Blog 7-Advocacy

Dear Superintendent and School Board

It has come to my attention that a large funding cut to the public school music program is under consideration and will be voted on at the school board meeting this coming week. I would like to take this opportunity to express a few factors that I hope you will take under consideration before finalizing this important decision.

The public school music program provides excellent musical opportunities that are available to all students. The program provides musical opportunities to students in 5th thru 12th grade.  Students perform at least two concerts a semester, learn music fundamentals, and work on sight reading skills. The work done in these ensembles ensures that the music program is compliant with the National Association for Music Education National Standards and opens many musical opportunities for students.

As participation in a musical ensemble begins in 5th grade students are well on their way to achieving a great level of comprehensive musicianship when they enter high school. This has greatly enhanced the high school programs level of excellence which is tangibly shown by the several superior ratings received at both District and State Music Festival.

The skills that students learn in music classes fall into two categories: intrinsic musical values, and non-musical opportunities for growth that are extremely well facilitated by a performing ensemble class. Music requires a unique skill set of technique, subjective interpretation, appreciation of aesthetic beauty, and the cultivation of a desire to communicate subjective, intangible things. The music classroom also provides an unparalleled environment to develop the skills of teamwork, self-discipline, leadership, and responsibility.

Thank you for your time! If you have any more questions regarding the music program in our school district please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Sincerely,

Kira Lee

Music Director

4-20 Observation

I observed Kelly Berhdal's Freshmen Concert Band during their adjudicated performance and sight-reading session for District Music Festival.

I thought that the kids did a really excellent job on both portions. Mr. Berhdal obviously had them very well prepared on their concert music and they have obviously worked on sight-reading skills.

In regards to the music they performed I noticed that one of their pieces definitely had several rhythm challenges (sounded like mixed meter and some interesting cross rhythms). The kids where prepared enough that the main comments from the adjudicators were about increased dynamic contrast and expanded listening skills to work on more accurate intonation as an ensemble

One of the most effective things I observed was before the sight reading session Mr. Berhdal talked through the whole piece giving different sections specific things to watch for and referencing certain points that they would be able to latch on again if they got lost.

4-2 Elementary Band Observation

I observed Jennifer Murphy's 5th Grade band rehearsal at Emily Dickinson Elementary.   They were working on some music for the upcoming 5th grade band and orchestra festival. Also, during this class period she introduced the concept of the concert B-flat scale and how saxophones and clarinets would not be playing a written B-flat scale but they would all be playing the same pitches.

Ms. Murphy obviously had a well established system because all the students seemed to know the drill on how to get their instruments and get set up and ready for band. There were a few stragglers that didn't have music or seemed to take forever to get their instruments out, but overall it seemed to go pretty well.

I was really impressed at how Ms. Murphy was able to mix individual help without the entire group sitting idle. She moves around her classroom a lot so she can hear individual students and offer assistance.

Blog 6-Tone

Achievement of a characteristic tone on each instrument in an ensemble is important for three reasons

1-Good tone is the foundation of a balanced and blended ensemble sound
As we read in the article on balance and blend-an ensemble that is comprised of musicians producing a good characteristic tone within in a pyramid-like proportion of bass to treble will naturally lend itself to a more balanced and blended sound
2-Good tone is key to developing a keener sense of intonation
when students are producing a good tone that is characteristic of their instrument it is much easier for them to hear intonation discrepancies and correct them. 
3-Achievement of a characteristic instrumental tone is more than half the battle of achieving musical success on an instrument
A large portion of the technique that students are learning (bowing, embouchure, air control, ect) is all directly related to tone production. As students make success in these areas the improvement of their tone will be a tangible result of their efforts.