Even professional musicians have to practice songs as simple as "Jingle Bells." Take a peek at Wynton Marsalis (probably one of the best trumpet players of all time) and the JLCO (Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra) as they PRACTICE for an upcoming holiday concert.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Practice Makes Progress
The first time you picked up a basketball and tried to shoot a basket, did you make it? Chances are the answer is no. But now, years later, you have a pretty good chance of making that shot, don't you? What's the difference between now and then? PRACTICE. You didn't give up. You kept trying. You kept PRACTICING.
Even professional musicians have to practice songs as simple as "Jingle Bells." Take a peek at Wynton Marsalis (probably one of the best trumpet players of all time) and the JLCO (Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra) as they PRACTICE for an upcoming holiday concert.
Even professional musicians have to practice songs as simple as "Jingle Bells." Take a peek at Wynton Marsalis (probably one of the best trumpet players of all time) and the JLCO (Jazz @ Lincoln Center Orchestra) as they PRACTICE for an upcoming holiday concert.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Congratulations Music Makers!
Wow - the residents of Trillium Place were very impressed with our Bluffsview Music Makers on Saturday as they sang some of their favorite holiday songs and carols. Several residents approached me after the performance and said that they could not believe that our choir was from an elementary school - that we had to be professionals or something! What a compliment! That speaks to how well you paid attention, sang, behaved, and conducted yourself while in a new place. THANK YOU to all the Music Makers who came out to sing at Trillium, and thank your parents for bringing you. What a wonderful musical experience you had for yourself, but also shared with others. That's what making music is all about! I am so proud of you!
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Fun Rendition of a Holiday Tune
If you haven't heard of Jimmy Fallon and his house band, "The Roots," you're missing out on some really talented musicians. Mariah Carey was a recent guest on the show, and Jimmy and the band jammed with Mariah, performing her most famous holiday tune. Check out the video and the band playing on "classroom instruments":
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Music Makers Caroling at Trillium Place Once Again
The Bluffsview Music Makers will be caroling at Trillium Place, an independent senior living facility, once again this year. Students will be singing on Saturday, December 8th, 2012 from 2:30-3:00pm. This makes the third time that our school choir has performed for the residents of Trillium Place, and the staff is very excited that we will be back!
Music Makers will sing in the main lobby, and are asked to report at 2:15pm. Family is welcome to attend, but please reserve the seating for residents first. There is a small study area where we will warm up, and please remember your very best Bluffsview Bear behavior when entering the facility.
See you on the 8th!
Music Makers will sing in the main lobby, and are asked to report at 2:15pm. Family is welcome to attend, but please reserve the seating for residents first. There is a small study area where we will warm up, and please remember your very best Bluffsview Bear behavior when entering the facility.
See you on the 8th!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Veterans Day Assembly
The Bluffsview Veterans Day Assembly will be next week! We will honor our Veterans on Monday, November 12th, 2012 from 8:30-9:00am in the Gymnasium. Please join us and bring a friend or relative that you may know who is a Veteran.
There will be a special guest at the assembly: Mr. Daubney (who is a trumpet player) will be here to play "Taps" for us at the end of the assembly. This is a special treat as we have not had a live trumpeter play for the school for a few years.
The Bluffsview Music Makers will also be performing as part of this special assembly. Music Makers are reminded to wear their t-shirts with black pants or skirts and black (or dark) shoes.
The Music Makers look forward to singing for you and helping to honor our country's brave Veterans!
There will be a special guest at the assembly: Mr. Daubney (who is a trumpet player) will be here to play "Taps" for us at the end of the assembly. This is a special treat as we have not had a live trumpeter play for the school for a few years.
The Bluffsview Music Makers will also be performing as part of this special assembly. Music Makers are reminded to wear their t-shirts with black pants or skirts and black (or dark) shoes.
The Music Makers look forward to singing for you and helping to honor our country's brave Veterans!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
New Interactive Recorder Sites for Beginners!
Fourth Graders have JUST started learning to play the recorder. Fifth and Sixth graders have spent several class periods reviewing what they learned on recorder in previous school years. If your child is excited about playing the recorder and would like some extra practice at home, check out some of these interactive websites that I discovered over the summer:
Click Here for an interactive fingering chart from Plank Road Publishing. Shows the note on the staff, the pitch name, how to finger the note, and what it should sound like.
The next two sites are amazing learning tools. You must have a microphone activated either externally or internally for these websites to work. In Recorder Express, playing exercises are "train" themed. In Joy Tunes Interactive, playing exercises are "adventure" themed. Both can be played with or without creating a user profile, although if you create a free account, student progress can be saved in the game. Both websites allow students to play recorder right at the computer, with the microphone picking up their sound and advancing them as they play correct notes. They are really neat websites!
Students, if you try any of these out, let me know!
Click Here for an interactive fingering chart from Plank Road Publishing. Shows the note on the staff, the pitch name, how to finger the note, and what it should sound like.
The next two sites are amazing learning tools. You must have a microphone activated either externally or internally for these websites to work. In Recorder Express, playing exercises are "train" themed. In Joy Tunes Interactive, playing exercises are "adventure" themed. Both can be played with or without creating a user profile, although if you create a free account, student progress can be saved in the game. Both websites allow students to play recorder right at the computer, with the microphone picking up their sound and advancing them as they play correct notes. They are really neat websites!
Students, if you try any of these out, let me know!
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