CRESCENDO:

Warm up: We have been working on pages 5-10 in our EE 2000 book 1. The children should now know where their open D, open A, G, F#, and E notes are on the staff.

Review: Please continue to help them with their posture, bow hold exercises flex, windshield wiper, and spider/crab.

Current: "Count Carefully," watch out for the quarter rests, and remember the repeat!

Theory: We learned that violinists read from the Treble Clef, violists from the Alto Clef, and cellists, bassists from the Bass Clef. You may also want to ask your child what a "Double Bar" is, as well as what a "Time Signature" is. Any time they see a gold bar in the EE 2000 book, they need to commit that new music theory information to memory.

Preview: Our challenge song is"Jingle Bells" on pg. 14 in the book.

ANDANTE:

Warm up: D Major Scale

Review: Concert tunes, "Banana Boat" and "Cripple Creek"

Current: We have been working on new songs "Can-Can," a favorite of many students, and "Frere Jacque" working on rounds, both in the EE 2000 book 1. I recommend buying a metronome for your Andante student. If not now, sometime in the near future. A metronome is required for the Chamber class and is an excellent tool to help your young musician to develop a fantastic, steady inner pulse, as well as build up their tempo in a steady, gradual way, with songs like "Can-Can."

Preview: Songs to look forward to next week: "Simple Gifts," which continues their work on slurs, and one of my favorite songs in the entire book.

CHAMBER:

Warm up: Finger patterns on page 42 in EE 2000 book 2, #183-#185. This is an excellent ear training exercise! You may want to help your student remember the 1/2 steps, indicated by the up arrow marking between the notes.

Review: Review earlier, favorite pieces that you have learned with Mrs. S. in EE 2000 book 2.

Current: This week we have been working on Gustav Holst's "In the Bleak Midwinter," focusing on a slow, controlled bow stroke, and the Irish Jig, "Swallowtail Jig," both in EE 2000 book 2. If your child does not yet have a metronome, I strongly recommend it this year. It is an excellent tool for building up your young musician's tempo for the "Swallowtail Jig." We've been working on getting our bow strokes shorter for the faster tempo, as well as counting in the 6/8 time signature.

Preview: EE 2000 book 2 - Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance," the graduation piece, and "America the Beautiful." From this point on, we will be working from EE 2000 Book 2, as well as the Hal Leonard Advanced Technique and Hal Leonard Essential Technique. We are near the end of EE 2000 book 2, so I would like to start the students in EE 2000 Book 3 in the new year.