Updates for all classes and extra-curr - January 30th

Level 1 Band - Day 4 (today) is theory day for Semester 2.  We will be missing our class on Monday, Feb. 3rd due to the Rivier Day mass.  Be ready with your instruments and music on Tuesday!

Level 2 Band - Day 3 (yesterday) is theory day for Semester 2.  We just started sight-reading Mr. B last class and it looks like it's going to be a great fit for our band.  It features the drum set as well as multiple soloists (as many as we want!).

Level 3 Band - We have been making great progress on Serengeti Dreams.  Still working on Shepherd's Hey also.  Both pieces will be on the program for Music Festival in April.  Day 3 is theory day for Semester 2.

Level 4 Band - We sight-read Northpointe Fantasy today.  Northpointe and Bellingrath Gardens are our two pieces for Music Festival.  Day 3 is theory day.

Senior Choir - We have been working on our 2 pieces for Music Festival: She's Like The Swallow, and Kom!  Last class (our double Choral periods on Day 2) we sight read "Weary In Well-Doing" and made some great progress on it.  Today I recorded all parts on piano and they are in a folder on my computer, ready to transfer to anyone who would like them for practice purposes.  Bring a USB to class next period (tomorrow afternoon, P4) and I will transfer the files to you.

Jazz Choir - Our two pieces for Music Festival are "Gershwin For Girls" and "Put A Little Love In Your Heart."  Gabby is going to play guitar, Emma on bass, Chandra on drums - we will have our rhythm section for Music Festival which will be fun. :)

Chamber Choir - Festival pieces: And So It Goes, Ezekiel Saw De Wheel.  We spoke on Wednesday morning about doing a "Variety Night" type hour of performances at the Rivier Foundation Steak & Lobster fundraiser on March 29th (quartets, quintet, solos, choir pieces, instrumentalists, jazz standards, etc).

Computers 8C & 8M - We have just started photo editing.  We just learned the technique of selective colouring and are practicing it on our first assignment: 8C is editing the stock photo of the girl in the orange bathing suit and snorkel/goggles underwater, and 8M is editing the photo of the children looking at a hippo (posted on my blog below).  We will be using next class to complete this first photo edit.  Students who have already completed it will be using that class period to search for their own choice photos to practice using the selective colouring technique.

Drama 20 - We began our "draft" performances of poetry today.  Next class we will continue going through the list of performers - this may take one or two more classes.  Students are adjudicating the first performances and each student will be given feedback before performing their poems again for formal assessment.

IP 10 - We are working on our Shutterfly photo book project.  Hopefully the internet connection in the lab will be working well on Monday (Day 6) as we have IP 10 in both Periods 3 and 4.  Please bring your pictures on a USB or other media so that we can begin putting the projects together without any wasted time.

Sleeping Beauty - We are in the home stretch!  Rehearsal tonight from 7-9pm for the entire cast (full show run).  Tomorrow there is a rehearsal for the goons from 4-5pm (The Battle scene with props).  This weekend is going to be very full.  Tech rehearsal from 12-5pm on Saturday - this is for ALL CAST AND TECH CREW (hair and make-up not required Saturday).  Dress rehearsal is from 12-5pm on Sunday - this is for EVERYBODY.  Cast, backstage crew, sound, lighting, hair and make-up, the works.  Our last rehearsal before we open will be on Tuesday from 7-9pm.  Shows are Wednesday and Thursday morning, Thursday/Fri/Sat evening, and Sunday afternoon.  Stay tuned for more updates!  Cast party Saturday evening after the show! :)

Hippo photo for Comp 8M

Serengeti Dreams (Robert W. Smith)

Here is our second piece for Level 3 Band at the PA Music Festival.  We sight read it today - looks like it will be a bit of a challenge in some spots, which is perfect.  It gives us all something to practice!

Updates all around!

For Ennio, who asked what my ALL-TIME favourite band piece was.  I said easily it has to be "Alvamar Overture" by James Barnes.  Second place is "The Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron" by David Holsinger - check them both out below. I was lucky enough to be able to play both of these pieces at International Music Camp (IMC) when I was in Grade 11. Phenomenal experience!

Band playing tests are done and only a few of you still "owe" me a test (Mackenzie E-L, Cameron, Kiera W, Nara, Shawna, Emma, Mimoza, Kacie).  I can put those marks in for next term, so no panic.  A couple of you still need to get me your theory print outs (Andy and Lauryn).  If I don't have them before report cards are submitted, then your playing tests will be the mark represented on your report card - theory can go on there next term.

Health 7 work for the next 1-2 classes: Read pg. 402-435 and do questions #1-16 at the end of the chapter.

Choir will be singing a couple Beatles songs at the next mass (Monday, Jan. 27th), and we have a rhythm section to groove along with - piano, bass, and drums (with brushes!).  Very cool!

A total of 37 registrations went in for the PA Music Festival on Friday.  These include vocal solos, duets, quartets, and a quintet, 3 choirs, 2 bands, an alto saxophone solo, 2 tenor saxophone solos, a trumpet duet, and 2 speech arts entries.  So impressive!  Way to support the arts, Rivier! :)

This week there will be no Chamber Choir due to exams.  Study hard, seniors!

Sleeping Beauty hair and make-up run will take place Thursday from 7-9pm for the fairies, goons, Maleficent, and all hair and make-up crew.

For Health 8

The comic I was talking about in class the other day - "What if we treated physical illness the way we treat mental illness?"

And just for fun, Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley (old SNL skit):

Happy New Year! 2014 updates

January 18th - Music Festival registration deadline
Anybody interested should see me re: music/script selection (instrumental, vocal, speech arts, etc.) and I can help you register.  We have a trumpet duet, 2 vocal quartets and a quintet, bass and clarinet duet, trombone and tenor sax duet, vocal duets and solos, and slam poetry so far.  The more the merrier!  It's an excellent opportunity to work towards a performance, show your talents in front of an audience, and gain valuable feedback from a qualified adjudicator.

Cheesy music humour for 2014

I stumbled upon an awesome blog that had all sorts of ridiculous music geek relevant comics on it.  I understood about 90% of them although I have to admit there were a few that were over my head (mostly the orchestra/piano major jokes).  There were a few that really entertained me though - here are a select few.  Enjoy!  Let me know if you understood them! :)

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