Reflective Journal
Week One
March 15-19, 2004
Week One, Day One, Monday, March 15, 2004
Rotation Day Three
Today’s classes were:
- Homeroom.
Congratulations to a music student selected to the All Star Chorus.
Dorney Park money is due March 24, 2004.
- Concert Band
- Trumpet, Bass Guitar, and Oboe Sectional Rehearsals
Reflection
Concert Band.
The band rehearsal consisted of a run through of three
music selections. Mr. Long spent time during the sectional rehearsal/lesson to
address areas of music that require work (wood shedding). During the rehearsal
of “Raging Thunder,” I noticed the students were not playing the accents and
articulation in the music. This was a good observation, because later during
sectional rehearsal, Mr. Long addressed the accents and articulation that should
be played in the music. He then asked the students to rehearse the music and to
play the accents and articulation. As part of a warm-up, I would have an
exercise with various accents and articulations for the students to play.
Mr. Long performed the following activities during
rehearsal:
- Announcements. Congratulations to a music
student selected to the All Star Chorus. Dorney Park money is due March 24,
2004.
- Band warm-ups: Concert Bb scale, whole notes
and quarter notes. Also, “Symphonic Warm-Ups for Band” by Claude T. Smith.
- Band music: Run through of the following music
selections.
Raging Thunder
Incantation
Fanfare and Hymn of Celebration
Concert Band Sectional Rehearsal (all instruments exc.
non-pitched percussion)
Mr. Long uses a lesson plan on an assignment sheet in a
checklist format. The checklist contains major and minor scales, and space for
writing in additional assignments. A student is given a new sheet each week
with updated assignments to complete for the next sectional rehearsal.
Mr. Long asked the students to rehearse the music and to
play the accents and articulation. He suggested using air support to play
accented notes.
Week One, Day Two, Tuesday, March 16, 2004
Rotation Day Four
Mr. Long asked me not to report to the school because he
had a doctor’s appointment scheduled today.
Week One, Day Three, Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Rotation Day Five
I took a sick day today due to hazardous road conditions
from a snow storm the night before.
Week One, Day Four, Thursday, March 18, 2004
Rotation Day Six
Today’s classes were:
- Homeroom.
- Jazz Lab Band
- Rhythm section, jazz trombone, jazz make-up lessons,
and concert band make-ups.
Reflection
Jazz Lab Band.
Mr. Long performed the following activities during
rehearsal:
- Announcement. Mr. Long informed the students he will
begin lessons on improvising at upcoming jazz band sectional rehearsals.
- Band music: Run through of the following music
selections.
The Swingin’ Shepherd Blues
Blues for Clyde
In the Storm
From a Distance
Caliente! Caliente!
During the rehearsal of “The Swingin’ Shepherd Blues,” I
could not hear the trumpet section though there were ten trumpet players in the
section. After the band played the music, Mr. Long informed the trumpets he
could not hear them due to the fact they had their trumpet bells facing into the
music stands which muted the sound from their trumpets. I would have advised
the trumpet students of the same.
I also noticed the articulation and accents in the music
was lacking. Mr. Long informed me that this is a common problem with band
students.
Saxophone soli sections were weak.
Jazz Band Sectional Rehearsal
Mr. Long uses a lesson plan on an assignment sheet in a
checklist format. The checklist contains major and minor scales, and space for
writing in additional assignments. A student is given a new sheet each week
with updated assignments to complete for the next sectional rehearsal.
Mr. Long performed the following during the sectional
rehearsal.
- Ad lib solos – asked the students to think about the
characteristics that make a solo interesting.
- Rhythm –
- Genre - what characteristics make latin music
different from other jazz genres. Rhythm, tonality (minor vs major key),
altered pitches, chord structure.
- Provided playing technique in playing the cow bell.
- Model rhythm by clapping the passages for the students
to hear.
- Sings the rhythm while the students play.
Week One, Day Five, Friday, March 19, 2004
School closed due to snow.
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