Popular Music

This week, due to MME testing, the students watched part two of the series Ken Burns Jazz. In the video students learned about Louis Armstrong, who is considered to be the father of jazz and improvisation. Students also explored the early blues and it's many forms (country blues, classic blues, and boogie-woogie).

Next week students will take a closer look at the origins of jazz, New Orleans, and Storyville (the birthplace of jazz). A quiz is expected for Friday, March 20, 2009 on the Blue and early Jazz. More info to follow. Have a great weekend. =>)

Clintondale Bands Website

Just a reminder to all students involved to regularly check the online home of the Clintondale Bands, http://sites.google.com/site/clintondalebands. Updates are added on a regular basis to the News Room link on the left navigation.

Mr. Messina =>)

Popular Music

This week we will continue our look into African American syncopated musics including Ragtime, Animal Dances, the Foxtrot, Blues, and Early Jazz! If you miss a day, be sure to get notes from a classmate!

Instrumental Music Students!!!!

For information regarding all band classes please check our new website!

http://sites.google.com/site/clintondalebands

Check it out for:

Event Calendar
News Room
Media Center
Band Booster Information
Anything else Band Related!

1st, 2nd and 3rd Hours

1st hour is continuing their work in small ensembles. We have set up three distinct ensembles, a brass quintet, woodwind quartet, and percussion trio. This has allowed me to work with the students on a more one on one basis to aid in their development.

In 2nd hour we have continued on expanding our book. This week we will work on cleaning 25 or 6 to 4, Pardon My Blues, and Smack Dab in the Middle. It is vital that all students come to class with the notes and rhythms learned so that we can work on learning how all of our parts fit together.

This week in 3rd hour we will discuss what the students were to complete this past Thrusday and Friday (Chap 2 Guided Reading). The Guided Reading assignment will be collected for a grade. We will complete Chap 2 and introduce Chap 3, which will be handed out for reading and discussion.

Concert Band

We're counting down toward our band festival performance at Anchor Bay High School. Just a reminder that we perform at 4:30PM on Friday, March 6, 2009. We hope to have all of your help and support as the students show what they're made of!

This week we're counting down toward our clinic with Prof. Bianchi from Wayne State University. He'll be in on February 24th during 5th and 6th periods. This is an extremely important rehearsal and attendance will be counted for a grade.

I can not stress enough that band, like other courses can not be taught at home. In class we do not learn how our individual parts go, but how they fit together in the overall ensemble. Thus, there is no way to make up a missed class period. It is essential that students attend all rehearsals on time and ready to work! Be prepared with a pencil!

Third Hour Week of 2/2

Tuesday

Discuss chapter 2 reading from yesterday.
>collect chapter definitions.

Wednesday

Complete chapter 2 discussion (Popular music in the 19th century).

Thursday

Review for chapters 1 and 2 quiz tomorrow.

Friday

15 Question Quiz on Chapters 1 and 2 (Multiple Choice).
Introduce Chapter 3 (The Emergence of African American Music)