Day 130 - String Update (Performance Day!) - Mrs. Rzasa and Mrs. Niu - Memorial School Music

This post first appeared on the Memorial School Music Blog

Today was PERFORMANCE DAY for the 3rd Graders!! (4th Graders are working on their challenging concert music). This is an opportunity for each student to play a piece that represents their best.  Below are some of the benefits of Performance Day:

• Students play for, and inspire, their peers
• Students gain independence playing alone
• The more frequently they perform, the less nerves there will be come concert time
• I can more accurately assess each student, and help them one-on-one
• Each student becomes a teaching tool for the others in class, and students may offer suggestions to help their peers. 
• It's fun!

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PERFORMANCES

(note:  not all students choose to be videotaped)

Day 109 - Performance Day! (and violin assignment) - Jennifer Rzasa, Memorial School Music Teacher

This post originally appeared on the Memorial School Music Blog

The assignment for next week:  D Scale (ascending/descending) with bow, pages 15-16 in the book.

I love performance days!  As a reminder, the first lesson of each month will be a "Performance Day," and students will have the opportunity to play a song of their choice!  I remind students to play something that represents their best work, however it should be a fun experience - nothing to get stressed over!  (I would rather them have fun playing a simple song then to have anxiety over playing something more difficult).  Mistakes are always okay :)

My goal is for all students to play confidently with others AND alone.  I think they have been doing an amazing job!  Check out some highlights below:

Day 54 - Violin Info and Assignment - Jennifer Rzasa, Memorial School Music Teacher

This post originally appeared on the Memorial School Music Blog.  

Today's lessons were fantastic!  Here is the assignment for the week, and please also check out the important information below!!

• Bow Exercises
• Bow tube practice (just a few minutes each day)
• Pages 8 and 9, pizzicato

To Hold the Bow:

Start by making your little "shadow puppet," making sure to place the middle fingers over the thumb.

Following the steps I taught in class, hold the bow as shown below- the trickiest part will be that pinky!

In addition to the windshield wiper exercise we practiced today, please watch these videos and give them a try:

These exercises should be fun, and also count towards your minutes of practicing! :)

When using the bow tube, please be sure to hold it firmly with your left hand on your left shoulder, and to place the bow inside carefully.  Keeping the proper position of your right hand on the bow, pretend to play the violin through your tube.  Your right hand wrist should be flexible to bend up and down as you bow.  To make it more fun, you can listen to some music while you practice!