NRMS Music: Student Assessment Link

For better or worse, here are links to student assessments for the 3rd Quarter, so you know what to focus on. File names are by last name.

Student Assessment Folder Online

NRMS Music Blog Prompt: The Circle of Fifths

The circle of fifths is a very clear way of representing music and pitch relationships. It is especially helpful when learning key signatures and scales. Take a look at and study the circle of fifths and see if you can learn more than the Concert Bb scale from memory on your instrument. You may be surprised by how easy it is.

Remember the order of flats is: B E A D G C F. The order of sharps is the reverse: F C G D A E B. So, if a scale has 2 flats, it will be the first two flats (Bb and Eb). If a scale has two sharps the sharps will be the first two (F# and C#). These flats and sharps would appear in the appropriate order in the key signature.

NRMS Music: Final Performance Assessments Due By June

Final performance assessments for Nessacus Music Students are due by June 8th. These should be recorded and saved into student digital portfolios by this time. You may use either Smartmusic Studio to save your work, however, students are encouraged to start recording assessments at home using SMARTMUSIC.

Smartmusic 10.0 is available and has many excellent features that we will use to learn music next year. A subscription will be required next year. The cost is $25.00 per year.

Assessments are as follows for each grade level:

GRADE 6
Essential Elements Quiz #181 (Book 1) and Celtic Dreams

GRADE 7
Essential Elements Quiz #126 (Book 2) and #185

GRADE 8
Essential Elements Quiz #133 (Book 2) and #186

A Reminder From Africa

I am reminded in these past few days that we are all better when we focus on causes and issues outside of ourselves. While you may despise the commercialism of American Idol , you can't deny that the cause Idol Gives Back raised money for (HIV/AIDS; Children in Africa and Poverty Stricken Families in America) was noble and needed.

And, the stories are real. Children are being left homeless. They are starving. They are dying.

A few years ago, when Tony Vacca visited our school, he brought members of Gokhi-Bi System with him. These were 5 young men from West Senegal on the continent of Africa. They created a musical language which was blend of traditional African Music, American Hip Hop and French Rap. One of the lines was "Why must they Die, Why? Why? Why?"

The answer is that there is no good reason for children to die anywhere in this world if enough financial, medical and human resources are provided.

I am humbled by the enormous problem and sadness of so many millions on the Dark Continent. I am a better person when I focus on (and try to help) the sadness and challenges of other people. Our problems are NOTHING in comparison to the babies and children who face homelessness, sickness, and the danger of starvation.

I think of these things while teaching. And, I wonder, when students have a hard time settling down, or are disruptive or rude whether they have truly put themselves in another's shoes? Because, once you have, arrogance, rudeness, selfishness and the ego have a strange way of disappearing. When they do, we are better.

The performance of Music requires this kind of selflessness. Letting go is the greatest challenge of achieving a truly powerful musical moment in rehearsal or in a concert. Experiencing, empathizing with and giving to a cause greater than our little selves is the path to personal and musical greatness.

Have You Used Wikipedia to Learn About The Instruments You Play?

Student Musicians:

How much do you know about the instruments you play? Have you ever casually researched your instrument on the internet or elsewhere?

For some pretty comprehensive information try searching for your instrument at Wikipedia.
(The search box is located on the left side of the page halfway down)

Post what you learn at your blog.

How Does A Musician/Composer React to the Virginia Tech Tragedy?

Clearly, the Virginia Tech tragedy has left the nation stunned. Historically, artists and musicians have been the ones in society who can bring about healing sooner and in wholesome and profound ways. How would you or have you used your (musical) creativity in dealing with this difficult news? Post work/links in the comments section.

This Blog Will Contain Prompts for Student Music Blogs

Hello fellow music students. This Blog will be used to post 'prompts' or 'cues' for students to make blog entries (posts) about. We are beginning this project in the Spring of 2007. 4th Quarter.

I am pleased that so many of you are interested in bringing learning and creating into the 21st century. I believe this is a very exciting way to learn-you from me and me from you and all of us from the information out in the world. I hope you learn much through your blogging efforts now and in the future.

Enjoy!