Secrist's Secrets

New Blog on Blackboard

All the orchestra announcements and resources are now available on the new Blackboard blogs. Please go to this link to find the orchestra blog:

http://cobbk12.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_16266_1%26url%3D

You can also access the blog through the Lovinggood home page under faculty & staff link.

 

Allstate Auditions and Solo & Ensemble Festival

Here is information on Allstate and S&E. Deadline is 8/31/11.

Download ALL STATE and SOLO Student FormFY12

Disney Forms & Info

Here is the Disney information. Please note that the deadline for turning in your intent form and NON REFUNDABLE   deposit is September 23, 20911.

Download Disney Intent & Info FY12

Practice Requirements Fall 11

6th Grade - All 6th grade orchestra students are required to practice an average of 100 minutes per week, fill out the required practice sheet form, get it signed by a parent/guardian and turn it in by the designated due dates. Please download the form and turn in on time.

7th and 8th Grade  Students  have two options to demonstrate skills mastery through practice time. They can either turn in the practice sheets or come in before school during the same week that practice sheets are due to do a performance demonstration for me on required music assignments. All 7th and 8th grade students must do one of these options for every practice sheet deadline.

Below you'll find the practice sheet for Fall 2011 and the practice options explanations for 7th and 8th grade orchestra students.

Download Practice Sheet.FY11

Download 78.Practice Sheet.PerfDemoInfo Fall2011

Orchestra Updates

All students should have received their Orchestra Handbook and Student Information Form today in class. Please make sure all parents review material, fill out the Student Informatiaon Form and return the form no later than Tuesday, August 23...sooner than that if possible. The syllabus will be available soon.

Download OrchestraHandbookFY2012.WOSylSIF Orchestra Handbook

Download SIF FY12 Student Information Form

Summer Reminders

We're more than half way through your summer vacation and I want to offer some reminders to all orchestra students.

If you're eager to get your supplies for the school year, the orchestra supply list can be found in the Orchestra Handbook available under "pages" here on my blog. 

During the first month of school, 7th and 8th grade students will have your first performance test. It will cover scales that we have already learned for your grade level and one musical selection which will be announced during the first week of school. So, during the next few weeks, practice your scales by starting at a slow tempo and gradually getting them to a tempo of quarter equals a metronome marking of 100. Also work on music as well, trying to create the most beautiful tone you can...be musical! Think about dynamics, phrasing, bow speed and pressure. Remember that the scales can all be found at the back of your Essential Elements book.

A special welcome to our rising 6th grade orchestra students. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Please use my email to reach me: barbera.secrist@cobbk12.org

Have a great last few weeks of summer and I look forward to seeing you all next month.

Orchestra Handbook 2011-12

Here is the LMS Orchestra Handbook for the upcoming school year. It can also be found as one of my "pages" that you can download or view at any time during the school year.

Please download a copy, fill out the last two pages and turn in these pages in during the first week of school. For those with a printer or internet problem, I will provide a hard copy in class.

Download OrchestraHandbookFY2012

School Instrument Returns

All school owned instruments were supposed to have been returned by last Thursday, May 19. Unfortunately, there are still two cellos and two basses that have not yet been returned. If you have a school instrument and have not brought it in for the annual inventory check, please email me ASAP to arrange a time to return it. Your student's grade will not be released to you until the instrument has been returned.

barbera.secrist@cobbk12.org

 

Summer Instrument Check-out

If you have completed and given to me an instrument check out form requesting a school instrument to use for the summer, please email me to arrange a time to come by the school to get it. I must be here when you pick it up -- no exceptions. So, please make an appointment with me so that you don't have a wasted trip here.

barbera.secrist@cobbk12.org

 

Rock Orchestra Reminders

In case you need it, here is the Rock Orchestra rehearsal/concert schedule again:

Thursday & Friday rehearsals: 1:00 - 4:00 pm and 5:00 - 8:00 pm; if you did NOT pre-order the optional pizza dinner you NEED TO BRING SOMETHING TO EAT. We'll have a dinner break from 4 - 5pm both days. All students must remain at school. For those who pre-ordered pizza, it will be ready for you during the break.

Saturday: Rehearsal 3:00 - 5:00 pm and CONCERT at 7:00 PM; dinner break and opportunity to change clothes between the rehearsal & concert; students who did NOT pre-order should remember to bring food to eat during the break. Dress for the concert is either rock concert attire (within the context of a public school event) or jeans/t-shirt.

TICKETS - If you pre-ordered tickets, they are being distributed to your student at school Wednesday and Thursday. Check with them to make sure you keep them in a safe place. You'll need them for entrance to the event. If you DID NOT PRE-ORDER, you can still buy tickets at the pre-concert price of only $7 through Friday, May 13, until 8:00 pm. Tickets at the door will be $10.

REMINDER TO 8TH GRADE CELLO PLAYERS - You need to bring in your home instrument to use for Thursday through Saturday Rock Orchestra rehearsals and concert. We will not have enough instruments for all our 7th and 8th grade cellists if you don't bring yours. 7th grade cellist will use the school instruments.

MISSING ROCK ORCHESTRA PAYMENTS - There are still a dozen or so students who have not paid their participation fee and/or their pre-ordered tickets. If you're not sure, send me an email and I'll check on your payment. Please make sure all fees are paid by Friday! THANKS.