you in class!

Samantha Nickel
Chorus, White Hill Middle School
Chorus, RVSD 5th Grade Music Choice Program