JOHS Music Newsletter
April 24, 2020
Educational Resources
Practicing
Take advantage of our smartmusic subscription. It is free only until June 30th! Don't wait. Go to smartmusic and start exploring!
How to log in to smartmusic:
1. Open a chrome browser and visit: https: https://admin.smartmusic.com/join
2. When prompted for a class code, please enter:
77CF4-TWHNU
3. Now you have access to 1000s of pieces of music for all instruments!
Last week we focused on keyboard ear training, but this week you have the freedom to work on whichever section you'd like.
Go to https://www.musictheory.net/exercises - pick one exercise to challenge yourself!
Composition
Interested in creating your own music? www.musescore.com is a great free resource to start exploring composition. It takes some time to learn how to use the program, but once you do, utilize your theory skills and try to create a melody for your instrument!
GarageBand is also a very user friendly and fun way to create your own music, and it's free for all mac users. Check out this online beginners tutorial then dig in! Soundation is a good alternative if you do not have a mac, and you can sign up for a free account here.
LET'S MOVE!!!
1. Warm-up
2. EMOM (every minute on the minute) - 20 minutes
3. AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) - 15 minutes
4. Stretch/Cool down
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - COURTNEY STEVENS
Favorite color? I can never choose, they're all great.
Favorite food? Olive Garden salad dressing
What clubs and organizations are you apart of? Wind ensemble, Tennessee Youth Symphony, Cyber Security Club, marching band, brass quintet at Blair School of Music, mellophone section leader
Favorite song and artist currently? Movin' Out by Billy Joel
What has been your favorite pass time during the COVID19 quarantine? Going on walks with my family
What do you miss most about school? I miss the little quirks of Overton, along with the acquaintances and teachers I know I won't get to see again.
Do you have a secret talent? I have a collection...of half empty water bottles next to my bed. I have around seven currently.
What advice do you have for the underclassmen? Whenever something completely strange or just weird happens in the hallways, smile and laugh about it. It makes life way more fun if you look forward to outrageous things.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT - ISABEL EVERNHAM
Favorite color? Teal
Favorite food? Chocolate chip waffles
What clubs and organizations are you apart of? Wind ensemble, Curb Youth Symphony, marching band
Favorite song and artist currently? I've been listening to a lot of older songs like "Hey there Delilah" by the Plain White T's and "Breakeven" by The Script.
What has been your favorite pass time during the COVID19 quarantine? I have been drawing, playing (way too much) Animal Crossing, and practicing.
What do you miss most about school? I really miss seeing all of my friends and teachers, and being in band class.
Do you have a secret talent? It's super weird, but I can make a really high pitched scream sound that kind of sounds like a dog whistle.
What advice do you have for the underclassmen? Join marching band! It's the best way to meet people from every grade, and it's so comforting to know people going into high school.
listening snack
Symphony No. 4 composed by David Maslanka
- Symphony No. 4 is a fantastic piece that utilizes famous hymn tunes, along with original melodies which are hymn-like. Take a look at the program notes to learn more.
- Follow along with the score.
- Maslanka wrote for a variety of genres and his compositional style tends to be "rhythmically intense and complex, highly tonal and melodically-oriented." Learn more about Maslanka's background.
Mozart Horn Concerto No. 4 in Eb, III - performed by Barry Tuckwell
- It is my extreme pleasure to introduce you to Barry Tuckwell, one of the greatest horn players to ever live. Barry Tuckwell passed away this January at the age of 88, but continued playing his horn professionally until age 65 when he retired. He was Australian, but spent the majority of his career in the United Kingdom. He was one of the most recorded horn soloists with over 50 recordings, and received three Grammy Nominations in his life.
Blank Space performed by Ryan Adams
- Ryan Adams has quite a history and way too much to put in this newsletter. Learn more about him here.
- This cover of "Blank Space," originally on Taylor Swift's album 1989, is a calmed down version and quite enjoyable to listen to. Enjoy!
Student Sharing
Have a project you've been working that you'd like to share in the next newsletter? Send it my way! Eleni.Miller@mnps.org
A NOTE of inspiration (pun intended)
Miller and Barna's Practicing Tip for the Week!
We're keeping this week's practice tip simple. We promise if you follow the advice below you will be well on your way to being the next Yo-Yo Ma, Allen Vizzutti, or Hilary Hahn.
Step 1: Take your instrument out of the case.
Step 2: Begin practicing.
Happy Practicing!
Ms. Miller
Leadership Training
Scheduling for 2020-2021
IMPORTANT! Guard, AICE music, and beginning strings still need more people to enroll in order for the classes to make it on the master schedule. If you have room in your schedules or know others who may be interested, please let me or a counselor know!
New members (current 8th graders) and current members should complete this form so we can start gathering interest and organizing the ensembles for next year. This form along with audition info will be communicated to current 8th graders through the middle school directors and is also available on the website under "become a member."