Notes from Mrs. Kubota (Wind Ensemble)

Practice everything with more sensitivity and one or two dynamics lessthan marked this week.

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

Congratulations to Catherine and Eden for making it to 1st Violin! Below are some places to look at for next rehearsal.

1st and 2nd Violins - Please work on "sweetening" your melodic lines in Circinus (m. 41 - 44) Also, in Santa at the Symphony m. 13 - 30, remember to lighten up your pizz.

Viola- Mr. Chu would like you to remember your "happy" brush strokes. Santa at the Symphony m. 2 - 4.

Celli- Here's a quote from Mr. Sweeney, "Use your metronome and subdivide everything!"

String Bass - Your coach would like you to always remember count, and watch the conductor. Please practice the transition from arco to pizz (m. 12-13) in Santa at the Symphony.

Also, please keep your ears open and listen for intonation.

Haiku Contest - A haiku is a poem with 3 lines. The first line has 5 syllables, the second has 7 syllables, and the third has 5 lines. Submit your haiku next rehearsal and the winner will receive a prize. Look at the attachment for ideas.

Notes from Ms. Lim (String Orchestra)

After observing your wonderful sectionals, here are some things to work on during the week...

1st and 2nd Violins practice "sweetening" the tone in Circinus. Remember not to attack the notes (especially on the E string), but rather lean in with lots of vibrato. Here's how to check if it's sweet enough. Play it for a parent and watch their body language. If they cringe, you still need to work on making it beautiful. Make them tear up because it's beautiful not because it hurts them!

Violas, you are so very musical! Now, if only you looked as good as you sound. I know..."ouch", but I'd like to see your scrolls up and not facing the ground. Make your teachers proud...if they say something at your next lesson about your wonderful new posture, I'll give you money. Scouts honor guys, don't try to trick me!

Celli and String Bass, you're intonation has improved immensely (now that we know how important it is to tune:). Now, we just have to figure out that rhythm thing. Metronomes are OK, but counting out loud, especially subdividing, is even better. There are moments when things move too quickly in Circinus, m. 45 - 48 (especially the sixteenth notes) that need attention. I will give a prize to the person who has the greatest exercise for steady rhythm.

Congratulations Jacqueline for making to the 2nd round for 1st Violin seating. Next week, we will find out who gets placed in 1st violin. Great job to all who have tried out!

Here's something to try for fun, works on cell phones - I checked:)

Phone Songs

All of the following songs may be played on a touch-tone phone. Commas are pauses, are eighth notes, and hyphens are held notes.
Deck The Halls

-9 6 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 6 2 -3 2 2 1 -2
-9 6 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 6 2 -3 2 2 1 -2
-2 3 6 2 -3 6 9 2 1 2 6 9 # 9 6 3 -3
-9 6 3 2 1 2 3 1 # # # # -9 6 3 2 -1