Tuesday, December 18, 2012

WCSD Graduation Rates & Music Involvement

Music teachers instinctively know this, but it's cool to see the statistics in black and white.  These are the graduation rates for Washoe County School District and demonstrates one of the great side benefits of staying in music from year to year.

Music classes graduation rates for 2012 graduates.

0 classes in music             66%
1 year in music                  73%
2 years in music                83%
3 years in music                88%
4 years in music                96%

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Violin Classes for Younger Siblings

Suzuki Music Association of Reno/Tahoe
BEGINNING VIOLIN CLASS

Registration Deadline January 11th
 
The Class
Suzuki Music Association of Reno/Tahoe (SMART) presents a Beginning Violin Class
starting January 25, 2013 for children ages 3-6 and their parent(s). This is a 10-week class
taught by Suzuki teacher Pietra Brady, meeting on Fridays from 5-6:00 pm in room #134 of the
Dept. of Music at the University of Nevada Reno. Tuition and materials fee is $185 per student,
and is due by January 11th, 2013. All necessary materials will be provided; an instrument is not
initially needed.

The Suzuki Method
The Suzuki Method of music instruction was developed over 50 years ago by Dr.
Shinichi Suzuki of Matsumoto, Japan. The method is based on the concept that every child’s
innate music talent can be nurtured. He presented convincing evidence that a child can be
taught music at a very early age much the same way that he learns to speak his native tongue
– through listening, repetition, and encouragement.

SMART
The Suzuki Music Association of Reno/Tahoe is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization dedicated to bringing the Suzuki Method to children as young as three in
northern Nevada and eastern California. The triangular arrangement of teacher, parent and
child is the key to success through early childhood, and leads to increasing independence and
self-motivation in the teenage years. Skills developed while learning an instrument include
concentration, coordination, memory, increased attention span, respect for others, and
working together. To find out more about the Suzuki Method, visit www.suzukiassociation.org.
For questions about this class, contact Pietra Brady at harpie4@nvbell.net.

REGISTRATION FORM
Parents Name _________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Email _______________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number (home) ___________________________________
(cell): ____________________________________
Student _________________________________________________
Age ____________ DOB _______________
Student _________________________________________________
Age ____________ DOB _______________
Number of students _______ $185 per student = $ _________
Mail payment to: SMART c/o Pietra Brady • 2934 Shady Creek Ct. • Reno, NV 89523
*Registration confirmation and class calendar will be sent by email.

Theory/History Concert Review Due December 21

Write about your concert experience.  Please include these topics:
1.       How prepared did you feel about your preparation?  (How well did you know the music?)
2.       What sections of what songs needed more practice?
3.       What did you play really well?  Did you think you would do well or were your surprised?
4.       How was your posture and position?
5.       How well did you listen to the people around you and the whole orchestra?
6.       Were you nervous?
7.       What were some of the comments from parents and other adults about the concert?
8.       What were some of the comments from other students about the concert?
9.       What is your favorite song and how did it sound at the concert?
10.   Include any other comment you have about the concert experience.

Your grade depends on writing about the information listed above using complete sentences, correct capitalization, your best handwriting and good spelling.


Advanced Practice Sheet Due December 21


TOPIC
M
T
W
TH
F
S
S
M
T
W
Th
F
S
S
                                                           Write in Date:














Bow Exercises:  25 Circles














Ceiling Circles 10 times each way














Spiders & Crabs – 3 times














Finger Patterns: 
Red*Blue*Red*Lower Yellow*Red*Upper Yellow














Ghost Slides














Ghost Slide Pivots














Violins & Violas: Wiggle Worms














Shifting 4X each: E to G, F# to A, G to B, A to C














Review Songs:
Any music from previous years














Practicing for YSS or Golden Strings (if you are a member)














String Basics Write in # of the songs:














Luminescence














Viola Hero














Fantasy on Greensleeves














Holiday Songs














ZONE – Fancy Fiddles














ZONE – Purple Haze














Practicing for Private Lessons














                                                Write in Daily Time:















TOTAL TIME IN MINUTES:_________

You must practice 6 or more different days over two weeks to earn these grades.  Students who practice fewer days will have their grade docked no matter how many minutes they practice.
More than 161 minutes = Extra Credit    *120 – 160 minutes = A *100 – 119 minutes = B
*80 – 99 minutes = C      *60 -79 minutes = D        *Less than 60 minutes = F

Signatures are required for the grade.
Parent Signature___________________________________________________________________
Student Signature__________________________________________________________________