Peter and the Wolf

Today we began our first journaling exercise in our Band Journals.  Once a week, we will be doing a listening exercise in which students will be asked to write a response to a question based on something they heard in the music.  Today's listening assignment happened to be a viewing assignment, too!  We watched about half of a YouTube clip of Disney's version of Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev.  We talked about which characters each instrument represented and the students were asked to select an instrument and describe why that instrument BEST represented that character.  Below is the clip we watched.  We will watch the rest next week and follow up with another question.  Until then, feel free to answer the question yourself in the comments below.  Which instrument would YOU pick and why does that instrument represent its character best?

Great 1st Week

We've just completed our first week with instruments and the kids are doing great!  Just a few who still need reeds, valve or slide oil, but otherwise, all the sounds they've been making have been great so far.  Please check my weebly (www.watzkesworld.weebly.com) for their weekend practice assignment and for next week's band schedule. Have a great weekend!

It begins....

Tuesday starts our first week with instruments.  This is what we've been waiting for.  Through the trying of all of the instruments to negotiating through our choices.  To rhythm worksheets and note name worksheets.  Learning how to play....now that's what I'm talkin' about!  I can't wait!

Parents: Any words of advice or comments for you students as we embark on this journey? Leave your comments below...