Class Notes

class notes

Below you will find your weekly memos related specifically to classes.

Attendance Line: Please give prior notice of any schedule conflicts by calling the Wonder Attendance Line (303-900-3284) in advance, and following the prompt when leaving a message. This applies to all participants who are unable to attend a class or required event, will arrive late, or will leave early. All absences which are not notified in advance will be marked as unexcused. Thank you for your cooperation.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/05/12

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/05/12
DATE: Tuesday, May 12, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 136:1 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – Psalms 136:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 136:4 – To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever – Psalms 136:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Exodus 20:6 – And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:6 King James Version (KJV)
    • Hebrews 13:5 – Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 New Living Translation (NLV)
    • Matthew 9:13 – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. – Matthew 9:13 New International Version (NIV)
    • Jude 1:21 – keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 1:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

EVENT RECAP

WOW! The season is officially over and we miss it already! Family Day was WONDERFUL! Theater (and music students), we were so happy to watch all of your hard work come together during your presentations! You met all our expectations and blew us away!  Bravo! Well done! We’re so proud of all you’ve accomplished. Let’s wonder!

Congratulations to the Red Foxes! Dane Allison, Alaiya Andrews, Laura Blanchard, Ava Byrnes, August Cornwell, Joseph Davenport, Chavah Dean, Cassidy Fundenberger, James Henson, Jonah Hzikiase, Everett LaPierre, Devon Liedle, Bane Lucero, Micah Mason, Tess McHugh, Arthur McNeil, Evelyn Newsham, Aspen Perret-Gentil, Max Piche, Benedict Polsky, Bella Russo, Boaz Russo, Ashiyra Scott, Adalynn Seabeck, Anneliese Stanczyk, Isaac Winterburn, and you earned Wonder’s annual Team of the Year award through your hard work each week this year. In addition to ongoing recognition of being the 2026 Team of the Year, your team color will be permanently marked on the Wonder Rainstick for a memorial for all future years.

Also, multiple students asked what the total points were for the year so here you go: Red Foxes had 29,995 points, Orange Tigers had 22,606, Yellow Eagles had 26,857, Green Geckos had 15,702, Blue Dolphins had 13,091, and Purple Panthers had 7,720 points. Great job, everyone! We’re so proud of the good character you exemplified, your scripture memory work, your creativity, and all of your effort this year.

Also, we forgot to acknowledge the students who earned a leadership award. You all received a printed award in your yearbooks, but we wanted to honor everyone at this time. Clara Blaine, Laura Blanchard, Elli Brinkman, Danny Byrnes, Charles Coats, Thalia Davenport, Chavah Dean, Hosannah Dean, Cassidy Fundenberger, Dalton Fundenberger, Rylan Jones, Asher McCarthy, Josiah McCarthy, Ruth McCarthy, Tess McHugh, Lily Meyer, Rebecca Morris, Olivia Newsham, Edward Nolen, Aspen Perret-Gentil, Beckett Perret-Gentil, Andrew Perzinski, Esperanza Rastello, Daniel Raynoha, Ellison Raynoha, Ashiyra Scott, Khayila Scott, Micah Taylor, Isaac Winterburn, Matthew Winterburn. We appreciate your example of leadership this year!

We hope to see you at the Homeschool Days Fair! Lots of great shops and fun activities! Share, share, share! [LINK]

ALL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT (AND PROFICIENT) AND PRIVATE LESSONS

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining the skills you’ve already learned, especially our Prelude musicians. Please be sure to practice regularly. As Dr. Andrew has wisely noted, practice makes permanent.

Returning students are expected to, at the very least, maintain the same level of skill the class reached at the end of the year. If you plan to continue with the same instrument, we suggest keeping your instrument rental active and pursuing summer private lessons with one of our coaches. It’s very easy for beginner instrument players to loose proper technique and form without practicing on a regular basis.

Practice Tips for Focused Practice

  1. Practice! Practice DAILY so you don’t forget what you learned!
  2. Stay hydrated
  3. Always pay attention to healthy posture and good breathing (don’t forget body and finger stretches)
  4. Work on the scales and arpeggios  you know
  5. Practice with a metronome
  6. Practice rhythm and note reading (strings have the I can read music books)
  7. Work on Etude / Technique books (for upper ensembles)
  8. Continue to REVIEW the repertoire you learned this year
  9. Learn more pieces in your method books (strings can watch coaching videos)
  10. Listen to the repertoire in your method book
  11. Take private lessons during the summer, even if it is sporadically.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

PIANO 1

  • Great job! You all were so much fun to have in class! I loved how diligent you were in practice and how kind and respectful you were of your fellow students. This summer, I hope you find times to sit down at the piano and play through the songs we learned this year. Remember to keep your fingers curved and play with a steady rhythm! 🙂

PIANO 2

  • Ladies, I’m so glad we were able to make a Piano 2 class happen! What a fun year (despite the early morning class time)! I appreciate how positive and joyful you always were, and I hope you had a good time too! Have a great summer and keep up your piano skills!

BUCKETLINE

  • What a great year! You all did a great job! Keep working on your technique in your method book for rudiments, focusing on accuracy. Use a metronome and try different tempos. Get ready for next year!

DRUMLINE

  • It was wonderful working with you this year. Keep working on your technique in your method book for rudiments, focusing on accuracy. Use a metronome and try different tempos.

FLAGS

  • What an exciting year of flags! Keep working on practicing different steps. There are videos online you can learn different choreography this summer.

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
  • Ensemble
    • Well, we made it through our another year together and what a great job you guys did!! The hardest thing about summer vacation is being motivated to practice. The best way to stay is to give yourself goals to learn new songs in your lesson books to play periodically for your friends and family. Remember you guys will get the privilege to perform earlier in the year when we get back so come back ready to play.
  • Flute
    • Great job this year flutists! The concert was incredible and you should be really proud of the hard work you have put in this year. Make sure to practice throughout the summer, focusing on practicing scales, breathing, counting measures and remember posture. Blessings to each of you!
  • French Horn
    • Great year! This summer, spend some time each week listening to symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, and Mahler – there’s a lot of great writing for horn in all of them. Try to practice 3-4 times/week, working on buzzing, natural horn, range expansion, and scales. Consider buying “Studies and Melodious Etudes for French Horn, Level 2” – by James Ployhar or “Sixty Selected Studies for Horn” by Kopprasch, or Book one of Maxime Alphonse’s “Deux Cents Etudes nouvelle” for horn. The Alphonse and Kopprasch are available for free download on imslp.org. You can choose an etude or two to work on each month, focusing on musicality, breath control, and technique.
  • Percussion
    • It was wonderful working with you this year. Keep working on your technique in your method book for mallet scales and snare rudiments, focusing on accuracy. Use a metronome and try different tempos.
  • Saxophone
    • What an exciting year of saxophone! Take what you have learned and go forth through the summer. Just 15 to 20 minutes every other day will keep what you’ve learned solidified. There are great resources available in the form of videos, online sheet music and specific saxophone books. Also have fun with learning songs that are already your favorites. It’s also also good to go back through the method book playing what you already know you can play but this time making sure you read the information on the pages in detail. This will help you review your basic techniques, such as tonguing, alternate, fingerings, breathing and music theory. We didn’t go through all the pages of the method this year, so there’s still a lot to learn. It might be fun to keep a list of all the things that you learned this summer.
      Have a Happy Saxophone Summer!
  • Trombone
    • Wonder year! This summer, listen to symphonies by Mahler and overtures by Rossini. I recommend continuing to take lessons over the summer. If your private teacher hasn’t suggested etude or technique books, I recommend you consider purchasing Rochut’s etudes and working on one or two a month. Try to practice 3-4 times per week, focusing on tone, intonation, breath control, flexibility, and range.
  • Trumpets
    • It was very encouraging to see all of you grow as musicians. I hope that you continue to pick up your instruments in the summer and have fun with it. Have a wonderful summer!

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Ensemble
    • What a great year! As for summer practice the best thing you can do is dig into the scale studies in the back of your Red book. Learn at least two new pieces in your books a week. I really enjoyed working with you guys this year and look forward to seeing you next year!!
  • Clarinet
    • What an exciting year! Take what you have learned and go forth through the summer. Keeping practicing your technique, such as tonguing, alternate, fingerings, breathing and music theory. Find more music to play and have fun.
  • Flute
    • Great job this year flutists! The concert was incredible and you should be really proud of the hard work you have put in this year. Make sure to practice throughout the summer, focusing on practicing scales, breathing, counting measures and remember posture. Blessings to each of you!
  • Percussion
    • It was wonderful working with you this year. Keep working on your technique in your method book for mallet scales and snare rudiments, focusing on accuracy. Use a metronome and try different tempos.
  • Trombone
    • Wonderful year! This summer, listen to symphonies by Mahler and overtures by Rossini. I recommend continuing to take lessons over the summer. If your private teacher hasn’t suggested etude or technique books, I recommend you consider purchasing Rochut’s etudes and working on one or two a month. Try to practice 3-4 times per week, focusing on tone, intonation, breath control, flexibility, and range.
  • Trumpets
    • It was very encouraging to see you all grow as musicians. I hope that you continue to pick up your instruments in the summer and have fun with it. Have a wonderful summer!

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
  • Ensemble
    • What a great year you guys had. We really came together as a Jazz band! As for summer practice the best thing you can do is dig into the scale studies in the back of your Red and Green books. Learn at least two new pieces in your green books a week. I really enjoyed working with you guys this year and look forward to seeing you next year!!
  • Clarinet
    • What an exciting year! Take what you have learned and go forth through the summer. Keeping practicing your technique, such as tonguing, alternate, fingerings, breathing and music theory. Find more music to play and have fun.
  • Percussion
    • It was wonderful working with you this year. Keep working on your technique in your method book for mallet scales and snare rudiments, focusing on accuracy. Use a metronome and try different tempos.
  • Trombone
    • Wonderful year! This summer, listen to symphonies by Mahler and overtures by Rossini. I recommend continuing to take lessons over the summer. If your private teacher hasn’t suggested etude or technique books, I recommend you consider purchasing Rochut’s etudes and working on one or two a month. Try to practice 3-4 times per week, focusing on tone, intonation, breath control, flexibility, and range.
  • Trumpets
    • It was very encouraging to see you all grow as musicians. I hope that you continue to pick up your instruments in the summer and have fun with it. Have a wonderful summer!

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Ensemble:
    • I enjoyed working with you all this year! You are all at a great start and I’m looking forward to seeing you all again next year! This summer, please continue working in your Suzuki book, and constantly work on good posture and tone quality. In Training Orchestra, we will be playing new pieces together in multiple parts, starting to read notes and rhythms, and pushing you to the next level! Have a wonderful summer!
    • Practice Summer Music:
      • Suzuki Book 1: #1-6 (play through May Song by the end of the summer)
      • Listen, listen, listen to Book 1
  • Cellos & Bass
    • Congratulations on a successful year with your excellent final performance. Whatever you spend your time doing, remember that, “practice makes permanent.” Over the summer: if you have your instrument, it would be a good idea to keep your hands and ears in good shape. This can be done by always beginning with open strings, and gradually play through review pieces, and if you are feeling ambitious, try learning some new songs. Always focus on good sound, and good form (straight bow, good posture, etc.). Bravi this year, and have a good summer!
  • Violin & Viola
    • I am so proud of the progress you guys have made this year. You were attentive, respectful and hardworking. I would also encourage you to continue listening to the Suzuki CD daily. To help you progress over the summer I do highly advise finding a violin/viola teacher to guide you through the next few songs. If you cannot, I suggest listening to the suzuki Bk.1 and practicing the songs you know. If you are feeling adventurous you can go through the video breakdowns of the next few songs.
    • You can move forward through the Suzuki Book. However, make sure that before you move on your parents check off that the song you are currently playing sounds pleasant and is rhythmic. Remember to follow your practice routine and plan to play through May Song by the end of the summer.
    • Students may use the Tomplay app to play with. Students should continue songs that they have passed off.
    • Please remember it is how you play not what you play that matters. Meaning, if the song sounds bad you need to work to make it sound better. Pay attention to rhythm, tone, intonation, how you are holding the bow and placing the left hand fingers.

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Ensemble
    • Wonderful work this year in Training Orchestra! It sure has been a pleasure working with you all, and I’m looking forward to another great year next year. This summer, please continue working in your “Suzuki” and “I Can Read” books. If you haven’t finished “I Can Read” yet, try to get through Lesson 40! Hope you all have a wonderful summer
      • A, D, & G scale/arpeggio – 3x each
      • Suzuki book: review all pieces that string coaches have taught this year. Learn 1-2 new pieces from Suzuki book from where you left off! A great goal is to complete book 1
      • Listen, listen, listen to Book 1 & 2
      • “I Can Read” book: complete the book by the end of the summer
        • Pitch – 2 lines a day: say note names, then play 3 times
        • Rhythm – 2 lines a day: play and count to metronome @ 80
  •  Cello & Bass
    • Bravi a tutti! Excellent work this year and wonderful final performances. It has been a fun year getting to learn more tunes together and develop more skills. Remember, you will accel at whatever you dedicate time to. Over the summer: if you have your instrument, it would be a good idea to keep your hands and ears in good shape. This can be done by always beginning with open strings, and gradually play through review pieces, and if you are feeling ambitious, try learning some new songs. Always focus on good sound, and good form (straight bow, good posture, etc.).
  • Violin & Viola
    • I am so proud of the progress you guys have made this year. You were attentive, respectful and hardworking. I would also encourage you to continue listening to the Suzuki CD daily. To help you progress over the summer I do highly advise finding a violin/viola teacher to guide you through the next few songs. If you cannot, I suggest listening to the suzuki Bk.1 and practicing the songs you know. If you are feeling adventurous you can go through the video breakdowns of the next few songs.
    • You can move forward through the Suzuki Book. However, make sure that before you move on your parents check off that the song you are currently playing sounds pleasant and is rhythmic. Remember to follow your practice routine and plan to play through May Song by the end of the summer.
    • Students may use the Tomplay app to play with. Students should continue songs that they have passed off.
    • Please remember it is how you play not what you play that matters. Meaning, if the song sounds bad you need to work to make it sound better. Pay attention to rhythm, tone, intonation, how you are holding the bow and placing the left hand fingers.

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Ensemble
    • I am so pleased to see what you all accomplished this year in orchestra! I am excited about setting a good challenge for you all next year with new orchestra pieces! This summer, please continue working in your Suzuki book. If you have a private teacher, please continue progressing with your private teachers over the summer to prepare for orchestra this fall! If you don’t currently have a teacher and want one, I am available to teach lessons, or am more than willing to share ideas on good pieces or technique to work on over the summer. Please feel free to reach out if you need any help or guidance! I hope you all have a wonderful summer!
      • Scale warm-up – 3x each (one different Major and Minor scale each week)
      • Suzuki book: review all pieces that string coaches have taught this year. Learn 1-2 new pieces from Suzuki book from where you left off!
      • Listen, listen, listen to Book 1, 2
      • I Can Read: Complete your book, if not already.
  • Cello & Bass
    • Bravi! I’m very impressed with everyone’s work this year. Congratulations to you all.
    • Regarding the “accents” from the “pineapple pineapple” and “huckleberry huckleberry” variations – although the idea is to have us all together, I personally don’t think that we need to do this. IF you decide to have accents on the note changes, be sure to do so with finesse, almost so that nobody notices and its an aid for yourself. In my opinion, watching the leader should be all we need.
    • What’s next? Whenever you play I want to ask that you always think about sound and where our bow is (which lane). Tone is everything and can make it easier to hear the minute details of our left hand. Review is a big part of the “Suzuki” method, so I would encourage the pieces that we know to be perfected so they can be played for anyone on request.
  • Viola & Violin
    • I am so proud of the progress you guys have made this year. You were attentive, respectful and hardworking. I would also encourage you to continue listening to the Suzuki CD daily. To help you progress over the summer I do highly advise finding a violin/viola teacher to guide you through the next few songs. If you cannot, I suggest listening to the suzuki Bk.2 and practicing the songs you know. If you are feeling adventurous you can go through the video breakdowns of the next few songs.
    • You can move forward through the Suzuki Book. However, make sure that before you move on your parents check off that the song you are currently playing sounds pleasant and is rhythmic. Remember to follow your practice routine and plan to play through May Song by the end of the summer.
    • Students may use the Tomplay app to play with. Students should continue songs that they have passed off.
    • please remember it is how you play not what you play that matters. Meaning, if the song sounds bad you need to work to make it sound better. Pay attention to rhythm, tone, intonation, how you are holding the bow and placing the left hand fingers.

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Ensemble
    • I feel so blessed to have been able to work with you all the past few years! I must say, this small but mighty chamber orchestra has been one of my top favorites to work with in the past 29 years that I have been teaching, and I have worked with A LOT of orchestras! Your leadership skills from each and every one of you is remarkable to watch, as well as the respect and care you have toward each other. HUGE thank you to each of you because what I have learned from you all so far since I’ve been with Wonder. I hope my kids grow up to be like you all! As for summer, please continue progressing with your private teachers! I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

RECORDERS 1

  • Dear students,
  • What can I say but WOW!! What an amazing year we had together! I loved every moment playing music, laughing, and learning with you all. And the Year of Wonder concert…you all did so amazing!! I am so proud of you all. This summer I want to encourage you to do two things:
    • 1. Challenge yourself! Learn new notes and practice harder songs. With a little practice, you can do anything you set your mind to!
    • 2. Have fun! Music is so much fun, especially recorder! You can do so much with it. Experiment with new songs and notes.
  • Have a great summer! Keep learning, exploring, discovering, and wondering! 🙂
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Dear students,
  • What can I say but WOW!! What an amazing year we had together! I loved every moment playing music, laughing, and learning with you all. And the Year of Wonder concert…you all did so amazing!! I am so proud of you all. This summer I want to encourage you to do two things:
    • 1. Challenge yourself! Learn new notes and practice harder songs. With a little practice, you can do anything you set your mind to!
    • 2. Have fun! Music is so much fun, especially recorder! You can do so much with it. Experiment with new songs and notes.
  • Have a great summer! Keep learning, exploring, discovering, and wondering! 🙂
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

  • Great job working hard and learning all the music this year!
  • I had a wonderful time directing the choir and getting to know you all.
  • This summer, sing! Sing when you work, sing when you’re in your room and in your car with your family, sing when you’re hiking, sing when you’re in the shower, sing when you’re at church and when you’re sad and when you’re happy. Sing all sorts of stuff. I don’t care what it is. Keep that voice going and don’t stop. You can sing scales, easy melodies, get with your friends and sing rounds and harmonies together.
  • Have a great summer!
  • Mr. Ryan “The Grooviest”

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

  • Great job working hard and learning all the music this year! Especially “Shalom”!
  • I had a wonderful time directing the choir and getting to know you all.
  • This summer, sing! Sing when you work, sing when you’re in your room and in your car with your family, sing when you’re hiking, sing when you’re in the shower, sing when you’re at church and when you’re sad and when you’re happy. Sing all sorts of stuff. I don’t care what it is. Keep that voice going and don’t stop. You can sing scales, easy melodies, get with your friends and sing rounds and harmonies together.
  • I hope you have a great summer!
  • Mr. Ryan “The Grooviest”

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • Spending this past school year teaching all of you ASL was such a blessing! I am so proud of how far each of you has come! It was amazing to be able to watch your confidence grow with your skills this year and I am so excited for what the Lord has in store for each of you. Be sure to continue practicing frequently so you don’t forget or lose skills, practicing is crucial to retaining and progressing further.
  • Practice new signs and review signs you know. Share with your family.
  • Practice making sentences
  • Reference signs from: signingsavvy.com and https://www.handspeak.com

DANCE

  • Dancers,
  • What a wonderful year of dance! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. It was truly a joy to teach you all and to witness your progress throughout the year. You are all so talented and performed beautifully at both performances. I loved how you all were able to adapt so easily to the outside setting today – great job!
  • I pray that you have a wonderful summer and I can’t wait to see you all in the fall.
  • Psalms 149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.
  • Sincerely, Miss Leslie
  • Family day performance: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z2oJ8yIKz9JUhC_HcXwOCiDwVY38cqdy/view?usp=sharing

GUIDED PE

  • Great year guys! I loved how hard you all worked to learn all the movements! You blew it out of the water for the obstacle course race. Keep up the practice of everything you learned! Play! Move!! Keep going! I hope to see you all next year!!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • What a great year! I enjoyed guiding each of you through drawing and watercolor. I hope you find time this summer to practice your drawing skills, which is the foundation of all art. Practice makes progress! Have a great summer and hope to see you next year!

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • Great job needle punching!! You all did an amazing job!! Over the summer, keep practicing. Get creative. Sell some items at the Homeschool Days Fair! Have a wonderful summer!!

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Great job photographers! What a special and amazing year it has been to help you navigate your cameras. You did such an amazing job and look forward to next year! It takes time to get really comfortable with your camera, so keep practicing your skills over the summer.
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Everyone! Thanks for your enthusiasm and talent! You can practice the fundamentals of photography using this website: https://photoskop.com

THEATER

  • Congratulations on a great presentation of your theater monologues! You all did wonderfully portraying your characters during this era of history. A great summer activity is to round up your siblings or cousins or neighbors to create your own backyard theatre show! Also, you can practice belly breathing (maybe a few minutes before bed on your back), vocal projection (remember the calling for your friend across the playground?) and lastly, pick a few things to memorize and perform them for your family! It can be poems, bible verses, a short story… anything to get your practice with memorizing and speaking in front of others. Remember to project and articulate and how to give and receive energy on stage. Have a great summer!

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Thank you all for an amazing year!! It’s been such a pleasure to watch you grow and get to know you, and share such special times of music making together. We sure hope that you will continue to do music together as a family. The importance of music in a child’s early years can’t be stressed enough, besides it is so much fun! Sing and dance together. Make some simple rhythm instruments or have kitchen cupboard band. It is a lot of fun! Noisy maybe but fun! Share the music with others and tell them about Wonder!

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Thank you all for an amazing year!! It’s been such a pleasure to watch you grow and get to know you, and share such special times of music making together. We sure hope that you will continue to do music together as a family. The importance of music in a child’s early years can’t be stressed enough, besides it is so much fun! Sing and dance together. Make some simple rhythm instruments or have kitchen cupboard band. It is a lot of fun! Noisy maybe but fun! Share the music with others and tell them about Wonder!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • What a blessing these children have been to us this year. All of them are eager learners; mostly singing on pitch consistently, obedient and fun loving… We have enjoyed them so much. We hope that you will all share Wonder with your friends and invite them to join the fun next year!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • What a blessing these children have been to us this year. All of them are eager learners; mostly singing on pitch consistently, obedient and fun loving… We have enjoyed them so much. We hope that you will all share Wonder with your friends and invite them to join the fun next year!

DISCOVERY

  • Discovery students, it’s been an amazing year, and I hope you all have a great summer! Thank you for being such an incredible group. This summer, I want to make sure you get outside and play! Get in the dirt, make some “soup” with pine needles, water, or grass, watch insects as they walk by, and maybe feed some ants some sugar to watch them carry them into their mounds. Just be sure to get some vitamin d and fresh air because the summer time is such a wonderful time to get out and enjoy everything this state has to offer. God bless all of you and keep you.
  • Discovery Dance students, 
  • What a wonderful year of dance! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication. It was truly a joy to teach you all and to witness your progress throughout the year. You are all so talented and performed beautifully at both performances. I loved how you all were able to adapt so easily to the outside setting today – great job!
  • I pray that you have a wonderful summer and I can’t wait to see you all in the fall.
  • Psalms 149:3 Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.
  • Sincerely, Miss Leslie
  • Family day performance: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z2oJ8yIKz9JUhC_HcXwOCiDwVY38cqdy/view?usp=sharing

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • Thank you for being such sweet children. Have a wonderful summer!

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Thank you for a wonderful year, everyone! During the summer, you can reference the links from this year to practice at home. Have a wonderful summer and hope to see you next year!

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Thank you for a wonderful year, everyone! During the summer, you can reference the links from this year to practice at home. Have a wonderful summer and hope to see you next year!

JUNIOR HELPER

  • Thank you, Junior Helpers for your time every week. Serving others is a great skill to learn and we were thankful for the opportunity to help each of you practice this more. During the summer, find ways to serve others at home and in the community. We hope you have a wonderful summer!

STUDY HALL

  • Thank you for being respectful, peaceful, and focused in Study Hall. Have a wonderful summer!

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/05/05

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/05/05
DATE: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 136:1 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – Psalms 136:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 136:4 – To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever – Psalms 136:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Exodus 20:6 – And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:6 King James Version (KJV)
    • Hebrews 13:5 – Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 New Living Translation (NLV)
    • Matthew 9:13 – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. – Matthew 9:13 New International Version (NIV)
    • Jude 1:21 – keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 1:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

EVENT RECAP

What an exceptional Year of Wonder event! You all played wonderfully! Do you remember how challenging the music was during the first days of rehearsal? Now, you’ve not only learned the music but also learned how to play better together as an ensemble. Congratulations to all the first timers who performed with confidence and focus. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as we did listening to you share music together. And, thank you to all our art students who submitted a piece in the art display. We were impressed with the technique and creativity showcased, as well as the collaboration piece which was the perfect backdrop to the evenings photos!

SPRING EVENTS (NEXT WEEK)

  • Performance Attire: Be sure you have your performance attire for each ensemble and prepare accordingly (ALL instruments, choirs, ASL, Music Makers, and theater)
    • Family Day is May 12 (Wonder Tee and black bottoms for Everyone)
    • No shorts, please.
  • Instruments and Voice Students: Be sure to bring  your Practice Records and ALL of your music next week, as some will need to be returned. 

ALL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

  • Please note the REQUIRED Practice Time for each ensemble and be sure to complete the listed number of minutes 5 days a week. Please practice what is listed on the memo.
  • Repetition: You need adequate, consistent practice. You need to do repetitions. Rather than practicing your skills one time each practice session, do them a few times each time you practice so the skills become more natural and automatic.
  • Metronome & Tuner: Remember to Practice with a metronome & use a tuner to check your pitch
  • Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror for some of your practice times.
  • Reed Instruments: Make sure you have 3 extra reeds at all time.
  • String Instrument: Make sure you have an extra set of strings at all times.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • No notes for this week.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our music.
  • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Exercises, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll may only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
  • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Exercises, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our Twinkle Variations.
  • Cello & Bass
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Violin & Viola
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on Boogie Woogie.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.
  • Cello
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Violin & Viola
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on Magic Flute.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.
  • Cello
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Violin & Viola
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on your concert piece, Peace Like a River.
  • Remember Practice Records
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on your concert piece, Peace Like a River and In Christ Alone.
  • Remember Practice Records
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

  • Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on Revelation 19 and Solfege Sonata.
  • 1. MEMORIZE “”Revelation 19″”
  • 2. MEMORIZE “”Solfege Sonata””
    • Sing “”Solfege Sonata”” 1 or 2 (or more) times:
    • Sing with vowels that are OPEN and TALL
    • Sing with consonants that are clearly pronounced
    • Sing beautifully even when you are getting louder
    • FULL RECORDING: https://youtu.be/mBRUnGqq_0I?si=63enwN7VeqdjVlAQ

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • Wonderful work, everyone! If you didn’t pick up your art piece, be sure to take it on Family Day.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • Wonderful work, everyone! If you didn’t pick up your art piece, be sure to take it on Family Day.
  • If you took the collab peace home, please bring back the hoop, but keep your individual hoop. 

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Wonderful work, everyone! If you didn’t pick up your photography print, be sure to take it on Family Day.
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Wonderful work, everyone! If you didn’t pick up your photography print, be sure to take it on Family Day.

THEATER

  • Keep practicing in front of your family. Keep working on dynamics, movement, and bringing lots of character to your presentation.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – Add a photo or a screenshot of the costume items your child will need before next class
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Wonderful work everyone! It was great to see your projects.

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Wonderful work everyone! It was great to see your projects.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/04/28

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/04/28
DATE: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 136:1 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – Psalms 136:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 136:4 – To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever – Psalms 136:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Exodus 20:6 – And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:6 King James Version (KJV)
    • Hebrews 13:5 – Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 New Living Translation (NLV)
    • Matthew 9:13 – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. – Matthew 9:13 New International Version (NIV)
    • Jude 1:21 – keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 1:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

SPRING EVENTS (NEXT WEEK)

  • Thank you all for attending the dress rehearsal! It was wonderful hearing and seeing all of your work come together. Keep practicing over the next week — work on any trouble spots. Make sure to stay hydrated and get a good night sleep the night before. We look forward to seeing everyone and sharing music and arts with our family and friends!
  • Performance Attire: Be sure you have your performance attire for each ensemble and prepare accordingly.
    • Year of Wonder is May 5 (next week)
      • Concert Black (all black): ALL instruments, choirs, ASL, flags, dancers
      • Wonder Black (wonder tee, black bottoms): Music Makers
    • Family Day is May 12
      • Wonder Black (wonder tee, black bottoms): All Students
      • Costumes: Theater (during Block 6 ONLY)

ALL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

  • Please note the REQUIRED Practice Time for each ensemble and be sure to complete the listed number of minutes 5 days a week. Please practice what is listed on the memo.
  • Repetition: You need adequate, consistent practice. You need to do repetitions. Rather than practicing your skills one time each practice session, do them a few times each time you practice so the skills become more natural and automatic.
  • Metronome & Tuner: Remember to Practice with a metronome & use a tuner to check your pitch
  • Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror for some of your practice times.
  • Reed Instruments: Make sure you have 3 extra reeds at all time.
  • String Instrument: Make sure you have an extra set of strings at all times.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • No notes for this week.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book working all stick heights and a range of tempos. Keep prioritizing memorization! Also specifically target some “chop building” by taking tempos up past your personal threshold for “Legatos” and “Double/Triple Beat.” Snares, Flubs, and Quads also focus extra on the “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” exercise. All players need to memorize “Bacon & Eggs” cadence and keep looking ahead at learning “Piper’s Processional” cadence.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Great job you guys!!! So we do the real concert for a larger audience. You will do great.
      • Practice Little Swing and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  •  Flute
    • Master #s 64, 67, and 68.
  •  Horn
    • Remember to work on knowing the first pitch of the music before it starts.
    • Do this when you warm up by hearing the pitch in your head or even sing your pitch before you play it.
    • Work on:
      • ♬ Chant & Celebration.
      • ♬ Time for a Little Swing
  •  Percussion
    • Practice individual instrument assignments. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus and look ahead at “A Little Bit of Swing” on snare drum + ride cymbal,  bells, and bass drum. Try to memorize all mallet parts (or get as close as you can!) and practice all parts with a metronome.
  • Saxophone
    • Chant and celebration – work on correct notes and then allegro section at 100 with metronome. Practice A Little Bit of Swing. For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trombone
    • Chant and celebration (especially measures 37-41) and A Little Bit of Swing (especially measures 39-48)
  • Trumpet
    • For next week for dress rehearsal – all trumpeters
    • Watch the conductor – keep trumpets on your knee – ready to be in playing position when conductor has her hands raised.
    • Perfect Ascot overture – Stay sharp on timing and and volume changes
    • Also work more on 1812 overture – get faster

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Trouble spots
  • Clarinet
    • Get your fingerings down for the accidentals. It’s a little bit of the chromatic scale, so use those fingerings from the fingering chart. The Chromatic Fingereing is usually the 2nd one listed if there is more than one. The exception for that is Eb on the first line of the staff.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Work on minor scales (with flats).
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Ascot Overture down
  •  Trombone
    • 1812 Overture (especially working on dynamics) and Ascot Overture (especially measures 53-54)
  •  Trumpet
    • For next week for dress rehearsal – all trumpeters
    • Watch the conductor – keep trumpets on your knee – ready to be in playing position when conductor has her hands raised.
    • Perfect Ascot overture – Stay sharp on timing and and volume changes
    • Also work more on 1812 overture – get faster

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Prepare “Frog Bottom and Caravan making sure to use a metronome, starting slow and gradually working up especially with the more ‘aggressive’ chord progression changes. Preview our arranged versions and also listen to originals to get insight on how to ‘modify’ your parts to make them more effective and musical.
  • Saxophone
    • When playing the high notes, remember to keep your embouchure relaxed and the air supported. Use the alternate fingering for C when slurring the the B or Bb below it. Chormatic fingerings are usually listed 2nd. The exception is the A#/Bb, it is both the normal & chromatice fingering.
  •  Trombone
    • Blues at Frog Bottom and Caravan
  • Trumpet
    • For next week for dress rehearsal – all trumpeters
    • Watch the conductor – keep trumpets on your knee – ready to be in playing position when conductor has her hands raised.
    • Just be ready and sharp. – and i don’t mean sharps and flats
    • The pieces you worked on with Miss Carol – Bugle Boy?

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Keep up the good work, and the usual practice routine. We only have one more regular class day.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
    • Keep up with your practice routine:
        • Tune
        • listen to good tone on open strings + ringing tones
        • review all the pieces that we have learned
        • D Major scale
        • G Major scale
        • Song of the Wind
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Twinkle Variation
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • modified Penguins
    • Climb MOnkey- with bow
    • bowing the A string rhythm
    • cow, cat, table, bird dog exercise
    • walking fingers singing bow
    • Rainbows
    • Each rhythm 10X on each string every day
    • Huckleberry Jello Song
    • goose berry goose berry song
    • Huckleberry Huckleberry song
    • -pineapple pineapple song
    • Jello-lo Jello song
    • modified walking fingers with bow
    • Twinkle A Section Twinkle B Section
    • Twinkle twiwnkle little star
      • huckleberry jello
      • jello lo jello
      • gooseberry
      • hippity hoppity
      • huckleberry huckleberry
      • theme
    • -practice building stamina to play all the songs back to back
      • first day- practice all the songs with large breaks in between ( you may come down to rest position)
      • second and third day practice doing two songs back to back (you may not come down from play position but you may take a breath in between)
      • fourth and fifth day practice three songs back to back
      • fifth, sixth days practice all of the songs

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on the three pieces for the end of the year concerts:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Tchaikovsky Themes
    • 4. Appalachia Waltz
    • 5. Boogie Woogie
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 23 & 24 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino
    • etude

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on the three pieces for the end of the year concerts:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Brandenburg
    • 4. Mozart
    • 5. Moonlight Odyssey
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Keep up the good work. Only one more regular class time, and it would be nice to focus on refining points of these last few pieces that we know so well (maybe some of the earlier pieces, too).
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
      • Witches Dance
      • Gavotte
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex6&7 viola ex. 6&7 violin
    • Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! (Mozart, Moonlight, Brandenburg, Tchaikovsky Themes, Appalachia Waltz, and Boogie Woogie). Thank you!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Mozart 2nd and 3rd movements.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far.
    • Practice concert behavior: rest position, playing position.
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River every day you practice. Practicing playing in front of other people!
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Concert Pieces: Peace Like a River and In Christ Alone. Practicing playing in front of other people!
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • Concert May 5:
    • *Bring your self portrait if you took it home to complete.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • Concert May 5:
    • *Bring “Peace” project attached to hoop! OR
    • *Bring your empty hoops from your kit! (for those that already turned in your project)
  • We are looking forward to seeing all of your beautiful work displayed at the concert!
  • The heavens declare the Glory of God; and the firmament shows His Handiwork. – Psalm 19:1

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • No notes for this week.
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • No notes for this week.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link
    • Add your top photos for the end of year projects and yearbook, include the usage in the title: wonder-YY-YY-name-collab-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-individual-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-sequence-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-yearbook-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-slideshow-1 (For exampe: wonder-20-21-doe-john-collab-1). If you have trouble, you can get help during class.
    • Specs: 5×7″; Individual & Sequence Photos must be horizontal; Others can be horizontal or vertical

THEATER

  • Wonderful dress rehearsal! Thank you for presenting you monolgues for each other. You had lots of opporutnities to pratice in front of your peers in costume. Keep working on dynamics, movement, and bringing lots of character to your presentation.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – Add a photo or a screenshot of the costume items your child will need before next class
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Great job today in rehearsal. It was so fun to see it all come together with the quartet and all three dance classes. You all have worked so hard and I am so proud of each and everyone of you. Keep practicing and I look foward to seeing you next week for the performance.
    • *IMPORTANT NOTES FOR ALL DANCERS*
      • Thank you all for weariing your blacks to rehearsal. They looked great.
      • If you are wearing socks in your ballet shoes please make sure to wear black.
      • Please have hair up in a pony tail, bun or any style that is secured back and out of face.
      • I will have a hair piece that to add to their hair for the performance and a flower to pin to their skirt.
      • Dancers will be performing during the concert on May 5th. Please be on the look out for call times.
    • Things to work on this week:
      • Walk around and then stop in 1st position – heels together, toes open
      • Walking on releve – high up on half pointe
      • Arbesque – arms stretched and leg pointed
      • Watch each other so that everyone is together
      • Count steps and music
    • Performance practice

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Application: Building a self-playing card game

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/04/21

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/04/21
DATE: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 136:1 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – Psalms 136:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 136:4 – To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever – Psalms 136:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Exodus 20:6 – And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:6 King James Version (KJV)
    • Hebrews 13:5 – Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 New Living Translation (NLV)
    • Matthew 9:13 – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. – Matthew 9:13 New International Version (NIV)
    • Jude 1:21 – keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 1:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

DRESS REHEARSAL (NEXT CLASS)

  • Really excellent work, everyone. We’re really impressed with everyone’s effort and level of progression this year. We have absolutely no major concerns for the concert. All we ask is that you all be attentive and patient during the dress rehearsal process, because it’s only logistics (getting on/off stage, and order of performances) that we haven’t rehearsed. Let’s wonder!
  • Performance Attire: Be sure you have your performance attire for each ensemble and prepare accordingly
    • Concert Black (all black): ALL instruments, choirs, ASL, flags, dancers
    • Wonder Black (wonder tee, black bottoms): Music Makers
    • Costumes: Theater

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Practice your part on What Can I Share? and also practice the songs I sent home with you today.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Keep practicing the last piece in the book. First practice hands separately, then put hands together.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book working all stick heights and a range of tempos. Keep prioritizing memorization! Also specifically target some “chop building” by taking tempos up past your personal threshold for “Legatos” and “Double/Triple Beat.” Snares, Flubs, and Quads also focus extra on the “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” exercise. All players need to memorize “Bacon & Eggs” cadence and keep looking ahead at learning “Piper’s Processional” cadence.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice Little Swing and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  •  Flute
    • Master #s 64, 67, and 68.
  •  Horn
    • Remember to work on knowing the first pitch of the music before it starts.
    • Do this when you warm up by hearing the pitch in your head or even sing your pitch before you play it.
    • Work on:
      • ♬ Chant & Celebration.
      • ♬ Time for a Little Swing
  •  Percussion
    • Practice individual instrument assignments. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus and look ahead at “A Little Bit of Swing” on snare drum + ride cymbal,  bells, and bass drum. Try to memorize all mallet parts (or get as close as you can!) and practice all parts with a metronome.
  • Saxophone
    • Chant and celebration – work on correct notes and then allegro section at 100 with metronome. Practice A Little Bit of Swing. For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. Ascot Overture. If extra time, work on yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trumpet
    • For next week for dress rehearsal – all trumpeters
    • Watch the conductor – keep trumpets on your knee – ready to be in playing position when conductor has her hands raised.
    • Perfect Ascot overture – Stay sharp on timing and and volume changes
    • Also work more on 1812 overture – get faster

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Trouble spots
  • Clarinet
    • Get your fingerings down for the accidentals. It’s a little bit of the chromatic scale, so use those fingerings from the fingering chart. The Chromatic Fingereing is usually the 2nd one listed if there is more than one. The exception for that is Eb on the first line of the staff.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Work on minor scales (with flats).
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Ascot Overture down
  •  Trombone
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, practice Ascot Overtire (especially measures 51-56) and Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording for rhythms) and Caravan.
    • Go back and forth from Bflat to Cflat (like in Caravan) using a tuner to make sure that you’re hitting the perfect slide position for that Cflat.
  •  Trumpet
    • For next week for dress rehearsal – all trumpeters
    • Watch the conductor – keep trumpets on your knee – ready to be in playing position when conductor has her hands raised.
    • Perfect Ascot overture – Stay sharp on timing and and volume changes
    • Also work more on 1812 overture – get faster

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Practice Caravan
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Prepare “Birdland” and “Take Five” making sure to use a metronome, starting slow and gradually working up especially with the more ‘aggressive’ chord progression changes. Preview our arranged versions and also listen to originals to get insight on how to ‘modify’ your parts to make them more effective and musical.
  • Saxophone
    • When playing the high notes, remember to keep your embouchure relaxed and the air supported. Use the alternate fingering for C when slurring the the B or Bb below it. Chormatic fingerings are usually listed 2nd. The exception is the A#/Bb, it is both the normal & chromatice fingering.
  •  Trumpet
    • For next week for dress rehearsal – all trumpeters
    • Watch the conductor – keep trumpets on your knee – ready to be in playing position when conductor has her hands raised.
    • Just be ready and sharp. – and i don’t mean sharps and flats
    • The pieces you worked on with Miss Carol – Bugle Boy?

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Keep up the good work, and the usual practice routine. We only have one more regular class day.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
    • Keep up with your practice routine:
        • Tune
        • listen to good tone on open strings + ringing tones
        • review all the pieces that we have learned
        • D Major scale
        • G Major scale
        • Song of the Wind
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Twinkle Variation
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • modified Penguins
    • Climb MOnkey- with bow
    • bowing the A string rhythm
    • cow, cat, table, bird dog exercise
    • walking fingers singing bow
    • Rainbows
    • Each rhythm 10X on each string every day
    • Huckleberry Jello Song
    • goose berry goose berry song
    • Huckleberry Huckleberry song
    • -pineapple pineapple song
    • Jello-lo Jello song
    • modified walking fingers with bow
    • Twinkle A Section Twinkle B Section
    • Twinkle twiwnkle little star
      • huckleberry jello
      • jello lo jello
      • gooseberry
      • hippity hoppity
      • huckleberry huckleberry
      • theme
    • -practice building stamina to play all the songs back to back
      • first day- practice all the songs with large breaks in between ( you may come down to rest position)
      • second and third day practice doing two songs back to back (you may not come down from play position but you may take a breath in between)
      • fourth and fifth day practice three songs back to back
      • fifth, sixth days practice all of the songs

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on the three pieces for the end of the year concerts:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Tchaikovsky Themes
    • 4. Appalachia Waltz
    • 5. Boogie Woogie
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 23 & 24 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino
    • etude

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on the three pieces for the end of the year concerts:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Brandenburg
    • 4. Mozart
    • 5. Moonlight Odyssey
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Keep up the good work. Only one more regular class time, and it would be nice to focus on refining points of these last few pieces that we know so well (maybe some of the earlier pieces, too).
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
      • Witches Dance
      • Gavotte
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex6&7 viola ex. 6&7 violin
    • Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on all three movements of the Mozart Quartet, since that is what you will perform in the final concert. Also, please review Sheep May Safely Graze and all of the midpoint and training orchestra pieces since you will be supporting us in those pieces in the concert (Mozart, Moonlight, Brandenburg, Tchaikovsky Themes, Appalachia Waltz, and Boogie Woogie). Thank you!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Mozart 2nd and 3rd movements.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far.
    • Practice concert behavior: rest position, playing position.
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River every day you practice. Practicing playing in front of other people!
    • Practicing tonging and slurring with the songs Smooth Slurs (pg 22) and Songbird (pg 25)
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • You guys did such a great job in the lunchtime performance! Let’s finish strong and keep up the good work. Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • If you wrote a second original composition, finish it up and give your song a title! We’ll share them next week
    • Practice Alleluia round on page 20. Remember the C# and F#.
    • Play Skip to My Lou just from the beginning to the double bar to where it says Rhythm Variation which is measures 1-8(Page 23)
    • Concert Pieces: Peace Like a River and In Christ Alone. Practicing playing in front of other people!
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • You guys did such a wonderful job performing at lunch! I’m very proud of each one of you! Keep it up and happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • Please complete your self-portrait this week and bring it back with your photo next week 4/28.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • Please remember to bring your needle punching kits to class. For those of you who have not finished the collaborative project or personal project, please work on it at home and bring it to class 4/28!

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • No notes for this week.
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • No notes for this week.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link
    • Add your top photos for the end of year projects and yearbook, include the usage in the title: wonder-YY-YY-name-collab-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-individual-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-sequence-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-yearbook-1, wonder-YY-YY-name-slideshow-1 (For exampe: wonder-20-21-doe-john-collab-1). If you have trouble, you can get help during class.
    • Specs: 5×7″; Individual & Sequence Photos must be horizontal; Others can be horizontal or vertical

THEATER

  • Next week is the dress rehearsal. Keep practicing your speeches adding dynamics. If you have additional props you’d like to use, be sure to bring them next week.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – Add a photo or a screenshot of the costume items your child will need before next class
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Inheritance. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-24.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/04/14

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/04/14
DATE: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 136:1 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – Psalms 136:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 136:4 – To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever – Psalms 136:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Exodus 20:6 – And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:6 King James Version (KJV)
    • Hebrews 13:5 – Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 New Living Translation (NLV)
    • Matthew 9:13 – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. – Matthew 9:13 New International Version (NIV)
    • Jude 1:21 – keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 1:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2B: Thank you to our wonderful presenters today! You all did a great job! We should have a few more next week and I’m really looking forward to it!
  • ALL: REVIEW FOR ASSESSMENTS
  • Next week will be assessments in all classes!
    • 2A & 3A will be assessed on:
      • Grand Staff
      • Note and Rest Values
      • All Note Names (bass & treble staff)
      • Piano Key Names
      • Time Signatures
    • 2B will be assessed on:
      • Whole and Half Steps
      • Major Scale Pattern
      • Order of Sharps and Flats
      • Identifying Key Signatures
      • Relative and Parallel Minor Scales
      • Major and Minor Triads
      • Tempo Order
    • 3B will do a mix of the two lists above.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Great job today!
  • Keep practicing “”What Can I Share?””
  • When it is performance-ready (next week or the week after), I’ll take a video in class and send it to your parents.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Great job today, ladies! Adding the repeat to our song sounded great and made it special!
  • Keep practicing the rest of the songs in your book. I’d love for you to be able to play the final song in class so I can get it on video and send it to your parents.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book working all stick heights and a range of tempos. Keep prioritizing memorization! Also specifically target some “chop building” by taking tempos up past your personal threshold for “Legatos” and “Double/Triple Beat.” Snares, Flubs, and Quads also focus extra on the “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” exercise. All players need to memorize “Bacon & Eggs” cadence and keep looking ahead at learning “Piper’s Processional” cadence.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice aura lee and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  •  Flute
    • Master #s 64, 67, and 68.
  •  Horn
    • Remember to work on knowing the first pitch of the music before it starts.
    • Do this when you warm up by hearing the pitch in your head or even sing your pitch before you play it.
    • Work on:
      • ♬ Chant & Celebration.
      • ♬ Time for a Little Swing
  •  Percussion
    • Practice individual instrument assignments. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus and look ahead at “A Little Bit of Swing” on snare drum + ride cymbal,  bells, and bass drum. Try to memorize all mallet parts (or get as close as you can!) and practice all parts with a metronome.
  • Saxophone
    • Chant and celebration – work on correct notes and then allegro section at 100 with metronome. Practice A Little Bit of Swing. For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. Ascot Overture. If extra time, work on yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trumpet
    • For all three ensembles
    • Practice holding steady tones, both loud and soft.
    • Hold tones with even breath control, control the tone with a soft ending, not a loud harsh sound.
    • Practice notes and fingerings going faster, and solid high notes.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Trouble spots
  • Clarinet
    • Get your fingerings down for the accidentals. It’s a little bit of the chromatic scale, so use those fingerings from the fingering chart. The Chromatic Fingereing is usually the 2nd one listed if there is more than one. The exception for that is Eb on the first line of the staff.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Work on minor scales (with flats).
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Ascot Overture down
  •  Trombone
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, practice Ascot Overtire (especially measures 51-56) and Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording for rhythms) and Caravan.
    • Go back and forth from Bflat to Cflat (like in Caravan) using a tuner to make sure that you’re hitting the perfect slide position for that Cflat.
  •  Trumpet
    • Ascot Overture and 1812 Overture
    • Try something new and more difficult in one of the books

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Practice Caravan
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Prepare “Birdland” and “Take Five” making sure to use a metronome, starting slow and gradually working up especially with the more ‘aggressive’ chord progression changes. Preview our arranged versions and also listen to originals to get insight on how to ‘modify’ your parts to make them more effective and musical.
  • Saxophone
    • When playing the high notes, remember to keep your embouchure relaxed and the air supported. Use the alternate fingering for C when slurring the the B or Bb below it. Chormatic fingerings are usually listed 2nd. The exception is the A#/Bb, it is both the normal & chromatice fingering.
  •  Trumpet
    • Memorize Bugle Boy
    • Work on new Time signatures and rhythms

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Keep up the good work, and the usual practice routine. We only have one more regular class day.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
    • Keep up with your practice routine:
        • Tune
        • listen to good tone on open strings + ringing tones
        • review all the pieces that we have learned
        • D Major scale
        • G Major scale
        • Song of the Wind
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Twinkle Variation
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • modified Penguins
    • Climb MOnkey- with bow
    • bowing the A string rhythm
    • cow, cat, table, bird dog exercise
    • walking fingers singing bow
    • Rainbows
    • Each rhythm 10X on each string every day
    • Huckleberry Jello Song
    • goose berry goose berry song
    • Huckleberry Huckleberry song
    • -pineapple pineapple song
    • Jello-lo Jello song
    • modified walking fingers with bow
    • Twinkle A Section Twinkle B Section
    • Twinkle twiwnkle little star
      • huckleberry jello
      • jello lo jello
      • gooseberry
      • hippity hoppity
      • huckleberry huckleberry
      • theme
    • -practice building stamina to play all the songs back to back
      • first day- practice all the songs with large breaks in between ( you may come down to rest position)
      • second and third day practice doing two songs back to back (you may not come down from play position but you may take a breath in between)
      • fourth and fifth day practice three songs back to backfifth, sixth days practice all of the songs

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on the three pieces for the end of the year concerts:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Tchaikovsky Themes
    • 4. Appalachia Waltz
    • 5. Boogie Woogie
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 23 & 24 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino
    • etude

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on the three pieces for the end of the year concerts:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Brandenburg
    • 4. Mozart
    • 5. Moonlight Odyssey
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Keep up the good work. Only one more regular class time, and it would be nice to focus on refining points of these last few pieces that we know so well (maybe some of the earlier pieces, too).
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
      • Witches Dance
      • Gavotte
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex6&7 viola ex. 6&7 violin
    • Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! Please focus your practice on all three movements of the Mozart Quartet, since that is what you will perform in the final concert. Also, please review Sheep May Safely Graze and all of the midpoint and training orchestra pieces since you will be supporting us in those pieces in the concert (Mozart, Moonlight, Brandenburg, Tchaikovsky Themes, Appalachia Waltz, and Boogie Woogie). Thank you!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Mozart 2nd and 3rd movements.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far.
    • Practice concert behavior: rest position, playing position.
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River every day you practice. Practicing playing in front of other people!
    • Practicing tonging and slurring with the songs Smooth Slurs (pg 22) and Songbird (pg 25)
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • You guys did such a great job in the lunchtime performance! Let’s finish strong and keep up the good work. Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • If you wrote a second original composition, finish it up and give your song a title! We’ll share them next week
    • Practice Alleluia round on page 20. Remember the C# and F#.
    • Play Skip to My Lou just from the beginning to the double bar to where it says Rhythm Variation which is measures 1-8(Page 23)
    • Concert Pieces: Peace Like a River and In Christ Alone. Practicing playing in front of other people!
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • You guys did such a wonderful job performing at lunch! I’m very proud of each one of you! Keep it up and happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Add your top photos for the end of year projects and yearbook (include the usage in the title (for example: name-1-yearbook, name-1-individual, name-1-collab, name-1-slideshow). If you have trouble, you can get help during class.
    • All photos are due by next class.
    • Your collab photos will be taken on the 21st in class (for those who did not take them)
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • We reviewed pictures for the final project sequences.
    • If you want to make changes or updates to your six photographs, this is the week to do so!
    • Add your top photos for the end of year projects and yearbook (include the usage in the title (for example: name-1-yearbook, name-1-individual, name-1-collab, name-1-slideshow). If you have trouble, you can get help during class.
    • All photos are due by next class.
    • Your collab photos will be taken on the 21st in class
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Parents: Please look at the update message on the Theater Spreadsheet.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – Add a photo or a screenshot of the costume items your child will need before next class
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Object Oriented Programming. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-23.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WONDER CHARACTER: MERCY (KINDNESS)

TO: WONDER MEMBERS
MEMO: WONDER CHARACTER: MERCY (KINDNESS)
MONTH: APRIL

MEMORY VERSES

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 136:1 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. – Psalms 136:1 New King James Version (NKJV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 136:4 – To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever – Psalms 136:4 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Exodus 20:6 – And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:6 King James Version (KJV)
    • Hebrews 13:5 – Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5 New Living Translation (NLV)
    • Matthew 9:13 – But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. – Matthew 9:13 New International Version (NIV)
    • Jude 1:21 – keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. – Jude 1:21 English Standard Version (ESV)

CHARACTER STUDY

  • Character Trait: Mercy (Kindness)
  • Definition: Mercy is the act of kindness or good will towards another joined with a desire to help them.
  • Bible Word: Hebrew word: חֶסֶד chesed (Strong’s Number H2617) refers to the acts of kindness taken to help another. Greek word: ἔλεος eleos (Strong’s Number G1656) is kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted joined with a desire to help them.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/31

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/31
DATE: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Galatians 5:22-25 — The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. — Galatians 5:22-25
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 16:32 — Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. — Proverbs 16:32 New Living Translation (NLT)
    • James 5:7-8 — Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. — James 5:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • Proverbs 14:29 — Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness. — Proverbs 14:29 New Century Version (NCV)
    • Psalms 40:1 — I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. — Psalms 40:1 King James Version (KJV)

REMINDER (PRACTICE DURING BREAK)

If your student is in an ensemble (Bands, Orchestras, Drumline, Bucket Drums, Flags, Recorder, Choirs, Dance) or Theater, please remember the following:

  • Be sure to remind your child to practice the REQUIRED amount for the week DURING BREAK (noted in the Class Notes, linked below). The guides and coaches post what students need to practice for the week.
  • Instruments: Practicing during breaks is especially important for new musicians because it takes time and consistency to make the skills taught become more natural and dependable. Extended breaks are not helpful for individual progression or the group.
  • Voices: Please be sure your child has access to the sound files for choir so they can practice along with their parts.
  • ASL Choir: Please be sure your child has access to the sound files for choir so they can practice along with their parts.
  • Dance & Flags: Please be sure your child has access to the video file for dance so they can practice the choreography.
  • Theater: Please be sure your child is practicing their lines and characters.

Performance Attire: Be sure sure your have your performance attire for each ensemble and prepare accordingly (ALL instruments, choirs, ASL, Music Makers, and theater)

ALL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

  • Please note the REQUIRED Practice Time for each ensemble and be sure to complete the listed number of minutes 5 days a week. Please practice what is listed on the memo.
  • Repetition: You need adequate, consistent practice. You need to do repetitions. Rather than practicing your skills one time each practice session, do them a few times each time you practice so the skills become more natural and automatic.
  • Metronome & Tuner: Remember to Practice with a metronome & use a tuner to check your pitch
  • Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror for some of your practice times.
  • Reed Instruments: Make sure you have 3 extra reeds at all time.
  • String Instrument: Make sure you have an extra set of strings at all times.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2A & 3A: With your parents’ permission, practice naming piano keys here.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Lost My Partner:
    • Part 1: Logan
    • Part 2: Annabelle
    • Part 3: Louise
    • Part 4: Jeremiah
  • What Can I Share?
    • Part 1: Jeremiah
    • Part 2: Louise
    • Part 3: Annabelle
    • Part 4: Logan
  • Our performance is during the lunchtime assembly on April 14 when we get back from break! (Reminder: This is our only performance as we do not perform at the Year of Wonder Concert.)

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • If I Won…
    • Part 1: Noah
    • Part 2: Maebel
    • Part 3: Thalia
  • Review any of the recent songs and move on the any other song in the book! You know all the concepts needed to play them!
  • Our performance is during the lunchtime assembly on April 14 when we get back from break! (Reminder: This is our only performance as we do not perform at the Year of Wonder Concert.)

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book working all stick heights and a range of tempos. Keep prioritizing memorization! Also specifically target some “chop building” by taking tempos up past your personal threshold for “Legatos” and “Double/Triple Beat.” Snares, Flubs, and Quads also focus extra on the “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” exercise. All players need to memorize “Bacon & Eggs” cadence and keep looking ahead at learning “Piper’s Processional” cadence.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice aura lee and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  •  Flute
    • Master #s 64, 67, and 68.
  •  Horn
    • Remember to work on knowing the first pitch of the music before it starts.
    • Do this when you warm up by hearing the pitch in your head or even sing your pitch before you play it.
    • Work on:
      • ♬ Chant & Celebration.
      • ♬ Time for a Little Swing
  •  Percussion
    • Practice individual instrument assignments for Starfire March, Ode To Joy, and the mallet part for Aura Lee (Part A for John & Isaiah; Part B for Pascal). Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus and look ahead at “A Little Bit of Swing” on snare drum + ride cymbal (Pascal), bells (Isaiah), and bass drum (John). Try to memorize all mallet parts (or get as close as you can!) and practice all parts with a metronome.
  • Saxophone
    • Chant and celebration – work on correct notes and then allegro section at 100 with metronome. Practice A Little Bit of Swing. For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. Ascot Overture. If extra time, work on yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trumpet
    • For all three ensembles
    • Practice holding steady tones, both loud and soft.
    • Hold tones with even breath control, control the tone with a soft ending, not a loud harsh sound.
    • Practice notes and fingerings going faster, and solid high notes.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Trouble spots
  • Clarinet
    • Get your fingerings down for the accidentals. It’s a little bit of the chromatic scale, so use those fingerings from the fingering chart. The Chromatic Fingereing is usually the 2nd one listed if there is more than one. The exception for that is Eb on the first line of the staff.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Work on minor scales (with flats).
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Ascot Overture down
  •  Trombone
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, practice Ascot Overtire (especially measures 51-56) and Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording for rhythms) and Caravan.
    • Go back and forth from Bflat to Cflat (like in Caravan) using a tuner to make sure that you’re hitting the perfect slide position for that Cflat.
  •  Trumpet
    • Ascot Overture and 1812 Overture
    • Try something new and more difficult in one of the books

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Practice Caravan
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Prepare “Birdland” and “Take Five” making sure to use a metronome, starting slow and gradually working up especially with the more ‘aggressive’ chord progression changes. Preview our arranged versions and also listen to originals to get insight on how to ‘modify’ your parts to make them more effective and musical.
  • Saxophone
    • When playing the high notes, remember to keep your embouchure relaxed and the air supported. Use the alternate fingering for C when slurring the the B or Bb below it. Chormatic fingerings are usually listed 2nd. The exception is the A#/Bb, it is both the normal & chromatice fingering.
  •  Trumpet
    • Memorize Bugle Boy
    • Work on new Time signatures and rhythms

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • O Come Little Children
    • up bow – left bow
    • There were some who still need to practice Lightly Row, Song of the Wind, and Go Tell Aunt Rhody. Please keep these in your practice routine and aim for perfection. Listen to the recordings as a guide. Those who feel more comfortable with them, still refine your sound and keep tone a priority.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Keep up with your practice routine:
        • Tune
        • listen to good tone on open strings + ringing tones
        • review all the pieces that we have learned
        • D Major scale
        • G Major scale
        • Song of the Wind
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Twinkle Variation
  • Violin & Viola

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Appalachia Waltz
    • 4. Boogie Woogie
    • 5. Tchaikovsky
    • 6. Golden Slippers
    • 7. All the new pieces! (Johnny has Gone for a Soldier, Sweet Betsy from Pike, Soldiers Joy, The World Turned Upside Down, When the Saints Go Marching In)
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • I’m very impressed with where everyone is with Volume 1. Keep playing these through the next weeks to keep everything in your fingers, and refine our sound.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • Scales – C Major scale
      • I Can Read Music: up through the entire book.
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Book 1
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 23 & 24 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino
    • etude

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! You all sound SO good on Brandenburg! Please practice the following this week:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Brandenburg, whole thing. Pay attention to the phrasing (bring out 8th notes, follow the line of the notes up and down with a crescendo and decrescendo
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey, whole thing! Paying attention to dynamics, articulation, and tricky rhythms.”
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Volume 2 – Keep practicing all the (even) pieces that we have covered this year. Some of the earlier pieces may not be as familiar as the ones we have recently played. Practice them frequently. Enjoy the week off.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Watch: Japanese National Anthem (https://youtu.be/0K-5RkFEagc?si=cH2Im74bJU0yWfNc)
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
      • Witches Dance
      • Gavotte
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex4 viola ex. 5 violin
    • Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Prelude and Fugue 1st and 3rd movements
    • 4. Mozart 2nd and 3rd movements.
    • 5. Sheep May Safely Graze (0-2:35)
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Keep working on Peace Like a River. The first time you practice it each day, play with the music (or along with the video). Then play from memory after that!
    • Peace Like a River warm-up video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JGOhSfOX_o&t=2s. Full song video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA.
    • Play one song from each page of your book from 12 to 20. Some of these pages are repeats from last week: challenge yourself to play different songs than last time.
  • Clean out your recorders and have a great break! Happy practicing!
  • You guys are doing so well. Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G
    • Play 1 song from every page in your book up from pages 9-18. There are some repeat pages on purpose, so challenge yourself to play something new!
    • Make sure In Christ Alone is really nailed down! Each day that you practice this song, play it first with the video or the sheet music. Then play it from memory!
    • In Christ Alone video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc.
    • Write another 4+ measure song. Thank you all for sharing your beautiful compositions over the past few weeks! Let’s have fun and do it again!
  • You guys are doing a wonderful job! Have a great break and happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Please bring tripod and flash lights or glow sticks for painting with light
    • Add your top photos for the end of year projects and yearbook (include the usage in the title (for example: name-1-yearbook, name-1-individual, name-1-collab). If you have trouble, you can get help during class.
    • Your collab photos will be taken on either the 14th or 21st in class
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Add your top photos for the end of year projects and yearbook (include the usage in the title (for example: name-1-yearbook, name-1-individual, name-1-collab). If you have trouble, you can get help during class.
    • Your collab photos will be taken on either the 14th or 21st in class
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Parents: Please look at the update message on the Theater Spreadsheet and make sure all costumes and props are at Wonder on April 14.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – Add a photo or a screenshot of the costume items your child will need before next class
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Object Oriented Programming. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-21.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/24

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/24
DATE: Tuesday, March 24, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Galatians 5:22-25 — The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. — Galatians 5:22-25
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 16:32 — Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. — Proverbs 16:32 New Living Translation (NLT)
    • James 5:7-8 — Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. — James 5:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • Proverbs 14:29 — Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness. — Proverbs 14:29 New Century Version (NCV)
    • Psalms 40:1 — I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. — Psalms 40:1 King James Version (KJV)

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2B: Those working on Composer Studies: We will be moving presentations to April 14.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Practice Lost My Partner:
    • Part 1 – Logan
    • Part 2 – Annabelle
    • Part 3 – Louise
    • Part 4 – Jeremiah
    • Practice with repeat.
  • Practice all parts of What Can I Share?
    • We will choose parts next week.
  • Practice the songs on the handout I gave you today.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice your part on If I Won Ten Million Dollars.
  • Keep practicing pages 60, 61, and 62 until you can play them smoothly.
  • Work on page 64 and complete the Theory on page 65.
  • If you have time for a challenge, do the Sight Reading on page 66

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book working all stick heights and a range of tempos. Keep prioritizing memorization! Also specifically target some “chop building” by taking tempos up past your personal threshold for “Legatos” and “Double/Triple Beat.” Snares, Flubs, and Quads also focus extra on the “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” exercise. All players need to memorize “Bacon & Eggs” cadence and keep looking ahead at learning “Piper’s Processional” cadence.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice aura lee and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  •  Flute
    • Master #s 64, 67, and 68.
  •  Horn
    • Remember to work on knowing the first pitch of the music before it starts.
    • Do this when you warm up by hearing the pitch in your head or even sing your pitch before you play it.
    • Work on:
      • ♬ Chant & Celebration.
      • ♬ Time for a Little Swing
  •  Percussion
    • Practice individual instrument assignments for Starfire March, Ode To Joy, and the mallet part for Aura Lee. Also work on “Hugga-Huggar Burr” with buzz roll focus and look ahead at “A Little Bit of Swing” on drum set (Pascal), bells (Isaiah), and bass drum (John). Try to memorize all mallet parts (or get as close as you can!) and practice all parts with a metronome.
  • Saxophone
    • Chant and celebration – work on correct notes and then allegro section at 100 with metronome. Practice A Little Bit of Swing. For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. Ascot Overture. If extra time, work on yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trumpet
    • For all three ensembles
    • Practice holding steady tones, both loud and soft.
    • Hold tones with even breath control, control the tone with a soft ending, not a loud harsh sound.
    • Practice notes and fingerings going faster, and solid high notes.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Trouble spots
  • Clarinet
    • Get your fingerings down for the accidentals. It’s a little bit of the chromatic scale, so use those fingerings from the fingering chart. The Chromatic Fingereing is usually the 2nd one listed if there is more than one. The exception for that is Eb on the first line of the staff.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Work on minor scales (with flats).
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Ascot Overture down
  •  Trombone
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, practice Ascot Overtire (especially measures 51-56) and Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording for rhythms) and Caravan.
    • Go back and forth from Bflat to Cflat (like in Caravan) using a tuner to make sure that you’re hitting the perfect slide position for that Cflat.
  •  Trumpet
    • Ascot Overture and 1812 Overture
    • Try something new and more difficult in one of the books

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Practice Caravan
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Prepare “Birdland” and “Take Five” making sure to use a metronome, starting slow and gradually working up especially with the more ‘aggressive’ chord progression changes. Preview our arranged versions and also listen to originals to get insight on how to ‘modify’ your parts to make them more effective and musical.
  • Saxophone
    • When playing the high notes, remember to keep your embouchure relaxed and the air supported. Use the alternate fingering for C when slurring the the B or Bb below it. Chormatic fingerings are usually listed 2nd. The exception is the A#/Bb, it is both the normal & chromatice fingering.
  •  Trumpet
    • Memorize Bugle Boy
    • Work on new Time signatures and rhythms

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Next week we get to hear Olivia play.
    • The three pieces and points we focused on today were:
    • 1. Song of the Wind – hopping 4 and “finger-bow-go” (slow practice)
    • 2. O Come Little Children – up bow starts (and finish)
    • 3. Variation 5 bow stroke and staying together.
    • Next week we play with the violins and violas. I will not be playing with you all during this session. I have confidence that you all will do well. We don’t have to play loudly; we have to play together.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Keep up with your practice routine:
        • Tune
        • listen to good tone on open strings + ringing tones
        • review all the pieces that we have learned
        • D Major scale
        • G Major scale
        • Song of the Wind
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Twinkle Variation
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • penguins
    • bowing the shoulder
    • bowing the strings
    • rainbows
    • modified pengiuns
    • first finger taps
    • climb monkey
    • walking fingers
    • silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink banana
      • as well as plucking
    • Huckleberry Jello song
    • Goose berry song
    • huckleberry hucklberry song
    • pinnapple pinnapple song
    • jello lo jello song
    • Twinkle little baby brother
    • table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Great job learning so much music this year! You will have finishd all of Mark O’Connor Book 1 once we learn the next batch of pieces. Please practice the following this week:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Appalachia Waltz
    • 4. Boogie Woogie
    • 5. Tchaikovsky
    • 6. Golden Slippers
    • 7. All the new pieces! (Johnny has Gone for a Soldier, Sweet Betsy from Pike, Soldiers Joy, The World Turned Upside Down, When the Saints Go Marching In)
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • Volume 1 preparation
    • I want to encourage you all to play through every piece frequently (if not every day).
    • The main observition from today is with bowing. Sometimes there are added slurs, or missing slurs. For the Minuets you can identify where all of the “minuet” bowings are.
    • Our goal is to learn pieces well so that all of our motions are smooth, and anticipated. To get to this point we have to:
      • 1. Listen to examples
      • 2. Play them a lot
      • 3. Focus on tone
      • Easy as that.
    • Keep it up, next week we will do a cover-to-cover play through where I want us to think of where we can relax while we play, since this is an endurance.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • Scales – C Major scale
      • I Can Read Music: up through the entire book.
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Book 1
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 23 & 24 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino
    • etude

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job today! You all sound SO good on Brandenburg! Please practice the following this week:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Brandenburg, whole thing. Pay attention to the phrasing (bring out 8th notes, follow the line of the notes up and down with a crescendo and decrescendo
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey, whole thing! Paying attention to dynamics, articulation, and tricky rhythms.”
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Volume 2 play through (partially). Nicely done!
    • Please focus on any pieces that we played through that seemed slightly foreign (specifically odd-numbered pieces).
    • Our goal is to learn pieces well so that all of our motions are smooth, and anticipated. To get to this point we have to:
      • 1. Listen to examples
      • 2. Play them a lot
      • 3. Focus on tone
      • Easy as that.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
      • Witches Dance
      • Gavotte
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex4 viola ex. 5 violin
    • Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Fantasic job running through all of our music! Please focus on practicing the following this week:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Prelude and Fugue 1st and 3rd movements
    • 4. Mozart 2nd and 3rd movements.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering for all the notes we’ve learned.
    • Play one song from each page of your book from 9 to 17. Some of these pages are repeats from last week: challenge yourself to play different songs than last time.
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River.
    • Special assignment: Play your concert piece and another 1-2 songs of your choosing for your family as a mini concert! This helps with the performance nervousness.
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • You guys are doing so well. Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • – Fingering from low C to High G
    • – Concert piece: In Christ Alone. Play along with the recording and I’ll try and create a video so check back on Friday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc&t=2s.
    • – Special assignment: Play your concert pieces and another 1-2 songs of your choosing for your family as a mini concert! This helps with the performance nervousness.
    • – Play 1 song from every page in your book up from pages 6-13. There are some repeat pages on purpose, so challenge yourself to play something new!
  • – Keep up the good work, ya’ll are rockstars!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • *We will be performing during assembly on the 31st – Please wear your black ballet shoes*
  • 1. Continue to memorize performance choreography
  • 2.) Work on 1st position placement in front of a mirror
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Tippy toe turn – end facing circle
        • x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – Sway arms right
      • Courtsey L – sway arms left
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Repeat Beginning step
      • arms float demi second to en bas x2
      • Arabesque in then out
      • Chaine turn together
      • Passe RLRL
      • Change lines x4 (4 counts each)
      • Step R touch behind L Reach arm to high diagonal
        • Repeat RLRL
      • Bourree turn in
      • 1st position – arms lift to God
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • *We will be performing during assembly on the 31st – Please wear your black ballet shoes*
  • Continue working on memorizing performance choreography
    *I added the new video from today*
  • Performance Choreography
  • *look at arms in the video to make sure you have them correct*
    • Steps to review in dance
    • pas de bourree with pick up
    • balance
    • alternating chasse
    • chaine turn
    • pique to sous sous
    • waltz turns
    • passe over – arms in 1st
    • pirouette RL
  • Review Ballet terminology
    • * Plie – to bend
    • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
    • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
    • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
    • * Frappe – to strike
    • * Fondu – to melt
    • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • * Saute – to jump
    • * Passe – to Pass
    • * Sous Sous – over/under
    • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
    • * Circular Cambre
    • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
    • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
    • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
    • * A terre – on the floor
    • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
    • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
    • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
      • jump or position.
  • Positions to review
    • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
    • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
    • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesqu
  • Stretching
  • 1/2 pike stretch
  • Full pike stretch
  • Pigeon stretch
  • Quadricep
  • Splits – modify with chairs

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • Parent: Please review what props and costumes your child will be wearing for their monologue. Please upload photos of their costumes to the photo album link and fill in the any dates you will not be at Wonder on the Tech Days portion of the linked spreadsheet, so we can assign performance filming dates.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – Add a photo or a screenshot of the costume items your child will need before next class
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For our next class,bring in or draw a picture of your favorite autumn leaf!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Object Oriented Programming. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-22.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/17

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/10
DATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Galatians 5:22-25 — The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. — Galatians 5:22-25
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 16:32 — Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. — Proverbs 16:32 New Living Translation (NLT)
    • James 5:7-8 — Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. — James 5:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • Proverbs 14:29 — Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness. — Proverbs 14:29 New Century Version (NCV)
    • Psalms 40:1 — I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. — Psalms 40:1 King James Version (KJV)

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2B: If you’re doing a Composer Study, please plan to present on March 31. (Two weeks!)

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Practice all parts of Lost My Partner and What Can I Share.
  • If you have a family member at home who can play one part while you play another, do that as much as possible.”

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice all parts of If I Won Ten Million Dollars
  • Practice pages 60, 61, and 62.
  • Complete the Composition on page 63. Pay close attention to the directions.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book working all stick heights and a range of tempos. Keep prioritizing memorization! Also specifically target some “chop building” by taking tempos up past your personal threshold for “Legatos” and “Double/Triple Beat.” Snares, Flubs, and Quads also focus extra on the “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” exercise. All players need to memorize “Bacon & Eggs” cadence and keep looking ahead at learning “Piper’s Processional” cadence.

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Hi all. Nice work today! I’m having trouble downloading the music, but I can send it to you through email if it won’t load here.
  • You can also try to this link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L6T9RxPpNKqtuLndCHK9T1QbBPE7AiaT/view?usp=drive_link
  • You may need a permission given, but I will be notified through email and then let you in.
    • 🚩 Work on the routine by counting out the 8’s.
    • 🚩 Make sure your beginning “solo” routine takes place on the same counts so that you all end on the last 8 of the 4th set at the same time.🚩 Visualize yourself doing the routine while listening to the music often.
  • My email is Marsha@CoHomeschoolMusic.org or call/text 303-596-8526 with questions or if you need the link to the music sent another way.
  • Music: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EZ1CHyXppdOujn995DTF_wA80dgtDHWa/view?usp=drive_link

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice aura lee and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  •  Flute
    • Master #s 64, 67, and 68.
  •  Horn
    • Continue to work on Chant & Celebration. Use the syllable Doo for slurs if it’s difficult to slur to the next note, make sure to use Too when the note is not slurred.
    • Remember to keep your head up while playing. Raising your stand will help. Check yourself in the mirror, too.
    • In the Essential Elements Book, work through exercises to first, learn the skills, notes and music vocabulary and then to suggest a tune or 2 to play together with the trombones.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice individual instrument assignments for Starfire March, Ode To Joy, and the mallet part for Aura Lee. Also work on “Hugga-Huggar Burr” with buzz roll focus and look ahead at “A Little Bit of Swing” on drum set (Pascal), bells (John), and bass drum (Isaiah). Try to memorize all mallet parts (or get as close as you can!) and practice all parts with a metronome.
  • Saxophone
    • Chant and celebration – work on correct notes and then allegro section at 100 with metronome. Practice A Little Bit of Swing. For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trombone
    • Chant and celebration – work on correct notes and then allegro section at 100 with metronome. Practice A Little Bit of Swing. For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #90-#93.
  • Trumpet
    • Keep working on stretching your lips
    • Don’t try to play just higher, but clear tones on the notes around high C
    • Work on Page 18 – get good at the timing of quarter notes and eighth notes
    • Still on Chant and Celebration and others.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Trouble spots
  • Clarinet
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in. I will be bringing both my clarinet & alto sax. Ascot Overture down
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Work on minor scales (with flats).
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Ascot Overture down
  •  Trombone
    • Practice Ascot Overtire (especially measures 51-56) and Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording for rhythms) and Caravan
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on timing – Ascot Overture
    • Also 1812 – Even timing on faster notes
    • Longer practices – build endurance

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Practice Caravan
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Prepare “Birdland” and “Take Five” making sure to use a metronome, starting slow and gradually working up especially with the more ‘aggressive’ chord progression changes. Preview our arranged versions and also listen to originals to get insight on how to ‘modify’ your parts to make them more effective and musical.
  • Saxophone
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in.
  •  Trumpet
    • Keep up on memorization – counting to stay together
    • Strong high tones – Ed, don’t miss that F
    • Endurance

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • We get to hear from Max next week.
    • Main point from today is about bow hold – please be true to your bow hold. We do not need to have a really loud sound, just a good tone. If you feel like you’re working too hard with your bow hand you can try to put some rosin on your bow to see if that helps. Otherwise please don’t strain your hand from working too hard.
    • O Come Little Children – Please listen to this and know how it goes. Practice pizzicato, then be sure that you start up-bow. I hope to start with this next week to organize our notes, then bowing.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Keep up with your practice routine:
        • Tune
        • listen to good tone on open strings + ringing tones
        • review all the pieces that we have learned
        • D Major scale
        • G Major scale
        • Song of the Wind
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Twinkle Variation
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • penguins
    • bowing the shoulder
    • bowing the strings
    • rainbows
    • modified pengiuns
    • first finger taps
    • climb monkey
    • walking fingers
    • silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink banana
      • as well as plucking
    • Huckleberry Jello song
    • Goose berry song
    • huckleberry hucklberry song
    • pinnapple pinnapple song
    • jello lo jello song
    • Twinkle little baby brother
    • table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • **Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Tchaikovsky Themes
    • 4. Boogie Woogie
    • 5. Golden Slippers
    • 6. Appalachia Waltz
    • 7. Climbing the Mountain
    • 8. Old Joe Clark
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • Do your best practicing the entire volume cover to cover. Feel free to split the practicing half one day, the other half another – odd/even, whatever works with your schedule.
    • Segment practicing (line by line)
    • Use music, and test yourself to see how your memory is.
    • Overall things are sounding good. I’ll continue to play the accompaniment part so you all get used to hearing it.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • Scales – C Major scale
      • I Can Read Music: up through the entire book.
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Happy Farmer
      • Review vol 1:
        • Etude – pivot bow
      • Review vol 2:
        • Minuet no 3
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Perpetual Motion
        • Long Long Ago
        • Allegretto
        • Andantino
        • Minuet in C
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 19 and 20 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino
    • etude

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune
    • 4. Mozart
    • 5. Moonlight Odyssey
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Good work overall, everyone. Please keep focusing on Witches Dance and Gavotte. Use the recording as a way to get familiar with the piece, and keep in mind the practice techniques we did today (sticky bow is what I call it).
    • Also, please keep reviewing all of Volume 2. I might even assign some volume 1 pieces for us to keep our technique in excellent form.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
      • Witches Dance
      • Gavotte
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex4 viola ex. 5 violin
    • Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – E minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Mozart all three movements!!
    • 4. Brandenburg
    • 5. Sheep May Safely Graze
    • 6. Review Beethoven Serenade Trio
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far, including F and F#.
    • Play one song from each page of your book up to page 13 this week. Challenge yourself to play something new!
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River. Make sure it is totally memorized by next week!
    • Your part in Winter Goodbye-3A Jeremiah, Norah, Ava, August, Louise, Elise, Esther. 3B-Bane, Yovie, Annabelle, Ginny, Noah, Maebel
    • Recorder Karate Song: Amazing Grace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1QrkkaeTkw.
    • Finish writing your own 2 measure song if you haven’t already.
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders! Parents, please help make sure they’re giving their recorders a good cleaning each week.
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G
    • Concert piece: In Christ Alone. Please make sure this is memorized by next week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc&t=2s.
    • Write your own song if you haven’t already, it was nice to hear some of the ones you wrote today! If you want to write another one you’re more than welcome to.
    • Bon Jour Perriot (page 14) we’ll play this next week as a round.
    • Play 1 song from every page in your book up to page 9. Challenge yourself!
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • We missed those who were gone this week and hope to see you soon! Happy practicing.

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • Continue to memorize performance choreography – we will be performing during assembly on the 31st
    • May Safely Graze Choreography with music: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZV6oMkMAKbkSSLSBDyVTYA6DsKPQzmu5/view?usp=drive_link
    • Choreography breakdown: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16X0INvXGyOeopVYTmc-Ap53zNHp0k6ta/view?usp=drive_link
    • Music Link – Sheep May Safely Graze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg
    • Memorize Performance Choreography
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Tippy toe turn – end facing circle
        • x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – Sway arms right
      • Courtsey L – sway arms left
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Repeat Beginning step
      • arms float demi second to en bas x2
      • Arabesque in then out
      • Chaine turn together
      • Passe RLRL
      • Change lines x4 (4 counts each)
      • Step R touch behind L Reach arm to high diagonal
        • Repeat RLRL
      • Bourree turn in
      • 1st position – arms lift to God
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn – arms in 1st
      • *Passe
      • *Ballet walks en releve
      • *Step Right touch Left foot behind
        • Repeat other side
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
      • *Cou de pied devant/derriere
    • Stretching
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Continue working on emorizing performance choreography
  • *look at arms in the video to make sure you have them correct*
    Steps in dance:

    • balance
    • alternating chasse
    • chaine turn
    • pique to sous sous
    • waltz turns
    • passe over
    • pirouette RL
  • Performance Choreography
  • Memorize Performance Choreography
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
    • 2nd group repeats
      • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
      • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
      • Balance R – arms 3rd position
      • Chaine L arms – 1st position
      • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
      • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
        • L- R front corner
        • R- R back corner
        • L- L back corner
        • R- L Front corner
      • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
      • Change legs/arms
      • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
      • Step R brush L foot to R corner – right arms lifts to the diagonal
      • Step L courtsey R – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree – RL
      • Sous sous
      • First group walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Second group walks around parnter
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Everyone chaine turns right
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Waltz x10 on number 5 turn around and go back to spots
        tendu croix devant facing corner 2
      • Plie 4th – circular port de bras
      • Stretch to 2nd arabesque
      • Flip to other side – croix facing corner 8
      • Pique RL to sous sous arms diagonal
        • repeat x3 RLR
      • Soutenu
      • Cannon section
        • arabesque RL arms diagonal
        • courtsey RL arms diagonal
        • step R arbesque L reach
          • both arms low diagonal
        • Step L pointe
          • tendu R L arm high diagonal
          • Repeat x2
        • Soutenu
        • Balance RLR – L and O
        • Balance LRL – Y and C
      • Brush leg side close 1st
      • Passe over LR
      • Passe over L to 4th
      • Pirouette land 4th
      • Lift arms to high diagonal – giving to God
    • Review Ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
      • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
      • * Frappe – to strike
      • * Fondu – to melt
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Sous Sous – over/under
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • * Circular Cambre
      • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
      • * Develope – developed or unfolded
      • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
      • * A terre – on the floor
      • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
      • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
      • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
      • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
      • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
        • jump or position.
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesqu

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • Parent: Please review what props and costumes your child will be wearing for their monologue. Please upload photos of their costumes to the photo album link and fill in the any dates you will not be at Wonder on the Tech Days portion of the linked spreadsheet, so we can assign performance filming dates.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – submit costumes and props ideas
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For our next class,bring in or draw a picture of your favorite autumn leaf!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Be sure your child has all 3 verses of Like a River Glorious memorized. And the last verse of Micah 5;4-5
  • Work on Like a River Glorious all verses (sing along – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1unZAudn6ZxTb5I0tzTepSQlrUexpHfmL/view?usp=drive_link)
  • Memorize the Micah 5:4-5 verses with feeling
  • Go over their green cards. Can they chant the rhythms accurately Du – Du; Du-da-di, Du-da-di; Du,du-da-di; Du-da-di, du!
  • Draw me a picture from the story Once Upon a Seashore (story of the Hermit Crab
  • Bring your water bottle to class and go to the bathroom before class!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Continue practicing performance choreography with the videos.
    • We will be performing during assembly on the 31st
      • Choreography with music:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/16X0INvXGyOeopVYTmc-Ap53zNHp0k6ta/view?usp=drive_link
      • Choreography breakdown:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZV6oMkMAKbkSSLSBDyVTYA6DsKPQzmu5/view?usp=drive_link
      • Music Link – Sheep May Safely Graze
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • Repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – right arms lifts to diagonal
      • Courtsey L – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Repeat Beginning step
      • arms float demi second to en bas x2
      • Arabesque in then out
      • Chaine turn together
      • Passe RLRL
      • Change lines x4 (4 counts each)
      • Step R touch behind L Reach arm to high diagonal
        • Repeat RLRL
      • Bourree turn in
      • 1st position – arms lift to God

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Exceptions and Dictionaries. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-19.html and https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-20.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/10

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/10
DATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Galatians 5:22-25 — The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. — Galatians 5:22-25
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 16:32 — Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. — Proverbs 16:32 New Living Translation (NLT)
    • James 5:7-8 — Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. — James 5:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • Proverbs 14:29 — Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness. — Proverbs 14:29 New Century Version (NCV)
    • Psalms 40:1 — I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. — Psalms 40:1 King James Version (KJV)

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Keep reviewing ALL parts of Lost My Partner. See if you can memorize it!
  • If can do all parts of Lost My Partner, practice all parts of What Can I Share? (pages 70-73)

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Keep practicing all parts of If I Won Ten Million Dollars (pages 52-53)
  • Also practice pages 55 and 56.
  • Try the Sight Reading on pages 50 and 58.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book working all stick heights and a range of tempos. Keep prioritizing memorization! Also specifically target some “chop building” by taking tempos up past your personal threshold for “Legatos” and “Double/Triple Beat.” Snares, Flubs, and Quads also focus extra on the “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” exercise. All players need to memorize “Bacon & Eggs” cadence and keep looking ahead at learning “Piper’s Processional” cadence.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice aura lee and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  •  Flute
    • Technique: Bb scales #1 and 2, master that articulation and try to pick up the temp on #2
    • Lesson book: #63 & #64 work on at home
    • Performance book: C&C measures 12-17, second half goal is solid 108
  •  Horn
    • Continue to work on Chant & Celebration. Use the syllable Doo for slurs if it’s difficult to slur to the next note, make sure to use Too when the note is not slurred.
    • Remember to keep your head up while playing. Raising your stand will help. Check yourself in the mirror, too.
    • In the Essential Elements Book, work through exercises to first, learn the skills, notes and music vocabulary and then to suggest a tune or 2 to play together with the trombones.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice Starfire March and review Essential Elements Book I Songs/Exercises 34, 35, 42, 43, 54, 57. 58. Practice individual instrument assignments for “Ode To Joy,” and the mallet part for “New World Symphony (#118).” Also work on “Hugga-Huggar Burr” with buzz roll focus and look ahead at “A Little Bit of Swing” on drum set or bells.
  • Saxophone
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  • Trombone
    • To work on getting the correct position for #2 and #3, work with a tuner. First, use a tuner to get your F in tune. Then find the correct spot for your E natural (2nd position) Go back and forth between F and E until you’re consistently getting the E in tune – this will build muscle memory for the exact right spot for position 2. Then repeat the drill going between F and E flat (3rd position).
    • For A Little Bit of Swing, especially work on measures 39-49. For yellow book #71, see how fast you can play it well. Also work on #81 with dynamics and #90, if time.
  • Trumpet
    • Practice setting trumpet up on you knee – and being ready to play
    • Keep fingerings and speed moving faster
    • Keep working through the book 1
    • Get Chant and Celebration down – good legato (slurs}
    • You are both sounding better each week

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Trouble spots
  • Clarinet
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in. I will be bringing both my clarinet & alto sax. Ascot Overture down
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking).
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Ascot Overture down
  •  Trombone
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, practice Ascot Overtire (especially measures 51-56) and Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording for rhythms) and Caravan
  •  Trumpet
    • Work more on Ascot Overture – make it sound more smooth
    • Work on longer workouts – to play longer after the band time
    • Get Ascot Overture down – stay together on timing and note values

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Practice Caravan
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Blues and Rock). Work on “Take Five” and “Birdland” paying close attention to accurate rhythms. Listen to both the original versions and our arranged version.
  • Saxophone
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in.
  •  Trumpet
    • Timing, timing, timing – Stay alert and listen to each other work in some low note time – clear and strong tones – same for going high

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Keep up the usual practice routine. Consider what we were doing today for bow stroke on “huckleberry huckleberry” to bow from our forearm, not our whole arm – (place right hand on left shoulder, have your hand follow the path of your left arm down to your elbow).
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Keep up with your practice routine:
        • Tune
        • listen to good tone on open strings + ringing tones
        • review all the pieces that we have learned
        • D Major scale
        • G Major scale
        • Song of the Wind
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Twinkle Variation
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • penguins
    • bowing the shoulder
    • bowing the strings
    • rainbows
    • modified pengiuns
    • first finger taps
    • climb monkey
    • walking fingers
    • silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink banana
      • as well as plucking
    • Huckleberry Jello song
    • Goose berry song
    • Twinkle little baby brother
    • table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • **Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Tchaikovsky Themes
    • 4. Boogie Woogie
    • 5. Golden Slippers
    • 6. Appalachia Waltz
    • 7. Climbing the Mountain
    • 8. Old Joe Clark
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • Keep up the good practicing. If you’re not able to practice more than 30 minutes 5 days/week, try to make the practice time “quality time.” Keep practicing well – no rush with practicing. Please also come to class with any questions. Listening to the recordings are an excellent way to memorize the pieces.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • Scales – C Major scale
      • I Can Read Music: up through the entire book.
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Happy Farmer
      • Review vol 1:
        • Etude – pivot bow
      • Review vol 2:
        • Minuet no 3
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Perpetual Motion
        • Long Long Ago
        • Allegretto
        • Andantino
        • Minuet in C
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 19 and 20 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune
    • 4. Mozart
    • 5. Moonlight Odyssey
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Anytime we have shifts, use the method of, “stop, place,” to organize the shift – as we play our shifts more, the time we “stop” will reduce more and more, keeping our shift organized and accurate. Keep up with Witches Dance while adding in the tricks to Gavotte.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
      • Chorus
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
      • Variations on an Irish Tune:
      • Magic Flute
      • Indiana Jones (Vibrato and shifting)
      • Count Down
      • Long Long Ago – Keep compact bow and compact sound for variation.
      • Minuet no 1
    • Moonlight Odyssey
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex3 viola ex. 4 violin
    • Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – E minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Mozart all three movements!!
    • 4. Brandenburg
    • 5. Sheep May Safely Graze
    • 6. Review Beethoven Serenade Trio
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far.
    • Pages 22 through 23 in Be a Recorder Star
    • Concert Piece: Peace Like a River
    • Your part in Winter Goodbye-3A Jeremiah, Norah, Ava, August, Louise, Elise, Esther. 3B-Bane, Yovie, Annabelle, Ginny, Noah, Maebel
    • Recorder Karate Song, and finish your own song!
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G
    • Pages 14-16 in your book
    • Write your own song this week! Get creative and have fun with it! Challenge yourself to write a minimum of 4 measures
    • Concert Pieces: Peace Like a River, In Christ Alone
  • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/5d
    • May Safely Graze Choreography with music: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZV6oMkMAKbkSSLSBDyVTYA6DsKPQzmu5/view?usp=drive_link
    • Choreography breakdown: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16X0INvXGyOeopVYTmc-Ap53zNHp0k6ta/view?usp=drive_link
    • Music Link – Sheep May Safely Graze: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg
    • Memorize Performance Choreography
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Tippy toe turn – end facing circle
        • x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – Sway arms right
      • Courtsey L – sway arms left
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Repeat Beginning step
      • arms float demi second to en bas x2
      • Arabesque in then out
      • Chaine turn together
      • Passe RLRL
      • Change lines x4 (4 counts each)
      • Step R touch behind L Reach arm to high diagonal
        • Repeat RLRL
      • Bourree turn in
      • 1st position – arms lift to God
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn – arms in 1st
      • *Passe
      • *Ballet walks en releve
      • *Step Right touch Left foot behind
        • Repeat other side
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
      • *Cou de pied devant/derriere
    • Stretching
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Steps in dance:
    • balance
    • alternating chasse
    • chaine turn
    • pique to sous sous
    • waltz turns
    • passe over
    • pirouette RL
  • Performance Choreography
  • Memorize Performance Choreography
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
      • 2nd group repeats
      • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
      • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
      • Balance R – arms 3rd position
      • Chaine L arms – 1st position
      • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
      • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
        • L- R front corner
        • R- R back corner
        • L- L back corner
        • R- L Front corner
      • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
      • Change legs/arms
      • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
      • Step R brush L foot to R corner – right arms lifts to the diagonal
      • Step L courtsey R – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree – RL
      • Sous sous
      • First group walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Second group walks around parnter
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Everyone chaine turns right
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Waltz x10 on number 5 turn around and go back to spots
        tendu croix devant facing corner 2
      • Plie 4th – circular port de bras
      • Stretch to 2nd arabesque
      • Flip to other side – croix facing corner 8
      • Pique RL to sous sous arms diagonal
        • repeat x3 RLR
      • Soutenu
      • Cannon section
        • arabesque RL arms diagonal
        • courtsey RL arms diagonal
        • step R arbesque L reach
          • both arms low diagonal
        • Step L pointe
          • tendu R L arm high diagonal
          • Repeat x2
        • Soutenu
        • Balance RLR – L and O
        • Balance LRL – Y and C
      • Brush leg side close 1st
      • Passe over LR
      • Passe over L to 4th
      • Pirouette land 4th
      • Lift arms to high diagonal – giving to God
    • Review Ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
      • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
      • * Frappe – to strike
      • * Fondu – to melt
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Sous Sous – over/under
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • * Circular Cambre
      • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
      • * Develope – developed or unfolded
      • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
      • * A terre – on the floor
      • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
      • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
      • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
      • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
      • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
        • jump or position.
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesqu

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Please use the Drive link below to add your photos for project and yearbook consideration. Please use the link below to add your photos for project and yearbook consideration. Please include what it is for; year book/slideshow (2y+ students)/ end of year collaboration/end of year peace photography wall
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Please use the Drive link below to add your photos for project and yearbook consideration. Please use the link below to add your photos for project and yearbook consideration. Please include what it is for; year book/slideshow (2y+ students)/ end of year collaboration/end of year peace photography wall
    • The idea of story telling is what we’re trying to develop. Last week’s homework was to sequence the commute to Wonder – breakfast, packing for the day, loading up into the car, riding in the car, arriving at the parking lot, entering the building, seeing friends!
    • It’s a sequence of events and hopefully a few pictures capture the “feeling” or emotions of the event.
    • This week’s homework: take a sequence of pictures of anything you go out to do. Museum, grocery store, gas station… The sequence begins in the house, and ends when the task is finished.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Great job working on your monologues today. Keep practicing at home.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – submit costumes and props ideas
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Be sure your child has all 3 verses of Like a River Glorious memorized. And the last verse of Micah 5;4-5
  • Work on Like a River Glorious all verses (sing along – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1unZAudn6ZxTb5I0tzTepSQlrUexpHfmL/view?usp=drive_link)
  • Memorize the Micah 5:4-5 verses with feeling
  • Go over their green cards. Can they chant the rhythms accurately? Du – Du; Du-da-di, Du-da-di; Du,du-da-di; Du-da-di, du!
  • Bring your water bottle to class and go to the bathroom before class!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Memorize and practice performance choreography with the videos.
      • Choreography with music:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/16X0INvXGyOeopVYTmc-Ap53zNHp0k6ta/view?usp=drive_link
      • Choreography breakdown:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZV6oMkMAKbkSSLSBDyVTYA6DsKPQzmu5/view?usp=drive_link
      • Music Link – Sheep May Safely Graze
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • Repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – right arms lifts to diagonal
      • Courtsey L – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Repeat Beginning step
      • arms float demi second to en bas x2
      • Arabesque in then out
      • Chaine turn together
      • Passe RLRL
      • Change lines x4 (4 counts each)
      • Step R touch behind L Reach arm to high diagonal
        • Repeat RLRL
      • Bourree turn in
      • 1st position – arms lift to God

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Recursion. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-18.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/03

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/03/03
DATE: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Galatians 5:22-25 — The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Messiah have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit. — Galatians 5:22-25
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 16:32 — Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. — Proverbs 16:32 New Living Translation (NLT)
    • James 5:7-8 — Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. — James 5:7-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • Proverbs 14:29 — Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness. — Proverbs 14:29 New Century Version (NCV)
    • Psalms 40:1 — I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. — Psalms 40:1 King James Version (KJV)

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2B: Composer Study Presentations will be March 17, 24, and 31. Signups will begin next week. (Note to parents: not every student is doing a presentation.)

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Keep practicing all parts of Lost My Partner. If you have a sibling or parent at home who could play one part while you play another, that would be great! Remember: you need to be able to play each part without any pausing. If you can play all of those parts well, start learning pages 70-73, “What Can I Share?”

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Work on all parts of “If I Won Ten Million Dollars” (pages 52-53)
  • If you have extra time, work on pages 55 and 56.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Reminder: Students should arrive by 8:15 in order to get their personal items put away and help unload the trailer. We communicated at the beginning of the year that in order to offer an 8:30 class everyone would need to pitch in. Thank you for honoring this requirement. 
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Reminder: Students should arrive by 8:15 in order to get their personal items put away and help unload the trailer. We communicated at the beginning of the year that in order to offer an 8:30 class everyone would need to pitch in. Thank you for honoring this requirement. 
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book; we will introduce a cadence or two next week, too.

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice aura lee and chant and celebration.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Use last weeks playing tips to continue working forward in your books. (below)
    • Biggest thing to watch for is puffy cheeks. Without those, you have a smooth and solid tone.
    • Here are some tips to help you with your tone & tuning:
    • ⭐️ The edges of the tongue should touch the side of the roof of the mouth by the teeth, this is where it goes when hissing like a cat. 🙀
    • ⭐️ Make sure the mouthpiece is far enough in the mouth to keep the pitch from going flat.
    • ⭐️ Don’t let the cheeks puff out.
    • ⭐️ Support your notes with a good stead airstream.
    • Can’t wait to hear you play next week!
  •  Flute
    • Technique: Bb scales #1 and 2, master that articulation and try to pick up the temp on #2
    • Lesson book: #63 & #64 work on at home
    • Performance book: C&C measures 12-17, second half goal is solid 108
  •  Horn
    • Continue to work on Chant & Celebration. Use the syllable Doo for slurs if it’s difficult to slur to the next note, make sure to use Too when the note is not slurred.
    • Remember to keep your head up while playing. Raising your stand will help. Check yourself in the mirror, too.
    • In the Essential Elements Book, work through exercises to first, learn the skills, notes and music vocabulary and then to suggest a tune or 2 to play together with the trombones.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice snare + cymbal part for “Rock Point Five” and “Ode To Joy”. Find material in the mallet section that we have not looked at in class and practice writing in your pitches. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus.
  • Saxophone
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
    • This week I want you to warm up well, fingers and embouchure to the fullest.
    • 🎷 The 1st time you practice a piece, play it as softly as possible.
    • 🎷 The 2nd time you practice that piece, play all dynamic levels 1 level softer.
    • 🎷 Continue that throughout the week. Push yourself to play softer and softer and softer. p…pp…ppp…pppp…ppppppppppp 😁
  • Trombone
    • To work on getting the correct position for #2 and #3, work with a tuner. First, use a tuner to get your F in tune. Then find the correct spot for your E natural (2nd position) Go back and forth between F and E until you’re consistently getting the E in tune – this will build muscle memory for the exact right spot for position 2. Then repeat the drill going between F and E flat (3rd position).
    • Work on other pieces as indicated in ensemble class notes
  • Trumpet
    • Keep working on tight lips and higher notes
    • Keep trumpet up – be ready to play ahead of the first note
    • Stronger breath control
    • Keep tones strong and steady
    • You are doing good on those things, but keep getting stronger for longer
    • Book 1 – page 14 – keep going through the book
    • First performance – Chant and Celebration

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. keeping a steady tempo is key at this point. Work on Ascot overture.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Great performance today! Keep working on 1812.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “1812 Overture” and other march. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence.
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
  •  Trombone
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, especially practice Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording for rhythms) and Caravan
  •  Trumpet
    • Good job on Refried Beans and School Spirit
    • Go for timing on Ascot Overture
    • Keep going longer on practice times
    • Stretch the lips and go for higher notes

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Practice Caravan
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Caravan, A Little Bit of Swing, etc.) Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence. Practice cascara and songo drum set rhythms.
  • Saxophone
    • Listen to Benny Goodman and other great clarinetists. Find a good Rhapsody in Blue. I’m not hearing air in their tone. Here’s a good video for sound quality.
    • How to Get Rid of a Fuzzy Sound Fast! Fabian Hügli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJlLnKV7IcQ
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in. I will be bringing both my clarinet & alto sax.
  •  Trumpet
    • Faster and accurate on Bugle Boy
    • Interval exercise and Blues in Hoss Flat

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • **Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Westward Journey
    • 4. Old Joe Clark
    • 5. Climbing the Mountain
    • 6. Appalachia Waltz
    • 7. Boogie Woogie
    • 8. Golden Slippers
    • 9. Three Tchaikovsky Themes
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • Keep up the good work with Volume 1.
    • I would like to encourage for everyone to focus on the pieces that need most attention. Slow practice helps coordinate everything.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • Scales – C Major scale
      • I Can Read Music: up through the entire book.
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Happy Farmer
      • Review vol 1:
        • Etude – pivot bow
      • Review vol 2:
        • Minuet no 3
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Perpetual Motion
        • Long Long Ago
        • Allegretto
        • Andantino
        • Minuet in C – all
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 19 and 20 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto
    • andantino

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Mozart – focusing on dynamics and articualtion
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey (all)
    • 5. Review: Variations on an Irish Tune
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex3 viola ex. 4 violin
    • Start on Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – E minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Brandenburg
    • 4. Sheep
    • 5. Mozart Movements 1 and 2
    • 6. Review: Beethoven Serenade
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far.
    • Recorder Karate song #7: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNEuHa1bfbc.
    • Rest Test on page 20, Pretty Rainbows on Page 21
    • Winter Goodbye: 3A: Jeremiah, Norah, Ava, August, Louise, Elise, Esther. 3B: Bane, Yovie, Annabelle, Ginny, Noah, Maebel. Counting and keeping the proper rhythm is very important, especially when there are two parts.
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River. Aim to memorize it this week!
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders at least once this week!
    • Great job today you guys! Happy practicing!Practice:

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G
    • Use Easy Rockin’ (page 12) as a warm up to practice tonging and slurring.
    • Play Bon Jour Pierrot (Page 14).
    • Pages 15-16 in your book, especially Up and Down, This Train, and The Overlander (list to it on your CD first and then play along)
    • Concert Pieces: Peace Like a River and In Christ Alone (let’s get these memorized!)
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders at least once this week!
    • You guys are doing an amazing job. Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/5d
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn – arms in 1st
      • *Passe
      • *Ballet walks en releve
      • *Step Right touch Left foot behind
        • Repeat other side
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
      • *Cou de pied devant/derriere
    • Stretching
    • Review and practice performance choreography
      • May Safely Graze Choreography with music:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/16X0INvXGyOeopVYTmc-Ap53zNHp0k6ta/view?usp=drive_link
      • Choreography breakdown:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZV6oMkMAKbkSSLSBDyVTYA6DsKPQzmu5/view?usp=drive_link
      • Music Link – Sheep May Safely Graze
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – Sway arms right
      • Courtsey L – sway arms left
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Repeat Beginning step
      • arms float demi second to en bas x2
      • Arabesque in then out
      • Chaine turn together
      • Passe RLRL
      • Change lines x4 (4 counts each)
      • Step R touch behind L Reach arm to high diagonal
        • Repeat RLRL
      • Bourree turn in
      • 1st position – arms lift to God
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Steps in dance:
    • balance
    • alternating chasse
    • chaine turn
    • pique to sous sous
    • waltz turns
    • passe over
    • pirouette RL
  • Performance Choreography
    • Choreography with music:
      https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D7SHMistvRCCYskZCDru8LQjAgdYA7LZ/view?usp=drive_link
    • Choreography breakdown:
      https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mLNsIKEEBMAh8XhDPDzvAYT0XlhJVHv5/view?usp=drive_link
    • Music Link – Sheep May Safely Graze
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
      • 2nd group repeats
      • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
      • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
      • Balance R – arms 3rd position
      • Chaine L arms – 1st position
      • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
      • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
        • L- R front corner
        • R- R back corner
        • L- L back corner
        • R- L Front corner
      • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
      • Change legs/arms
      • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
      • Step R brush L foot to R corner – right arms lifts to the diagonal
      • Step L courtsey R – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree – RL
      • Sous sous
      • First group walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Second group walks around parnter
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Everyone chaine turns right
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Waltz x10 on number 5 turn around and go back to spots
        tendu croix devant facing corner 2
      • Plie 4th – circular port de bras
      • Stretch to 2nd arabesque
      • Flip to other side – croix facing corner 8
      • Pique RL to sous sous arms diagonal
        • repeat x3 RLR
      • Soutenu
      • Cannon section
        • arabesque RL arms diagonal
        • courtsey RL arms diagonal
        • step R arbesque L reach
          • both arms low diagonal
        • Step L pointe
          • tendu R L arm high diagonal
          • Repeat x2
        • Soutenu
        • Balance RLR – L and O
        • Balance LRL – Y and C
      • Brush leg side close 1st
      • Passe over LR
      • Passe over L to 4th
      • Pirouette land 4th
      • Lift arms to high diagonal – giving to God
    • Review Ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
      • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
      • * Frappe – to strike
      • * Fondu – to melt
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Sous Sous – over/under
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • * Circular Cambre
      • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
      • * Develope – developed or unfolded
      • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
      • * A terre – on the floor
      • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
      • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
      • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
      • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
      • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
        • jump or position.
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesqu

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • Great job working on your monologues today. Keep practicing at home.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – submit costumes and props ideas
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For our next class,bring in or draw a picture of your favorite autumn leaf!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Be sure you are memorizing the updated words on the new song page!
    Work on Like a River Glorious (sing along – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1unZAudn6ZxTb5I0tzTepSQlrUexpHfmL/view?usp=drive_link)
  • Memorize the Micah 5:4-5 verses
  • THANK YOU PARENTS: 100% had their bags and binders today!!! Keep up the good work.
  • Write a rhythm song using your blue/rhythm cards. Please write it on the back of one of your other papers or put in a new sheet!

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Work on Dance:
      • Choreography with music:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/16X0INvXGyOeopVYTmc-Ap53zNHp0k6ta/view?usp=drive_link
      • Choreography breakdown:
        https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZV6oMkMAKbkSSLSBDyVTYA6DsKPQzmu5/view?usp=drive_link
      • Music Link – Sheep May Safely Graze
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • Repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – right arms lifts to diagonal
      • Courtsey L – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Repeat Beginning step
      • arms float demi second to en bas x2
      • Arabesque in then out
      • Chaine turn together
      • Passe RLRL
      • Change lines x4 (4 counts each)
      • Step R touch behind L Reach arm to high diagonal
        • Repeat RLRL
      • Bourree turn in
      • 1st position – arms lift to God
    • Steps to work on:
      • 3rd Arabesque
      • Ballet walks high up on releve
      • Step Right then touch left foot behind (Cou de pied Derriere)
      • Rocking step (in and out of circle
      • passe (foot comes up to knee)

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: PyGame. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-17.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/24

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/24
DATE: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
    • Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
    • Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. – Jeremiah 29:7
    • Psalms 122:6 – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. – Psalms 122:6
    • Proverbs 14:30 – The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2A & 3A:
    • If you took home a Note Naming Packet, please finish it at home and bring it back next week.
  • 2B:
    • If you took home your minor key worksheet, please work on it at home.
    • Reminder:
      • To find the relative minor
      • -start on “La” or the 6th scale degree of the major scale
      • -OR go down a minor third or three half steps from “Do” of the major scale
      • Example – For F Major, the sixth scale degree (or La) is D so the relative minor of F major is D minor. OR you can go down three half steps or a minor third and you get the same answer.
      • *Note: when you write “D minor” in this context, you can write just a lowercase “d” or you can write “Dm” or “dm”
      • To go from minor to major (the second page), you will need to go UP a minor third, or three half steps. That will give you the relative major. From there you can determine the key signature (how many sharps or flats).
      • Example – for G minor, go up a minor third (or three half steps) to B-flat to find the relative major. B-flat Major has two flats, so that is also the key signature for G minor.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Review all parts of Sailor Jack (pages 30-33)
  • Practice all parts of Lost My Partner (pages 52-55)
  • Practice Sailing (page 59) and Skating (page 60)
  • Create a Composition using page 64.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice page 47
  • Work on all parts of If I Won Ten Million Dollars.
  • If you recently had a cast taken off (you-know-who, wink-wink): We’re so glad you have full use of your right hand! Please practice pages 48 and 49 to help get your right hand back in shape. 🙂

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice your rhythms for your specific parts in the Drumline Book; we will introduce a cadence or two next week, too.

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • The songs we’ve been using in class are:
    • Beginning
      • **Archangel** Beginning to 19.5 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJ-QLl5qjLg&list=RDdJ-QLl5qjLg&start_radio=1
    • Middle
      • **Heart of Courage** Beginning to 1:03 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2iC1aCPbKA&list=RDK2iC1aCPbKA&start_radio=1
    • End
      • **Protectors of the Earth** 1:46-2:11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Q_TSNk-p4&list=RDx5Q_TSNk-p4&start_radio=1 – The band is named Two Steps From Hell
      • The name was chosen for dramatic, cinematic impact — not for theological meaning, and not as a literal statement about “hell.” It’s branding for epic, high-intensity music.
  • Video from today’s class: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RJlzPhhccnKVBk7DM7qT6GAcgtsKqKI_
  • Flags video folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1aeRid4Ku6RPPcv6dIB1TkexoxaqH04hu?usp=drive_link

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice Ode to Joy in your lesson books. And practice Rock Point Five in your concert book.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Use last weeks playing tips to continue working forward in your books. (below)
    • Biggest thing to watch for is puffy cheeks. Without those, you have a smooth and solid tone.
    • Here are some tips to help you with your tone & tuning:
    • ⭐️ The edges of the tongue should touch the side of the roof of the mouth by the teeth, this is where it goes when hissing like a cat. 🙀
    • ⭐️ Make sure the mouthpiece is far enough in the mouth to keep the pitch from going flat.
    • ⭐️ Don’t let the cheeks puff out.
    • ⭐️ Support your notes with a good stead airstream.
    • Can’t wait to hear you play next week!
  •  Flute
    • Technique: Bb scales #1 and 2, master that articulation and try to pick up the temp on #2
    • Lesson book: #63 & #64 work on at home
    • Performance book: C&C measures 12-17, second half goal is solid 108
  •  Horn
    • Continue to work on Chant & Celebration. Use the syllable Doo for slurs if it’s difficult to slur to the next note, make sure to use Too when the note is not slurred.
    • Remember to keep your head up while playing. Raising your stand will help. Check yourself in the mirror, too.
    • In the Essential Elements Book, work through exercises to first, learn the skills, notes and music vocabulary and then to suggest a tune or 2 to play together with the trombones.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice snare + cymbal part for “Rock Point Five” and “Ode To Joy”. Find material in the mallet section that we have not looked at in class and practice writing in your pitches. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus.
  • Saxophone
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
    • This week I want you to warm up well, fingers and embouchure to the fullest.
    • 🎷 The 1st time you practice a piece, play it as softly as possible.
    • 🎷 The 2nd time you practice that piece, play all dynamic levels 1 level softer.
    • 🎷 Continue that throughout the week. Push yourself to play softer and softer and softer. p…pp…ppp…pppp…ppppppppppp 😁
  • Trombone
    • Practice in method book and Chant and Celebration as mentioned in prelude band notes. Be careful with accidentals in Chant and Celebration
  • Trumpet
    • Keep up with the stretching exercises to keep the lips tight
    • Keep the bell of your trumpet up
    • Get stronger on Rock Point and work on Refried Beans

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Great performance! Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Great performance today! Keep working on 1812.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Technique: warm up on those octave slides (G, A, Bb), don’t stop the high note until it sounds lovely; work on playing Bb scales #1-4 at the same tempo.
    • Lesson book: #94 – practice D-Eb-D-Eb; #95 & 96 contain this progression as well.
    • Performance book: Ascot Overture needs to get up to tempo, so use a metronome
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “1812 Overture” and other march. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence.
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
  •  Trombone
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, especially practice Blues at Frog Bottom (use online recording) and Caravan
    • Continue to work on Chant & Celebration. Use the syllable Doo for slurs, make sure to use Too when the note is not slurred.
    • In the Essential Elements Book, work through exercises to first, learn the skills, notes and music vocabulary and then to suggest a tune or 2 to play together with the French horns.
  •  Trumpet
    • Go longer on practice times – 30 minutes minimum
    • Endurance is key to becoming great and moving up
    • Work ou Ascot Overture

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Trumpets work on Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Caravan, A Little Bit of Swing, etc.) Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence. Practice cascara and songo drum set rhythms.
  • Saxophone
    • Listen to Benny Goodman and other great clarinetists. Find a good Rhapsody in Blue. I’m not hearing air in their tone. Here’s a good video for sound quality.
    • How to Get Rid of a Fuzzy Sound Fast! Fabian Hügli https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJlLnKV7IcQ
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in. I will be bringing both my clarinet & alto sax.
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on reading faster, note progressions, and timing
    • Caravan and especially Bugle Boy
    • Make me work harder to keep up with you

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • **Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • 11. Old Joe Clark
    • 12. Three Tchaikovsky Themes
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • I have in my notes that next week (3/3) we will hear Conrad play.
    • Volume 1 is coming along. Please listen through the entire book so that everyone can anticipate the tempos that are expected.
    • I would like to recommend to practice using your music, under-tempo (even though I just mentioned to be prepared up to tempo). Practicing under-tempo, with your music, will allow each of you plenty of time to focus on bowings, excellent tone, while also playing with a relaxed and good posture. We will do some of this next week so that everyone is clear on what we can accomplish with this method.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch:
    • Practice Routine:
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • D Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 19 and 20 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Mozart – focusing on dynamics and articualtion
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey – Focus on 2nd page, focusing on rhythm and intonation (correct pitch)
      • * PRACTICE POINTS:
        • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
        • always work on tricky sections
        • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
        • 2. correct notes
        • 3. bow direction
        • 4. intonation
        • 5. dynamics
        • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • D Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex3 viola ex. 4 violin
    • Start on Beethoven Minuet

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering and note reading for all the notes you’ve learned so far including low C and F# (check the back of your book if you need reminders)
    • Recorder Karate Songs
    • When the Saints Go Marching. Remember to give the notes their full value, especially the ones we focused on today that go with the words: “Oh, how I want to be in their number” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4clhKQx6xQ&t=93s.
    • Twinkle Twinkle Little Star https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNEuHa1bfbc&t=3s.
    • Pages 17-18 in Be a Recorder Star. Also play Confused Composer on page 19. Can you figure out which song it is in disguise?
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River. You can practice counting yourself in like this “one, two, three, four; one”, breath, play first note: low D. Keep working on memorizing it!. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders this week!
    • You guys are doing so well! Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G
    • Old MacDonald. When you are resting and the other group is playing, try humming their part to yourself.
    • Pages 14-15 in Be a Recorder Star. Remember that when there is 1 # in the key signature that means F will be sharp, if you see 2 #s in the key signature both F and C will be sharp.
    • Look at Alleluia-Round (Page 20)…Remember the C# note!
    • Concert Pieces: Peace Like a River, In Christ Alone.
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders this week!
    • So proud of you guys! Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/5d
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat- ballet walks
      • *Sous Sous – over, under
      • *Demi – small/little
      • *Grande – big
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn
      • *Pas de bourree
      • *Balance
      • *Ballet walks en releve
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
      • *Cou de pied devant/derriere
    • Stretching
    • Review and practice performance choreography
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – Sway arms right
      • Courtsey L – sway arms left
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • arabesque towards center x1, away from center x1
      • turn towards center arms open
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Review Ballet terminology
    • * Plie – to bend
    • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
    • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
    • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
    • * Frappe – to strike
    • * Fondu – to melt
    • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • * Saute – to jump
    • * Passe – to Pass
    • * Sous Sous – over/under
    • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
    • * Circular Cambre
    • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
    • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
    • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
    • * A terre – on the floor
    • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
    • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
    • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
    • jump or position.
  • Positions to review
    • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
    • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
    • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
  • Performance Choreography
    • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
      • 2nd group repeats
      • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
      • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
      • Balance R – arms 3rd position
      • Chaine L arms – 1st position
      • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
      • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
        • L- R front corner
        • R- R back corner
        • L- L back corner
        • R- L Front corner
      • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
      • Change legs/arms
      • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
      • Step R brush L foot to R corner – right arms lifts to the diagonal
      • Step L courtsey R – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree – RL
      • Sous sous
      • First group walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Second group walks around parnter
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Everyone chaine turns right
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Walt without turning forward x4 turn and repeat back to spot
      • tendu croix devant facing corner 2
      • Plie 4th – circular port de bras
      • Stretch to 2nd arabesque
      • Flip to other side – croix facing corner 8
      • step RL to sous sous arms diagonal
        • repeat x3 RLR
      • Soutenu
      • Cannon section
        • arabesque RL arms diagonal
        • courtsey RL arms diagonal
        • go down to knee – left knee up

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • Great job working on your monologues today. Keep practicing at home.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – submit costumes and props ideas
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Work on Like a River Glorious (sing along – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1unZAudn6ZxTb5I0tzTepSQlrUexpHfmL/view?usp=drive_link)
  • Work  on memorize Micah 5:4-5
  • Be sure you are memorizing the updated words on the new song page!
  • Memorize the Micah 5:4-5 verses
  • THANK YOU PARENTS: 100% had their bags and binders today!!! Keep up the good work.
  • Write a rhythm song using your blue/rhythm cards. Please write it on the back of one of your other papers or put in a new sheet!

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Work on Dance:
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • Repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – right arms lifts to diagonal
      • Courtsey L – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
      • Repeat rocking step x2
      • arabesque towards center x1, away from center x1
      • turn towards center arms open

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Classes and Objects. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-16.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/17

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/17
DATE: Tuesday, February 17, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
    • Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
    • Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. – Jeremiah 29:7
    • Psalms 122:6 – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. – Psalms 122:6
    • Proverbs 14:30 – The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • Review all parts of Sailor Jack (pages 30-33)
  • Practice all parts of Lost My Partner (pages 52-55)
  • Practice Sailing (page 59) and Skating (page 60)
  • Create a Composition using page 64.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 47, 48, and 49
  • Create a Composition on page 51
  • Check that all Theory pages have been completed through page 45.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Work all exercises at all heights (p-3″, mp-6″, mf-9″, f-12″, ff-15″) and a variety of tempos. For the “Double Beat” and “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” be careful to build reps up very slowly from 70 bpm and increase by only 2 bpm to gradually apply the finger fulcrum. Make sure to focus on memorization as you repeat exercises. Building memorization and chops requires consistent practice, around 10-40′ PER DAY to keep up the muscle memory. If able, use a mirror or reflective window to watch in real time how you are visually performing (if unable, you can also record yourself and watch it back).

FLAGS

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice Ode to Joy in your lesson books. And practice Rock Point Five in your concert book.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Use last weeks playing tips to continue working forward in your books. (below)
    • Biggest thing to watch for is puffy cheeks. Without those, you have a smooth and solid tone.
    • Here are some tips to help you with your tone & tuning:
    • ⭐️ The edges of the tongue should touch the side of the roof of the mouth by the teeth, this is where it goes when hissing like a cat. 🙀
    • ⭐️ Make sure the mouthpiece is far enough in the mouth to keep the pitch from going flat.
    • ⭐️ Don’t let the cheeks puff out.
    • ⭐️ Support your notes with a good stead airstream.
    • Can’t wait to hear you play next week!
  •  Flute
      • Scales: Bb, #1 and #2
      • Lesson Book #53, lines A and B
      • Chant and Celebration: ms 1-20; new note Db
  •  Horn
    • Refried Beans
    • Measure 23-slurs
    • Rock Point 5
    • Accents & Dynamics-mark them so you don’t miss them…the professionals do it, so why not us?
    • 🚨NEW! Chant & Celebration
      • From the beginning to measure 17.
      • -Mark your accidentals
      • -Make sure you are tonguing and slurring when the music tells you to
      • -If slurring between notes that are far apart and you keep missing the pitch, work on that measure or passage in small steps:
      • 1. Play each note tongued & slowly, especially working between notes where pitch is missed- this means you may be working 2 notes at a time. Don’t tire yourself out to the point your lips are tired, but go on to something you can play well & relax your embouchure a bit, then later try that part again.
      • 2. As you get the interval down then add the next note and the next, etc.
      • 3. Play all the measures together only when you are secure on each of them-probably after a few days of practicing.”
  •  Percussion
    • Practice snare + cymbal part for “Rock Point Five” and “Ode To Joy”. Find material in the mallet section that we have not looked at in class and practice writing in your pitches. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus.
  • Saxophone
    • You are all strong beginning saxophone players! Now, it’s time to practice technique.
    • Continue working ahead as you have been doing.
    • REMEMBER, saxophones can be very loud without trying but to play quietly with good tone, it takes concentration and control of air and embouchure.
      • 🎷 Play a strong ff on your favorite note for 8 counts and decrescendo to as soft as you can without having the note crack or disappear. Do this at least 5 times in your warm up.
      • 🎷 Now, reverse that. Start pp as best you can-use embouchure control without getting tense. Was that more difficult? If you need to start a bit louder that is ok. Try 5 of those.
      • 🎷 Use your dynamic control while practicing your assignments.
      • 🎷 Can’t wait to hear you next week! Toot toot!
  • Trombone
    • Practice the accents, dynamics & accidentals in Refried Beans & Rock Point 5
    • 🚨 New! Chant & Celebration
      • Measures 1-9
      • Slurring:
      • ⭐️ Make sure to begin the slur with a “”tah”” or “”tu”” tongue.
      • ⭐️ Continue through the rest of the slur with the “”dah”” or “”du”” tongue.
      • ⭐️ If the jump between 2 notes causes you to land on the wrong note or pitch, break those 2 notes down alone & practice by tonguing them both with a firm “”tah””. When you can consistently hit those pitches, put the correct articulation back in.
      • ⭐️ When changing notes, make sure your slide is in the correct position at the same time your tongue is tonguing the note. “
  • Trumpet
    • Keep up with the stretching exercises to keep the lips tight
    • Keep the bell of your trumpet up
    • Get stronger on Rock Point and work on Refried Beans

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. Become really familiar with School Spirit! Run through Refried Beans!
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Work on the 1812 opening diligently about 5 minutes/day.
    • If your bottom key is sticking, clean it out with a freshly washed dollar bill-you don’t want a dirty one, as it could leave more dirt/grime where you want to get rid of it.”
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Posture: practice breathing by a total exhale, then deeeep breath in and slooooow exhale through your imaginary straw. When warming up, you can practice this on the scales listed next.
    • Technique: in book 2, practice #185 (chromatic scale). Take it slow and make each note sound lovely before playing the next one. Also practice #159 and #160. These exercises will help with smooth fingerings and arpeggios. We will begin working through these (#159-186) with the goal of mastery by end of term.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “1812 Overture” and other march. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Practice your arpeggios for all minor keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence.
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, especially practice Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira (use online recordings).
  •  Trumpet
    • Go longer on practice times – 30 minutes minimum
    • Endurance is key to becoming great and moving up
    • Work ou Ascot Overture

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Trumpets work on Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Caravan, A Little Bit of Swing, etc.) Practice your arpeggios for all minor keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence. Practice cascara and songo drum set rhythms.
  • Saxophone
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in. I will be bringing both my clarinet & alto sax.
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on reading faster, note progressions, and timing
    • Caravan and especially Bugle Boy
    • Make me work harder to keep up with you

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine: Please don’t feel rushed when doing the following practice routine:
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • Modified pengiuns
    • First finger taps
    • -climb monkey silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink  banana
      • as well as plucking
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Great job on your auditions today! I’m proud of each and every one of you!! I will have a seating chart for you next week. Next week we will perform Beautiful Skies and/or Bonaparte’s Retreat during lunch. Please review them every day this week so you are ready to perform. Otherwise, please keep practicing the Three Tchaikovsky Themes.
    • **CHAIR AUDITIONS ON BONAPARTE’S RETREAT NEXT WEEK ON 2/17
    • **Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • 11. Old Joe Clark
    • 12. Three Tchaikovsky Themes
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • G Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 15 and 16 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great job on your auditions today!! I’m proud of each and every one of you! I’ll have a seating chart for you next week.
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Mozart – focusing on dynamics and articualtion
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey – Focus on 2nd page, focusing on rhythm and intonation (correct pitch)
      • * PRACTICE POINTS:
        • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
        • always work on tricky sections
        • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
        • 2. correct notes
        • 3. bow direction
        • 4. intonation
        • 5. dynamics
        • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far.
    • Recorder Karate song #6: When the Saints Go Marching In. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4clhKQx6xQ&t=1s
    • Pages 16-18 in your Be a Recorder Star book.
    • Work on our Concert Piece: Peace Like a River. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA
    • A note to the parents: The link for one of the videos I posted in the class notes last week wasn’t working properly; I apologize for any frustration this might have caused! Hopefully this one loads correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGjTz2LOPA
    • The title of the video is “Top 10 Recorder Mistakes” by Sarah Jeffery/Team Recorder and is 12:51 long. Please have your student watch the video and write down 3-4 things they would like to focus on improving in their practice time and show me the notes next week. Thank you for helping them access the videos and notes over the course of the year, and coming alongside them in their practicing. They’re doing an amazing job!
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders this week!
    • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G
    • Play Old MacDonald (Page 12): 2A: Sam, Gabby 2B: Isla, Alaiya, Abby
    • Review French Round (pg 11) once or twice more. Practice Easy Rockin’ (pg 12) until its sounding great!
    • Clap through the Rhythm Chart on page 13
    • If you have extra time, you can look at Alleluia-Round (Page 20)…Remember our C# note!
    • Concert Pieces: In Christ Alone, Peace Like a River. Count along with In Christ Alone (1&2&3&) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc
    • A note to the parents: The link for one of the videos I posted in the class notes last week wasn’t working properly; I apologize for any frustration this might have caused! Hopefully this one loads correctly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGjTz2LOPA
    • The title of the video is “Top 10 Recorder Mistakes” by Sarah Jeffery/Team Recorder and is 12:51 long. If they haven’t done so already, please have your student watch the video and write down 3-4 things they would like to focus on improving in their practice time and show me the notes next week. Thank you for helping them access the videos and notes over the course of the year, and coming alongside them in their practicing. They’re doing an such a great job!
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders this week!
    • I’m so proud of you guys! Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • Please practice your performance dance this week. Please practice, fill out your practice sheets and bring them next week. Dancers also need to have their proper attire for dance class, black leggings, black dance skirt, ballet shoes and hair pulled back our of their face.
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat- ballet walks
      • *Sous Sous – over, under
      • *Demi – small/little
      • *Grande – big
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn
      • *Pas de bourree
      • *Balance
      • *Ballet walks en releve
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
      • *Cou de pied devant/derriere
    • Stretching
    • Review and practice performance choreography
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – Sway arms right
      • Courtsey L – sway arms left
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
        • x10
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • arabesque towards center x1, away from center x1
      • turn towards center arms open
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Review Ballet terminology
    • * Plie – to bend
    • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
    • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
    • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
    • * Frappe – to strike
    • * Fondu – to melt
    • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • * Saute – to jump
    • * Passe – to Pass
    • * Sous Sous – over/under
    • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
    • * Circular Cambre
    • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
    • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
    • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
    • * A terre – on the floor
    • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
    • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
    • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
    • jump or position.
  • Positions to review
    • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
    • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
    • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
  • Performance Choreography
    • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
      • 2nd group repeats
      • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
      • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
      • Balance R – arms 3rd position
      • Chaine L arms – 1st position
      • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
      • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
        • L- R front corner
        • R- R back corner
        • L- L back corner
        • R- L Front corner
      • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
      • Change legs/arms
      • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
      • Step R brush L foot to R corner – right arms lifts to the diagonal
      • Step L courtsey R – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree – RL
      • Sous sous
      • First group walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Second group walks around parnter
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Everyone chaine turns right
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
      • Walt without turning forward x4 turn and repeat back to spot

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
      • Please go outside at dark and place your shutter speed on a low speed and try to capture the “star effect” on a light. You also have the option to get creative
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Continue taking pictures of a primary color.
    • But this week, choose a primary color, then find contrasting color items to include with the primary color subject. You can reference a color wheel to look for complementary colors, or simply eyeball what looks good to you.
    • Lighting is important! Red peppers should look bright. Glassware looks better backlit with light illuminating it. If you have colored lights, use them to illuminate your subject.
    • Remember: Get Close, Get Low (or 360° around the subject),
    • Get Interested in your subject and its environment (FRAMING!)
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Students: If you did not have time to finish your character sheet in class today, please finish these at home this week.
  • Parents: Please have your child practice standing up and saying their monologue loudly and clearly for you and continue to work on memorization. And, if you haven’t yet done so, please view the Overview Tab of the Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet linked below for the tentative timeline and important highlights. We’ll provide more direction for historically accurate costumes and props in the coming weeks.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – submit costumes and props ideas
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For our next class, draw a picture of your favorite activity at the fair! Stickers to those who complete the assignment!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Work on Like a River Glorious (sing along – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1unZAudn6ZxTb5I0tzTepSQlrUexpHfmL/view?usp=drive_link)
  • Work  on memorize Micah 5:4-5
  • Be sure you are memorizing the updated words on the new song page!
  • BRING YOUR BAG AND BINDER TO CLASS EVERY WEEK. Too many kids are giving me too many excuses, they need to share music and rhythm/tonal pattern cards…I don’t have extra’s.
  • Write a rhythm song using your blue/rhythm cards

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Work on Dance:
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • Repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
        • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – right arms lifts to diagonal
      • Courtsey L – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous (Right leg in front)
      • Walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque toward center x1, away from center x1
        • Repeat x2
      • Everyone chaine turns towards center
      • arms open 2nd, en bas

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Classes and Objects. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-15.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Self-Integration of Components

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/10

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/10
DATE: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
    • Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
    • Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. – Jeremiah 29:7
    • Psalms 122:6 – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. – Psalms 122:6
    • Proverbs 14:30 – The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • ALL CLASSES – Important Reminder: Food is never allowed in my class and if you must bring water, keep it along the back wall rather than having it next to you. We use a lot of special materials in class that we want to keep nice for as long as possible so I need everyone to follow these guidelines. I will be quizzing you on this information before you come into class next week.
  • 2A & 3A: We worked on the Grand Nine and naming notes on the staff. In Music Foundations, we DO NOT use phrases (like “All Cows Eat Grass”) you may have learned other places to learn note names. These are easily mixed up or forgotten or learned incorrectly. In our class, we use the Grand Nine as landmark, or reference, notes and then work our way up or down the staff to find note names.
  • 2B: If you are doing a Composer Report and I have already approved your selection, begin gathering information for your report. I will have more guidance for you next class.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10/5d
  • We are scheduled to perform at the assembly (lunchtime) on April 14. I need to remind everyone that if you do not put in the appropriate amount of practice, there is a chance you will not be able to participate in the performance. Parents, please be sure that your student is diligently practicing and recording their practice times on their Practice Record. Thank you!
  • This week: Continue practicing all parts of Lost My Partner. Everyone should be able to play each part without pausing. If they are not able to do this, they likely haven’t been practicing enough.
  • Also practice pages 56, 57, 59, and 60. You don’t need to practice every song every day, but you should practice for the full 10 minutes each time. Some days you might only get to two songs and some days you might run through all of them.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 38 and 39 until you can play it smoothly.
  • Practice pages 44 and 46.
  • If you’re ready to move on, also practice 48 and 49.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • PLAY WITH A METRONOME ON BUCKET HEAD!!! 72BPM. Work on rhythms on Bucket stomp
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Work all exercises that have been rehearsed in class so far (essentially all but “Timing” exercise) at all heights (p-3″, mp-6″, mf-9″, f-12″, ff-15″) and a variety of tempos. For the “Double Beat” and “Rolls & Rhythm Tree” be careful to build reps up very slowly from 70 bpm and increase by only 2 bpm to gradually apply the finger fulcrum. Make sure to focus on memorization as you repeat exercises. Building memorization and chops requires consistent practice, around 10-40′ PER DAY to keep up the muscle memory.

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Basically the same as last week with one acception:
  • When practicing the marching part, don’t march forward, but do move, things to try:
    • 🚩 Mark time and turn clockwise or counterclockwise.
    • 🚩 Side step in one direction while doing drop spins and then reverse direction doing windmills (as an example)
    • 🚩 Practice lunging while doing a slam.
    • BASICALLY, work on moving your body while performing a flag move.
  • I’m so excited that you are all helping to create our routine-you’re a great team! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
  • ✨ New moves to practice:
    • 🌎 Round the World
    • 🦋 Butterfly-I cannot find a video for how I taught you today. The basic move is to twist L & draw a circle on the L side of your body with the silk of the flag and then twist R to draw a circle on the R side and come back to center. The butterfly moves that I’ve been seeing have 4 part to it. We can learn those as well.
    • The flag moves for the marching part are as follows:
      • Present Forward & up
      • Present R & up
      • Present L & up
      • Present Back & up
      • Slam Forward & up
      • Slam R & up
      • Slam L & up
      • Slam Back & up
      • 4 count drop spin
      • Helicopter

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Practice Ode to Joy in your lesson books. And practice Rock Point Five in your concert book.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Use last weeks playing tips to continue working forward in your books. (below)
    • Biggest thing to watch for is puffy cheeks. Without those, you have a smooth and solid tone.
    • Here are some tips to help you with your tone & tuning:
    • ⭐️ The edges of the tongue should touch the side of the roof of the mouth by the teeth, this is where it goes when hissing like a cat. 🙀
    • ⭐️ Make sure the mouthpiece is far enough in the mouth to keep the pitch from going flat.
    • ⭐️ Don’t let the cheeks puff out.
    • ⭐️ Support your notes with a good stead airstream.
    • Can’t wait to hear you play next week!
  •  Flute
      • Posture:
        • Tighten the edges of your air
      • Technique:
        • Bb scale with arpeggio, taking deep breaths and letting it out slowly
        • Octaves on F, and play through #63 and #64
  •  Horn
    • Because we are now playing band arrangements, you may be sitting next to someone who is playing different rhythms. Therefor, after you learn the notes (making sure to hit the correct pitches) then work on the rhythms. If you are unsure about a rhythm, right the counts under/over those measures. Happy practicing!
  •  Percussion
    • Practice snare + cymbal part for “Rock Point Five” and “Ode To Joy”. Find material in the mallet section that we have not looked at in class and practice writing in your pitches. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus.
  • Saxophone
    • You are all strong beginning saxophone players! Now, it’s time to practice technique.
    • Continue working ahead as you have been doing.
    • REMEMBER, saxophones can be very loud without trying but to play quietly with good tone, it takes concentration and control of air and embouchure.
      • 🎷 Play a strong ff on your favorite note for 8 counts and decrescendo to as soft as you can without having the note crack or disappear. Do this at least 5 times in your warm up.
      • 🎷 Now, reverse that. Start pp as best you can-use embouchure control without getting tense. Was that more difficult? If you need to start a bit louder that is ok. Try 5 of those.
      • 🎷 Use your dynamic control while practicing your assignments.
      • 🎷 Can’t wait to hear you next week! Toot toot!
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice in method book as mentioned in prelude band notes. Do worksheets and flash cards daily for note names and positions (if assigned). Practice 45 and 48 as quickly as you can while keeping good musicality.
    • For 57, especially work measures 9-12
    • Practice Starfire March (will play without helpers next week- especially practice measures 59-60) and Rock Point paying attention to breath marks
  • Trumpet
    • Keep up with the stretching exercises to keep the lips tight
    • Keep the bell of your trumpet up
    • Get stronger on Rock Point and work on Refried Beans

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Practice 1812 overature with a metronome at 90 BPM. Become really familiar with School Spirit! Run through Refried Beans!
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Continue working on the opening of 1812. If your thumb hurts too much to hold the instrument, then air play the notes making sure that your fingerings & rhythms are correct.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Posture: practice breathing by a total exhale, then deeeep breath in and slooooow exhale through your imaginary straw. When warming up, you can practice this on the scales listed next.
    • Technique: in book 2, practice #185 (chromatic scale). Take it slow and make each note sound lovely before playing the next one. Also practice #159 and #160. These exercises will help with smooth fingerings and arpeggios. We will begin working through these (#159-186) with the goal of mastery by end of term.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “1812 Overture” and other march. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence.
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, especially practice Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira (use online recordings).
  •  Trumpet
    • Go longer on practice times – 30 minutes minimum
    • Endurance is key to becoming great and moving up
    • Work ou Ascot Overture

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Work on rhythms and notes on The Blues at frog bottom Clean-up caravan. Trumpets work on Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Caravan, A Little Bit of Swing, etc.) Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence. Practice cascara and songo drum set rhythms.
  • Saxophone
    • Continue with sight reading. Also, if you have specific techniques you’d like to work on with any of the music that you are currently practicing, bring it in. I will be bringing both my clarinet & alto sax.
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on reading faster, note progressions, and timing
    • Caravan and especially Bugle Boy
    • Make me work harder to keep up with you

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Usual practice routine. Add the opening to Song of the Wind. We will cover the whole thing in grater detail upon my return.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch:
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine: Please don’t feel rushed when doing the following practice routine:
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • Modified pengiuns
    • First finger taps
    • -climb monkey silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink  banana
      • as well as plucking
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • **CHAIR AUDITIONS ON BONAPARTE’S RETREAT NEXT WEEK ON 2/17
    • **Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • 11. Old Joe Clark
    • 12. Three Tchaikovsky Themes
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • G Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 15 and 16 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • **CHAIR AUDITIONS NEXT WEEK ON 2/17 ON MOONLIGHT ODYSSEY** VIOLIN 1 BEG-M10 AND M18-34 ** VIOLIN 2 M20-34 ** VIOLA M34-50 ** CELLO M34-50
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Mozart – pay careful attention to the ends of phrases, don’t add accents if there aren’t any written. Practice repeated 8th notes off the string.
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey – measures 10-76
      • * PRACTICE POINTS:
        • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
        • always work on tricky sections
        • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
        • 2. correct notes
        • 3. bow direction
        • 4. intonation
        • 5. dynamics
        • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Usual practice routine – I just want to add that I want practice time to be focused while you all consider what you would want to prepare to present to the class. I don’t have anyone written down to perform next week, but still be ready to review any odd numbered piece in Volume 2 that we’ve covered (1, 3, 5, 7). Also be ready for dice game.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
      • Chorus
      • Musette (new). We will go over this in grater detail next week.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
    • Moonlight Odyssey
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • G Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex3
    • You will be expected to play lully by yourself next week

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Review the fingering for all the notes we’ve learned so far. (low D, E, G, A, B, high C, high D) Check the page in the back of the book if you need any reminders.
    • Recorder Karate song When the Saints Go Marching In. Play along with the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4clhKQx6xQ&t=1s
    • Pages 16-17 in Be a Recorder Star. Also chap through the Rhythm Chart 4 on page 17.
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA&t=96s
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders this week!
    • Keep up the good work everyone! Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G.
    • Play French Round (Page 11) and Easy Rockin’ (page 12). Focus on timing, tonging and slurring. Listening to your CD and playing along will help a lot too!
    • If you need more to practice, you can always go back and play any songs up to page 13.
    • Clap through the rhythm chart on page 13.
    • Concert Pieces (memorized): In Christ Alone, Peace Like a River.
    • Watch this video and write down 3 things you want to focus on this week. Show me your notes next week for a prize! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGjTz2LOP
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders this week!
    • I’m so proud of you guys! Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • 1. Practice both songs (Like a River Glorious, and Revalation 19) all the way through at least 3 times.
  • 2. Practice signing the alphabet and numbers 1-20 in front of a mirrior so you can see what your doing, the goal is to stop bouncing and make sure your hand is facing the correct way.
  • 3. Practice new vocabulary words: remember, most, some, all, sign, speak, both, school, college, home school, easy, hard, now
    • Remember, it’s important to sign with as much accuracy as possible, as slight differences (like opened fingers vs closed fingers will be two different words when signing ‘speak’)
  • 4. Review scripture verses we’ve learned in class
  • Reference signs from: https://www.handspeak.com
  • Wonder Student ASL Sign Choir 25-26 Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yv8jWqgxD4EA159i8 OR Drive Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PWq-froShePz2AiVjZvPqsAmM7FjDOFG?usp=drive_link

DANCE

  • Please practice, bring and fill out your practice sheets.
  • Please remind dancers that their hair needs either in a bun or ponytail for class.
  • Block 4 10 minutes/5 days weekly
  • Block 5 15 minutes/5 days weekly
  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat- ballet walks
      • *Sous Sous – over, under
      • *Demi – small/little
      • *Grande – big
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn
      • *Pas de bourree
      • *Balance
      • *Ballet walks en releve
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
      • *Cou de pied devant/derriere
    • Stretching
    • Review performance choreography
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
        • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
          repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
      • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – right arms lifts to diagonal
      • Courtsey L – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous
      • First group walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Second group walks around parnter
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Everyone chaine turns right
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Review Ballet terminology
    • * Plie – to bend
    • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
    • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
    • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
    • * Frappe – to strike
    • * Fondu – to melt
    • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • * Saute – to jump
    • * Passe – to Pass
    • * Sous Sous – over/under
    • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
    • * Circular Cambre
    • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
    • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
    • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
    • * A terre – on the floor
    • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
    • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
    • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
    • jump or position.
  • Positions to review
    • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
    • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
    • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
  • Performance Choreography
    • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
    • 2nd group repeats
    • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
    • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
    • Balance R – arms 3rd position
    • Chaine L arms – 1st position
    • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
    • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
      • L- R front corner
      • R- R back corner
      • L- L back corner
      • R- L Front corner
    • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
    • Change legs/arms
    • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
    • Step R brush L foot to R corner – right arms lifts to the diagonal
    • Step L courtsey R – left arm lifts to diagonal
    • pas de bourree – RL
    • Sous sous
    • First group walks around partner
    • 3rd arabesque RL
    • Second group walks around parnter
    • 3rd arabesque RL
    • Everyone chaine turns right
    • arms open 2nd, en bas
    • Walt without turning forward x4 turn and repeat back to spot

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Let’s do it again! Choose a color and take a series of pictures of items (anything) that features that color.
    • Remember to look for dramatic lighting, contrasting color objects to include, and framing.
    • Thrift store, Shopping Mall, Car Dealership, Museum… Wherever you go, look for that color.
    • Get close (fill the frame with your subject)
    • Get low (or high, change your perspective from eye-level)
    • Get interested (specifically, look all around the viewfinder to see what’s being cut off. Open your other eye to see if there’s something just outside the viewfinder that needs to be included.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Great job starting on character analysis today!
  • Parents: Please help your students continue to work on character analysis at home and we will continue to work on it in class again next week! You can reasearch the history of the text and learn about the author (who is listed at the top of the excerpt).
  • Theater Update Reminder: As we communicated before the start of the year, we’ll be prerecording each of the student’s monologues in lieu of an in-person performance. This means we’ll have fewer crew days and a slightly modified schedule. Please view the Overview Tab of the Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet linked below for the tentative timeline and important highlights. We’ll provide more direction for historically accurate costumes and props in the coming weeks.
  • Theater Photo Album [LINK] – submit costumes and props ideas
  • Peace Theater 25-26 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • Homework for this week is to draw me a picture of your very favorite weather!! Remember if you do the homework you get a sticker!!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Work on the second verse of Like a River Glorious
  • Work  on memorize Micah 5:4-5
  • PARENTS: Children need to keep track of their binders and music bags. Please have their bags ready to go on Monday Night so they have them for class!
  • Copy as much of Lightly Row as you can. Don’t forget the bar lines.

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Work on Memorizing Like a River Glorious and Micah 5:4-5
  • BRING YOUR BAG AND BINDER TO CLASS EVERY WEEK. Too many kids are giving me too many excuses, they need to share music and rhythm/tonal pattern cards…I don’t have extra’s.
  • No other home assignment

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Work on Dance:
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
      • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
        • Repeat x2
      • -3rd Arabesque R
      • -Change 3rd arabesque L
      • -Tippy toe turn R – Arms in 1st
      • -Arms open 2nd, float to en bas
      • -Ballet walk to circle – hands on hips
      • -Ballet walk around circle – hold hands
      • -Step Back R Pointe – tendu devant L
      • -Step forward L – arabersque R
        • Repeat x2
      • -Ballet walk back to spot
      • -Courtsey R – R arm goes to high diagonal
      • -Courtsey L – L arm goes to high diagonal
      • -Pas de bourree RL
      • -Sous Sous
      • -First group goes around partner
        • arabesque RL
      • -Second group goes around partner
        • arabesque RL
      • -everyone chains turn R
      • -arms open 2nd and float to en bas
      • – Sway RL (arms low 3rd, feet tendu side)
    • Practice correct arms:
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Pas de Chat – step of the cat

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: List Algorithms. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-14.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Advanced State and User Input

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/03

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/02/03
DATE: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
    • Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
    • Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. – Jeremiah 29:7
    • Psalms 122:6 – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. – Psalms 122:6
    • Proverbs 14:30 – The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2A & 3A: No class notes
  • 2B: If you are done or almost done with Book 3, come next week with and idea of what composer you would like to do your report on.
  • 3B: If you took home your Major Scale Worksheets, be sure to bring them back next week, whether or not you complete them at home.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15/5d
  • Keep practicing all four parts of Lost My Partner (pages 52-55)
  • Really work on keeping a steady beat.
  • If you haven’t completed pages 37-39 and page 44, do that.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 38 and 39 until you can play it smoothly and evenly.
  • Sightread page 42. Read through and play page 43.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • The test is moved to next week since Miss Carol was absent! Letter C to the end of Buckethead. Please warm-up with moving forward. Play 4 times increasing the tempo on your metronome each time. Lastly go through bucket stomp mark the places where you play on the bucket to the right and to the left.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Good work! I found out that we are now a team of 5. I will join in if it makes sense for the show.
  • ✨ New moves to practice:
  • 🌎 Round the World
  • 🦋 Butterfly-I cannot find a video for how I taught you today. The basic move is to twist L & draw a circle on the L side of your body with the silk of the flag and then twist R to draw a circle on the R side and come back to center. The butterfly moves that I’ve been seeing have 4 part to it. We can learn those as well.
  • The flag moves for the marching part are as follows:
    • Present Forward & up
    • Present R & up
    • Present L & up
    • Present Back & up
    • Slam Forward & up
    • Slam R & up
    • Slam L & up
    • Slam Back & up
    • 4 count drop spin
    • Helicopter

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • There will be tests on the following lines in your essential elements book #26 as a solo # 30 as a class learn both lines A and B Switching on the repeat.#31 #42 no slower than 90 bpm on the metronome.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Use last weeks playing tips to continue working forward in your books. (below)
    • Biggest thing to watch for is puffy cheeks. Without those, you have a smooth and solid tone.
    • Here are some tips to help you with your tone & tuning:
    • ⭐️ The edges of the tongue should touch the side of the roof of the mouth by the teeth, this is where it goes when hissing like a cat. 🙀
    • ⭐️ Make sure the mouthpiece is far enough in the mouth to keep the pitch from going flat.
    • ⭐️ Don’t let the cheeks puff out.
    • ⭐️ Support your notes with a good stead airstream.
    • Can’t wait to hear you play next week!
  •  Flute
      • Posture: Posture: chins up, wrists neutral (keep up the good work!)
      • Technique: faster air, forward chin = higher notes; do the same warm up again this week: Low F, long and slow until it sounds lovely, then high F long and slow until it sounds lovely. Back to low F for a long note (4 beats minimum), high F for a long note (4 beats minimum). Do the same thing on G. Do the same thing on A. #42 and #45: focus on taking deep breaths and playing entire phrases, only breathing where marked. The faster you go, the easier that will be!
  •  Horn
    • If you did not pass off the assignments for today, continue practicing and I’ll listen next week.
    • Continue working on the upper notes in order to expand you range. Remember, the key is to use a relaxed embouchure and a strong air stream.
    • Please work ahead in your books if that is available to you, making sure that you can play what we have been playing accurately.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice snare + cymbal part for “Rock Point Five” and “Ode To Joy”. Find material in the mallet section that we have not looked at in class and practice writing in your pitches. Also work on “Hugga-Hugga Burr” with buzz roll focus.
  • Saxophone
    • You are all strong beginning saxophone players! Now, it’s time to practice technique.
    • Continue working ahead as you have been doing.
    • REMEMBER, saxophones can be very loud without trying but to play quietly with good tone, it takes concentration and control of air and embouchure.
      • 🎷 Play a strong ff on your favorite note for 8 counts and decrescendo to as soft as you can without having the note crack or disappear. Do this at least 5 times in your warm up.
      • 🎷 Now, reverse that. Start pp as best you can-use embouchure control without getting tense. Was that more difficult? If you need to start a bit louder that is ok. Try 5 of those.
      • 🎷 Use your dynamic control while practicing your assignments.
      • 🎷 Can’t wait to hear you next week! Toot toot!
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice in method book as mentioned in prelude band notes. Do worksheets and flash cards daily for note names and positions (if assigned). Practice 45 and 48 as quickly as you can while keeping good musicality.
    • For 57, especially work measures 9-12
    • Practice Starfire March (will play without helpers next week- especially practice measures 59-60) and Rock Point paying attention to breath marks
  • Trumpet
    • Sit up and take long slow breaths
    • Without the mouthpiece to your lips, form your lips like you are playing
    • stretch your smile far back to your jaw hinge as you can…it may hut a bit.
    • While holding that, buzz the mouthpiece as high as you can.
    • Then add the trumpet.
    • Keep working on 45, William Tell, 54, Frere Jacques and Rock Point

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Tests on Essential elements book 1 Lines 88, 90, and 91 next week. The songs for performance are Refried Beans and #152 the Yellow Book School Spirit.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Concentrate your practice time on the opening of the 1812 Overture.
    • Set a goal 🎯 such as: I will learn the fingerings to the eighth notes and make smooth transitions between each note.
    • Your next goal 🎯, can be to improve your tempo.
    • Also, play ahead from where we stopped today and have some fun playing around with your clarinet-don’t stress about 1812, I’ll see you next week. 😎
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Posture: practice breathing by a total exhale, then deeeep breath in and slooooow exhale through your imaginary straw. When warming up, you can practice this on the scales listed next.
    • Technique: in book 2, practice #185 (chromatic scale). Take it slow and make each note sound lovely before playing the next one. Also practice #159 and #160. These exercises will help with smooth fingerings and arpeggios. We will begin working through these (#159-186) with the goal of mastery by end of term.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “1812 Overture” and other march. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence.
  • Saxophone
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, especially practice Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira (use online recordings).
  •  Trumpet
    • Sit up and take long slow breaths
    • Without the mouthpiece to your lips, form your lips like you are playing
    • stretch your smile far back to your jaw hinge as you can…it may hut a bit.
    • While holding that, buzz the mouthpiece as high as you can.
    • Then add the trumpet.
    • Keep working on the note movements of 1812
    • Refine the timing on 152, School Spirit

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • We will be performing Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira. Here is a link to find the pieces to practice with. You will need to copy and paste. https://kjos.com/standard-of-excellence-jazz-ensemble-method.html
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Caravan, A Little Bit of Swing, etc.) Practice your arpeggios for all major keys in the Circle of 4ths/5ths sequence. Practice cascara and songo drum set rhythms.
  • Saxophone
    • Practice sight reading with some unusual key signatures for saxophone. 4+ flats or 5+ sharps.
    • Try some classical music and go for a warmer, pearlier and less airy sound, just so you learn how to turn it on & off when you want to.
  •  Trumpet
    • Sit up and take long slow breaths
    • Without the mouthpiece to your lips, form your lips like you are playing
    • stretch your smile far back to your jaw hinge as you can…it may hut a bit.
    • While holding that, buzz the mouthpiece as high as you can.
    • Then add the trumpet.
    • Go harder after rhythm and accents
    • Hoss Flat and Song arise.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Bravo to Bea for performing for us this week! I wrote down that possibly Isaac might be keen to perform next week. Thank you!
    • Next week, I am most likely not going to be present. Only 1 person would need to bring a die for dice game to commence, and could simply be something in your case (in a rosin pouch or something).
    • Add the opening to Song of the Wind. We will cover the whole thing in grater detail upon my return.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch: afterlength video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9BWXWFYTJM)
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine: Please don’t feel rushed when doing the following practice routine:
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • Modified pengiuns
    • First finger taps
    • -climb monkey silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink  banana
      • as well as plucking
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • G Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 15 and 16 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Mozart – pay careful attention to the ends of phrases, don’t add accents if there aren’t any written. Practice repeated 8th notes off the string.
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey – measures 10-76
      • * PRACTICE POINTS:
        • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
        • always work on tricky sections
        • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
        • 2. correct notes
        • 3. bow direction
        • 4. intonation
        • 5. dynamics
        • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Thank you to our performers Micah and Madeline, this week! Bravi
    • Usual practice routine – I just want to add that I want practice time to be focused while you all consider what you would want to prepare to present to the class. I don’t have anyone written down to perform next week, but still be ready to review any odd numbered piece in Volume 2 that we’ve covered (1, 3, 5, 7). Also be ready for dice game.
    • Watch:
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
      • Chorus
      • Musette (new). We will go over this in grater detail next week.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
    • Moonlight Odyssey
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • G Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex3
    • You will be expected to play lully by yourself next week

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering for the notes we have learned: E, G, A, B, high C, low D, and high D
    • Recorder Karate song #6: When the Saints Go Marching In https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4clhKQx6xQ.
    • Pages 15-16 in Be a Recorder Star
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA&t=96s
      • Watch this video and write down 3 things you want to focus on this week. Show me your notes next week for a prize! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGjTz2LOP.
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
    • Great job today! Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G.
    • Review your part in Here Comes Winter a few more times. We’ll finish it up next week: 4A: Alaiya, Sam, Gabby. 4B: Isla and Abby
    • Play French Round (Page 11).
    • Play Easy Rockin’ (page 12). The focus here is those tongued vs slurred notes!
    • Clap through the Rhythm Chart on page 13. You can also play Looby Loo.
    • Watch this video and write down 3 things you want to focus on this week. Show me your notes next week for a prize! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGjTz2LOPA.
    • Concert Piece: Peace Like a River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA&t=96s (memorize)
    • Concert Piece: In Christ Alone. Play along with the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc&t=5s
    • Count along with the In Christ Alone Youtube video or with your music. Remember it’s 3/4 time, so count each measure (1 & 2 & 3 &)
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
    • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • I saw an improvement with practice sheets. Great job. Keep up the good work.

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat- ballet walks
      • *A terre – on the floor
      • *Sous Sous – over/under
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn
      • *Pas de bourree
      • *Balance
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
    • Stretching
    • Review performance choreography
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
        • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
          repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
      • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
      • Courtsey R – right arms lifts to diagonal
      • Courtsey L – left arm lifts to diagonal
      • pas de bourree RL
      • Sous Sous
      • First group walks around partner
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Second group walks around parnter
      • 3rd arabesque RL
      • Everyone chaine turns right
      • arms open 2nd, en bas
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Review Ballet terminology
    • * Plie – to bend
    • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
    • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
    • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
    • * Frappe – to strike
    • * Fondu – to melt
    • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • * Saute – to jump
    • * Passe – to Pass
    • * Sous Sous – over/under
    • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
    • * Circular Cambre
    • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
    • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
    • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
    • * A terre – on the floor
    • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
    • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
    • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
    • jump or position.
  • Positions to review
    • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
    • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
    • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
  • Performance Choreography
    • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
    • 2nd group repeats
    • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
    • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
    • Balance R – arms 3rd position
    • Chaine L arms – 1st position
    • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
    • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
      • L- R front corner
      • R- R back corner
      • L- L back corner
      • R- L Front corner
    • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
    • Change legs/arms
    • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
    • Step R brush L foot to R corner – right arms lifts to the diagonal
    • Step L courtsey R – left arm lifts to diagonal
    • pas de bourree – RL
    • Sous sous
    • First group walks around partner
    • 3rd arabesque RL
    • Second group walks around parnter
    • 3rd arabesque RL
    • Everyone chaine turns right
    • arms open 2nd, en bas
  • Stretching to increase flexiblity in hips
    • *frog stretch
    • *pigeon stretch
    • *while laying on back pull knee into chest then open knee side
  • Strengthening exercise for Grand plie back position (proper alignment for ballet)
    • While laying on back, engage abdominals and flatten back against the floor – repeat x10
  • Points to work on at barre
    • In all exercises at the barre
    • Proper alignment and hip/shoulder placement
    • Belly button into spine – engage abdonimal muscles vs. sucking abdomen in
    • Engage glutes for stability and to maintain turnout
  • *Grand plie
    • do not go all the down in grande plie
    • heels push down
    • feel pinky toe on the floor to prevent rolling forward in the ankle – shallower demi plie
    • knees over toes – knees to the side NOT forward
  • *Battement Tendu
    • when closing head turns to the front foot
    • pull up in your legs and engage glutes
    • straight leg out/in
    • *We added circular cambre – make sure to reach for all four corners, shoulder down, arm lengthened, push into the floor with your heels to stabalize lower body, lift up to move upper body

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Practice balancing exposure. Take two sets of pictures; one with shallow depth of field and the other with long depth of field. Take another set of pictures using panning technique and one without. The idea is that you are balancing the same amount of light with four different results
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Homework: Choose a color from ROYGBIV and look for items that are/have the color you choose. Take a series of pictures featuring that color (or contrasting it).
    • This is a repeat assignment. Choose a different color from the week previously.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Parents: your child is coming home today with their script. They need to start to memorize this with whatever strategy they think will work for them. Older students can also do some research on the author of their scripts.
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Work on the second verse of Like a River Glorious
  • Work  on memorize Micah 5:4-5
  • PARENTS: Children need to keep track of their binders and music bags. Please have their bags ready to go on Monday Night so they have them for class!
  • Show your new cards to your parents! Can you “read” them?
  • Copy your cards on the homesheet!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Work on Memorizing Like a River Glorious and Micah 5:4-5
  • No Home Assignment but BRING YOUR BAG AND BINDER TO CLASS EVERY WEEK. Too many kids are giving me too many excuses, they need to share music and rhythm/tonal pattern cards…I don’t have extra’s

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Work on Dance:
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • -Start in 1st position feet, arms in en bas
      • -Arms goes to demi 2nd then en bas (count 1,2)
        • Repeat x2
      • -3rd Arabesque R
      • -Change 3rd arabesque L
      • -Tippy toe turn R – Arms in 1st
      • -Arms open 2nd, float to en bas
      • -Ballet walk to circle – hands on hips
      • -Ballet walk around circle – hold hands
      • -Step Back R Pointe – tendu devant L
      • -Step forward L – arabersque R
        • Repeat x2
      • -Ballet walk back to spot
      • -Courtsey R – R arm goes to high diagonal
      • -Courtsey L – L arm goes to high diagonal
      • -Pas de bourree RL
      • -Sous Sous
      • -First group goes around partner
        • arabesque RL
      • -Second group goes around partner
        • arabesque RL
      • -everyone chains turn R
      • -arms open 2nd and float to en bas
    • Practice correct arms:
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Pas de Chat – step of the cat

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Files. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-13.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Advanced State and User Input

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/01/27

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/01/27
DATE: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Isaiah 55:12 – For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. – Isaiah 55:12 World English Bible (WEB)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Matthew 2:10 – When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. – Matthew 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Psalms 100:2 – Serve the LORD with joy. Come before him with a joyful shout! – Psalms 100:2 International Standard Version (ISV)
    • Nehemiah 8:10 – Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – English Standard Version (ESV)

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2A, 2B, 3A: No Class Notes
  • 3B: Review the major scale pattern:W-W-H-W-W-W-H

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15/5d
  • Practice all four parts of Lost My Partner
    • **NO Pausing**
  • Also practice pages 56 and 57. First do hands separately then hands together.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 37, 38, 39
    • **Be sure to keep a steady beat with no pausing**
  • Do Theory page 40.
  • Sightreading page 42

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Letter C to the end of Buckethead. Please warm-up with moving forward. Play 4 times increasing the tempo on your metronome each time. Lastly go through bucket stomp mark the places where you play on the bucket to the right and to the left.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Remember to work on these moves:
    • 🚁 helicopters
    • 🍥 windmills LEFT & RIGHT
    • 🚩 drop spins LEFT & RIGHT
    • 🚩 single toss spin> Be Careful! ⚠️
    • This is your chance to put a routine together with these moves and others you already know and teach it to the class next week! Enjoy the creativity!

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • There will be tests on the following lines in your essential elements book #26 as a solo # 30 as a class learn both lines A and B Switching on the repeat.#31 #42 no slower than 90 bpm on the metronome.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • You’re doing really well with notes and rhythms!
    • Here are some tips to help you with your tone & tuning:
    • ⭐️ The edges of the tongue should touch the side of the roof of the mouth by the teeth, this is where it goes when hissing like a cat. 🙀
    • ⭐️ Make sure the mouthpiece is far enough in the mouth to keep the pitch from going flat.
    • ⭐️ Don’t let the cheeks puff out.
    • ⭐️ Support your notes with a good stead airstream.
    • Can’t wait to hear you play next week!
  •  Flute
      • Posture: Posture: chins up, wrists neutral (keep up the good work!)
      • Technique: faster air, forward chin = higher notes; do the same warm up again this week: Low F, long and slow until it sounds lovely, then high F long and slow until it sounds lovely. Back to low F for a long note (4 beats minimum), high F for a long note (4 beats minimum). Do the same thing on G. Do the same thing on A. #42 and #45: focus on taking deep breaths and playing entire phrases, only breathing where marked. The faster you go, the easier that will be!
  •  Horn
    • ⭐️ Warm up with long tones on the notes that we numbered on your fingering chart. 2-3 minutes
    • ⭐️ Remember to take the mouthpiece from your mouth and relax for 4 counts.
    • ⭐️ As you go up the scale and the notes feel like they need to be forced out, remember to relax. Don’t worry that you didn’t hit the note, it will come.
    • ⭐️ Practice the songs that Ms. Carol had you circle in your book. For best results, read the yellow boxes on those pages and read all of the music: notes, dynamics, rests, repeats, etc.
    • ⭐️🎁⭐️ Here’s a new piece of info: When finished playing, you will recover faster if you flap your lips like a horse. 🐴 It’s true! Your muscles will relax much faster.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice Starfire March and review Essential Elements Book I Songs/Exercises 34, 35, 42, 43, 54, 57. 58. Practice individual instrument assignments for “Procession from the Water Music Suite”. Add “Ode To Joy”, “Hard Rock Blues”, “Chant & Celebration”, “Fit To Be Tied,” and the mallet part for “Aura Lee.” Also work on “Hugga-Huggar Burr” with buzz roll focus.
  • Saxophone
    • You are playing wonderfully well! As you are practicing please make sure to notice and play the following:
    • ⭐️ dynamics! Saxophones can overpower almost all other sections, but we’ll sound so much better if we blend in.
    • ⭐️ control your sound by firming up your smile muscles at the corner of your mouth-this will help you not only control tone, but also volume
    • Happy Praciting 🎷
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice in method book as mentioned in prelude band notes. Do worksheets and flash cards daily for note names and positions (if assigned). Practice 45 and 48 as quickly as you can while keeping good musicality.
    • For 57, especially work measures 9-12
    • Practice Starfire March (will play without helpers next week- especially practice measures 59-60) and Rock Point paying attention to breath marks
  • Trumpet
    • Flat lips – stretch out smile – Tight on both sides of straw
    • Hold trumpet up – good contact with upper lip
    • Strong fingers tips on valves – strengthen third finger
    • Get faster at fingering notes – especially with intervals
    • Good long breath from lower belly – sit up – good posture
    • Hold notes full value – smooth transition between notes
    • Work on rhythms – in book – 42, 43, and 45
    • You are getting much better each week . Keep up the good concentration

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Tests on Essential elements book 1 Lines 88, 90, and 91 next week. The songs for performance are Refried Beans and #152 the Yellow Book School Spirit.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Take 1812 slowly at the beginning and work up to the suggested speed. You can play along with it online, if you’ve made an account with Essential Elements. Once you really know your part, the other parts won’t pull you away from what you are supposed to be playing.
    • This is the first song the band has played where there are many different parts for each sections. You’ll have so much fun playing this when it all comes together!
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Posture: practice breathing by a total exhale, then deeeep breath in and slooooow exhale through your imaginary straw. When warming up, you can practice this on the scales listed next.
    • Technique: in book 2, practice #185 (chromatic scale). Take it slow and make each note sound lovely before playing the next one. Also practice #159 and #160. These exercises will help with smooth fingerings and arpeggios. We will begin working through these (#159-186) with the goal of mastery by end of term.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Practice rhythms for “Hill & Gully Rider”. Practice #1, 5, 7, 8 from Drumline Book.
  • Saxophone
    • There will be a test on # 84 and 86-89 next week in the essential elements book.Practice #184 in the essential elements book from measure 1 to 26. It the 1812 Overature.
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, especially practice Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira (use online recordings).
  •  Trumpet
    • Concentration on note values, accents, volume – crescendos
    • 152 – School Spirit – get all the way through 184 – 1812 Overture
    • Hold note values with more legato note to note

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • We will be performing Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira. Here is a link to find the pieces to practice with. You will need to copy and paste. https://kjos.com/standard-of-excellence-jazz-ensemble-method.html
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Blues and Rock) Practice #1, 5, 7, 8 from Drumline Book.
  • Saxophone
    • Come with questions and rhythms to work on next week that you may have incurred in rehearsals or practice time.
  •  Trumpet
    • Good job on Bossa Madeira on stage. for shorter notice
    • Your dynamics – blend with the band – on Swing Fever sounded great
    • Only E.N was holding his trumpet up – Raise up those bells when in concert

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • Modified pengiuns
    • First finger taps
    • -climb monkey silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink  banana
      • as well as plucking
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • 11. Old Joe Clark
    • 12. Three Tchaikovsky Themes
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • G Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 15 and 16 rhythm and pitch (DO THE RYTHMS WITH A METRONOME)
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • you should start practice with 3 old songs
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – A Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – Variations on an Irish Tune practice all of it, especially counting the rests and breathing before entrances
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey – measures 10-76″
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • I’m very impressed by how well pieces are coming together. Please practice Musette slowly for the tricky sections – you can even take some of the sections out of tempo to problem solve the “tricks.”
    • I’m looking forward to hearing Micah (and Madeline?) play next week. Please think about when you would like to play, and what piece you would like to have polished; feel free to ask me for help if you have questions about a piece, or suggestions on how to practice anything.
    • Watch:
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • Ringing tones (2x bows per note)
      • C Major 2-8ve scale
      • Review songs (Your choice)
      • Advanced: C Major 3 octave, a melodic minor 3 octave
      • Vibrato practice – elbow must feel open, support in the wrist, flexibility in the playing finger, only 1 finger down at a time. (or 4 and 3 together).
      • Chorus
      • Musette (new). We will go over this in grater detail next week.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
    • Repertoire
    • Moonlight Odyssey
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • G Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • ITP ex3
    • You will be expected to play lully by yourself next week

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – Ab minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Beethoven Prelude and Fugue in e minor – all 3 movements;practice with metronome, pay careful attention to articulation, notes, and bowing
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement – quarter note=80, pay careful attention to dynamics and articulation
    • 5. Revueltas – focusing on the first movement, pay careful attention to rhythm and notes. Begin learning the second movement of the Revueltas, focusing on notes and rhythms.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Fingering from low C to High G
    • Practice Here Comes Winter (Page 10). 4A Alaiya, Sam, Gabby. 4B Isla, Abby.
    • Pages 11-12 in Be a Recorder Star.
    • Practice our sight reading skills and play The Linden Tree (page 11) one more time.
    • Start practicing French Round (page 11) and Easy Rockin’ (page 12)
    • Concert Pieces: In Christ Alone. Play along with the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc&t=5s
      • Count along with the In Christ Alone Youtube video or with your music. Remember it’s 3/4 time, so count each measure (1 & 2 & 3 &)
    • Don’t forget to blow out and clean your recorders!
    • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Please fill out your practice sheet weekly. Please practice 15 minutes 5 times a week. This can include going over terminolgy, practicing steps from class, working on dance, strengthening or stretching.
  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat- ballet walks
      • *A terre – on the floor
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn
      • *Pas de bourree
      • *Balance
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
    • Stretching
    • Review performance choreography
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • All dancers start in 1st position – arms in en bas
        • Arms float out demi-second – close to en bas (1,2)(3,4)
          repeat x2
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque towards the center
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabeque away from the center
      • Chaine turn towards the center – arms in 1st
      • Arms open 2nd, then float to en bas
      • Ballet walk to circle
      • Releve walks facing in around circle
      • Step back R – pointe tendu L
      • Step forward L – arbesque a terre R
      • Repeat rocking step x2
      • Walk back to spots
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Please bring and fill out your practice sheet weekly. Please practice 15 minutes 5 times a week. This can include going over terminolgy, practicing steps from class, working on dance, strengtheing or stretching.
  • Review Ballet terminology
    • * Plie – to bend
    • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
    • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
    • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
    • * Frappe – to strike
    • * Fondu – to melt
    • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • * Saute – to jump
    • * Passe – to Pass
    • * Sous Sous – over/under
    • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
    • * Circular Cambre
    • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
    • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
    • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
    • * A terre – on the floor
    • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
    • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
    • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
  • Positions to review
    • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
    • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
    • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
  • Performance Choreography
    • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
    • Start in 1st position
    • 1st group
      • Walking towards the center – take three steps down the stairs
      • Step R to 3rd arabesque or Step L to 3rd arabesque (towards the center)
    • 2nd group repeats
      • Continue to walk down the stairs towards center to places Soutenu R
      • Facing L front corner – rond de jambe R (front/side)
      • Balance R – arms 3rd position
      • Chaine L arms – 1st position
      • Chasse back to croise devant – extend arms
      • Chasse with figure 8 arms x4
      • L- R front corner
      • R- R back corner
      • L- L back corner
      • R- L Front corner
      • Bourree R – R arm lifts to 3rd
      • Change legs/arms
      • Bourree L – L arm lifts to 3rd
  • Stretching to increase flexiblity in hips
    • *frog stretch
    • *pigeon stretch
    • *while laying on back pull knee into chest then open knee side
  • Strengthening exercise for Grand plie back position (proper alignment for ballet)
    • While laying on back, engage abdominals and flatten back against the floor – repeat x10
  • In all exercises at the barre
    • Proper alignment and hip/shoulder placement
    • Belly button into spine – engage abdonimal muscles vs. sucking abdomen in
    • Points to work on at barre
  • *Grand plie
    • do not go all the down in grande plie
    • heels push down
    • feel pinky toe on the floor to prevent rolling forward in the ankle – shallower demi plie
  • *Battement Tendu
    • when closing head turns to the front foot
    • *We added circular cambre –
      • make sure to reach for all four corners, shoulder down, arm lengthened, push into the floor with your heels to stabalize lower body, lift up to move upper body

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • No notes for this week.
  • History II: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Next class, bring a picture you have drawn of your favorite farm animal.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Work on the second verse of Like a River Glorious
  • Memorize the Micah 5:4-5 verses
  • Use your paper Glock to play Wild Horses
  • Can you teach your family “the Cuckoo’s Calling You”? And sing it in a round?

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Work on Memorizing Like a River Glorious and Micah 5:4-5
  • Bringing your music bags with your binders and listening to your cds!

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • Work on Dance:
      • Music Link: Sheep May Safely Graze (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txfhXgt4SJg)
      • -Start in 1st position feet, arms in en bas
      • -Arms goes to demi 2nd then en bas (count 1,2)
        • Repeat x2
      • -3rd Arabesque R
      • -Change 3rd arabesque L
      • -Tippy toe turn R – Arms in 1st
      • -Arms open 2nd, float to en bas
      • -Ballet walk to circle – hands on hips
      • -Ballet walk around circle – hold hands
      • -Step Back R Pointe – tendu devant L
      • -Step forward L – arabersque R
        • Repeat x2
      • -Ballet walk back to spot
    • Practice correct arms:
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Pas de Chat – step of the cat

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Lists. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-11.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Advanced State and User Input

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/01/20

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/01/20
DATE: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Isaiah 55:12 – For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. – Isaiah 55:12 World English Bible (WEB)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Matthew 2:10 – When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. – Matthew 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Psalms 100:2 – Serve the LORD with joy. Come before him with a joyful shout! – Psalms 100:2 International Standard Version (ISV)
    • Nehemiah 8:10 – Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – English Standard Version (ESV)

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2A & 3A: No Class Notes
  • 2B: Some of you will be re-tested on Whole & Half Step definitions, Major Scale Pattern, Order of Sharps and Flats, and/or Identifying a Major Key Signature.
  • 3B: If you didn’t finish your Half & Whole Steps Packet, please do so and bring it back.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15/5d
  • Practice all four parts of Lost My Partner, pages 52-55
  • You need to be able to play through each part without pausing to figure out what comes next.
  • Also pay attention to when to use your left or your right hand.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 33, 34, and 37.
  • Remember that a slur means to play *legato* or connect the notes smoothly

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • The test is next week! Letter C to the end of Buckethead. Please warm-up with moving forward. Play 4 times increasing the tempo on your metronome each time. Lastly go through bucket stomp mark the places where you play on the bucket to the right and to the left.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice all exercises (excluding “Rolls & Rhythms”) to the goal of memorization at moderate tempos (80-120bpm) and stick heights (mezzo-forte and forte (plus piano-forte for accent exercises). Keep utilizing the mark time to guide your ability to keep good tempo. Write in the foot work (lefts and rights) above the staff for “Count Up Legatos” and practice these individual measures to see how the feet align with the hands; keep in mind the subdivided ‘upbeat’ motion in the mark time to help with the measures that have a left hand starting on an upbeat.

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Great work today, ladies! That was a lot of repetition and you really pulled it together with the details. We’re in a good place to start to work on the details.
  • 🚩Attached is our very rough video of the drill we did before the break.
  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/131APTZRxG_yPMfAKO1wx23QwkndKDgFe/view?usp=drive_link
  • ✅ Watch yourself
  • ✅ Watch others, especially Aspen & Cassidy-they have the moves on the correct counts
  • ✅ Practice in small pieces of 4-8 counts and work out the basics, then put each piece together.
  • ✅ When the basics are solid, work on the details: flag position, glide step, posture, hands, etc. Scrutinize yourself to be the best you can be!

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • There will be tests on the following lines in your essential elements book #26 as a solo # 30 as a class learn both lines A and B Switching on the repeat.#31 #42 no slower than 90 bpm on the metronome.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice Tips
    • ✅ Keeps cheeks flat, no puffs
    • ✅ Tongue shape should remain in the hissing cat 😺 position
    • ✅ As you go through your assignments (26, 30, 31 & 42) check teeth and cheeks to make sure they are in the correct positions.
  •  Flute
    • Posture: Practice in front of mirror and watch for chins up, and left wrists as neutral as you can reasonably get them. Do this standing most days, but if possible this weekend, sit as well and see what happens to your posture.
    • Technique: higher notes = faster air; warm up on notes you know two octaves. Low F, long and slow until it sounds lovely, then high F long and slow until it sounds lovely. Back to low F for a long note (4 beats minimum), high F for a long note (4 beats minimum). Do the same thing on G. Do the same thing on A. Then practice your book music #54 at 60 bpm on your metronome; followed by #56, #57, and #53. Let us aim to play #s 53 and 54 as duets/canon in sectionals next week.
  •  Horn
    • Warm up 3-4 minutes
      • ✅ Warm up with long tones always
      • ✅ Use the notes in the fingering chart that are numbered 1-12.
      • ✅ Play 2nd line G to 3rd line Bb 3-5 times and make sure you are hitting the correct pitches
    • Starfire March
      • ✅ Make sure to begin each note with a strong tongue -not hard, but enough that the start of each note is crisp.
    • Rock Point 5
      • ✅ Watch for slur signs over notes, play the notes slurred!
      • ✅ Work on the jump from Dangling D (below the staff)to 3rd line Bb.
      • ✅ Use the exercises we worked on in sectionals to hit these higher notes.
      • ↪ ♩♩♩♩ (4 quarter notes) followed by a whole note on each note that doesn’t always sound when played. If the note doesn’t sound on the correct pitch when you start adjust your embouchure to get the note, don’t stop & then start over, try and make each start of the note better. You are working towards getting the note to sound as you release the air from your tongue and begin the whole note. This should all be done with the same note. Use this on any note, but only one at a time.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice the new piece Starfire March and review Essential Elements Book I Songs/Exercises 34, 35, 42, 43, 54, 57. 58. Practice individual instrument assignments for “Procession from the Water Music Suite”.
  • Saxophone
    • Warm up your horn and yourself with lots of notes. Scales and songs you’ve already played are good for this.
    • After you & your instrument are warm, please use a tuner to tune your instrument. This helps to set your ears to the correct pitches even when not playing with others. It will also help you to become accustomed to tuning by yourself before rehearsals.
    • You played strongly today! Almost like we didn’t have 3 week break-good work!
    • Rock Point 5
      • ✅ The newest technique here is slurring. Be diligent to play the slurs in the right places with the correct articulation. Take the tempo slower and get used to the feel of tonguing the first note of the slur and letting the rest of the notes (1 in this case) flow out of the sax just by switching fingerings.
    • 🎷 Make sure to practice the rest of the songs assigned by Ms. Carol.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice in method book as mentioned in prelude band notes. Do worksheets and flash cards daily for note names and positions (if assigned). Practice 45 and 48 as quickly as you can while keeping good musicality.
    • For 57, especially work measures 9-12
    • Practice Starfire March (will play without helpers next week- especially practice measures 59-60) and Rock Point paying attention to breath marks
  • Trumpet
    • Sitting up – breathing for longer time holding tones
    • Hand position – thumb under lead pipe – finger tips ready to play
    • Work with straw – tighten around it – widen your smile
    • Keep that lip position and set your mouthpiece – ready to play a couple of beats early
    • Work on being faster at seeing notes, fingering,
    • Work on Frere Jacques 54, Old McDonald 56, Ode to Joy 57

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • Tests on Essential elements book 1 Lines 88, 90, and 91 next week. The songs for performance are Refried Beans and #152 the Yellow Book School Spirit.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Work on Refried Beans & Ascot Overture
    • Ascot Overture practice tips:
    • 🧣Look up all of the fingerings for any notes that you don’t know-these are the notes that are “over the break” meaning from 3rd line Bb to 3rd line B. More on that vocabulary next week.
    • 🧣Look for anything about Bb. Make yourself a fingering chart with each of these new notes-make it fancy like your drawings and you will never forget these fingerings!
    • 🧣The 8th notes are fast-make sure you are tonguing correctly with tu, tu, tu, tu or do, do, do, do. If you are unable to sustain tonguing at that speed throughout the 8 measures, then practice saying those syllables walking around your house or as you do other schoolwork or while you’re doing dishes. The idea is to get your tongue muscle strong & agile.
    • 🧣For Ascot, it is best practiced in sections; divide it up and conquer!
    • Happy Practicing! 🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Refried beans, ascot overture, practice pages 38 and song swing fever in jazz book and caravan. Make sure to practice breathing and posture and b flat blue scale
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking). Practice rhythms for “Hill & Gully Rider”. Practice #1, 5, 7, 8 from Drumline Book.
  • Saxophone
    • There will be a test on # 84 and 86-89 next week in the essential elements book.Practice #184 in the essential elements book from measure 1 to 26. It the 1812 Overature.
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • Method book 1: work on speed for 88
    • For ensemble, especially practice Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira (use online recordings).
  •  Trumpet
    • Keep getting better at sight reading – concentration on notes to fingering
    • Work on long clear tones – on higher notes
    • Get timing – watch sharps and naturals on School Spirit 152
    • Play accents well – watch volume variations

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • We will be performing Swing Fever and Bossa Madeira. Here is a link to find the pieces to practice with. You will need to copy and paste. https://kjos.com/standard-of-excellence-jazz-ensemble-method.html
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Listen to model players for each instrument, and recordings of jazz pieces (Blues and Rock) Practice #1, 5, 7, 8 from Drumline Book.
  • Saxophone
    • Come with questions and rhythms to work on next week that you may have incurred in rehearsals or practice time.
  •  Trumpet
    • Keep working on playing softly with solid tones
    • Still work on timing on Carnaval
    • Have the new song more ready next week
    • Work on speed with the interval exercise

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch: Yo-Yo Ma (https://youtu.be/3uiUHvET_jg?si=B0jucrf5qGnPp5Ib)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine: Please don’t feel rushed when doing the following practice routine:
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • Modified pengiuns
    • First finger taps
    • -climb monkey silently (just singing: I’m a little monkey, climbing up the ladder, climbing to the top to, pick a pink banana; I’m a little monkey, climbing down the ladder, climbing to the bottom, to eat my pink  banana
      • as well as plucking
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • G Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 15 and 16 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • All review songs
    • perpetual motion
    • allegretto

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – D Major; D Harmonic Minor
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – Variations on an Irish Tune practice all of it, especially counting the rests and breathing before entrances
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey – measures 10-76″
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
      • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • G Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book
    • ITP ex3
    • You will be expected to play lully by yourself next week

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – Ab minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Beethoven Prelude and Fugue in e minor – all 3 movements;practice with metronome, pay careful attention to articulation, notes, and bowing
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement – quarter note=80, pay careful attention to dynamics and articulation
    • 5. Revueltas – focusing on the first movement, pay careful attention to rhythm and notes. Begin learning the second movement of the Revueltas, focusing on notes and rhythms.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • During your practice, please work on:
    • Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like A River. Play along with this video or your sheet music! Warm-Up Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JGOhSfOX_o Main Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA
    • Fingering for the following notes: E, low D, high D, B, A, G, and High C,
    • Recorder Karate song #5: Old MacDonald Had a Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1-02WBB_to
    • If you didn’t get to it in class, do your best to make sure the Music Theory Review on page 14 in your Recorder Star book is filled out. Read over it once or twice this week. We’ll double check our answers next week.
    • Play through page 15 and 16 in your Recorder Star book. Focus on smooth transitions between notes and using “too, too” to play each note for a nice crisp sound.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • Practice:
    • Keep working on Here Comes Winter, we’ll play that for a final time next week.
    • Practice all the songs on page 15. Focus on smooth transitions between notes and using “too, too” to play each note for a nice crisp sound.
    • Clap through the rhythm chart on page 13.
    • Have another song you learned over break ready to go to share at the beginning of class.
    • Keep listening to our concert song, In Christ Alone. We’ll hand out the sheet music next week! There are two notes we haven’t learned yet, but become familiar with the song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • It was great to see you all this week.
    I am so glad to be back dancing with you all.
    Please remember to have your hair up and out of your
    face for class and to bring you dance clothes and
    shoes each week for class. I would love see more
    practice at home this week.
  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat- ballet walks
    • Steps to review
      • *Chaine turn
      • *Pas de bourree
      • *Balance
    • Positions to review
      • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
      • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
      • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
    • Stretching
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Review Ballet terminology
    • * Plie – to bend
    • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
    • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
    • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
    • * Frappe – to strike
    • * Fondu – to melt
    • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • * Saute – to jump
    • * Passe – to Pass
    • * Sous Sous – over/under
    • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
    • * Circular Cambre
    • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
    • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
    • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
    • * A terre – on the floor
    • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
    • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
    • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • *Failli – give away. A slide or brush-through transition step following a preceding jump or position.
  • Positions to review
    • *Vaganova 1st arabesque
    • *Vaganova 2nd arabesque
    • *Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
  • Combo:
    • Pique Arabesque Failli x2
    • Pique turn
    • Chaine turn
    • Chasse into Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
  • Stretching to increase flexiblity in hips
    • *frog stretch
    • *pigeon stretch
    • *while laying on back pull knee into chest then open knee side
  • Strengthening exercise for Grand plie back position (proper alignment for ballet)
  • While laying on back, engage abdominals and flatten back against the floor – repeat x10
  • Points to work on at barre
    • *Grand plie
      • do not go all the down in grande plie
      • heels push down
      • feel pinky toe on the floor to prevent rolling forward in the ankle – shallower demi plie
    • *Battement Tendu
      • when closing head turns to the front foot

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • Great job today! It was so good being back together after the break (even though Miss Steph was out sick). Miss Steph will be working to assign people their monologues for this upcoming week.
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For next week’s homework, draw me a picture of your favorite part of your morning routine. Do you like the sunshine streaming through your window? Is brushing your hair something you enjoy? Or maybe breakfast is your favorite! Remember, those who complete homework get a sticker!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Work on Memorizing Like a River Glorious and Micah 5:4-5
  • Bringing your music bags with your binders and listening to your cds!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Work on Memorizing Like a River Glorious and Micah 5:4-5
  • Bringing your music bags with your binders and listening to your cds!

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • It was great to see you all this week. I am so glad to be back dancing with you all.
    • No Practice Records required
    • Position for review:
      • Feet:
      • 1st
      • 2nd
      • 3rd
    • Arms:
      • 1st
      • 2nd
      • 5th
    • Arabesque
      • Cecchetti 3rd arabesque
    • Steps across the floor:
      • Marching – pointed toes
      • Skips – forward and backwards
      • Chasse en avante and corner
      • Leaps – straight front/back leg
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Pas de Chat – step of the cat

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Event Handling. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-10.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Advanced State and User Input

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/01/13

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2026/01/13
DATE: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 — Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Leviticus 19:18 — You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. — Leviticus 19:18 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • 1 John 5:3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  — 1 John 5:3
    • 1 John 4:19 — We love, because He first loved us.. — 1 John 4:19
    • Romans 5:8 — But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

ALL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

  • Please note the REQUIRED Practice Time for each ensemble and be sure to complete the listed number of minutes 5 days a week (or 4 for Recorder students, 3 for some Dance students). Please practice what is listed on the memo.
  • Repetition: You need adequate, consistent practice. You need to do repetitions. Rather than practicing your skills one time each practice session, do them a few times each time you practice so the skills become more natural and automatic.
  • Trimmed Nails: Nails should be trimmed shorter (especially string players).
  • Metronome & Tuner: Remember to Practice with a metronome & use a tuner to check your pitch
  • Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror for some of your practice times.
  • Reed Instruments: Make sure you have 3 extra reeds at all time. (Approved Brands)
  • String Instrument: Make sure you have an extra set of strings at all times. (Approved Brands)
  • Homeschool Music Fest Days Update:
    • If you would like to participate in the Solo & Ensemble Festival (Mar 20), registration is now open.
    • Wonder coaches will begin scheduling private preparation sessions. In addition to helping students select an appropriate piece, coaches can work with students to polish up their selection and get it performance ready. To schedule a private solo or student-led ensemble rehearsal session with a coach, please sign up on the spreadsheet [LINK]
    • For those who’d like to perform as a student-led ensemble, now is the time for students to form their groups and determine a schedule to practice together.
    • Keep in mind, some Wonder rooms may be available on Tuesday evenings for group practice sessions (this is upon request and a parent from the ensemble must be present).
    • The Solo and Ensemble Festival is a great opportunity for Training and Midpoint orchestra, band, and choir students. If you are unsure if this event will be a good fit for you, please speak with one of our coaches for guidance.

ALL WONDER STUDENTS

  • Wonder Hangtime Challenge: Guided PE students are practicing their hang times and pullups and you can join them and see who can hang the longest! We will run the challenge from next week until the April 21 (or sooner if we have all our challengers). Here’s the rules!
    • 1) You must come to Miss Sandra or a PE Helping Hands to time your hanging. We have to be present for the timing to record it.
    • 2) You can try 3 times and take the highest of the 3 times as your record.
    • 3) Your feet cannot touch the sides or the box if being used to get it on.
    • 4) You have to start at our call and will stop the timer as soon as you let go.
    • Adults are welcome to join in as well!
    • Longest hang time gets a prize!

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2A & 3A: No Class Notes
  • 2B: optional – Work on your Master Theory Book at home
  • 3B: Since our class got interrupted with the power outage we weren’t able to finish our work in class. Please complete the Whole and Half Step packets I sent home with you.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15/5d
  • Practice pages 52 and 53. If you are ready to move on, also practice pages 54 and 55.
  • Note: These pieces are in Middle C Position, which means your thumbs share Middle C. You should not move your hands from this position during the song. Pay close attention to which hand is supposed to play each note. Sometimes Middle C should be played with your left hand and sometimes it should be played with your right hand.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Complete Theory on page 25
  • Practice 26, 27, 29, 30, 31
  • Remember to *keep your fingers curved*

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bucket head- practice letter c to the end preparing for a test in two weeks. Bucket stomp Letter a to B.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice Time: 20m/5d -MEMORIZE and connect all of “Legatos”, “Count-Up Legatos”, ” Sticking Patterns”, “Taps & Accents”, “Roving Accents”, “Double/Triple Beat”, “Timing Patterns” -Finish learning “Rolls & Rhythm Tree”. -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights: – TEMPOS: 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136, 144, and 152 bpm – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″ (piano), 6″ (mezzo-piano), 9″ (mezzo-forte), 12″ (forte), and 15″ (fortissimo/’full extension’)

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d -MEMORIZE and connect all of “Legatos”, “Count-Up Legatos”, ” Sticking Patterns”, “Taps & Accents”, “Roving Accents”, “Double/Triple Beat”, “Timing Patterns” -Finish learning “Rolls & Rhythm Tree”. -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights: – TEMPOS: 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136, 144, and 152 bpm – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″ (piano), 6″ (mezzo-piano), 9″ (mezzo-forte), 12″ (forte), and 15″ (fortissimo/’full extension’)

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Great work today, ladies! That was a lot of repetition and you really pulled it together with the details. We’re in a good place to start to work on the details.
  • 🚩Attached is our very rough video of the drill we did before the break.
  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/131APTZRxG_yPMfAKO1wx23QwkndKDgFe/view?usp=drive_link
  • ✅ Watch yourself
  • ✅ Watch others, especially Aspen & Cassidy-they have the moves on the correct counts
  • ✅ Practice in small pieces of 4-8 counts and work out the basics, then put each piece together.
  • ✅ When the basics are solid, work on the details: flag position, glide step, posture, hands, etc. Scrutinize yourself to be the best you can be!

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • There will be tests on the following lines in your essential elements book #26 as a solo # 30 as a class learn both lines A and B Switching on the repeat.#31 #42 no slower than 90 bpm on the metronome.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice Tips
    • ✅ Keeps cheeks flat, no puffs
    • ✅ Tongue shape should remain in the hissing cat 😺 position
    • ✅ As you go through your assignments (26, 30, 31 & 42) check teeth and cheeks to make sure they are in the correct positions.
  •  Flute
    • Physical Position: pay attention to the alignment of mouthpiece to body of flute. The top of the mouthpiece hole should be roughly aligned with the mechanism edge of the keys. When the mouthpiece is turned too far backward, the wrists are in an awkward position which is slowing fingering changes down. It makes it hard to move the fingers and is going to cause wrist pain within a short period of time. Wrists should be as neutral as possible so the fingers rest easily on the keys.
    • Technique:
      • -Continue to practice articulating each note. Don’t just huff them. Your tone is really nice when you use your tongue to articulate each note as written!
      • -Remember to funnel the air FASTER from your diaphragm through a smaller “straw” for reaching higher pitches.
      • -As a warm up, practice F, G, and A (notes you know) in two octaves, slowly switching from low to high, until they both sound pleasant to your ear. No fingering changes for these notes.
  •  Horn:
    • Warm up 3-4 minutes
      • ✅ Warm up with long tones always
      • ✅ Use the notes in the fingering chart that are numbered 1-12.
      • ✅ Play 2nd line G to 3rd line Bb 3-5 times and make sure you are hitting the correct pitches
    • Starfire March
      • ✅ Make sure to begin each note with a strong tongue -not hard, but enough that the start of each note is crisp.
    • Rock Point 5
      • ✅ Watch for slur signs over notes, play the notes slurred!
      • ✅ Work on the jump from Dangling D (below the staff)to 3rd line Bb.
      • ✅ Use the exercises we worked on in sectionals to hit these higher notes.
      • ↪ ♩♩♩♩ (4 quarter notes) followed by a whole note on each note that doesn’t always sound when played. If the note doesn’t sound on the correct pitch when you start adjust your embouchure to get the note, don’t stop & then start over, try and make each start of the note better. You are working towards getting the note to sound as you release the air from your tongue and begin the whole note. This should all be done with the same note. Use this on any note, but only one at a time.
  •  Percussion
    • Practice the new piece Starfire March and review Essential Elements Book I
    • Songs/Exercise
    • 34, 35, 42, 43, 54, 57. 58
  • Saxophone
    • Warm up your horn and yourself with lots of notes. Scales and songs you’ve already played are good for this.
    • After you & your instrument are warm, please use a tuner to tune your instrument. This helps to set your ears to the correct pitches even when not playing with others. It will also help you to become accustomed to tuning by yourself before rehearsals.
    • You played strongly today! Almost like we didn’t have 3 week break-good work!
    • Rock Point 5
      • ✅ The newest technique here is slurring. Be diligent to play the slurs in the right places with the correct articulation. Take the tempo slower and get used to the feel of tonguing the first note of the slur and letting the rest of the notes (1 in this case) flow out of the sax just by switching fingerings.
    • 🎷 Make sure to practice the rest of the songs assigned by Ms. Carol.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class!
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice in method book as mentioned in prelude band notes. Do worksheets and flash cards daily for note names and positions (if assigned)
  • Trumpet
    • Sit up straight – breath control
    • Work on keeping your three finger tips on the valves – strengthen your third finger
    • See the notes and get the fingering for each note quickly
    • Work on the notes for Rock Point and clap the rhythm until you get the feel for it
    • Be good on the Starfire March – Your tones were much better this week

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • There will be a test on # 84 and 86-89 next week in the essential elements book.Practice #184 in the essential elements book from measure 1 to 26. It the 1812 Overature.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Work on Refried Beans & Ascot Overture
    • Ascot Overture practice tips:
    • 🧣Look up all of the fingerings for any notes that you don’t know-these are the notes that are “over the break” meaning from 3rd line Bb to 3rd line B. More on that vocabulary next week.
    • 🧣Look for anything about Bb. Make yourself a fingering chart with each of these new notes-make it fancy like your drawings and you will never forget these fingerings!
    • 🧣The 8th notes are fast-make sure you are tonguing correctly with tu, tu, tu, tu or do, do, do, do. If you are unable to sustain tonguing at that speed throughout the 8 measures, then practice saying those syllables walking around your house or as you do other schoolwork or while you’re doing dishes. The idea is to get your tongue muscle strong & agile.
    • 🧣For Ascot, it is best practiced in sections; divide it up and conquer!
    • Happy Practicing! 🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Refried beans, ascot overture, practice pages 38 and song swing fever in jazz book and caravan. Make sure to practice breathing and posture and b flat blue scale
  • Percussion
    • Practice variations of rolls: buzz & open-stroke through 5-, and 9-stroke roll types. Apply this to “The Thunderer”. Practice “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” for these roll types, including also single-stroke rolls (32nd-notes with alternating sticking).
  • Saxophone
    • There will be a test on # 84 and 86-89 next week in the essential elements book.Practice #184 in the essential elements book from measure 1 to 26. It the 1812 Overature.
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • For ensemble, especially practice Caravan and Swing Fever and Last Dance (use online recordings for Swing Fever and Last Dance). For Caravan – mark slide positions on sheet music for any tricky ones (especially accidentals) before next class.
    • practice 78-84 – be careful with the different key signatures. Also practice Refried Beans & Ascot Overture – especially the measures with accidentals.
  •  Trumpet
    • Keep working on rhythm and notes for 1812 overture
    • Hold tones for the full value – more measures for each breath
    • Keep working on timing to stay together

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Class was cut short so we didn’t get to read Where do we Go From Here in the standard of excellence jazz books so please read through it to become familiar with it.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Practice Risky Business and the Blues chart, using listening to guide your practice. Practice playing the ‘hits’ on the snare, and consider different approaches to the fills, keeping in mind that often times “less is more”.
  • Saxophone
    • Come with questions and rhythms to work on next week that you may have incurred in rehearsals or practice time.
  •  Trumpet
    • Keep working on timing and speed especially on Caravan
    • See note values and rhythmic values better – the Shire
    • Watch for variations – Volume variations – get softer
    • Even with time off you sounded good together

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Watch: Yo-Yo Ma (https://youtu.be/3uiUHvET_jg?si=B0jucrf5qGnPp5Ib)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine: Please don’t feel rushed when doing the following practice routine:
        • Tune
        • Open strings (4 bows per string)
        • Ringing Tones (4 bows per ringing tone)
        • D Major scale
        • Twinkle Variations
        • French Folk Song
        • When playing through the songs that we know, focus on excellent tone while having a relaxed posture.
        • When playing newer pieces, keep that same focus. It’s okay to play these in slow motion so that all of the notes are anticipated.
      • French Folk Song (https://youtu.be/DDRxi_8sm9k?si=v6VBilnJxhSbfthP)
      • Lightly Row (https://youtu.be/Ct8U9AKqiWo?si=63nGXHWhAEBKU_-s)
      • Song of the Wind (https://youtu.be/38N7vjdBnyQ?si=BoYh_WZQG9bTBbBy)
      • Go Tell Aunt Rhody (https://youtu.be/2KFHDTGuj78?si=0LqshskA7Tio0RpW)
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • Modified pengiuns
    • First finger taps
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests and before entrances!
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 11 and 12 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • perpetual motion

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – D Major; D Harmonic Minor
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – Variations on an Irish Tune practice all of it, especially counting the rests and breathing before entrances
    • 4. Moonlight Odyssey – measures 10-76″
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book
    • ITP ex2

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – c major
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Beethoven Prelude and Fugue in e minor – all 3 movements;practice with metronome, pay careful attention to articulation, notes, and bowing
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement – quarter note=80, pay careful attention to dynamics and articulation
    • 5. Revueltas – focusing on the first movement, pay careful attention to rhythm and notes. Begin learning the second movement of the Revueltas, focusing on notes and rhythms.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
  • Remember Practice Records
  • I missed seeing you guys but I know you did a great job!
    1. Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like A River. Play along with this video or your sheet music! Warm-Up Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JGOhSfOX_o Main Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA
    2. Fingering for the following notes: E, low D, high D, B, A, G, and High C,
    3. Recorder Karate song #5: Old MacDonald Had a Farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1-02WBB_to
    4. If you didn’t get to it in class, do your best to make sure the Music Theory Review on page 14 in your Recorder Star book is filled out. Read over it once or twice this week. We’ll double check our answers next week.
    5. Play through page 15 and 16 in your Recorder Star book. Focus on smooth transitions between notes and using “too, too” to play each note for a nice crisp sound.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
  • – I missed being there with you guys, but I know you did great!
  • Every Week:
    • Keep working on Here Comes Winter, we’ll play that for a final time next week.
    • Practice all the songs on page 15. Focus on smooth transitions between notes and using “too, too” to play each note for a nice crisp sound.
    • Clap through the rhythm chart on page 13.
    • Have another song you learned over break ready to go to share at the beginning of class.
    • Keep listening to our concert song, In Christ Alone. We’ll hand out the sheet music next week! There are two notes we haven’t learned yet, but become familiar with the song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Practice dance steps that will be in the performance piece
  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
    • – ballet walks
    • – 3rd arabesque
    • – Arabeque with high-v arms
    • – pivot turn
    • – port de bras – en bas, 1st, 5th, 2nd, en bas
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • – pivot turn into soutenu
    • – balance
    • – sous sous with diagonal arms
    • – pas de bourree
    • – walts turns

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • No notes for this week.
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Happy New Year! Glad to have you back
  • Work on Memorizing Like a River Glorious and Micah 5:4-5
  • Copy your green cards in any order
  • Don’t forget to add the flags and/or bar or dots!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • You are to bring your bag and binder and cards to class every week!
  • Work on Memorizing Like a River Glorious and Micah 5:4-5
  • Listen to your CD especially Sim, Saladim, and Lightly Row
  • Can you sing The Cuckoo’s Calling you in canon with your family?
  • Practice all your songs on your paper glock!

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Practice dance steps for that will be in the dance performance
    • – 3rd arabesque
    • – ballet walks on releve
    • – port de bras – en bas, 1st, 5th, 2nd, returning to en bas
    • – chaine turn – hands on hips

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • No notes for this week.

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WONDER CHARACTER: JOY

TO: WONDER MEMBERS
MEMO: WONDER CHARACTER: JOY
MONTH: JANUARY

MEMORY VERSES

  • Scripture of the Month: Isaiah 55:12 – For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. – Isaiah 55:12 World English Bible (WEB)
  • Character Scripture:
    • Matthew 2:10 – When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. – Matthew 2:10 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Psalms 100:2 – Serve the LORD with joy. Come before him with a joyful shout! – Psalms 100:2 International Standard Version (ISV)
    • Nehemiah 8:10 – Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – English Standard Version (ESV)

CHARACTER STUDY

  • Character Trait: Joy
  • Definition: Joy means to rejoice with a spontaneous expression of excitement and cheer.
  • Bible Word: Hebrew word שִׂמְחָה simcha (Strong’s Number H8057) means to “rejoice” / Greek word χαρά chara (Strong’s Number G5479) means “joy or gladness” and can be the joy received from you or the cause or occasion of joy.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/12/16

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/12/16
DATE: Tuesday, December 16, 2025

 

Click here to see this week’s main memo. To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 — Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Leviticus 19:18 — You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. — Leviticus 19:18 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • 1 John 5:3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  — 1 John 5:3
    • 1 John 4:19 — We love, because He first loved us.. — 1 John 4:19
    • Romans 5:8 — But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

THE WONDER GAMES

  • Remember to share about the Wonder Games during break!

PRACTICE RECORDS (For ALL ENSEMBLES – Bands, Orchestras, Recorder, Drumline, Flags, Choirs)

  • Practice DURING break.
  • Prelude Band and Orchestra: Practicing during breaks is especially important for newer musicians because it takes time and consistency to make the skills taught become more natural and dependable. Extended breaks are not helpful for individual progression or the group.
  • Going a trip with no instrument?: If you are out of town and unable to bring your instrument, you can practice everything without an instrument by mime playing (which still helps develop muscle memory and skills). Remember practicing can happen without your instrument. Take your book and practice counting rhythms, saying names of notes, and fingering. You can use a pencil for your instrument or something straight-or just an imaginary something. ✈️ & 🚗 time can be excellent for practicing the basics! Listening is our way, as musicians, to study. Listening to our pieces doesn’t have to occur daily, but should be frequent.
  • Be sure to practice the REQUIRED amount of time for the week (noted in the Class Notes for each class). The guides and coaches post what you need to practice for the week.
  • Bring your SIGNED Practice Record to class upon your return.
  • ABSENCES: If you are absent always be sure to look at the Class Notes so you know what to work on that week.

PRIVATE LESSONS (DURING BREAK)

  • If a student is required to take private lessons because of absences or because a student needs more practice mastering skills taught, an email will be sent to the family email directly.
  • If a student wants extra practice during break please request a private lesson.
  • To Request a Private Lesson: Select ‘Private Lessons’ on the Wonder Contact Page. A guide or coach will contact you directly.

INSTRUMENT CARE

  • Break is a good time to get any needed maintenance work done on your instruments.
  • Strings
    • Humidifiers: Students, begin using your humidifiers now that the air is dryer. The recommended humidifier is on the Instrument Guide on the website.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No Class Notes. Have a great break!

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15/5d
  • Practice
    • -page 46, Sight Reading
    • -page 47, My Clever Pup
    • -page 48, Rhythm Drills
    • -page 51, The Zoo
  • Complete Theory, page 44, and Composition/Improvisation, page 48.

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 17, 19, 21, 23, and 24.
  • Complete page 18.

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Play through Bucket Head with a metronome starting at 60 bpm and increase it a little each day. Concentrating on the accents! Practice the rhythms in the new piece Bucket Stomp from practice letter A to the end.
  • Practice both Bucket stomp 1 and 2.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -MEMORIZE and connect all of “Legatos”, “Count-Up Legatos”, ” Sticking Patterns”, “Taps & Accents”, “Double/Triple Beat” and “Timing Patterns” (m. 105-113 only)
    • -Finish learning “Roving Accents” (hands together) and “Timing Patterns” (m. 114-118).
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights: – TEMPOS: 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136,and 144 bpm – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″ (piano), 6″ (mezzo-piano), 9″ (mezzo-forte), & 12″ (forte)

DRUMLINE

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Great focus and self correction today!  We are making progress!
  • At home:
  • 🚩 Practice all moves that we haver learned so far: drop spins, windmills, presents & slams!
  • 🚩 Practice corestyle (smooth) marching. If you can mark off 5 yards somewhere (yard, hallway, living room?) then you can practice your 8 to 5 step. That is 8 equal steps to 5 yards, which is approximately what we are doing in class.
  • 🚩 When you practice, choose two or more moves and put them together in a short sequence. This will help you get used to transitioning smoothly from one move to the next. For example: March 8 steps, present front as you continue marching 8 steps on the next 1 count stop and do a drop spin.
  • When you practice, choose two or more moves and put them together in a short sequence. This will help you get used to transitioning smoothly from one move to the next.
  • 🚩🚩🚩You will each show us a 1 minute routine you make up during break at our next class.🚩🚩🚩

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Keep our class songs under your fingers: Lightly Row, March Steps, A Mozart Melody, Jingle Bells and Skip to my Lou. All found in our class book. In our performance book practice Rock Point Five and Starfire March.
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Play long tones while looking in the mirror. Strive for:
      • 𝄞 firm embouchure-corners of mouth firm
      • 𝄞 cheeks in-no puffiness (like squirting water out of your mouth and you can practice this in the bath tub!-don’t forget to include this time in your practice record)
      • 𝄞 Make sure you are using strong air to get solid tones on each note
      • 𝄞 Continue working through the Essential Elements Book as a warm up. Your warm up should last about 5 minutes total.
    • The concert songs in the book you received today:
      • ♪Starfire March-all of it, as you look over it you will notice much repitition
      • ♪Rock Point 5-the danger zones in this piece are all of the rests! Make sure to count the rests completely so that you start the notes on the correct counts.
      • ♪You already know half rests & quarter rests, but you’ll see that measure 17-20 has a long bar with a 4 over it. That means 4 complete measures of rests and you will count it: 1234, 2234, 3234, 4234 and then begin at measure 21
      • If you are able to play Starfire & Rock Point 5, then Ms. Carol would like you to continue with Refried Beans on page 5 and Ascot Overture on page 10. Ascot Overture has 2 different clarinet parts; learn the 2nd clarinet part on page 10A.
    • Practice tips for Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Make sure to hold the half notes for 2 counts and the whole notes for 4 counts.
      • 🌮 You have more long groups of rests, count them like I explained previously.
      • 🌮 C in the time signature is the same thing as 4/4.
      • 🌮 After you learn the notes & rhythms practice your dynamics: f & mf
    • Practice tips for Ascot Overture:
      • First, you need to know that this piece has music language that we have not yet seen. It also changes time signatures in the middle of the piece and the tempo changes twice! It also  has notes that you haven’t played in class yet. So, lots to learn-take it slow & steady. You will be working on this piece and the others in this book for several months-no need to have it all done quickly. The most important thing is to be purposeful when you practice it. Don’t worry if you don’t get to all of this week. But if you do, use the following tips to help.
      • 🧣 You will play 2nd clarinet on page 10A
      • 🧣 Break down your practice of this piece into chunks. Measures 1-9, 10-17, 16-26, 26-38, 39-46, 47 to the end.
      • 🧣 Notice that some sections are the exact same as others
      • 🧣 The tempo and the beginning is Allegro-fast! and it changes at 18 to Andante (walking tempo), then back to Allegro at 39.
      • 🧣 Also notice that it begins in C or 4/4 (4 counts to a measure), changes to 3/4 at 18 when it slows to Andante and the Allegro again at 39.
      • 🧣 Lots of other things to learn, but we can wait to discuss these in class. If you get to this song, pick one section at a time to practice.
  •  Flute
    • Practice 4-5 days a week, 20 min each time. Is you do not practice, you will not progress. Practice breathing and posture. Don’t tuck chin and drop shoulder. Sit on edge of chair when practicing. Practice pages 6-7 in book and measures 5-13 in star fire march song.
  •  Horn:
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 38, 39, 41, 42, 43
    • Starfire March entire song
  •  Percussion
    • Practice #61-80 for both Snare and Mallets. Practice “Hugga-Hugga Burr” exercise with both closed and open rolls. Study Ms. Carol’s assigned pieces, too! Practice minor scales (Isaiah, Pascal) and C major/F major/Bb major/Eb major (John)
  • Saxophone
    • 𝄞 Warm up with belly breaths and long tones!
    • 𝄞 Continue working through the Essential Elements Book as a warm up. Your warm up should last about 5 minutes total.
    • The concert songs in the book you received today:
      • ♪Starfire March-all of it, as you look over it you will notice much repitition, make sure to learn the part you were assigned in class (1st or 2nd alto-this will determine which page your music is on, 2 or 2A)
      • ♪Rock Point 5-the danger zones in this piece are all of the rests! Make sure to count the rests completely so that you start the notes on the correct counts.
      • ♪Both parts are exactly the same-it doesn’t matter if you read off of page 3 or 3A
      • ♪You already know half rests & quarter rests, but you’ll see that measure 17-20 has a long bar with a 4 over it. That means 4 complete measures of rests and you will count it: 1234, 2234, 3234, 4234 and then begin at measure 21
    • If you are able to play Starfire & Rock Point 5, then Ms. Carol would like you to continue with Refried Beans on page 5 and Ascot Overture on page 10. Ascot Overture has 2 different clarinet parts; learn the 2nd clarinet part on page 10A.
    • Practice tips for Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Practice the part you were assigned.
      • 🌮 Make sure to hold the half notes for 2 counts and the whole notes for 4 counts.
      • 🌮 You have more long groups of rests, count them like I explained previously.
      • 🌮 C in the time signature is the same thing as 4/4.
      • 🌮 After you learn the notes & rhythms practice your dynamics: f & mf
    • Practice tips for Ascot Overture:
      • First, you need to know that this piece has music language that we have not yet seen. It also changes time signatures in the middle of the piece and the tempo changes twice! It also has notes that you haven’t played in class yet. So, lots to learn-take it slow & steady. You will be working on this piece and the others in this book for several months-no need to have it all done quickly. The most important thing is to be purposeful when you practice it. Don’t worry if you don’t get to all of this week. But if you do, use the following tips to help.
      • 🧣 I’m not sure if we assigned parts to this yet-both are very similar. We will discuss next week during sectionals.
      • 🧣 Break down your practice of this piece into chunks. Measures 1-9, 10-17, 16-26, 26-38, 39-46, 47 to the end.
      • 🧣 Notice that some sections are the exact same as others
      • 🧣 The tempo and the beginning is Allegro-fast! and it changes at 18 to Andante (walking tempo), then back to Allegro at 39.
      • 🧣 Also notice that it begins in C or 4/4 (4 counts to a measure), changes to 3/4 at 18 when it slows to Andante and the Allegro again at 39.
      • 🧣 Lots of other things to learn, but we can wait to discuss these in class. If you get to this song, pick one section at a time to practice.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 38, 39, 41, 42, 43
    • Starfire March measures 5-13. Rock Point measure 22-end
  • Trumpet
    • Keep your upper lip flat – stretch till your upper lip muscles feel it – even your cheeks
    • Work harder on increasing range – Get to A Bflat and C easily and even higher
    • Try shorter workouts two times a day if you can
    • Keep your thumb under the lead pipe next to your valves and finger tips strong
    • Work on seeing notes in songs quicker and getting fingerings to follow
    • Keep tonguing – “”Too – Too”” with keeping good tones
    • Hold notes longer without losing breath control
    • Do Rhythm Rap on pages 10 to 15. play through songs also
    • Work on Daily Warmups page18 and School Spirit on page 29
    • Note new sharps and flats and work on fingerings
    • In First performance book work on Starfire March and Rock Point 5 for band

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
    • In your classroom books Practice pg 18 86-91 Also on page 29 practice #152 and 153. School Spirit and Carnival of Venice.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Work on Refried Beans & Ascot Overture
    • Ascot Overture practice tips:
    • 🧣Look up all of the fingerings for any notes that you don’t know-these are the notes that are “over the break” meaning from 3rd line Bb to 3rd line B. More on that vocabulary next week.
    • 🧣Look for anything about Bb. Make yourself a fingering chart with each of these new notes-make it fancy like your drawings and you will never forget these fingerings!
    • 🧣The 8th notes are fast-make sure you are tonguing correctly with tu, tu, tu, tu or do, do, do, do. If you are unable to sustain tonguing at that speed throughout the 8 measures, then practice saying those syllables walking around your house or as you do other schoolwork or while you’re doing dishes. The idea is to get your tongue muscle strong & agile.
    • 🧣For Ascot, it is best practiced in sections; divide it up and conquer!
    • Happy Practicing! 🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Refried beans, ascot overture, practice pages 38 and song swing fever in jazz book and caravan. Make sure to practice breathing and posture and b flat blue scale
  • Percussion
    • Prepare a snare solo of your choice (minimum 16 bars) from the Book 2. Learn all minor scales. Practice your assigned instrument part for “Hill and Gully Rider” and “The Thunderer”
  • Saxophone
    • Your BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT job is to study your notes on paper so much that you can name them in an instant when asked.
    • This would be tedious if that’s all you did-try the following with Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Say the names of the notes for 2 measures, then play what you said no faster than you said the note names
      • 🌮 Say the names of the notes in the next 2 measures, then play what you said no faster than you said the note names
      • 🌮 Combine the 4 measures and say the note names, then play them no faster than you said them
    • Change it up & do this in reverse.
      • 🌮 Play 2 measures and then say the names of the notes as fast as you played them.
      • 🌮 Play the next 2 measures and do the same thing.
      • 🌮 Play those 4 measures and then say the names of the notes.
    • 🎼 As you play through this and Ascot Overture, do the above practice on a few measures.
    • 🎼 Don’t forget to use flashcards-make them if you have too!
    • Happy Practicing!🎷
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • For ensemble, especially practice Caravan and Swing Fever and Last Dance (use online recordings for Swing Fever and Last Dance). For Caravan – mark slide positions on sheet music for any tricky ones (especially accidentals) before next class.
    • practice 78-84 – be careful with the different key signatures. Also practice Refried Beans & Ascot Overture – especially the measures with accidentals.
  •  Trumpet
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Keep working on lip tightness and strengthening the muscles – stretch til you feel it
    • Get your fingerings smooth for the C scale – Also the F scale with Bflat
    • Go for the high C and D and even E notes
    • Work on long tones with no waver – in tune – great breath control
    • Pick a new song in your book and impress me with it after New Year.
    • Work on rhythm patterns – count it and get so you can feel rhythms.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • We have a new song Hoss in Bb to practice. Keep your fingers on Swing Fever and Caravan. Play with a metronome!! We could be performing pretty soon in when we get back from break.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Review major & minor scales, modal scales. Learn to arpeggiate (1-3-5-8) all qualities of a triad (major, minor, diminished, augmented). Learn a snare solo of your choice (minimum 16 bars) from the Book 3 OR outside sources.
  • Saxophone
    • New music:
    • > work on rhythms, write out the counts as necessary
    • > since you know the music, listen to some famous saxophonists playing it and find a sound that you like and try to copy it. Notice what you have to do with your embouchure inside and out to mimic that sound.
    • Personal work:
      • > sight read-it doesn’t have to be “”saxophone”” music
      • > have at least 1 purpose each time you sight read, such as:
      • 1. correct rhythms
      • 2. dynamics
      • 3. articulations
      • 4. notes
  •  Trumpet
    • See if you can get some of the higher notes consistently and hold the tones
    • Keep working on rhythms and rest counting – various rhythmic patterns.
    • Long note holds – counting and don’t run out of breath.
    • Keep working on dynamics – very soft but not breathy – loud but not blatty.
    • And also on the accents – extreme volume change with great tone quality
    • You all know the songs to work on and what you need for yourself.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine: Please don’t feel rushed when doing the following practice routine:
        • Tune
        • Open Strings
        • Ringing Tones (2x bows per note)
        • D Major scale
        • Twinkle Variations
        • French Folk Song
        • Consentrate on ease of playing, but keep the following three factors a priority:
          • 1. Tone
          • 2. Intonation
          • 3. Rhythm
      • Have a wonderful holiday break!
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • Spend extra time practicing the practice spots that we marked in rehearsal! Great job getting through so much rep! I can’t wait to hear your progress after the break!
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 11 and 12 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • allegro
    • perpetual motion

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G Harmonic Minor Scale: G, A, Bb, C, D, Eb, F#, G
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Moonlight Odyssey – practice from Measures 10-Measures 76, paying extra careful attention to the practice spots I pointed out in orchestra – especially where there is shifting.
    • 4. Variations on an Irish Tune – pay attention to rhythms, counting rests, and breathing before your entrances!
    • 5. Magic Flute by Mozart – pay careful attention to what part of the bow you’re playing in, that you’re playing all eighth notes staccato (off the string) and near the frog, and that you are doing the dynamics.
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book
    • ITP ex2

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – c minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Beethoven Prelude and Fugue in e minor – all 3 movements;practice with metronome, pay careful attention to articulation
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement – quarter note=80, pay careful attention to dynamics
    • 5. Revueltas – focusing on the first movement, pay careful attention to rhythm and notes. Begin learning the second movement of the Revueltas, focusing on notes and rhythms.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music. Left hand on top!
    2. – Fingering for the E, low D, B, A, G, and High C notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. – Review the notes we learned, E and D. Finger a G (top three fingers) with your left hand, then put down two more fingers with your bottom hand (right hand). For low D, Finger a G (top three fingers) with your left hand, then put down three more fingers with your bottom hand (right hand).
    4. – Keep working on Song #4 in your Recorder Karate book: It’s Raining. *Play along with this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C543uhJavvo We’ll try to get everyone’s green belt after break!
    5. – In your Recorder Star book, you can work on all of the songs on page 9, as well as pages 11-13. Focus on smooth transitions between notes and using “too, too” to play each note for a nice crisp sound.
    6. – Clap through Rhythm Chart 3 on Page 13 in your Recorder Star book.
    7. – Work on Concert Piece: Peace Like a River. Play along with this video or your sheet music! Warm-Up Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JGOhSfOX_o Main Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • I hope you have a great break with lots of fun and family time! Don’t forget to practice!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Tonging and slurring. Focus on smooth transitions between notes and using “too, too” to play each note for a nice crisp sound.
    2. – Reading Music from low C to high E. You can also familiarize yourself with how to read high F and G on treble clef.
    3. – Practice Here Comes Winter. Part A: Sam, Alaiya, and Gabby(we missed you!). Part B: Isla and Abby. Make sure to practice that fingering for B2! Take note of the dynammic markings as well (mf = mezzo forte, moderately loud. aka pretty loud) (mp = mezzo piano, moderately soft. aka pretty soft)
    4. – We have a long break so pick 3 of these to master over break! Chinese Lullaby, My Dreydel, Old MacDonald (2A only), Easy Rockin’, Looby Loo, Jolly Good Fellow. You can perform them when we get back!
    5. – In case you missed it last time, here are the videos for Frere Jacques. 2 Part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMIIYEht-VM 4 Part: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBhFbj75D90
    6. – Go over Peace Like a River a few times over the break to become familiar with it. This will be the Recorder 1 song that you guys will accompany 🙂
    7. – Start listening to our concert piece: In Christ Alone. There are two notes we haven’t learned yet, but take time over break to become familiar with the song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgfU7M_s3mc
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • I hope everyone has a great and relaxing break with lots of fun family time! And don’t forget to practice!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • 1. FOR BEGINNER STUDENTS – Record a video of yourselves signing 2 Corinthians 9:15. You can either translate it on your own or use the gloss provided (Remember, the gloss is the list of specific signs written out). Please include your name and the reference (fingerspelled) in your video, and post it in the Google photos or the Google Drive folder.
    • 2 Corinthians 9:15 – “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (NKJV)
      Gloss – GOD THANK HIS GIFT WONDERFUL
  • 2. FOR MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS – Pick one of the two following versus and translate it into ASL. After you have translated the words into signs, record a video of yourself signing it. Please include your name and the reference (fingerspelled) in your video, and post it in the Google photos or the Google Drive folder.
    • John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (NKJV)
    • John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV)
  • 3. Practice Like a River Glorious and Psalms 34:14
    • Psalms 34:14
    • Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.EVIL FLEE GO MAKE GOOD. PEACE SEARCH PURSUE
    • Like a River Glorious –
    • Practice Like a River Glorious –
      STANZA 1:
      Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
      RIVER SAME GOD PEACEover all victorious in its bright increase:
      VICTORY BRIGHT INCREASEperfect, yet still flowing fuller every day;
      PERFECT BUT FLOWING CONTINUEperfect, yet still growing deeper all the way.
      PERFECT BUT BECOME DEEP ALL-THE-WAYREFRAIN:
      Trusting in the Father,
      TRUST FATHERHearts are fully blest,
      HEARTS FULLY BLESSED

      finding, as he promised,
      FINDING HE PROMISE

      Perfect peace and rest.
      PERFECT PEACE REST

  • Reference signs from: https://www.handspeak.com
  • Wonder Student ASL Sign Choir 25-26 Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yv8jWqgxD4EA159i8 OR Drive Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PWq-froShePz2AiVjZvPqsAmM7FjDOFG?usp=drive_link

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • No practice over the break. Hope that this time with your family and friends brings you many blessings. Looking forward to seeing you in the new year.

GUIDED PE

  • Great class guys!! You all did great on your evaluations! Everyone should have an idea of what their strong movements are and what they need to work on! Keep working guys and be an awesome team mate for the end of the year obstacle course! Have a great break!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Practice ISO and different settings of ISO to see how that changes your photo. Have a great break!
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Read all of the Storytelling With Photography cards given to you in class.
    • Take more interesting pictures of family, friends, and pets!
    • Remember to FILL THE FRAME with your subject.
    • Get Close
    • Get Interested
    • Change Angles
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Have a fantastic break. See you in January!
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For our next class, draw a picture of a tortoise OR a hare!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Parents: It’s that time of year where we start working on our song and memory scripture/poem…Our Hymn this year is Like a River Glorious and is in most hymnals. Please start familiarizing your children with this beautiful old hymn. And our scripture/poem for the year. Thank you. That will be the Home Assignment for our wonderul break. See you in 2026!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Parents: It’s that time of year where we start working on our song and memory scripture/poem…Our Hymn this year is Like a River Glorious and is in most hymnals. Please start familiarizing your children with this beautiful old hymn. And our scripture/poem for the year. Thank you. That will be the Home Assignment for our wonderul break. See you in 2026!
  • Listen to your CD especially:Summ, Summ, Summ and Be-Ba-Butzeman and The Surprise Symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn and Bremen Towne Musicians Sing along and/or play the games/dances
  • Play your paper Glock using two sticks or pencils as your mallets. Don’t forget your pincher grasp…Show your parents how you can “play” it…
  • Hopefully I will have it correctly this time
  • Draw me a picture of your favorite part of the First Cuckoo Clock story

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • No practice over the break. Hope that this time with your family and friends brings you many blessings. Looking forward to seeing you in the new year.

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Strings Continued. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-8.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Cryptography

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/12/09

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/12/09
DATE: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 — Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Leviticus 19:18 — You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. — Leviticus 19:18 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • 1 John 5:3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  — 1 John 5:3
    • 1 John 4:19 — We love, because He first loved us.. — 1 John 4:19
    • Romans 5:8 — But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2B:
    • Be ready to answer review questions about:
    • Tempo Order
    • Whole & Half Steps
    • Major Scale Pattern
    • Order of Sharps and Flats
    • Identifying Key Signatures
  • Those in Book 3 should also be able to answer questions about:
    • Chromatic Scales
    • Enharmonic Notes
    • Relative Minors
    • Complex Time Signatures
    • Symbols found in Lesson 65
  • All other classes: No Class Notes

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15/5d
  • Practice pages 40-41, 42-43, and 45

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 15 and 17
  • Complete Theory on page 16

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Warm up with Moving forward. Being sure to keep the down beat in the right hand. Practice Bucket head part 1 from measures 1-16. Practice the accents from 1-4. Keep track from measures 5-8 being careful to keep the sticking. From measures 13-16 remember the diamonds mean to play on the sides of the bucket and the lowest note means to stomp your foot.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -MEMORIZE and connect all of “”Legatos””, “”Count-Up Legatos””, “” Sticking Patterns””, and “”Taps & Accents””. Finish learning and then MEMORIZE “”Double/Triple Beat”” (m. 81-91) and “”Timing Patterns”” (m. 105-113 only)
    • -Work RH only for “”Roving Accents.””, as well as an accents-only version. Break this down into single beats and then single bars.
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • – TEMPOS: 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128 and 136 bpm
    • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drum dowels, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wonderful work everyone! It’s been great to see everyone progress since the beginning of the year, some of you starting with no percussion expereince.
  • DRUMLINE ASSIGNMENTS: Snare (Ashiyra, Daniel, Josiah); Flubs (Beckett, Hosannah, Thomas); Quads (Asher, Khayila); Bass Drum (1-Yeshayah, 2-Edward, 3-Chavah, 4-Simon, 5-Noah); Cymbals/Practice Pads (Amy, Isaiah))
  • Be sure to use your practice kits at home with a metronome and included sticks. Save the good sticks for rehearals so they don’t get worn down too quickly. Drumline students will use the dowel rod sticks you all recieved at the beginning of the year for both home practice and rehearsal, though you can use the kit sticks for additional practice.
  • Your Drumline Instrument Needs:
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -Review and connect all of “Legatos” (m. 19-36), “Count-Up Legatos”, ” Sticking Patterns”, and “Taps & Accents”
    • -Work RH only for “Roving Accents”, as well as an accents-only version. Break this down into single beats and then single bars.
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • – TEMPOS: 80 bpm, 88 bpm, 96 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, 120 bpm, and 128 bpm
    • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″ (piano), 6″ (mezzo-piano), 9″ (mezzo-forte), & 12″ (forte)
  • Bring to next class: General drum sticks, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Great focus and self correction today!  We are making progress!
  • At home:
  • 🚩 Practice all moves that we haver learned so far: drop spins, windmills, presents & slams!
  • 🚩 Practice corestyle (smooth) marching. If you can mark off 5 yards somewhere (yard, hallway, living room?) then you can practice your 8 to 5 step. That is 8 equal steps to 5 yards, which is approximately what we are doing in class.
  • 🚩 When you practice, choose two or more moves and put them together in a short sequence. This will help you get used to transitioning smoothly from one move to the next. For example: March 8 steps, present front as you continue marching 8 steps on the next 1 count stop and do a drop spin.
  • When you practice, choose two or more moves and put them together in a short sequence. This will help you get used to transitioning smoothly from one move to the next.
  • 🚩🚩🚩Show us your favorite sequence you put together this week.🚩🚩🚩

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • For those who were in sectionals, please refer to the notes that your coach left for you.
      • For those who were in the larger group, continue working in your Essential Elements Book on what you did today and beyond if that is available to you-as in you understand the music you played and are able to continue ahead in your book. Don’t forget that https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com/ is a great practice resource at no extra cost-you can find account information on the first page of your book & the sign up code is there too. Enjoy!
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Play long tones while looking in the mirror. Strive for:
      • 𝄞 firm embouchure-corners of mouth firm
      • 𝄞 cheeks in-no puffiness (like squirting water out of your mouth and you can practice this in the bath tub!-don’t forget to include this time in your practice record)
      • 𝄞 Make sure you are using strong air to get solid tones on each note
      • 𝄞 Continue working through the Essential Elements Book as a warm up. Your warm up should last about 5 minutes total.
    • The concert songs in the book you received today:
      • ♪Starfire March-all of it, as you look over it you will notice much repitition
      • ♪Rock Point 5-the danger zones in this piece are all of the rests! Make sure to count the rests completely so that you start the notes on the correct counts.
      • ♪You already know half rests & quarter rests, but you’ll see that measure 17-20 has a long bar with a 4 over it. That means 4 complete measures of rests and you will count it: 1234, 2234, 3234, 4234 and then begin at measure 21
      • If you are able to play Starfire & Rock Point 5, then Ms. Carol would like you to continue with Refried Beans on page 5 and Ascot Overture on page 10. Ascot Overture has 2 different clarinet parts; learn the 2nd clarinet part on page 10A.
    • Practice tips for Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Make sure to hold the half notes for 2 counts and the whole notes for 4 counts.
      • 🌮 You have more long groups of rests, count them like I explained previously.
      • 🌮 C in the time signature is the same thing as 4/4.
      • 🌮 After you learn the notes & rhythms practice your dynamics: f & mf
    • Practice tips for Ascot Overture:
      • First, you need to know that this piece has music language that we have not yet seen. It also changes time signatures in the middle of the piece and the tempo changes twice! It also  has notes that you haven’t played in class yet. So, lots to learn-take it slow & steady. You will be working on this piece and the others in this book for several months-no need to have it all done quickly. The most important thing is to be purposeful when you practice it. Don’t worry if you don’t get to all of this week. But if you do, use the following tips to help.
      • 🧣 You will play 2nd clarinet on page 10A
      • 🧣 Break down your practice of this piece into chunks. Measures 1-9, 10-17, 16-26, 26-38, 39-46, 47 to the end.
      • 🧣 Notice that some sections are the exact same as others
      • 🧣 The tempo and the beginning is Allegro-fast! and it changes at 18 to Andante (walking tempo), then back to Allegro at 39.
      • 🧣 Also notice that it begins in C or 4/4 (4 counts to a measure), changes to 3/4 at 18 when it slows to Andante and the Allegro again at 39.
      • 🧣 Lots of other things to learn, but we can wait to discuss these in class. If you get to this song, pick one section at a time to practice.
  •  Flute
    • Practice 4-5 days a week, 20 min each time. Is you do not practice, you will not progress. Practice breathing and posture. Don’t tuck chin and drop shoulder. Sit on edge of chair when practicing. Practice pages 6-7 in book and measures 5-13 in star fire march song.
  •  Horn:
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 38, 39, 41, 42, 43
    • Starfire March entire song
  •  Percussion
    • Review major flat scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gg). Review Essential Elements #51-60. Practice “Hugga-Hugga Burr” exercise with both closed/buzz rolls and single-stroke rolls. Introduce double-stroke/open rolls to the “Hugga-Hugga Burr” format. Look at assigned percussion parts for band pieces.
  • Saxophone
    • 𝄞 Warm up with belly breaths and long tones!
    • 𝄞 Continue working through the Essential Elements Book as a warm up. Your warm up should last about 5 minutes total.
    • The concert songs in the book you received today:
      • ♪Starfire March-all of it, as you look over it you will notice much repitition, make sure to learn the part you were assigned in class (1st or 2nd alto-this will determine which page your music is on, 2 or 2A)
      • ♪Rock Point 5-the danger zones in this piece are all of the rests! Make sure to count the rests completely so that you start the notes on the correct counts.
      • ♪Both parts are exactly the same-it doesn’t matter if you read off of page 3 or 3A
      • ♪You already know half rests & quarter rests, but you’ll see that measure 17-20 has a long bar with a 4 over it. That means 4 complete measures of rests and you will count it: 1234, 2234, 3234, 4234 and then begin at measure 21
    • If you are able to play Starfire & Rock Point 5, then Ms. Carol would like you to continue with Refried Beans on page 5 and Ascot Overture on page 10. Ascot Overture has 2 different clarinet parts; learn the 2nd clarinet part on page 10A.
    • Practice tips for Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Practice the part you were assigned.
      • 🌮 Make sure to hold the half notes for 2 counts and the whole notes for 4 counts.
      • 🌮 You have more long groups of rests, count them like I explained previously.
      • 🌮 C in the time signature is the same thing as 4/4.
      • 🌮 After you learn the notes & rhythms practice your dynamics: f & mf
    • Practice tips for Ascot Overture:
      • First, you need to know that this piece has music language that we have not yet seen. It also changes time signatures in the middle of the piece and the tempo changes twice! It also has notes that you haven’t played in class yet. So, lots to learn-take it slow & steady. You will be working on this piece and the others in this book for several months-no need to have it all done quickly. The most important thing is to be purposeful when you practice it. Don’t worry if you don’t get to all of this week. But if you do, use the following tips to help.
      • 🧣 I’m not sure if we assigned parts to this yet-both are very similar. We will discuss next week during sectionals.
      • 🧣 Break down your practice of this piece into chunks. Measures 1-9, 10-17, 16-26, 26-38, 39-46, 47 to the end.
      • 🧣 Notice that some sections are the exact same as others
      • 🧣 The tempo and the beginning is Allegro-fast! and it changes at 18 to Andante (walking tempo), then back to Allegro at 39.
      • 🧣 Also notice that it begins in C or 4/4 (4 counts to a measure), changes to 3/4 at 18 when it slows to Andante and the Allegro again at 39.
      • 🧣 Lots of other things to learn, but we can wait to discuss these in class. If you get to this song, pick one section at a time to practice.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 38, 39, 41, 42, 43
    • Starfire March measures 5-13. Rock Point measure 22-end
  • Trumpet
    • Keep your mouthpiece stable on your lower lip.
      • -Flatten your upper lip – you should be able to play A and B above the G.
    • Breath control
    • Work on holding the trumpet up, with hand position to strengthen your fingers on the valves.
      • -Get faster on fingering notes
    • Finger through the new song that Miss Carol gave you.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
      • >Keep working on your scales-those of you who have 2 octaves, work to increase your range a note at a time. All instruments should keep a firm embouchure in the corners of the mouth but relax in the middles & push more air through the instrument to reach the next note.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Work on Refried Beans & Ascot Overture
    • Ascot Overture practice tips:
    • 🧣Look up all of the fingerings for any notes that you don’t know-these are the notes that are “over the break” meaning from 3rd line Bb to 3rd line B. More on that vocabulary next week.
    • 🧣Look for anything about Bb. Make yourself a fingering chart with each of these new notes-make it fancy like your drawings and you will never forget these fingerings!
    • 🧣The 8th notes are fast-make sure you are tonguing correctly with tu, tu, tu, tu or do, do, do, do. If you are unable to sustain tonguing at that speed throughout the 8 measures, then practice saying those syllables walking around your house or as you do other schoolwork or while you’re doing dishes. The idea is to get your tongue muscle strong & agile.
    • 🧣For Ascot, it is best practiced in sections; divide it up and conquer!
    • Happy Practicing! 🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Refried beans, ascot overture, practice pages 38 and song swing fever in jazz book and caravan. Make sure to practice breathing and posture and b flat blue scale
  • Percussion
    • Review major & minor scales, modal scales, how to build chords. Teach how to ‘invert’ and ‘arpeggiate’ chords.
  • Saxophone
    • Your BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT job is to study your notes on paper so much that you can name them in an instant when asked.
    • This would be tedious if that’s all you did-try the following with Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Say the names of the notes for 2 measures, then play what you said no faster than you said the note names
      • 🌮 Say the names of the notes in the next 2 measures, then play what you said no faster than you said the note names
      • 🌮 Combine the 4 measures and say the note names, then play them no faster than you said them
    • Change it up & do this in reverse.
      • 🌮 Play 2 measures and then say the names of the notes as fast as you played them.
      • 🌮 Play the next 2 measures and do the same thing.
      • 🌮 Play those 4 measures and then say the names of the notes.
    • 🎼 As you play through this and Ascot Overture, do the above practice on a few measures.
    • 🎼 Don’t forget to use flashcards-make them if you have too!
    • Happy Practicing!🎷
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • For ensemble, especially practice Caravan and Swing Fever and Last Dance (use online recordings for Swing Fever and Last Dance). For Caravan – mark slide positions on sheet music for any tricky ones (especially accidentals) before next class.
    • practice 78-84 – be careful with the different key signatures. Also practice Refried Beans & Ascot Overture – especially the measures with accidentals.
  •  Trumpet
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • You are doing better at fingerings for notes
    • Work on the next couple of pages
    • slow down a bit if you need to to play with clear tones and accuracy.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Caravan needs work on quick fingers!!! Also work on getting all the accidentals!
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Review major & minor scales, modal scales, how to build chords. Teach how to ‘invert’ and ‘arpeggiate’ chords.
  • Saxophone
    • New music:
    • > work on rhythms, write out the counts as necessary
    • > since you know the music, listen to some famous saxophonists playing it and find a sound that you like and try to copy it. Notice what you have to do with your embouchure inside and out to mimic that sound.
    • Personal work:
      • > sight read-it doesn’t have to be “”saxophone”” music
      • > have at least 1 purpose each time you sight read, such as:
      • 1. correct rhythms
      • 2. dynamics
      • 3. articulations
      • 4. notes
  •  Trumpet
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Work on even more variance in volume, especially soft.
    • Listen to the pitches of notes, try lipping to be right on pitch.
    • You all stayed together better this week. Good job.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 NEW LINK (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine:
        • 1. Open Strings
        • 2. ringing tones
        • 3. D major scale (use twinkle rhythms such as: huckleberry jel-lo)
        • 4. Twinkle Variations
      • Next week is the dice-game challenge!
      • 1. Parts of the cello: tell me 3, I will ask for 3.
      • 2. Ski Jumps: only 1 string
      • 3. Twinkle Variation: of your choice.
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Bonaparte’s Retreat Spend extra time practicing the practice spots that we marked in rehearsal! Great job getting through so much repertoire!”
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • Cello parts – nicely done with Andantino. I would like to start Rigadoon next week, so let’s try to hit the ground running next time.
    • Nice job with the extension work, today: thumb and 2nd finger should always match. I still want to encourage for the first half of the Double-bass Suzuki volume to be learned. I’ll have my bass with me next week, so we can go over it in grater detail.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • “”Find your sound”” on open strings and ringing tones: straight bow, balance between effort and effortless.
      • Open strings (good tone)
      • Ringing tones (2x bows)
      • I can read music: lesson 35
      • Scale D major 4-16th notes per note
      • Perpetual Motion: Please take the time to play this effortlessly by using the routine of: pizz, finger bow go, and ribbit bows. This pays off to take the time to do these three methods.
      • Please review and always consider how good your sound can be – clear, rich tone.”
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Perpetual Motion
        • Long Long Ago
        • listen to Allegretto, as we will be doing that next time. Maybe Andantino if we have time.
        • Review
      • Repertoire
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 7 and 8 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • allegro
    • perpetual motion

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G Harmonic Minor
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Moonlight Odyssey – practice from Measures 10-Measures 76, paying extra careful attention to the practice spots I pointed out in orchestra – especially where there is shifting.
    • 4. Variations on an Irish Tune – pay attention to rhythms, counting rests, and breathing before your entrances!
    • 5. Magic Flute by Mozart – pay careful attention to what part of the bow you’re playing in, that you’re playing all eighth notes staccato (off the string) and near the frog, and that you are doing the dynamics.
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book
    • ITP ex2

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – g minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Beethoven Prelude and Fugue in e minor – all 3 movements;practice with metronome, pay careful attention to articulation
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement – quarter note=80, pay careful attention to dynamics
    • 5. Revueltas – focusing on the first movement, pay careful attention to rhythm and notes.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music
    2. – Fingering for the B, A, G, and High C notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. – Keep working on Teamwork – Our First Duet on the top of Page 9.
    4. – Part 1A (top line): Bane, Norah, Elise, Ava, Ginny, August
    5. – Part 1B (bottom line): Jeremiah, Esther, Noah, Louise, Yovie, Annabelle, Maebel
    6. – Start working on Song #4 in your Recorder Karate book: It’s Raining. *Play along with this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C543uhJavvo (You will learn a new note, E. Watch her fingering carefully.)
    7. – Clap through Rhythm Chart 3 on page 13.
    8. – If you’d like more to practice, take a look at Desert Drum Song, and March of the Recorders (page 11 and 12). You can also play anything in your book before then.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • You guys are doing so well! Happy practicing and hope to see you next class!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music. You can add the note names as needed (excpet for the one you choose to stop writing in!)
    2. – Fingering from low C up to high E. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. – Play Amazing Grace a few times.
    4. – I would like you to keep working on our duet (Chopsticks, Page 5) and we’ll play it one more time next week. Focus on following the notes with your eyes and counting especially when it feels repetative, and play
    5. with the flow that we followed in class (1st and 2nd ending each time).
    6. – We’ll also button up Frere Jacques and make sure its sounding great, so keep practicing that. Here’s a link to listen to on how the round sounds! Remember, he’s in a different key so the notes are different.
    7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMIIYEht-VM&t=21s. Also (just for fun if you’re interested) a four part round! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBhFbj75D90&t=26s.
    8. – Look at Chinese Lullaby and focus on slurring and tonging. Add breath marks as needed. Only write in the note names that you need.
    9. – We will be joining Recorder 1 as they perform their song for the concert. They’ll be playing Peace Like A River, which you may have already done last year. Review this one or twice this week and we’ll play it together in class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTFXKwEx5QA&t=1s.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • You guys are doing great! Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • 1. Verbs
  • 2. Advanced Students: Speed and fluency.
  • 3. Practice the first verse on Like a River Glorious and Psalms 34:14
    • Psalms 34:14
    • Depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.EVIL FLEE GO MAKE GOOD. PEACE SEARCH PURSUE
    • Like a River Glorious –
    • STANZA 1:
      Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,– RIVER SAME GOD PEACEover all victorious in its bright increase:
      – VICTORY BRIGHT INCREASEperfect, yet still flowing fuller every day;
      – PERFECT BUT FLOWING CONTINUE

      perfect, yet still growing deeper all the way.
      – PERFECT BUT BECOME DEEP ALL-THE-WAY

  • Reference signs from: https://www.handspeak.com
  • Wonder Student ASL Sign Choir 25-26 Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yv8jWqgxD4EA159i8 OR Drive Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PWq-froShePz2AiVjZvPqsAmM7FjDOFG?usp=drive_link

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
      • both blocks
      • steps to practice
        • pas de bourree
        • back, side, front
        • balance
        • side, back, rock step
      • Watch the nutcracker or read the story. We will be learning variations from the Nutcracker next week.

GUIDED PE

  • Great Job on the jump box guys! practice safe jumping and quiet safe landings any chance you get! Advanced group get those squats done!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • I loved your work and drawings today. Look forward to seeing you next week.
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • For our next class, make up a drum pattern like in Crystal’s Drum Story!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Please be sure that you child brings a snack and water bottle to class each week. We do not have a water fountain upstairs and we are trying to remember to give the kids snack time, especially Music Makers 1 as lunch at 1:00 is really hard for these little ones.
  • Children need to be listening to their CD’s, doing their home assignments and Practicing on their paper Glocks! I will send out a new one next week with the proper letters for the bars(my fingers must have moved or something weird happened!). We are not working on the names of the lines and spaces that is for your information. We use solfège at this point in time. Major tones start with Do, Re, Mi. Minor tones start with La, Ti, Do…Song pages always give the key in the upper left corner so you know if it major or minor. If you have questions you may call or text me. 719-650-1080. Miss Ro
  • Listen to your CD everyday!
  • Parents: Some of the children (especially the younger ones) did their copy work. Thank you. With the younger ones in this class let them do what they can perhaps over a couple of days… Please play games with your child to encourage visual and aural recognition using the cards. Have the children draw my a picture of their favorite part of class

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Be sure children bring a snack, water bottle and their binder and music bag!
    Listen to your CD especially:Summ, Summ, Summ and Be-Ba-Butzeman and The Surprise Symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn and Bremen Towne Musicians Sing along and/or play the games/dances
  • Play your paper Glock using two sticks or pencils as your mallets. Don’t forget your pincher grasp…Show your parents how you can “play” it…
  • Draw me a picture of your favorite part of the First Cuckoo Clock story

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Watch the nutcracker or read the story. We will read the story and learning variations from the Nutcracker ballet next week.

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Strings. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-8.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Temperature and Humidity Sensor

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/12/02

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/12/02
DATE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 — Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
  • Character Scripture:
    • John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)
    • Leviticus 19:18 — You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. — Leviticus 19:18 English Standard Version (ESV)
    • 1 John 5:3 — For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  — 1 John 5:3
    • 1 John 4:19 — We love, because He first loved us.. — 1 John 4:19
    • Romans 5:8 — But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • 2A, 3A, & 3B:
  • 3B:
    • Review Blue Jello Set 2, Side 2 here:
    • https://vimeo.com/194408941?share=copy
  • 2B:
    • Remember the Order of Sharps (FCGDAEB) and the Order of Flats (BEADGCF)

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15/5d
  • 1) Continue practicing all parts of Sailor Jack (pages 30-33)
    • -Be sure to keep a steady rhythm and hold notes for their entire lengths
  • 2) Page 35: Play all of the white keys from the lowest note on your piano (or keyboard) to the highest while saying the note names.
    • -If you have a piano or full-sized (88-key) keyboard, the lowest note will be A. If your keyboard is smaller it might start on a different note.
  • 3) Page 36: Play all the A’s on your piano, then play all the B’s, then all the C’s, etc
  • 4) Page 37-39: Complete the theory pages. Follow the directions given.
  • 5) Practice pages 40 & 41

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 9, 11, and 13
  • Complete Theory, page 10

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Warm up with Moving forward. Being sure to keep the down beat in the right hand. Practice Bucket head part 1 from measures 1-16. Practice the accents from 1-4. Keep track from measures 5-8 being careful to keep the sticking. From measures 13-16 remember the diamonds mean to play on the sides of the bucket and the lowest note means to stomp your foot.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -Review and connect all of “Legatos” (m. 19-36), “Count-Up Legatos”, ” Sticking Patterns”, and “Taps & Accents”
    • -Work RH only for “Roving Accents”, as well as an accents-only version. Break this down into single beats and then single bars.
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • – TEMPOS: 80 bpm, 88 bpm, 96 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, 120 bpm, and 128 bpm
    • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″ (piano), 6″ (mezzo-piano), 9″ (mezzo-forte), & 12″ (forte)
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drum dowels, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -Review and connect all of “Legatos” (m. 19-36), “Count-Up Legatos”, ” Sticking Patterns”, and “Taps & Accents”
    • -Work RH only for “Roving Accents”, as well as an accents-only version. Break this down into single beats and then single bars.
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • – TEMPOS: 80 bpm, 88 bpm, 96 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, 120 bpm, and 128 bpm
    • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″ (piano), 6″ (mezzo-piano), 9″ (mezzo-forte), & 12″ (forte)
  • Bring to next class: General drum sticks, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Great focus and self correction today!  We are making progress!
  • At home:
  • 🚩 Practice all moves that we haver learned so far: drop spins, windmills, presents & slams!
  • 🚩 Practice corestyle (smooth) marching. If you can mark off 5 yards somewhere (yard, hallway, living room?) then you can practice your 8 to 5 step. That is 8 equal steps to 5 yards, which is approximately what we are doing in class.
  • 🚩 When you practice, choose two or more moves and put them together in a short sequence. This will help you get used to transitioning smoothly from one move to the next. For example: March 8 steps, present front as you continue marching 8 steps on the next 1 count stop and do a drop spin.
  • When you practice, choose two or more moves and put them together in a short sequence. This will help you get used to transitioning smoothly from one move to the next.
  • 🚩🚩🚩Show us your favorite sequence you put together this week.🚩🚩🚩

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • For those who were in sectionals, please refer to the notes that your coach left for you.
      • For those who were in the larger group, continue working in your Essential Elements Book on what you did today and beyond if that is available to you-as in you understand the music you played and are able to continue ahead in your book. Don’t forget that https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com/ is a great practice resource at no extra cost-you can find account information on the first page of your book & the sign up code is there too. Enjoy!
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • Play long tones while looking in the mirror. Strive for:
      • 𝄞 firm embouchure-corners of mouth firm
      • 𝄞 cheeks in-no puffiness (like squirting water out of your mouth and you can practice this in the bath tub!-don’t forget to include this time in your practice record)
      • 𝄞 Make sure you are using strong air to get solid tones on each note
      • 𝄞 Continue working through the Essential Elements Book as a warm up. Your warm up should last about 5 minutes total.
    • The concert songs in the book you received today:
      • ♪Starfire March-all of it, as you look over it you will notice much repitition
      • ♪Rock Point 5-the danger zones in this piece are all of the rests! Make sure to count the rests completely so that you start the notes on the correct counts.
      • ♪You already know half rests & quarter rests, but you’ll see that measure 17-20 has a long bar with a 4 over it. That means 4 complete measures of rests and you will count it: 1234, 2234, 3234, 4234 and then begin at measure 21
      • If you are able to play Starfire & Rock Point 5, then Ms. Carol would like you to continue with Refried Beans on page 5 and Ascot Overture on page 10. Ascot Overture has 2 different clarinet parts; learn the 2nd clarinet part on page 10A.
    • Practice tips for Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Make sure to hold the half notes for 2 counts and the whole notes for 4 counts.
      • 🌮 You have more long groups of rests, count them like I explained previously.
      • 🌮 C in the time signature is the same thing as 4/4.
      • 🌮 After you learn the notes & rhythms practice your dynamics: f & mf
    • Practice tips for Ascot Overture:
      • First, you need to know that this piece has music language that we have not yet seen. It also changes time signatures in the middle of the piece and the tempo changes twice! It also  has notes that you haven’t played in class yet. So, lots to learn-take it slow & steady. You will be working on this piece and the others in this book for several months-no need to have it all done quickly. The most important thing is to be purposeful when you practice it. Don’t worry if you don’t get to all of this week. But if you do, use the following tips to help.
      • 🧣 You will play 2nd clarinet on page 10A
      • 🧣 Break down your practice of this piece into chunks. Measures 1-9, 10-17, 16-26, 26-38, 39-46, 47 to the end.
      • 🧣 Notice that some sections are the exact same as others
      • 🧣 The tempo and the beginning is Allegro-fast! and it changes at 18 to Andante (walking tempo), then back to Allegro at 39.
      • 🧣 Also notice that it begins in C or 4/4 (4 counts to a measure), changes to 3/4 at 18 when it slows to Andante and the Allegro again at 39.
      • 🧣 Lots of other things to learn, but we can wait to discuss these in class. If you get to this song, pick one section at a time to practice.
  •  Flute
    • Practice 4-5 days a week, 20 min each time. Is you do not practice, you will not progress. Practice breathing and posture. Don’t tuck chin and drop shoulder. Sit on edge of chair when practicing. Practice pages 6-7 in book and measures 5-13 in star fire march song.
  •  Horn:
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 38, 39, 41, 42, 43
    • Starfire March entire song
  •  Percussion
    • Review major flat scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gg). Review Essential Elements #51-60. Practice “Hugga-Hugga Burr” exercise with both closed/buzz rolls and single-stroke rolls. Introduce double-stroke/open rolls to the “Hugga-Hugga Burr” format. Look at assigned percussion parts for band pieces.
  • Saxophone
    • 𝄞 Warm up with belly breaths and long tones!
    • 𝄞 Continue working through the Essential Elements Book as a warm up. Your warm up should last about 5 minutes total.
    • The concert songs in the book you received today:
      • ♪Starfire March-all of it, as you look over it you will notice much repitition, make sure to learn the part you were assigned in class (1st or 2nd alto-this will determine which page your music is on, 2 or 2A)
      • ♪Rock Point 5-the danger zones in this piece are all of the rests! Make sure to count the rests completely so that you start the notes on the correct counts.
      • ♪Both parts are exactly the same-it doesn’t matter if you read off of page 3 or 3A
      • ♪You already know half rests & quarter rests, but you’ll see that measure 17-20 has a long bar with a 4 over it. That means 4 complete measures of rests and you will count it: 1234, 2234, 3234, 4234 and then begin at measure 21
    • If you are able to play Starfire & Rock Point 5, then Ms. Carol would like you to continue with Refried Beans on page 5 and Ascot Overture on page 10. Ascot Overture has 2 different clarinet parts; learn the 2nd clarinet part on page 10A.
    • Practice tips for Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Practice the part you were assigned.
      • 🌮 Make sure to hold the half notes for 2 counts and the whole notes for 4 counts.
      • 🌮 You have more long groups of rests, count them like I explained previously.
      • 🌮 C in the time signature is the same thing as 4/4.
      • 🌮 After you learn the notes & rhythms practice your dynamics: f & mf
    • Practice tips for Ascot Overture:
      • First, you need to know that this piece has music language that we have not yet seen. It also changes time signatures in the middle of the piece and the tempo changes twice! It also has notes that you haven’t played in class yet. So, lots to learn-take it slow & steady. You will be working on this piece and the others in this book for several months-no need to have it all done quickly. The most important thing is to be purposeful when you practice it. Don’t worry if you don’t get to all of this week. But if you do, use the following tips to help.
      • 🧣 I’m not sure if we assigned parts to this yet-both are very similar. We will discuss next week during sectionals.
      • 🧣 Break down your practice of this piece into chunks. Measures 1-9, 10-17, 16-26, 26-38, 39-46, 47 to the end.
      • 🧣 Notice that some sections are the exact same as others
      • 🧣 The tempo and the beginning is Allegro-fast! and it changes at 18 to Andante (walking tempo), then back to Allegro at 39.
      • 🧣 Also notice that it begins in C or 4/4 (4 counts to a measure), changes to 3/4 at 18 when it slows to Andante and the Allegro again at 39.
      • 🧣 Lots of other things to learn, but we can wait to discuss these in class. If you get to this song, pick one section at a time to practice.
  • Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 38, 39, 41, 42, 43
    • Starfire March measures 5-13. Rock Point measure 22-end
  • Trumpet
    • Keep your mouthpiece stable on your lower lip.
      • -Flatten your upper lip – you should be able to play A and B above the G.
    • Breath control
    • Work on holding the trumpet up, with hand position to strengthen your fingers on the valves.
      • -Get faster on fingering notes
    • Finger through the new song that Miss Carol gave you.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
      • >Keep working on your scales-those of you who have 2 octaves, work to increase your range a note at a time. All instruments should keep a firm embouchure in the corners of the mouth but relax in the middles & push more air through the instrument to reach the next note.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • Work on Refried Beans & Ascot Overture
    • Ascot Overture practice tips:
    • 🧣Look up all of the fingerings for any notes that you don’t know-these are the notes that are “over the break” meaning from 3rd line Bb to 3rd line B. More on that vocabulary next week.
    • 🧣Look for anything about Bb. Make yourself a fingering chart with each of these new notes-make it fancy like your drawings and you will never forget these fingerings!
    • 🧣The 8th notes are fast-make sure you are tonguing correctly with tu, tu, tu, tu or do, do, do, do. If you are unable to sustain tonguing at that speed throughout the 8 measures, then practice saying those syllables walking around your house or as you do other schoolwork or while you’re doing dishes. The idea is to get your tongue muscle strong & agile.
    • 🧣For Ascot, it is best practiced in sections; divide it up and conquer!
    • Happy Practicing! 🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵❤️🎵
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Refried beans, ascot overture, practice pages 38 and song swing fever in jazz book and caravan. Make sure to practice breathing and posture and b flat blue scale
  • Percussion
    • Review major & minor scales, modal scales, how to build chords. Teach how to ‘invert’ and ‘arpeggiate’ chords.
  • Saxophone
    • Your BIGGEST and MOST IMPORTANT job is to study your notes on paper so much that you can name them in an instant when asked.
    • This would be tedious if that’s all you did-try the following with Refried Beans:
      • 🌮 Say the names of the notes for 2 measures, then play what you said no faster than you said the note names
      • 🌮 Say the names of the notes in the next 2 measures, then play what you said no faster than you said the note names
      • 🌮 Combine the 4 measures and say the note names, then play them no faster than you said them
    • Change it up & do this in reverse.
      • 🌮 Play 2 measures and then say the names of the notes as fast as you played them.
      • 🌮 Play the next 2 measures and do the same thing.
      • 🌮 Play those 4 measures and then say the names of the notes.
    • 🎼 As you play through this and Ascot Overture, do the above practice on a few measures.
    • 🎼 Don’t forget to use flashcards-make them if you have too!
    • Happy Practicing!🎷
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • For ensemble, especially practice Caravan and Swing Fever and Last Dance (use online recordings for Swing Fever and Last Dance). For Caravan – mark slide positions on sheet music for any tricky ones (especially accidentals) before next class.
    • practice 78-84 – be careful with the different key signatures. Also practice Refried Beans & Ascot Overture – especially the measures with accidentals.
  •  Trumpet
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • You are doing better at fingerings for notes
    • Work on the next couple of pages
    • slow down a bit if you need to to play with clear tones and accuracy.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Caravan needs work on quick fingers!!! Also work on getting all the accidentals!
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Review major & minor scales, modal scales, how to build chords. Teach how to ‘invert’ and ‘arpeggiate’ chords.
  • Saxophone
    • New music:
    • > work on rhythms, write out the counts as necessary
    • > since you know the music, listen to some famous saxophonists playing it and find a sound that you like and try to copy it. Notice what you have to do with your embouchure inside and out to mimic that sound.
    • Personal work:
      • > sight read-it doesn’t have to be “”saxophone”” music
      • > have at least 1 purpose each time you sight read, such as:
      • 1. correct rhythms
      • 2. dynamics
      • 3. articulations
      • 4. notes
  •  Trumpet
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Work on even more variance in volume, especially soft.
    • Listen to the pitches of notes, try lipping to be right on pitch.
    • You all stayed together better this week. Good job.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Continue with what we’ve been doing. I want to emphasize for us to focus on excellent tone when we play – nothing has to be forced, and in general we can relax our bow arm when we play. I would like to talk more about that next time.
    • Listen to the suzuki recordings ever so often, and include Lightly Row and Song of the Wind.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 NEW LINK (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine:
        • Tune
        • “Find your sound” – using open strings, and ringing tones (4th finger on the A, D, and G; also 1 on G and 1 on C)
        • Scale – D major using any variation bowings (i.e. “”huckleberry jello””) 0, 1, 3, 4 [cross] 0, 1, 3, 4.
        • The most important thing that I want you all to think about while playing is sound: Good tone.
        • left hand pizzicato
        • Ski jumps
        • pluck-clap-switch
        • hovering fingers (over any string – “”c is for cello”” with thumb behind 2nd finger)
        • grass-hoppers
        • rock’n’roll
      • Dice Game Challenge prep for 2nd week of December:
        • 1. (random?) Twinkle Variation (determined by the roll of a dice)
        • 2. parts of the instrument
        • 3. ski jumps – one string only
      • Focus on our quality of sound over the holiday break – balance effort/effortless.
        • D Major scale
        • Twinkle Variations
      • Listening is our way, as musicians, to study. Listening to our Suzuki pieces (Twinkle Variations or anything from Volume 1) doesn’t have to occur daily, but should be frequent.
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • Bowing the Shoulder
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals
    • 8. When the Saints Go Marching In
    • 9. Westward Journey
    • 10. Old Joe Clark
    • 11. Bonaparte’s Retreat
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • I really want to emphasize the quality of sound that we get when we practice. Please make sure that we have a good tone, and that our bow is nice and straight in between the bridge and fingerboard. Practice this slowly, and always keep good friction with the bow.
    • Along those lines, consider the cello handshake as a way to encourage “effortlessness” when we play. Arm weight should rest into the string, using our (right hand) index finger to transfer that weight into the string.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • “”Find your sound”” on open strings and ringing tones: straight bow, balance between effort and effortless.
      • Open strings (good tone)
      • Ringing tones (2x bows)
      • I can read music: lesson 35
      • Scale D major 4-16th notes per note
      • Perpetual Motion: Please take the time to play this effortlessly by using the routine of: pizz, finger bow go, and ribbit bows. This pays off to take the time to do these three methods.
      • Please review and always consider how good your sound can be – clear, rich tone.”
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Perpetual Motion
        • Long Long Ago
        • listen to Allegretto, as we will be doing that next time. Maybe Andantino if we have time.
        • Review
      • Repertoire
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 7 and 8 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow
    • allegro

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – pay attention to rhythms, counting rests, and breathing before your entrances!
    • 4. Magic Flute by Mozart, pay careful attention to what part of the bow you’re playing in, that you’re playing all eighth notes staccato (off the string) and near the frog, and that you are doing the dynamics.
    • Moonlight Odyssey – rhythms
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Please practice Minuet no 3 slowly. Some of us have this down, others I want to encourage an excellent tone throughout the entire piece. Shifts should be smooth and in control.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book
    • ITP ex2

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – a minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Prelude and Fugue in e minor, all three movement and look at/listen to the Revueltas
      • – Be sure to pay attention to bowings, articulations, counting, chords (2 + 2), intonation, and practicing with a metronome.
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement. – dynamics
    • 5. Revueltas, first movement
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music (Remember = Third space C! Middle line B! Second space A! Second line G!)
    2. – Fingering for the B, A, and G notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. – Review the High C note. *Finger an A (top two fingers) and then remove the top finger. There is a fingering chart in the back of your book.*. Play some songs from page 11 to help you learn the note!
    4. – Start working on Teamwork – Our First Duet on the top of Page 9.
    5. – Part 1A (top line): Bane, Norah, Elise, Ava, Ginny, August
    6. – Part 1B (bottom line): Jeremiah, Esther, Noah, Louise, Yovie, Annabelle, Maebel
    7. – You can review the songs we have already played in your Recorder Karate book. Hopefully we can do belts next week!
    8. – Complete the Review Page on Page 10. We will go over this in class together next week. *You can use a parent or sibling for help, if you need.*
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • You guys are doing great, keep up the hard work!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music
    2. – Fingering from low C up to high E. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. – Amazing Grace: focus on seperating and slurring notes as the music says to.
    4. – Keep working on our duet (Chopsticks, Page 5).
    5. – 2A: Isla, Sam, Alayia
    6. – 2B: Gabby, Abigail
    7. – Frere Jacques, get very comfortable with this piece so we can have fun making this into a round!
    8. – You can also play any other songs between Pages 4 and 8.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • – Please keep bringing your stand, practice record, book and instrument!
  • – You guys are rock stars! Happy practicing!
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
    • New terms added this week are in bold
    • Think about what talents God has given you and how you can use them to serve others.
    • Review ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Retire – to retire
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Coup de pied/coupe – cupped
      • * Arabeque
      • * Jete – thrown
      • * Pique – to prick
      • * Chasse – to chase
      • * A terre – on the ground
    • Positions
      • Feet
        • *1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
      • Arms
        • *En bas, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Ouvert (open) 5th
        • Vaganova 1st Arabesque
    • Movement
      • Pas de bourree – back, side, front
        • remember to pointe toe to back wall in cou-de-pied derrière before
        • stepping back
      • 1st Arabesque a terre – straight leg and pointed toe
        • downstage leg in arabesque
        • upstage arm coming off shoulder
        • downstage arm extending towards audience
          • Arms should make an L shape
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • New terms added this week are in bold
    • – Body facing positions
    • En face
      • – a la quatrieme devant
      • – a la quatrieme derriere
      • – a la seconde
    • Croise – crossed
      • – croise devante (front)
      • – croise derriere (back)
      • – Ecarte
    • Ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * En dehors – outward (out the door) away from supporting leg
      • * En dedans – inward towards supporting leg
      • * Frappe – to strike
      • * Fondu – to melt
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Sous Sous – over/under
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • * Circular Cambre
      • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
      • * Develope – developed or unfolded
      • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
      • * A terre – on the floor
      • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
      • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises fromstraight legs
      • * Assemble – assembled or joined together
      • * Chaine turns – Chains or links
    • Movement
      • Pirouette en de ore prep
        • tendu side close 4th
        • push off back foot ending retire balance – arms 3rd to 1st
          • Repeat x4 Right and Left
      • Balance x3 RLR Chaine turn L
        • Repeat L
      • Pas de bourree
        • – pick up in coupe
      • Walt turns
      • 16 releve (1st position)
      • 8 releve 5th to sous sous (Right/Left)
      • Stretching (please always warm up before stretching to prevent injury)

GUIDED PE

  • Great job today guys on the balance boards!
  • Keep working on balancing on the floor, on a straight line, on a curb or anything you can safely balance on!
  • Remember your pivot turns, cross over turns, and split squats!
  • Advance group! Keep up the hard work! Practice these emphasis and combos at home too!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

THEATER

  • Thank you for your hard work today. If you can, look up definitions and scriptures about PEACE this week to prepare for next week.
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Listen to your CD everyday!
  • WE use the Edwin Gordon Method to teaching rhythms. Every main pulse in a rhythm is always Du in either duple or triple patterns. We are working on triple patterns right now (green cards)Du – Du = triangle card (dotted quarter, dotted quarter note): du-da-di du-da-di = star card (3 eighth notes with a bar across the top: du -di, du -di = square card (quarter, eighth; quarter,eighth). I will send home a paper with them next class that will show and explain it again. Please play games with your child to encourage visual and aural recognition using the cards.

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Listen to your CD especially:Summ, Summ, Summ and Be-Ba-Butzeman and The Surprise Symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn and Bremen Towne Musicians Sing along and/or play the games/dances
  • Play your paper Glock using two sticks or pencils as your mallets. Don’t forget your pincher grasp…Show your parents how you can “play” it…

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Review ballet terminology
      • Plie – to bend
      • Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • Pas de Chat – step of the cat
      • Arabesque
      • Saute – to jump
      • Retire – to retire
    • Feet positions
      • 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Arm positions
      • en bas, 1st, 2nd, 5th
    • Movement
      • Work on straighten legs and pointed toes in leaps

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Iteration. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-7.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Temperature and Humidity Sensor

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WONDER CHARACTER: LOVE

TO: WONDER MEMBERS
MEMO: WONDER CHARACTER: LOVE
MONTH: APRIL

MEMORY VERSES

Scripture of the Month: Psalms 119:140 – Your promises have been thoroughly tested, And your servant loves them. – Psalms 119:140 World English Bible (WEB)

Character Scripture:

  • John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

CHARACTER STUDY

  • Character Trait: Love
  • Definition: Love means to give and be full of good-will toward someone or something.
  • Bible Word: Hebrew word אָהַב ahav (Strong’s Number H157) means “I give” from the word הַב hav meaning “to give” / Greek word ἀγαπάω agapaō (Strong’s Number G25) means “to love; to be full of good-will” where “good-will” means to be friendly, helpful, or have cooperative feelings or attitude.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/11/18

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/11/18
DATE: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

  • Going a trip with no instrument?: If you are out of town and unable to bring your instrument, you can practice everything without an instrument by mime playing (which still helps develop muscle memory and skills). Remember practicing can happen without your instrument. Take your book and practice counting rhythms, saying names of notes, and fingering. You can use a pencil for your instrument or something straight-or just an imaginary something. ✈️ & 🚗 time can be excellent for practicing the basics! Listening is our way, as musicians, to study. Listening to our pieces doesn’t have to occur daily, but should be frequent.

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
    • Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
    • Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. – Jeremiah 29:7
    • Psalms 122:6 – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. – Psalms 122:6
    • Proverbs 14:30 – The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30

THE WONDER GAMES

  • FUNDRAISER FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY November 18 TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR POINTS
  • You will earn 1 point for every email submitted on your fundraiser form. The more emails you submit, the more points you earn for the games!

PRACTICE RECORDS (For ALL ENSEMBLES – Bands, Orchestras, Recorder, Drumline, Flags, Choirs, Dance)

  • Practice DURING break.
  • Prelude Band and Orchestra: Practicing during breaks is especially important for newer musicians because it takes time and consistency to make the skills taught become more natural and dependable. Extended breaks are not helpful for individual progression or the group.
  • No Instrument?: If you are out of town and unable to bring your instrument, you can practice everything without an instrument by mime playing (which still helps develop muscle memory  and skills). It is better to practice with the resources you have rather than not practicing at all. You can also listen to your pieces and practice rhythms and reading skills.
  • Be sure to practice the REQUIRED amount of time for the week (noted in the Class Notes for each class). The guides and coaches post what you need to practice for the week.
  • Bring your SIGNED Practice Record to class upon your return.
  • ABSENCES: If you are absent always be sure to look at the Class Notes so you know what to work on that week.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • Play with CURVED fingers and a STEADY beat
  • 1) Practice all parts of Sailor Jack
  • 2) Page 29 Composition
    • -Follow the directions

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • BOOK 2!
  • Complete pages 4-5
  • Practice pages 6 and 7

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Warm up with Moving forward. Being sure to keep the down beat in the right hand. Practice Bucket head part 1 from measures 1-16. Practice the accents from 1-4. Keep track from measures 5-8 being careful to keep the sticking. From measures 13-16 remember the diamonds mean to play on the sides of the bucket and the lowest note means to stomp your foot.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -Review and connect all of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36), “”Count-Up Legatos”” and “” Sticking Patterns
    • -Connect all of “”Taps & Accents”” exercise, breaking down the transition point between both stick heights AND hand transitions. Look ahead at “”Roving Accents””
    • -Practice these exercises at a v
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drum dowels, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -Review and connect all of “Legatos” (m. 19-36), “Count-Up Legatos” and ” Sticking Patterns
    • -Connect all of “Taps & Accents” exercise, breaking down the transition point between both stick heights AND hand transitions. Look ahead at “Roving Accents”
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • – TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
    • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″ (piano), 6″ (mezzo-piano), 9″ (mezzo-forte), & 12″ (forte)
  • Bring to next class: General drum sticks, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wahoo! We are moving along with our skills! We have 2 weeks until our next class, please find time to do at least a week and 1/2 of practicing.
  • Skills to practice:
  • 🚩4 x 4 core style marching boxes
  • 🚩8 x 8 core style marching boxes ….always make sure you are returning to your starting point
  • 🚩Incorporate flags skills into your marching boxes
  • 🚩drop spins
  • 🚩windmills
  • 🚩presents
  • 🚩watch the video sent previously and other flag/color guard videos
  • 🚩Do try new skills as you master the ones we’ve worked on
  • 🚩DON’T try high level skills if you do not have the basics solidly learned-you can easliy get injured with an out of control flag pole!

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • For those who were in sectionals, please refer to the notes that your coach left for you.
      • For those who were in the larger group, continue working in your Essential Elements Book on what you did today and beyond if that is available to you-as in you understand the music you played and are able to continue ahead in your book. Don’t forget that https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com/ is a great practice resource at no extra cost-you can find account information on the first page of your book & the sign up code is there too. Enjoy!
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Baritone
    • Great job for your first day!!! Warm up by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the baritone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play with 12. Continue practice session as indicated on handout.
  •  Clarinet
    • The mighty clarinet “section” is sounding great!
    • Things to remember to keep that going:+head posture: chin up, cheeks in, firm embouchure (think smile muscles), good air support
      • +use a tuner to make sure your pitch is not on the flat side-many are free online for computers and phones
      • ==if flat,
      • +make sure to keep embouchure firm, especially cheeks
      • +take a little more mouthpiece in
    • +You should have all yellow boxes and exercises learned and playable through 44. But since we were already there in sectionals, keep going!
    • +Definitely work on 45-play it and name that tune! It’s already named, but I’m sure you will recognize it.
    • +pages 11-12 are working on 8th notes and dynamics-have fun with these!
    • 🦃 That’s enough for the 2 weeks between. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving & know that I am thankful for you being at Wonder & in the band!
    • Going a trip? Remember practicing can happen without your instrument. Take your book and practice countin rhythms, saying names of notes and fingering. You can use a pencil for your instrument or something straight-or just an imaginary something. ✈️ & 🚗 time can be excellent for practicing the basics!
  •  Flute
    • Please remember posture; edge of chair, don’t tuck chin and bring shoulder down. Practice songs on pages 6-7 from song 17 to song 26. If you are traveling for thanksgiving break. Please take your music with you. Use a pencil or stick in place of flute and practice fingering the keys on pencil. Practice singing the notes. Remember to practice breathing. Happy Thanksgiving!
  •  Horn:
    • Practice breathing, then buzzing, then producing notes. Sure you’re paying attention to her red-handed position and relaxed but upright posture, so you can breathe well.
    • Work on getting a good breath and listen for good tone and correct pitches.
    • Practice the under lined songs in your essential elements book.
  •  Percussion
    • -Work on Exercises #41-50 for both snare drum and mallets. Review Exercises #1-40 as needed. Continue working on C, F, Bb, Eb Major Scales with Half-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Half format (from the book), focusing on accurate LH lead sticking patterns. Concentrate on proper set-up and playing position/grip for snare drum. Practice your buzz roll strokes, working with the “chicken wing” fulcrum (across the stick) and the gravity “free-fall” version to better utilize the bounce/rebound on the drum.
  • Saxophone
    • We all have our strenghts in this sections, but weaknesses too. Find your specific weakness to overcome:
    • 🎷Note reading-make flashcard of the now 7 notes we are using: E, F#, G, A, B, C, D 🎯The goal is to be able to recognize the note and play it right away-just like reading words
    • 🎷Rhythm reading-do not rely on your ears to play what you think you hear!!! Count the rhythms before playing to make sure you understand. More rhythm work can be found on page 42-it’s only rhythm so you won’t get distracted by melodies!
    • 🎷If you need to work on both of these-do it! Falling behind in a one day a week program is like falling behind a week at a time and it adds up. But at this point in time, a new person could join and practice an hour and a half each week and catch up-you all can catch up quickly with anything you need to in these next 2 weeks. Go for it!
    • +You should have all yellow boxes and exercises learned and playable through 44. But since we were already there in sectionals, keep going!
    • +Definitely work on 45-play it and name that tune! It’s already named, but I’m sure you will recognize it.
    • +pages 11-12 are working on 8th notes and dynamics-have fun with these!
    • 🦃 That’s enough for the 2 weeks between. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving & know that I am thankful for you being at Wonder & in the band!
    • Going a trip? Remember practicing can happen without your instrument. Take your book and practice countin rhythms, saying names of notes and fingering. You can use a pencil for your instrument or something straight-or just an imaginary something. ✈️ & 🚗 time can be excellent for practicing the basics!
  • Trombone
    • Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 6, 8, and 11.
    • In the front cover of the method book, there is a website and code which allows you to listen to the songs. You can also play along with it. This will especially help you ensure that you’re playing the right pitch.
  • Trumpet
    • Keep working on higher mouthpiece buzzing.
    • Keep working on identifying notes and becoming quicker on the fingerings for each note.
    • In book 1 – Be able to play songs on page 7 – even page 8 to start going higher.
    • Work on long clear tones on each note.
    • Play notes going down from C – lip air passage slightly more open – still tight outside of mouthpiece.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
      • >Keep working on your scales-those of you who have 2 octaves, work to increase your range a note at a time. All instruments should keep a firm embouchure in the corners of the mouth but relax in the middles & push more air through the instrument to reach the next note.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • We have added /ascot overactive to our band practice. This week work on this piece focusing on the dynamics. Work on playing very softly during the parts marked with a P for piano. Your work on refried beans is going very well. Let’s work on our breathing. Be sure to breath only at the breath marks or on the rests.
  • Bass Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • 1. Warm up with scales
    • 2. Tune your instrument
    • 2 1/2. Play your Concert Bb Scale going up or down with the tuner after tuning your instrument with you tuning note, at least 2x per week.
    • Reperotoire
      • > Make sure your rhythms are correct. Write in the counts as necessary.
      • > Work on a more solid sound by supporting your airstream with your muscles in you torso area. Some people say diaphram, but we should use the other muscles as well. Work on this with long tones and steadily contract your abs inward as you are blowing through your mouthpiece.
      • > With the above practice your tone should improve, but you can still make it better by having a relaxed open mouth and a tongue shape that could hold a marble. Kind of like when you say “”ahhh””.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Please remember breathing and posture. Practice refried beans and ascot overture
  • Percussion
    • -On Snare Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls. Also the “Rhythm Tree” exercise (taught by rote) and Timing Exerise (from Drumline Book). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. For Mallets, review C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab Major scales, adding Db & Gg/F# Major. For both snare and mallets, practice the Essential Elements #31-40.
  • Saxophone
    • 1. Warm up with scales
    • 2. Tune your instrument
    • 2 1/2. Play your Concert Bb Scale going up or down with the tuner after tuning your instrument with you tuning note, at least 2x per week.
    • Practice what Ms. Carol assigned to you in class.
      • > Make sure your rhythms are correct. Write in the counts as necessary.
      • > Work on a more solid sound by supporting your airstream with your muscles in you torso area. Some people say diaphram, but we should use the other muscles as well. Work on this with long tones and steadily contract your abs inward as you are blowing through your mouthpiece.
      • > With the above practice your tone should improve, but you can still make it better by having a relaxed open mouth and a tongue shape that could hold a marble. Kind of like when you say “”ahhh””.
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • For ensemble, especially practice Caravan and Swing Fever. For Caravan – mark slide positions on sheet music for any tricky ones (especially accidentals) before next class.
    • Method book practice 78-84 – be careful with the different key signatures. Also practice Refried Beans & Ascot Overture.
  •  Trumpet
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves.
    • Widen the smile and lip muscles – Keep working up to higher notes
    • You are all getting good at reading and fingerings and being able to play with more speed.
    • Keep the tones long and even – keep the breath control without letting up.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Caravan needs work on quick fingers!!! Also work on getting all the accidentals!
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • -Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls, and look ahead at “Timing” exercise (from Drumline Book). Practice the “Rhythm Tree” and “Trading 8th” (taught by rote in class). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. Review all flat major scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) and their corresponding relative minor scales (a, d, g, c, f, bb, eb). Add Pentatonic and Hexatonic scales.
  • Saxophone
    • New music:
    • > work on rhythms, write out the counts as necessary
    • > since you know the music, listen to some famous saxophonists playing it and find a sound that you like and try to copy it. Notice what you have to do with your embouchure inside and out to mimic that sound.
    • Personal work:
      • > sight read-it doesn’t have to be “”saxophone”” music
      • > have at least 1 purpose each time you sight read, such as:
      • 1. correct rhythms
      • 2. dynamics
      • 3. articulations
      • 4. notes
  •  Trumpet
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves.
    • You are all listening well and staying together well – keep up the good concentration.
    • Keep playing softer tones and volume – then building to more volume and intensity.
    • Work on long breath control – like in vocals…in for four counts – out for four counts.
    • Keep working higher notes – and stamina on higher notes without compromising tone.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 NEW LINK (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine:
        • Tune
        • “Find your sound” – using open strings, and ringing tones (4th finger on the A, D, and G; also 1 on G and 1 on C)
        • Scale – D major using any variation bowings (i.e. “”huckleberry jello””) 0, 1, 3, 4 [cross] 0, 1, 3, 4.
        • The most important thing that I want you all to think about while playing is sound: Good tone.
        • left hand pizzicato
        • Ski jumps
        • pluck-clap-switch
        • hovering fingers (over any string – “”c is for cello”” with thumb behind 2nd finger)
        • grass-hoppers
        • rock’n’roll
      • Dice Game Challenge prep for 2nd week of December:
        • 1. (random?) Twinkle Variation (determined by the roll of a dice)
        • 2. parts of the instrument
        • 3. ski jumps – one string only
      • Focus on our quality of sound over the holiday break – balance effort/effortless.
        • D Major scale
        • Twinkle Variations
      • Listening is our way, as musicians, to study. Listening to our Suzuki pieces (Twinkle Variations or anything from Volume 1) doesn’t have to occur daily, but should be frequent.
  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise
    • planks

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • Remember to practice breathing in the rests!
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3. – memorize
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • 6. Amazing Grace
    • 7. Buffalo Gals – Practice all the practice spots we marked in rehearsal.
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • “”Find your sound”” on open strings and ringing tones: straight bow, balance between effort and effortless.
      • Open strings (good tone)
      • Ringing tones (2x bows)
      • I can read music: lesson 35
      • Scale D major 4-16th notes per note
      • Perpetual Motion: Please take the time to play this effortlessly by using the routine of: pizz, finger bow go, and ribbit bows. This pays off to take the time to do these three methods.
      • Please review and always consider how good your sound can be – clear, rich tone.”
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
      • Repertoire
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 7 and 8 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – pay attention to rhythms, counting rests, and breathing before your entrances!
    • 4. Magic Flute by Mozart, pay careful attention to what part of the bow you’re playing in, that you’re playing all eighth notes staccato (off the string) and near the frog, and that you are doing the dynamics.
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book
    • ITP ex1

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – a minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Prelude and Fugue in e minor, all three movement and look at/listen to the Revueltas
      • – Be sure to pay attention to bowings, articulations, counting, chords (2 + 2), intonation, and practicing with a metronome.
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music (Remember = Middle line B! Second space A! Second line G!)
    2. Fingering for the B, A, and G notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. Play all the songs on page 6, and fill in the missing notes for Rolling Merrily. You can also start practicing Go To Sleep on page 8.
    4. Finish working on the song Gently Sleep in your Recorder Karate book. *Play along with this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMXactSfjoM
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Please bring your stand next week!
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music
    2. Fingering from low C up to high E. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. Make sure your part of This Old Man is sounding great.
    4. Look at Kum Bah Yah (Page 4), and review Rockin’ Along. Make sure your measures are labled and breath marks are in a place that is best for you. You can also start preparing to play Chopsticks as we’ll look at that next week.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • “What I’m Thankful For” ASL Video
  • 1. Continue working on spelling names
  • 2. “I THANKFUL FOR ___.” (3–5 things)
    • – Include non-manual signals to show emotion.
    • Record your signs and add them to the class album below before next class
  • 3. Advanced Students: Speed and fluency.
  • Reference signs from: https://www.handspeak.com
  • Wonder Student ASL Sign Choir 25-26 Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yv8jWqgxD4EA159i8

DANCE

  • No practice this week. Have a blessed time with your family during the break.

GUIDED PE

  • Great class today! Beginners- keep practing your standing balancing and your walking and running. Keep your hands loose and your head from swiveling back and forth while running and avoid loud hard heel strikes.
  • Advanced class- Work on weighted get ups!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Practice different composition methods; thirds, frame within a frame, leading lines, symmetry. Remember to have your camera on program mode. Have a great break
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Take Pictures of family in preparation for Thanksgiving!
    • Come back in December with 6 to 20 selected pictures that showcase your family’s Thanksgiving holiday. We’ll enjoy your telling about the day.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Everyone did a great job being confident and courageous with the impromptu speeches today. I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving week.
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • Your homework this week is to make or draw a garden plant – a flower, vegetable, or fruit plant! Remember if you complete the homework you get a sticker!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Listen to your CD everyday!
  • practice your 4 green cards
  • copy all 4 cards in any order
  • listen to your CD and sing and dance along especially: The Bullfrog; Willum and All the Little Ducklings. Marsh Soundscape

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Listen to your CD especially:Hanschen Klien (Lightly Row); Twinkle; Surprise Symphony; Wild Horses; The Surprise Symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn and Bremen Towne Musicians
  • Play your paper Glock using two sticks or pencils as your mallets. Don’t forget your pincher grasp…Show your parents how you can “play” it…

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Hope you have a blessed time with your family during the break.

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Fruitful Functions. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-6.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Fruitful Functions. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-6.html

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/11/11

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/11/11
DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 2025

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
    • Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
    • Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. – Jeremiah 29:7
    • Psalms 122:6 – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. – Psalms 122:6
    • Proverbs 14:30 – The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • 1) Page 22: Composition
    • – Follow the directions given
  • 2) Page 23: Sight Reading
    • – First clap the rhythm, then play finger numbers in the air, then play on the piano
    • -Don’t forget to repeat and play loud (f) or soft (p)
  • 3) Pages 26-27: Old MacDonald
    • -Remember to play page 26, then 27, then the first line of 26
    • -Pay attention to the rhythms on page 26

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • We’re almost done with Book 1!
  • 1) Page 68: Composition
    • -Write note names on the lines below each note.
    • -Add dynamics (f, mf, p)
  • 2) Pages 70-73: What Can I Share?
    • -Practice ALL parts of What Can I Share?”

BUCKETLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • We now have several Pieces to work on. For a warm-up play straight eighths using the paradiddle pattern of RLRR LRLL. Then go to moving forward. Keep the 16th notes steady use a metronome to practice. Then practice the piece Bucket head. Practice the First 8 measures concentrating on the accents.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -Review and connect all of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
    • -Review “”Count-Up Legatos””. If successful, add the Optional Ending (going backwards: 11-10-9-etc.)
    • -Look ahead at Accent exercise.
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • – TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
    • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drum dowels, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • -Review and connect all of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
    • -Review “”Count-Up Legatos””. If successful, add the Optional Ending (going backwards: 11-10-9-etc.)-Look ahead at Accent exercise.
    • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • – TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
    • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: General drum sticks, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • 🚩Nice work today! 🚩
  • We’ve learned the following skills so far: core-style (smooth) marching, mark time, forward march, presents, drop spins, and windmills.
  • Use these elements to create a short routine, just like we did in class today. Don’t make it too complicated right away—start simple and build on your routine as you become more comfortable with each section.
  • Please come prepared with 8–16 counts to share with the class.
  • 🚩Can’t wait to see your creativity in class!🚩

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • For those who were in sectionals, please refer to the notes that your coach left for you.
      • For those who were in the larger group, continue working in your Essential Elements Book on what you did today and beyond if that is available to you-as in you understand the music you played and are able to continue ahead in your book. Don’t forget that https://www.essentialelementsinteractive.com/ is a great practice resource at no extra cost-you can find account information on the first page of your book & the sign up code is there too. Enjoy!
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Warm up with one of the songs we played on page 6 & 7 today. If there is anything that you didn’t quite “”get””, take some time to practice those parts. Examples would be:
    • > not sure what a note was
    • > challenging fingering switch between notes-slow it down and have your fingers switch to the next fingering at the same time-no fingers late to covering key after the others have landed
    • > make sure to know your new note!
    • Practice from where you need to start and make it your 🎯 goal to progress through Mozart Melody, no. 32.
      • The following all count as practice:
      • -reading (saying) the notes aloud , in rhythm with a steady tempo.
      • -reading the notes while fingering your instrument
      • -counting the rhythms
      • -and playing, of course!
      • > make sure to draw bar lines on no. 26, page 7.
  •  Flute
    • Nice work with your notes. Remember to use the top of page 6 to review notes and practice the fingering changes between notes that are the most challenging.
      >Rolling Along and Hot Cross Buns went well, play them as a warm up.
      >Make sure to read & understand all of the yellow boxes on the pages that you have played and are playing now.
      > write in the notes on exercise 19-try to do it without the yellow box at the top of p. 6-do 2 measures at a time, writing lightly, and then check your work to make sure you are on the right track.
      >exercises 23 & 25 help you to practice skips and jumps between notes. Isolate the ones that give you the biggest challenge-work between them for 5-10 seconds and then play them together with the rest of the music.
      >REMEMBER to use proper POSTURE! 😎
  •  Horn:
    • Practice breathing, then buzzing, then producing notes. Sure you’re paying attention to her red-handed position and relaxed but upright posture, so you can breathe well.
    • Work on getting a good breath and listen for good tone and correct pitches.
    • Practice the under lined songs in your essential elements book.
  •  Percussion
    • -Work on Exercises #41-50 for both snare drum and mallets. Review Exercises #1-40 as needed. Continue working on C, F, Bb, Eb Major Scales with Half-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Half format (from the book), focusing on accurate LH lead sticking patterns. Concentrate on proper set-up and playing position/grip for snare drum. Practice your buzz roll strokes, working with the “chicken wing” fulcrum (across the stick) and the gravity “free-fall” version to better utilize the bounce/rebound on the drum.
  • Saxophone
    • If you were in sectionals with Ms. Marsha, this is your practice assignment.
      • Review your notes. Remember to use the top of page 6 to review notes and practice the fingering changes between notes that are the most challenging.
      • >MEMORIZE the first 5 notes on top of page 6. You need to know 3 things about them: Name, Location on staff, Fingering. 😎
      • >Rolling Along and Hot Cross Buns went well, play them as a warm up.
      • >Make sure to read & understand all of the yellow boxes on the pages that you have played and are playing now.
      • >Write in the notes on exercise 19-try to do it without the yellow box at the top of p. 6-do 2 measures at a time, writing lightly, and then check your work to make sure you are on the right track.
      • >exercises 23 & 25 help you to practice skips and jumps between notes. Isolate the ones that give you the biggest challenge-work between them for 5-10 seconds and then play them together with the rest of the music.
      • >Practice and fill out your practice record daily, 15 min/day will grow skill immensely. Let’s make this a fun and rewarding habit! 🎷 rocks!
    • If you didn’t work with Miss Marsha
      • Warm up with one of the songs we played on page 6 & 7 today. If there is anything that you didn’t quite “”get””, take some time to practice those parts. Examples would be:
      • > not sure what a note was
      • > challenging fingering switch between notes-slow it down and have your fingers switch to the next fingering at the same time-no fingers late to covering key after the others have landed
      • > make sure to know your new note!
      • Practice from where you need to start and make it your 🎯 goal to progress through Mozart Melody, no. 32.
  • Trombone
    • Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 6, 8, and 11.
    • In the front cover of the method book, there is a website and code which allows you to listen to the songs. You can also play along with it. This will especially help you ensure that you’re playing the right pitch.
  • Trumpet
    • Please bring stand and book to class every week! Book is Essential Elements for Band Trumpet Book 1 (can be found on Amazon). Warmup by breathing – start by laying on floor. See how long can slowly breath out. Do some playing in front of mirrors so that you can watch for shoulders lifting during breathing, tension in face or puffing cheeks.
    • Work on the “too” exercise without spitting.
    • Buzzing without the mouthpiece, then with the mouthpiece.
    • work on tightening your smile and buzzing higher.
    • Get so you can readily hit the low C – then work up to the G
    • Work on the fingerings for going up the scale – C D E F G.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
      • >Keep working on your scales-those of you who have 2 octaves, work to increase your range a note at a time. All instruments should keep a firm embouchure in the corners of the mouth but relax in the middles & push more air through the instrument to reach the next note.
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
      • >Work in the red book on Ascot & Refried Beans. Once your have the notes down, work on all of the extras that make the note musical. Dynamics, accents and good, supportive breathing to make your tone the best it can be.
      • >Essential Elements Yellow Book-We made it through exercise 80-good work! Proceed through page 17 with the rest of the exercises. Exercise 81-pay attention to the dynamics. Check out the warm-ups on page 18. These are a good place to start before each of your daily practice sessions.
      • >I hope you enjoyed sitting in with Midpoint, they were once where you were and just kept practicing and playing together. You all can do it too!
  • Bass Guitar
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • 1. Warm up with scales
    • 2. Tune your instrument
    • 2 1/2. Play your Concert Bb Scale going up or down with the tuner after tuning your instrument with you tuning note, at least 2x per week.
    • Reperotoire
      • > Make sure your rhythms are correct. Write in the counts as necessary.
      • > Work on a more solid sound by supporting your airstream with your muscles in you torso area. Some people say diaphram, but we should use the other muscles as well. Work on this with long tones and steadily contract your abs inward as you are blowing through your mouthpiece.
      • > With the above practice your tone should improve, but you can still make it better by having a relaxed open mouth and a tongue shape that could hold a marble. Kind of like when you say “”ahhh””.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Practice songs 78-84. Remember breathing exercises and posture. Practice refried beans and ascot overture. Remember to tongue.
  • Percussion
    • -On Snare Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls. Also the “Rhythm Tree” exercise (taught by rote) and Timing Exerise (from Drumline Book). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. For Mallets, review C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab Major scales, adding Db & Gg/F# Major. For both snare and mallets, practice the Essential Elements #31-40.
  • Saxophone
    • 1. Warm up with scales
    • 2. Tune your instrument
    • 2 1/2. Play your Concert Bb Scale going up or down with the tuner after tuning your instrument with you tuning note, at least 2x per week.
    • Practice what Ms. Carol assigned to you in class.
      • > Make sure your rhythms are correct. Write in the counts as necessary.
      • > Work on a more solid sound by supporting your airstream with your muscles in you torso area. Some people say diaphram, but we should use the other muscles as well. Work on this with long tones and steadily contract your abs inward as you are blowing through your mouthpiece.
      • > With the above practice your tone should improve, but you can still make it better by having a relaxed open mouth and a tongue shape that could hold a marble. Kind of like when you say “”ahhh””.
  •  Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class. Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • For ensemble, practice 78-84 – be careful with the different key signatures. Also practice Refried Beans, Ascot Overture, Caravan measures 5-26 and Swing Fever.
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on being more comfortable with your mouthpiece to lip tightness
    • Go for some higher notes. Be holding long clear tones beginning at low C to high C or higher. Work on fingerings for scales in C then with one sharp – F# and one flat – Bb.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Thank you for running your sectionals today and playing along with Training band.
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Caravan & Swing Fever for next week.
  • Electric Bass
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • -Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls, and look ahead at “Timing” exercise (from Drumline Book). Practice the “Rhythm Tree” and “Trading 8th” (taught by rote in class). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. Review all flat major scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) and their corresponding relative minor scales (a, d, g, c, f, bb, eb). Add Pentatonic and Hexatonic scales.
  • Saxophone
    • New music:
    • > work on rhythms, write out the counts as necessary
    • > since you know the music, listen to some famous saxophonists playing it and find a sound that you like and try to copy it. Notice what you have to do with your embouchure inside and out to mimic that sound.
    • Personal work:
      • > sight read-it doesn’t have to be “”saxophone”” music
      • > have at least 1 purpose each time you sight read, such as:
      • 1. correct rhythms
      • 2. dynamics
      • 3. articulations
      • 4. notes
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on the straw exercise – muscles farther out on your upper lip.
    • Try to play some higher notes
    • Play in tune on each pitch – use a tuner if needed.
    • Hold out the pitches with long breath control.
    • Work on counting – rests and coming in right on time

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • Excellent work today! I am very impressed with everyone’s efforts, Thank you!
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 NEW LINK (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine:
        • Tune
        • “Find your sound” – using open strings, and ringing tones (4th finger on the A, D, and G; also 1 on G and 1 on C)
        • Scale – D major using any variation bowings (i.e. “”huckleberry jello””) 0, 1, 3, 4 [cross] 0, 1, 3, 4.
        • Twinkle Variations [A. “”huckleberry jello”” and B. “”cello-bow”” are what we’ve done in class; if you feel like playing the others from the recording, give it a go].
        • The most important thing that I want you all to think about while playing is sound: Good tone.
        • left hand pizzicato
        • Ski jumps
        • pluck-clap-switch
        • hovering fingers (over any string – “”c is for cello”” with thumb behind 2nd finger)
        • grass-hoppers
        • rock’n’roll
        • Same notes as last week, plus my written out Twinkle Variations (cello fingerings + note names):0 0 1 0
          D A B A4 3 1 0
          G F# E D0 4 3 1
          A G F# E0 4 3 1
          A G F# E0 0 1 0
          D A B A

          4 3 1 0
          G F# E D

  • Violin & Viola
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfU-O0JeFbY)
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Rest to play position – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAE87XSSW9c&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=3&t=198s
      • Against the wall
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • Bunny to Bow Grip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncyzq-N1Kvk&list=PLQgFue6DLggg_7ggJE7c9uBmU3F7UsW3Y&index=2&t=118s)
    • Scrubbing – https://youtu.be/rvivk_ctX6s
      • Against a Wall
    • Penguins
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Table top exercise

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3.
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • “”Find your sound”” on open strings and ringing tones: straight bow, balance between effort and effortless.
      • Open strings (good tone)
      • Ringing tones (2x bows)
      • I can read: be comfortable reading up to lesson 15. I’m very impressed with everyone’s reading so far. Keep it up.
      • Scale D major 4-16th notes per note
      • Perpetual Motion: Please take the time to play this effortlessly by using the routine of: pizz, finger bow go, and ribbit bows. This pays off to take the time to do these three methods.
      • Please review and always consider how good your sound can be – clear, rich tone.”
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
      • Repertoire
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 5 and 6 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
      • – concert goal: 140 per quarter
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – measures 1-69 and move further in the music if we’re ready!
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Tune
      • “”Find your sound”” on open strings, then ringing tones
      • D Major scale (1×2 = 1st finger, extention 2)
      • Open strings (good tone)
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Suzuki B1-Current
      • Repertoire
        • Variations on an Irish Tune:
        • Magic Flute (https://youtube.com/shorts/_S6HDcdtiaI)
          • There was no tempo for Magic Flute, so 80 is what I would do.
        • Countdown:
          Up-bow start
          0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 4 0 1 2 4
          D G D G D G D G D G A B C D0 4 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 4 2 1 0 4
          A D A D A D A D A D C B A G
        • Advanced Countdown:
          4 4 4 3 4 2 4 1 4 4 0 1 2 3
          D G D G D G D G D G A B C D0 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 3 2 1 0 3
          A D A D A D A D A D C B A G
        • Long Long Ago – keep up the good work with this, see what you can do to memorize this (listen to recordings?)
        • Minuet No 1 – I’m also very impressed with how well this was prepared.
        • Next week we will be continuing vibrato practice – keep your (left arm) elbow feeling free when practicing vibrato.
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book
    • ITP ex1

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – g minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Prelude and Fugue in e minor, all three movement.
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. – Posture
    2. – Reading Music (Remember = Middle line B! Second space A! Second line G!)
    3. – Fingering for the B, A, and G notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    4. – Play all the songs on page 6, and fill in the missing notes for Rolling Merrily. You can also start practicing Go To Sleep on page 8.
    5. – Finish working on the song Gently Sleep in your Recorder Karate book. *Play along with this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMXactSfjoM
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Please bring your stand next week!
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. – Posture
    2. – Reading Music
    3. – Fingering from low C up to high E. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    4. – Make sure your part of This Old Man is sounding great.
    5. – Look at Kum Bah Yah (Page 4), and review Rockin’ Along. Make sure your measures are labled and breath marks are in a place that is best for you. You can also start preparing to play Chopsticks as we’ll look at that next week.
    6. – Please bring your stand!
  • – Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Please bring your stand next week!
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • 1. Choose 3 signs to teach family or friends.
  • 2. Practice Signs: Look up a sign to bring next week
  • 3. Beginner Students: Continue working on spelling names
  • 3. Advanced Students: Speed and fluency. FInger spelling

DANCE

  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
    • Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
    • For ballet practice:
set a goal that is obtainable, create a plan, be focused, and practice grace and patience with oneself during the learning process.  See where you can apply this concept to other areas of your life and discuss it with your family.
    • Dance requires a lot of self-discipline
    • Review ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Retire – to retire
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Coup de pied/coupe – cupped
      • Avant – forward
    • Positions
      • Feet
        • *1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
      • Arms
        • *En bas, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Ouvert (open) 5th
        • Vaganova Arabesque 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
        • Cecchetti 3rd
    • Movement
      • Ballet walks
      • Waltz step – walk 123 brush outside leg, repeat walk 123 brush inside leg (we practiced this in a circle in class)
      • Arabesque – staight leg and pointed toe
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • Review – 10 mins/5days
    • Body facing positions
    • En face
      • – a la quatrieme devant
      • – a la quatrieme derriere
      • – a la seconde
    • Crois
      • – croise devante (front)
      • – croise derriere (back)
      • – Ecarte
    • Ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * Frappe – to strike
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Sous Sous – over/under
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
      • * Develope – developed or unfolded
      • * En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
      • * A terre – on the floor
      • * En cloche – like a bell (front and back movement)
      • * Releve vs eleve – Releve starts from a plie to a rise and eleve rises from straight legs
    • Movement
      • Pirouette prep
        • tendu side close 4th
        • push off back foot ending retire balance – arms 3rd to
      • 1st
        • Repeat x4 Right and Left
      • Balance x3 sous sous
      • Pas de bourree – 4 progressions
        • – close to 5th
        • – end in coupe
        • – pick up in coupe
        • – pick up in retire
      • 16 releves for ankle strength (1st position)
      • Stretching (please always warm up before stretching to prevent injury)

GUIDED PE

  • Awesome class guys! Last week notes were wrong sorry!
  • Beginners! Work on those kneels and tripods!
  • Advanced group find chances to practice vaulting but be safe!
  • Be sure to have your water bottle and proper shoes for PE and jacket for chilly days!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Practice different composition methods; thirds, frame within a frame, leading lines, symmetry. Remember to have your camera on program mode.
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Pace yourself, but watch these videos during the coming week. Treat each one as an instructor, listening to the words while scruitinizing the photography within each.
    • First, this video is an essay featuring a street photographer. Its message is about training your eye.
      • Learn to See First, Shoot Later: Lessons from Ernst Haas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqypq8rNSDs
      • Sean Tucker understands that cameras can be a shoebox, or DSLR, or smart phone. He explains why it isn’t about the camera, but the photographer behind it.
 This is a repeat from 2 weeks ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGngRlWHmZw
      • Townsends focuses on 18th Century life in America and features GORGEOUS photography. This was posted a few days ago and is a recipe from a 1723 cookbook. Pay attention to the lighting, different video speeds, and camera angles. I have been a fan of this channel for a long time. Your parents will probably want to watch more episodes with you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ8T6xGuna4
      • Finally, this is a video from B&H Photo with some creative exercises that will make you think differently about what you’re seeing. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82bt_1_HMOA
      • And this is the website with a thousand or more tips in the tutorial section. Take a look and see what you can find that might help train your eye. 
www.digitalcameraworld.com
      • BONUS: This is a repeat from a few weeks ago. “Why THE FAR SIDE is a masterclass in storytelling” mentions something called, in medias res, or in the middle of the action. Google, in medias res, after the video for more examples. This is literally what we are doing when taking pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQjGW5Mxk58
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • I am so proud of all of you working so hard on your concentration, movement and voice today!
  • Please remember to work on your homework for next week is to memorize Luke 2:13-14 and be prepared to recite it for next week on 11/18
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • Your homework this week is to make a baby animal out of whatever materials you like: paper, yarn, cardboard, fabric…as long as it’s a baby animal it gets you a sticker!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Listen to your CD everyday!
  • Review your triple rhythm cards (green)with your family
  • “Du-du; du-da-di, du-da-di; du—di, du-di; du-da-di, du” Parents listen to the recording and look in the parent handbook for explanation of our system of rhythm reading.
  • Copy your cards in any order on your home assignment page Bring it back to class for a special stamp

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Listen to My Secret and accompany the song with the two clapping patterns:
    • Tap, clap
    • Tap, clap, clap.
    • Twinkle Song Page: Sing the song, pointing to the notes.
    • Locate familiar patterns both rhythmic and tonal
    • Read the Story about the Musicians of Bremen
    • Draw a picture of your favorite part of the story!

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Review ballet terminology
      • – Plie – to bend
      • – Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • – Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • – Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • – Pas de Chat – step of the cat
      • – Arabesque
      • – Saute – to jump
    • Feet positions
      • 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    • Arm positions
      • en bas, 1st, 2nd
    • Movement
      • Marching in releve
        • – keep toes pointed and knees up to the sky
      • Teach your family the Butterfly Dance
        • – arabesque Right Left
        • – Turn to the right on releve
        • – Saute to catch the butterfly
        • – Open arms 5th, 2nd, en bas to let the butterfly go

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Conditionals. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-5.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Managing Input and Triggering Events.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/11/04

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/11/04
DATE: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
  • Character Scripture:
    • Psalms 34:14 – Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. – Psalms 34:14
    • Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9
    • Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace. – Jeremiah 29:7
    • Psalms 122:6 – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Those who love you will prosper. – Psalms 122:6
    • Proverbs 14:30 – The life of the body is a heart at peace, but envy rots the bones. – Proverbs 14:30

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

PIANO 1

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 18, 19, 20 & 21

PIANO 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Practice pages 62, 65, 66, 67″

BUCKETLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • -Review and connect all of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
  • -Review “”Count-Up Legatos””. If successful, add the Optional Ending (going backwards: 11-10-9-etc.)-Look ahead at Accent exercise.
  • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
  • – TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
  • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drum dowels, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

DRUMLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice the sticks out/in procedure (come out 2 counts before the first note, come in 2 count after the last note) using the first four measures of “”Legatos””
    • Finish learning the rest of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
    • Look ahead at “”Count-Up Legatos”” (no variations)
    • Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
    • STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: General drum sticks, pencil, practice pad only (use practice pad stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

FLAGS

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Marching:8 steps to 5 yards (8 to 5) , or 22 1/2″ steps
  • March in a 5 yard x 5 yard box, turning to the left at each corner
  • Make sure to start with your LEFT foot and pivot on the RIGHT foot.
  • The DETAILS & Practice
    • > Left hand around the bottom (stopper) of the pole
    • > Right hand up near the flag with a relaxed, bent elbow-hand placement will depend on your arm length.
    • > Practice presents as you march using the glide step-no bouncing
    • > Watch this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMABHeJupi8
    • Do not work on drop spins or stops at this time. Do work on: windmills 11:38, Butterflys 18:39 and Around the World 22:14

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Please practice what your coaches have given you. Work on your best sound on each note!
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Warm up with one of the songs we played on page 6 & 7 today. If there is anything that you didn’t quite “”get””, take some time to practice those parts. Examples would be:
    • > not sure what a note was
    • > challenging fingering switch between notes-slow it down and have your fingers switch to the next fingering at the same time-no fingers late to covering key after the others have landed
    • > make sure to know your new note!
    • Practice from where you need to start and make it your 🎯 goal to progress through Mozart Melody, no. 32.
      • The following all count as practice:
      • -reading (saying) the notes aloud , in rhythm with a steady tempo.
      • -reading the notes while fingering your instrument
      • -counting the rhythms
      • -and playing, of course!
      • > make sure to draw bar lines on no. 26, page 7.
  •  Flute
    • Practice songs 10-13. Practice 15-20 min four to five days a week. Remember breathing exercises and posture. Don’t tuck your chin.
  •  Horn:
    • Practice breathing, then buzzing, then producing notes. Sure you’re paying attention to her red-handed position and relaxed but upright posture, so you can breathe well.
    • Work on getting a good breath and listen for good tone and correct pitches.
    • Practice the under lined songs in your essential elements book.
  •  Percussion
    • Work on Exercises #31-40 for both snare drum and mallets. Review Exercises #1-30 as needed. Continue working on C, F, Bb, Eb Major Scales with Half-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Half format (from the book), focusing on accurate LH lead sticking patterns. Concentrate on proper set-up and playing position/grip for snare drum.
  • Saxophone
    • Warm up with one of the songs we played on page 6 & 7 today. If there is anything that you didn’t quite “”get””, take some time to practice those parts. Examples would be:
      • > not sure what a note was
      • > challenging fingering switch between notes-slow it down and have your fingers switch to the next fingering at the same time-no fingers late to covering key after the others have landed
      • > make sure to know your new note!
    • Practice from where you need to start and make it your 🎯 goal to progress through Mozart Melody, no. 32.
    • The following all count as practice:
      • -reading (saying) the notes aloud , in rhythm with a steady tempo.
      • -reading the notes while fingering your instrument
      • -counting the rhythms
      • -and playing, of course!
      • > make sure to draw bar lines on no. 26, page 7.
  • Trombone & Baritone (Low Brass)
    • Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing for a minute. After taking a deep yawn-like breath, slowly control the release of breath – can you breathe out for 12 seconds?
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing with a beautiful tone. Do lips slurs to see how many different notes you can play in first position.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 6, 8, and 11.
    • In the front cover of the method book, there is a website and code which allows you to listen to the songs. You can also play along with it. This will especially help you ensure that you’re playing the right pitch.
  • Trumpet
    • Work on the “too” exercise without spitting.
    • Buzzing without the mouthpiece, then with the mouthpiece.
    • work on tightening your smile and buzzing higher.
    • Get so you can readily hit the low C – then work up to the G
    • Work on the fingerings for going up the scale – C D E F G.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
      • Bb concert scale #1 And #2 on page 40 of Book 1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
  • Bass Guitar
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Clarinet
    • 1. Warm up with scales
    • 2. Tune your instrument
    • 2 1/2. Play your Concert Bb Scale going up or down with the tuner after tuning your instrument with you tuning note, at least 2x per week.
    • Practice what Ms. Carol assigned to you in class.
      • > Make sure your rhythms are correct. Write in the counts as necessary.
      • > Work on a more solid sound by supporting your airstream with your muscles in you torso area. Some people say diaphram, but we should use the other muscles as well. Work on this with long tones and steadily contract your abs inward as you are blowing through your mouthpiece.
      • > With the above practice your tone should improve, but you can still make it better by having a relaxed open mouth and a tongue shape that could hold a marble. Kind of like when you say “”ahhh””.
  • Electric Guitar
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Practice songs 78-84. Remember breathing exercises and posture. Practice refried beans and ascot overture. Remember to tongue.
  • Percussion
    • On Snare Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls. Also the “Rhythm Tree” exercise (taught by rote) and Timing Exerise (from Drumline Book). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. For Mallets, review C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab Major scales, adding Db & Gg/F# Major. For both snare and mallets, practice the Essential Elements #21-30.
  • Saxophone
    • 1. Warm up with scales
    • 2. Tune your instrument
    • 2 1/2. Play your Concert Bb Scale going up or down with the tuner after tuning your instrument with you tuning note, at least 2x per week.
    • Practice what Ms. Carol assigned to you in class.
      • > Make sure your rhythms are correct. Write in the counts as necessary.
      • > Work on a more solid sound by supporting your airstream with your muscles in you torso area. Some people say diaphram, but we should use the other muscles as well. Work on this with long tones and steadily contract your abs inward as you are blowing through your mouthpiece.
      • > With the above practice your tone should improve, but you can still make it better by having a relaxed open mouth and a tongue shape that could hold a marble. Kind of like when you say “”ahhh””.
  •  Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class. Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Scales: On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3. And eflat scale on handout. Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
    • For ensemble, practice 78-84 – be careful with the different key signatures. Also practice Refried Beans, Ascot Overture, Caravan measures 5-26 and Swing Fever.
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on being more comfortable with your mouthpiece to lip tightness
    • Go for some higher notes. Be holding long clear tones beginning at low C to high C or higher. Work on fingerings for scales in C then with one sharp – F# and one flat – Bb.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Swing fever paying attention to your articulation and dynamics. And practice whatever you have been given by your coaches.
  • Electric Bass
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • -Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls, and look ahead at “Timing” exercise (from Drumline Book). Practice the “Rhythm Tree” and “Trading 8th” (taught by rote in class). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. Review all flat major scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) and their corresponding relative minor scales (a, d, g, c, f, bb, eb). Add Pentatonic and Hexatonic scales.
  • Saxophone
    • New music:
    • > work on rhythms, write out the counts as necessary
    • > since you know the music, listen to some famous saxophonists playing it and find a sound that you like and try to copy it. Notice what you have to do with your embouchure inside and out to mimic that sound.
    • Personal work:
      • > sight read-it doesn’t have to be “”saxophone”” music
      • > have at least 1 purpose each time you sight read, such as:
      • 1. correct rhythms
      • 2. dynamics
      • 3. articulations
      • 4. notes
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on the straw exercise – muscles farther out on your upper lip.
    • Try to play some higher notes
    • Play in tune on each pitch – use a tuner if needed.
    • Hold out the pitches with long breath control.
    • Work on counting – rests and coming in right on time

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Bass and Cello
    • I am so impressed with everyone’s work so far, well done on being prepared today.
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 NEW LINK (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPC7G0nvMEg&list=PL11XNZ_T1dFNYL-MUVJTQH7fh2TsJdjAg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
      • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
      • Practice routine:
        • Tune
        • “Find your sound” – using open strings, and ringing tones (4th finger on the A, D, and G; also 1 on G and 1 on C)
        • Scale – D major using any variation bowings (i.e. “”huckleberry jello””) 0, 1, 3, 4 [cross] 0, 1, 3, 4.
        • Twinkle Variations [A. “”huckleberry jello”” and B. “”cello-bow”” are what we’ve done in class; if you feel like playing the others from the recording, give it a go].
        • The most important thing that I want you all to think about while playing is sound: Good tone.
        • left hand pizzicato
        • Ski jumps
        • pluck-clap-switch
        • hovering fingers (over any string – “”c is for cello”” with thumb behind 2nd finger)
        • grass-hoppers
        • rock’n’roll
      • bonus youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahYQGSVs7-0) This is one of my favorite cellists and favorite pieces composed for cello.
  • Violin & Viola

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3.
    • 4. Beautiful Skies
    • 5. Oh! Susanna
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 3 and 4 rhythm and pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – C Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
      • – concert goal: 140 per quarter
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – measures 1-69 and move further in the music if we’re ready!
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – g minor
    • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Prelude and Fugue in e minor, all three movement.
    • 4. Beethoven Trio Serenade, first movement.
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Reading Music (Remember = Middle line B! Second space A! Second line G!
    2. Fingering for the B, A, and G notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    3. Keep practicing 3 Lines for Smooth Fingers.
    4. If you haven’t done the Air Control activity yet please do so.
    5. Work on Gently Sleep in your Recorder Karate book. Here are some videos you can watch and play along to, to help with your practice Warm Up (1 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpJdu2U-6Xo and Main Video (3 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMXactSfjoM
    6. You can practice anything we have already worked on (up to 3 Lines on page 7).
    7. Please go over Au Claire De La Lune (Page 7) by first clapping through the ryhthm, then saying the notes aloud while practicing the fingering in ready position, and lastly playing through as best you can.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! Make sure to cover the window so it’s not too loud. (Check out the diagram on Page 2 of your book if you’re not sure where this is. Also take note of the air channel for cleaning.) Some more instructions on how to clean your instrument: You can rinse your instrument under running water with a small amount of soap, or let it soak in a tub or sink with warm water for no more than 10 minutes and again only a little bit of soap. Either way, be sure to rinse it very well and leave it out of its case until completely dry. Overnight is the best time so that it gets plenty of time to dry out. I would also recommend asking your parents if you can use an appropriately sized bottle brush and clean the air channel every now and then. These recorders don’t come apart so its important to wash and dry them thoroughly.
  • Please bring your stand next week!
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Posture
    2. Reading Music. If you’re still struggling with reading the notes, you can make yourself treble clef flash cards and practice assosicating the note names with the fingerings from low C to high E.
    3. Practice Rockin’ Along. If at all possible, please listen to your CD and play along. You can also clap out the rhythm.
    4. Review your part in This Old Man. You can also play anything on pages 2 or 3 for extra variety.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! Make sure to cover the window so it’s not too loud. (Check out the diagram on Page 2 of your book if you’re not sure where this is. Also take note of the air channel for cleaning.) Some more instructions on how to clean your instrument: You can rinse your instrument under running water with a small amount of soap, or let it soak in a tub or sink with warm water for no more than 10 minutes and again only a little bit of soap. Either way, be sure to rinse it very well and leave it out of its case until completely dry. Overnight is the best time so that it gets plenty of time to dry out. I would also recommend asking your parents if you can use an appropriately sized bottle brush and clean the air channel every now and then. These recorders don’t come apart so its important to wash and dry them thoroughly.
  • Please bring your stand next week!
  • Such a great job this week! Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • 1. Continue working on spelling names
  • 2. Practice Signs: In Thanksgiving, Let Us Praise Him was our song from last year. Listen and review (or sign along with what you remember for new students) (https://letswonder.org/files/wgn/in-thanksgiving-let-us-praise-him.mp3)
  • 3. Advanced Students: Speed and fluency, , as well as reading someone elses sign.

DANCE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
    • Attire
      • Please remind your dancers to wear their hair in a ponytail/bun for class.  They can put hair ties in their bag and I am happy to help them get their hair up.
    • Recommended Black Shoes (https://us.blochworld.com/products/ladies-dansoft-leather-ballet-shoes-black-leather?_pos=10&_sid=9c1cfcee7&_ss=r&variant=31741301260387)
    • Our word for the week is self-discipline from verse 2 Timothy 1:7
    • For ballet practice:
set a goal that is obtainable, create a plan, be focused, and practice grace and patience with oneself during the learning process.  See where you can apply this concept to other areas of your life and discuss it with your family.
    • Dance requires a lot of self-discipline
    • Review ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Retire – to retire
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Coup de pied/coupe – cupped
      • Avant – forward
    • Positions
      • Feet
        • *1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th
      • Arms
        • *En bas, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Ouvert (open) 5th
    • Movement
      • Coup de pied devant
        • – big toe touching the ankle bone, heel coming forward, knee open, hips level
        • Retire
          • big toe on the inside of your patella (knee cap), heel forward, knee open side, hips level
        • Soutenu prep
          • tendu side, step to releve and click your heels together, lower slow in first position
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • Our word for the week is self-discipline from verse 2 Timothy 1:7
    • For ballet practice:
Set a goal that is obtainable, create a plan, be focused, and practice grace and patience with oneself during the learning process. See where you can apply this concept to other areas of your life this week.
    • *Next week we will be learning how to put your hair in a ballet bun. Please bring extra hair ties and bobby pins if you have them.
    • Body facing positions
      • En face
        • – a la quatrieme devant
        • – a la quatrieme derriere
        • – a la seconde
      • Crois
        • – croise devante (front)
        • – croise derriere (back)
        • – Ecarte
    • Ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * Frappe – to strike
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Sous Sous – over/under
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
      • Develope – developed or unfolded
      • En l’air – leg elevated, in the air
      • A terre – on the floor
    • Movement
      • Pas de chat
      • Glissade
      • Pas de bourree – 4 progressions
        • – close to 5th
        • – end in coupe
        • – pick up in coupe
        • – pick up in retire
      • Balance
        • arm in 3rd and 4th ouvert (open)
      • 16 releves for ankle strength (1st position)
      • Stretching – splits – Right, Left, Center (please always warm up before stretching to prevent injury)

GUIDED PE

  • Awesome class guys!
  • Beginners! Pay attention to the way you stand and walk this week! practice walking with something balanced on your head.
  • Advanced class! If you have somewhere to practice, try your tripod, single and full vaults! Land safely on your toes back down on to your heels with your hands out front for balance.”

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Practice different composition methods; thirds, frame within a frame, leading lines, symmetry. Remember to have your camera on program mode.
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Take more pictures of food!
    • Remember, each picture should have a Subject/Verb combination.
    • Ideas: the subject can be a person with food, or food looking delicious and inviting. Try capturing steam from a hot beverage or butter that’s melting on mashed potatoes. Meals are usually served on tables with people as the audience. Make the camera/viewer the chef, or a dinner guest, or a pet begging for a bite.
    • You’re telling a story with each picture. Don’t isolate one thing but capture moments of a meal, a shared experience with food…
    • Food is associated with kitchens, dining rooms, restaurants, serving, receiving… show smiles, or anticipation on faces, or hands passing a bowl.
    • Meals are usually surrounded with conversation, happiness, family, sharing… try to capture that for the viewer who would like to be there too.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Great work today! Practice warming up your body throughout the week.
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For our next class, practice singing “cuckoo” from The Cuckoo’s Calling You.

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • Draw me a picture of your very favorite weather!! Remember if you do the homework you get a sticker!!

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Parents: Be sure that your child is listening to their CD daily…And that they keep everything together in their bags…Whatever gets taken out gets put back into their bags And their bags need to come with them each week to class. They receive new handouts and/or a page to write on or draw…Home assignment this week is to Draw me a picture of Turtle, Squirrel and Raccoon and the tree. This is their interpretation…Sounds like many haven’t done much writing or drawing…It’s ok…Whatever their interpretation is, is AOK! There is no right or wrong…just experience …WE compared major and minor songs All the Little Ducklings and Willum… one major and one minor and played them on the glockenspiel.

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • We reviewed lines and spaces then, then read Listen to Bells and then played it on the glocks! They did really, really well! We “read” Twinkle in SolFedge and again played the first phrase on the glocks. They followed directions and sounded great! Keep up the good work… We listened to Twinkle variations and moved to it and I asked them to imagine their own little story about the song…They are to tell you their interpretation of the variations on Twinkle and draw me a picture of the story of the Bremen Town Musicians. Part 1…The rest of the story comes next week! They did not receive the new cards!

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Review ballet terminology
      • – Plie – to bend
      • – Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • – Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • – Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • – Pas de Chat – step of the cat
    • Feet positions
      • 1st, 2nd, 3rd
      • Arm positions
      • en bas, 1st, 2nd
    • Leap prep:
      • Front kicks – straight front leg and pointed toe
      • Arabesque – straight back leg with pointed toe, body stays straight and lifted
      • Leap over stuffed animals

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Functions. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-4.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Managing Input and Triggering Events.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/10/28

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/10/28
DATE: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 71:17-18 – God, You have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wonders. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. – Psalms 71:17-18
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 2:1-5 – My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding…Then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. – Proverbs 2:1-5 NET (New English Translation)
    • Isaiah 28:23 – Listen, and hear my voice! Listen attentively, and hear my word! – Isaiah 28:23 LEB (Lexham English Bible)
    • Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV (English Standard Version)
    • Matthew 7:24 – Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. – Matthew 7:24 World English Bible (WEB)
    • 1 John 3:11 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. – 1 John 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

ALL ENSEMBLES (BAND/ORCHESTRA/DRUMLINE/FLAGS/RECORDER/CHOIR/DANCE)

  • Practice Plan (written assignments to be turned in to Welcome Table upon arrival – if not completed last week)
    1. When are you going to practice? Give specific times and days.
    2. When are you going to do passive listening of an hour per day?
    3. Do you have your practice space set up?
    4. Can you easily access videos and listening assignments?
    5. Is your metronome, tuner, stand, mirror easily accessible?
    6. Are your supplies in the space and easily accessed?

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

PIANO 1

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • Clap the Rhythm Drills on page 14
  • Practice pages 15 and 17.
  • -Clap the rhythm then play the song while saying the finger numbers.
  • -On page 17, remember that p means “soft” and f means “loud.”

PIANO 2

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • **Every time you sit at the piano remember to sit tall, keep your wrists up, and curve your fingers as you play**
  • If you haven’t already, complete pages 37-39, 44, and 58 this week.
  • Practice pages 56-57 and 59-60

BUCKETLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • You now have 4 sheets of music to practice. Go through each one working on proper form with loose wrists, equal stick height, and proper grip.
  • -Practice the sticks out/in procedure (come out 2 counts before the first note, come in 2 count after the last note) using the first four measures of “”Legatos””
  • -Finish learning the rest of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
  • -Look ahead at “”Count-Up Legatos”” (no variations)
  • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
  • – TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
  • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”

DRUMLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice the sticks out/in procedure (come out 2 counts before the first note, come in 2 count after the last note) using the first four measures of “”Legatos””
    • Finish learning the rest of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
    • Look ahead at “”Count-Up Legatos”” (no variations)
    • Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
    • STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drumsticks or general drumsticks, music stand, pencil, practice pad (use pad and stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

FLAGS

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Drop spins
  • Windmills
  • Flourishes (what we did in the circle) Remember to count each section in 4
  • Mark Time
  • Drop spins, Windmills and any other trick while Marking Time
  • Glide step marching
  • Glide step marching and tricks!
  • Here’s a great video for the glide step. Adjust the speed if you need to in the settings on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gii0wgqyRU
  • Flags https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMABHeJupi8&t=1202s

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Please practice what your coaches have given you. Work on your best sound on each note!
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet
    • Nice, strong sound today! Keep up the good work.
    • Note Theory Topics — Today’s Lesson
      • Cut Offs standards-meaning when do we end that note? Using exercise 18, page 6:
      • > When the half note beginning on count 3 is followed by a breath mark, we play until the downbeat of 4 and take a breath between that and the downbeat on 1 of the next measure-this half note doesn’t get a full 2 counts.
      • > When the half note is followed by a rest or the end of the song, it will be given 2 full counts.
    • Breath Marks:
      • > Refer to the Cut Off standard above.
    • Half Notes & Half Rests:
      • > Each get 2 counts. (For every type of note there is an equal rest.)
    • PRACTICE:
      • > Page 6, exercise 19. Write the notes on the staff where they should go.
      • > Continue where we left off in the book-top of page 7, unless you need to go back and review.
      • > Make sure to read and understand all of the YELLOW BOXES
      • > Practice counting and clapping a few of the exercises like we did in class
      • > We will play exercise 22, to make sure everyone is counting correctly.
      • > Give extra attention to exercise 23, the notes are not just a step apart, but are skips! This is a great finger and brain exercise-conquer it!
      • > Exercise 23, has step and skip note patterns and breath marks! Combine them well and you will be playing music-not just playing notes.
    • Your goal is 100 minutes of practice this week. That’s just 20 minutes for 5 days, but it’s ok to spread it out to 6 days-please practice in chunks of 10 minutes or more.
    • Look what we forgot to do from last weeks notes!
      • Notes are the most important things to know after knowing how to make sounds on your instrument. Know these 3 things about notes:
        • 1. the name of the note
        • 2. how to finger it
        • 3. where it lives on the treble clef staff
        • These 3 things are basis of being able to understand what looking at and the putting action in to it.
  •  Flute
    • Practice breathing. Lay on on the floor and fill you belly with air and slowly let it out.
    • Practice playing a B flat and holding the note as long as you can.
    • Practice high EFlat. All fingers. Finger chart in the back of book.
    • It was nice to work with you both today. Keep working on the things that Ms. Lizzie had you doing. The items that I worked with you on were mostly posture and embouchure.
    • Posture points:
      • > Make sure to stand or sit tall and bring the flute to you (don’t dip your head).
      • > Keep your shoulders even, refer to the picture in your Essential Elements book on page 2.
    • Embouchure:
      • > Make sure the smile muscles at the corner of your mouth are firm and your lips are moved by the air coming out of your mouth-think “”pooh”” for air flow. Use “”doo”” for the articulation (tonguing) to start each note.
    • You did well playing page 6 for not knowing you were going to do that. Use the Yellow Box at the top to learn these 3 things about your notes:
      • 1. Name of the note
      • 2. Where it lives on the treble clef staff
      • 3. What fingers are needed to make that note
      • Happy Practicing!
  •  Horn:
    • I had the privilege of having both the horns and trombones this week. Please practice pg. 7 #23 March steps for speed and accuracy. And pg.8 #28-31. And most important is to breath through your mouth not your nose!!
    • Practice breathing, then buzzing, then producing notes. Sure you’re paying attention to her red-handed position and relaxed but upright posture, so you can breathe well.
    • Work on getting a good breath and listen for good tone and correct pitches.
    • Practice the under lined songs in your essential elements book.
  •  Percussion
    • Work on Exercises #31-40 for both snare drum and mallets. Review Exercises #1-30 as needed. Continue working on C, F, Bb, Eb Major Scales with Half-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Quarter-Half format (from the book), focusing on accurate LH lead sticking patterns. Concentrate on proper set-up and playing position/grip for snare drum.
  • Saxophone
    • Nice work saxes! You are really controlling your sound well, keep it up!
    • That being said, I can’t always hear everyone, so you will need to be accountable to yourself.
    • Watch & Listen for these things:
      • > You are making a strong but controlled sound because your embouchure is firm at the corners of your mouth, your cheeks are not puffed and you are pushing air with a firm & steady core (body muscle).
      • > Test yourself of ability to READ the music-can you point to a note & know its name and fingering? Can you recognize a note a play it without extended thinking or counting the lines or spaces on the staff? Are you fast enough at note recognition to play without hesitation?
      • > Police yourself so that you do not fall behind.
    • Note Theory Topics — Today’s Lesson
      • Cut Offs standards-meaning when do we end that note? Using exercise 18, page 6:
        • > When the half note beginning on count 3 is followed by a breath mark, we play until the downbeat of 4 and take a breath between that and the downbeat on 1 of the next measure-this half note doesn’t get a full 2 counts.
        • > When the half note is followed by a rest or the end of the song, it will be given 2 full counts.
      • Breath Marks:
        • > Refer to the Cut Off standard above.
      • Half Notes & Half Rests:
        • > Each get 2 counts. (For every type of note there is an equal rest.)
    • PRACTICE:
      • > Page 6, exercise 19. Write the notes on the staff where they should go.
      • > Continue where we left off in the book-top of page 7, unless you need to go back and review.
      • > Make sure to read and understand all of the YELLOW BOXES
      • > Practice counting and clapping a few of the exercises like we did in class
      • > We will play exercise 22, to make sure everyone is counting correctly.
      • > Give extra attention to exercise 23, the notes are not just a step apart, but are skips! This is a great finger and brain exercise-conquer it!
      • > Exercise 23, has step and skip note patterns and breath marks! Combine them well and you will be playing music-not just playing notes.
      • Your goal is 100 minutes of practice this week. That’s just 20 minutes for 5 days, but it’s ok to spread it out to 6 days-please practice in chunks of 10 minutes or more.
  • Trombone & Baritone (Low Brass)
    • I had the privilege of having both the horns and trombones this week. Please practice pg. 7 #23 March steps for speed and accuracy. And pg.8 #28-31. And most important is to breath through your mouth not your nose!!
    • Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing. Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing a note and holding that pitch without letting it wobble up or down. Then try a different note. If you have someone who can play a Bflat or F on the piano for you, see if you can match that pitch in first position. Remember to have fun with it! All of this practice will help build your lip and mouth strength.
  • Trumpet
    • Continue to work on buzzing without the mouthpiece as often as you can working on changing pitch (going up and down)
    • Work on buzzing with the mouthpiece, also trying to change pitch (this is first part of warm-up)
    • Work on playing a C and a G

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
      • Bb concert scale #1 And #2 on page 40 of Book 1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
    • You have been given the the concert books. Please take care of them as they need to be handed in at the end of the year. Practice in those books Refried beans. Become familiar with the notes and rhythms. And practice whatever you have been assigned by your coaches.
  • Bass Guitar –
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes
  • Clarinet
    • > Page 34, 175. Egyptian Dance
    • > Scales from class-Use these to make sure you are reading the music. Tell yourself the names of the notes in your head and see/memorize where they live on the staff as you play.
    • > Use the Concert Bb Major scale (your G Major scale) and the rhythm exercises on page 42-43 and play one note per measure with the correct rhythm. Do this ascending & descending. You can pick where to start.
    • TUNING your instrument:
      • 1. Use a tuner (phone, computer or a stand alone) to tune your instrument using C
      • 2. Now that your instrument is tuned, you will use the Concert Bb Major scale-Clarinet C Major scale to learn how each note on your instrument tends to go (# or b) and what you can do to fix it while playing it.
      • 3. Start on C and play long tones. Is the note # or b? Using your embouchure and/or air stream pull each note into tune as closely as possible. You will not adjust your mouthpiece on these notes, only the tuning note for your instrument.
      • 4. Play each note in the scale that way, twice a week. This should only take about 2 minutes.
    • Your practice goal in minutes is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) this week.
    • Your purposeful practice goal is to conquer the challenges you have personally. What might challenges look like?
      • > Reading the music instead of playing by ear.
      • > Using a controlled airstream to create a warm or strong, but not necessarily loud sound.
      • > At this point in your instrumental journey, you have recognized your own personal challenges, purposeful practice is practicing with these in mind and improving and finally overcoming.
      • I know you can do it! Happy Praciting!
  • Electric Guitar
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Make sure you understand you posture; where is you head, neck, spine and feet. Practice breathing. Lay on on the floor and fill you belly with air and slowly let it out.
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Practice pages 20-21 and 24 and 25
  • Percussion
    • On Snare Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls. Also the “Rhythm Tree” exercise (taught by rote) and Timing Exerise (from Drumline Book). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. For Mallets, review C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab Major scales, adding Db & Gg/F# Major. For both snare and mallets, practice the Essential Elements #21-30.
  • Saxophone
    • Scales from class-Use these to make sure you are reading the music. Tell yourself the names of the notes in your head and see/memorize where they live on the staff as you play.
    • Use the Concert Bb Major scale (your G Major scale) and the rhythm exercises on page 42-43 and play one note per measure with the correct rhythm. Do this ascending & descending. You can pick where to start.
    • > Page 34, 175. Egyptian Dance
    • > Scales from class-Use these to make sure you are reading the music. Tell yourself the names of the notes in your head and see/memorize where they live on the staff as you play.
    • > Use the Concert Bb Major scale (your G Major scale) and the rhythm exercises on page 42-43 and play one note per measure with the correct rhythm. Do this ascending & descending. You can pick where to start.
    • TUNING your instrument:
      • 1. Use a tuner (phone, computer or a stand alone) to tune your instrument using F#
      • 2. Now that your instrument is tuned, you will use the Concert Bb Major scale-alto sax G Major scale to learn how each note on your instrument tends to go (# or b) and what you can do to fix it while playing it.
      • 3. Start on G and play long tones. Is the note # or b? Using your embouchure and/or air stream pull each note into tune as closely as possible. You will not adjust your mouthpiece on these notes, only the tuning note for your instrument.
      • 4. Play each note in the scale that way, twice a week. This should only take about 2 minutes.
    • Your practice goal in minutes is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) this week.
    • Your purposeful practice goal is to conquer the challenges you have personally. What might challenges look like?
      • > Reading the music instead of playing by ear.
      • > Using a controlled airstream to create a warm or strong, but not necessarily loud sound.
      • > At this point in your instrumental journey, you have recognized your own personal challenges, purposeful practice is practicing with these in mind and improving and finally overcoming.
    • I know you can do it! Happy Praciting!
  •  Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch. Especially work on these pieces in the yellow method book emphasizing speed:
      • 74, 78 and 79. Try 83 too and see how fast you can get it
      • On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3
      • Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
      • Work on the sheet music Swing Fever (using recording listed for midpoint band)
  •  Trumpet
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Continue to work on Swing fever paying attention to your articulation and dynamics. And practice whatever you have been given by your coaches.
  • Electric Bass
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls, and look ahead at “Timing” exercise (from Drumline Book). Practice the “Rhythm Tree” and “Trading 8th” (taught by rote in class). Practice Sticking Patterns focusing on “hiding” the sound change between sticking transitions. Review all flat major scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) and their corresponding relative minor scales (a, d, g, c, f, bb, eb). Add Pentatonic and Hexatonic scales.
  • Saxophone
    • Practice with Rhythms in mind this week.
    • > Be specific about your rhythms.
    • > Count them with the number of the beats in the measures.
    • > Say the counts aloud and even finger the rhythm while counting.
    • > Rhythm recognition is a great skill, but learning how to count them by the numbers and &s will help you when you run into a more complex rhythm, down the line.
    • Bring your personal music and the after band band (what’s that called?) music if you’d like to go over any of it.
    • The youtube channel I showed you today is Brian Hayes, if you’d like to see what he has to offer up on Saxophone Technique.
    • Have fun practicing and don’t forget to bring your practice record.
  •  Trumpet
    • Continue with warm-up routine to include all scales and working on increasing range

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d (NOT 30 this week)
  • 1st Year String Expectations: It is said that Twinkle Twinkle requires the student to learn more than 42 skills. Therefore, we take the majority of the first year to learn Twinkle, breaking down smaller sets of skill into isolated exercises. This means students will not put the bow to the strings (or play their instruments) right away. The exercises they do are important to practice because they help build muscle memory with proper form. Once one has attained a level of mastery on the individual skills, building upon and joining them together becomes much easier. Please be patient and take seriously the exercises in each week’s Class Notes.
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgjRQfXvXDg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple (strawberry, strawberry)
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo (or “”cello – bow””)
    • You can use any of these rhythms for a scale; we did huckleberry jello (aka Mississippi Stop Stop, aka makin’ bacon pancakes).
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Hovering fingers
    • Rock’n’roll
    • Grass hoppers
    • Left hand pizzicato (each string, every finger)
    • D Major Scale
    • ski jumps (each string, every finger)
  • Violin & Viola

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • 3. Practice Play Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1, 2, and 3.
    • 4. Beautiful Skies: Learn for next week.
    • 5. Oh! Susanna: Learn for next week.
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle B1 to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
    • I Can Read
      • Lesson 1 and 2 rhythm snd pitch
    • Table top exercise
    • Cat Cow

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Your current book
      • – concert goal: 140 per quarter
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – measures 1-69
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-beginning of B2
    • Practice everything from Suzuki Bk 1 and B2 up to
      Lully gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
    • Get your introducing positions book

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Posture
    2. Reading Music (Remember = Middle line B! Second space A! Second line G!)
    3. Fingering for the B, A, and G notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    4. Play the practice lines on Pages 5 and 6, from #1 on Page 5 to #3 on Page 6. Clap out the rhythm and say the note names before you play each song for extra pracitice. Also listen to your CD if you are able, following along in your book. Record your time for Air Control (#4 on Page 6).
    5. If you would like more to practice, you may get a head start on the three 3 Lines for Smooth Fingers songs.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! Make sure to cover the window so it’s not too loud. (Check out the diagram on Page 2 of your book if you’re not sure where this is. Also take note of the air channel for cleaning.) Some more instructions on how to clean your instrument: You can rinse your instrument under running water with a small amount of soap, or let it soak in a tub or sink with warm water for no more than 10 minutes and again only a little bit of soap. Either way, be sure to rinse it very well and leave it out of its case until completely dry. Overnight is the best time so that it gets plenty of time to dry out. I would also recommend asking your parents if you can use an appropriately sized bottle brush and clean the air channel every now and then. These recorders don’t come apart so its important to wash and dry them thoroughly.
  • Next class, don’t forget to bring: your recorder, recorder book, a pencil, stand, and practice record
  • You guys are doing great! Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Posture
    2. Reading Music (you can write the note names in if that’s still helpful, but we will try to phase that out by the end of the year! Remember to check for sharps (F# or C#). Also listening to your CD and following along with the music can be very helpful!
    3. Fingering from low C up to high E. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    4. Please work on “It’s Me O Lord” on Page 2 several times.
    5. Please work on the Tonguing and Slurring activites, as well as your part in This Old Man on Page 3. Look on the fingering chart in the back of your book for the F# note. This is the F note that is played in This Old Man. If you need help, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT7321Rk54o
    6. If you would like something more to practice, you can practice Winter Good-Bye on Page 3. We won’t cover it in class, it’s just for fun and optional.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please wash it with warm water and a tiny bit of soap, rinse thoroughly and make sure it dries.
  • Next week, don’t forget to bring: your recorder, recorder book, a pencil, stand, and practice record.
  • You guys are doing great! Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • Practice the alphabet, try spelling names in addition to the alphabet. For experienced signers, work on your accuracy and speed, and teach your family or friend how to sign their name.
  • Continue working on spelling names
  • Practice Signs: My, Your, Name, Wh words (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How – REMEMBER EYEBROWS DOWN WITH THESE),
  • Advanced students: Practice your speed and fluency, as well as reading someone elses sign.

DANCE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/3d
    • Attire
      • There a still some dancers who do not have the required attire/shoes for class.
      • Long skirts are a tripping hazard and I cannot check for proper alignment of legs/ankles which can result to improper training and future injuries. Socks are very slick on the dance floor and don’t have the support of a dance shoes. Bare feet stick to the floor and dancers cannot properly execute steps.
      • Dancers should be in black leggings with a ballet skirt and black ballet shoes, their wonder t-shirts and hair in a pony tail/bun.
      • Dancers can put hair ties in their bags and I am happy to assist them with getting their hair up.
      • Recommended Black Shoes (https://us.blochworld.com/products/ladies-dansoft-leather-ballet-shoes-black-leather?_pos=10&_sid=9c1cfcee7&_ss=r&variant=31741301260387)
    • Practice 10mins/3days
      • Review ballet terminology
      • * Plie – to bend
      • * Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • * Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • * Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • * Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • * Saute – to jump
      • * Passe – to Pass
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Coup de pied/coupe – cupped
      • * Avant – forward
    • Movement
      • Releve walks around your house with arms in 1st position
      • Skips with pointed toes/knees high
      • Leap over stuffed animals
      • Pas de chat – from 1st position (passe/pass) pointe 2nd toe
      • When listening to music this week see if you can find the beat count to eight and and start over – we will work on this next week
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • Body facing positions
    • En face
      • – a la quatrieme devant
      • – a la quatrieme derriere
      • – a la seconde
    • Croise
      • – croise devante (front)
      • – croise derriere (back)
      • – Ecarte
    • Ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Frappe – to strike
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Sous Sous – over/under
      • * Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • * Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
      • * Develope – developed or unfolded
    • Movement
      • Bouree – sous sous – front leg is the same as your moving direction
        • *remember back together, front foot does not open, back foot leads
      • 16 releves for ankel strength
      • Stretching – splits – Right, Left, Center (please always warm up before stretching to prevent injury)

GUIDED PE

  • You guys did awesome this week!
  • Beginners-
    • Practice your foot hand crawls- keep low and narrow and use opposite foot to hand movement (move right foot up with left hand)
  • Advanced- work on your EMPHASIS
    • JUMPS
    • single leg jump, double forward jump, split sideways jumps. work on precision and soft landings “

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Take Pictures of a meal, sandwich, food…
    • Experiment with your camera and have fun with it!
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Repeat the homework to take pictures of food.
    • This week, include table accessories like salt & pepper shakers, cups, place mat, etc..
    • Consider adding lights (desk lamp, LED flashlight, mirror bounce).
    • Experiment with angles, as if the viewer is sitting in the chair and the food has been set in front of him.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • Thanks for all of your hard work today. This week, practice your assigned tongue twister to perform for the class next week!
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • Draw me a picture of your very favorite weather!! Remember if you do the homework you get a sticker!!

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For homework this week, make a snowflake to bring to class! You can use any material you like, such as paper, yarn, or sticks! Remember, anyone who brings a homework assignment in gets a sticker 🙂

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Great class and a great bunch of quiet, obedient children. Thank you parents! Not a class full of “Chatty Cathy’s and Carls!” Most everyone had their bags with them. Thank you! Be sure to keep everything together in the Binder and bag…Ask to see their work sheets and see if they remember what the rhythm is. Before you walk out the door on Tuesdays ask if they have their bag with their binder in it!!! Some children are not at the writing stage yet so be understanding and help them with these triple patterns.

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • WE spent a lot of time with 5 lines and 4 spaces on the floor.
  • Look at Listen For Bells Song Page
  • Where is “Do” Can you sing the song in sol-fedge?
  • Show Mom and Dad the Twinkle Song Page – Where is Do? Can you sing it with Sol-fedge? Tell them your story to the variations on Twinkle
  • Show them your rhythm patterns. Can you read them?
  • Draw me a picture From the story “The Bremen Town Musicians”
  • Parents: We use the Edwin Gordon method of reading rhythms…Du is always the main pulse. I will send home a hand out next week that will explain this.

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Review ballet terminology
      • – Plie – to bend
      • – Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • – Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • – Rond de Jambe – circle of the leg
      • – Pas de Chat – step of the cat
    • Show your family how to do a Pas de Chat
      • – set out three struffed animals
      • – feet togheter in 6th position/hands on hips
      • – the leg closest to the stuffed animals lifts first
      • – passe/passe over the stuffed animal and end in 1st position
      • – slide to the next stuffed animal

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Our First Program. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-3.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Managing Input and Triggering Events.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/10/21

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/10/21
DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 71:17-18 – God, You have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wonders. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. – Psalms 71:17-18
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 2:1-5 – My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding…Then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. – Proverbs 2:1-5 NET (New English Translation)
    • Isaiah 28:23 – Listen, and hear my voice! Listen attentively, and hear my word! – Isaiah 28:23 LEB (Lexham English Bible)
    • Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV (English Standard Version)
    • Matthew 7:24 – Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. – Matthew 7:24 World English Bible (WEB)
    • 1 John 3:11 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. – 1 John 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

ALL ATTENDEES

  • REMINDERS (REMOVING FROM CLAS NOTES NEXT WEEK):
    • Label ALL personal possessions
    • Attire worn must be according to Wonder Way
      • Highlights: Wonder Tees should be worn every week, shorts/skirts/dresses should be at the knee or lower, and leggings are NOT to be worn alone.
    • Labeled Family Wagon to store your family’s backpacks, lunch bags, and instruments in the first floor hallway.
    • Bag / Backpack for folders, binders, class attire, some instruments, supplies, etc… (You do NOT need a bag or binder for every class, but we’ve listed classes that require these items below)
    • Technology: Phones and electronic devices are not to be used at Wonder (including smart watches). If a phone is seen without prior permission, it will be confiscated until dismissal. Students with an  infraction will be required to turn-in their device upon arrival and retrieve it upon departure. Laptops may be used during study hall for parent-approved study, but not games.
    • Water Bottle with tight-fitting lid (NO JUICE)
    • Snack (morning and afternoon – actual times vary, MESS-FREE)
    • Lunch (cold lunch, MESS-FREE)
    • Dinner (please bring a picnic dinner if you would like to join)

ALL ENSEMBLES (BAND/ORCHESTRA/DRUMLINE/FLAGS/RECORDER/CHOIR/DANCE)

  • REMINDERS (REMOVING FROM CLAS NOTES NEXT WEEK):
  • Reminder to Parents & Students:
    1. Stewardship: It is the students responsibility to keep their instrument and music in proper condition. Music should remain in a binder and in a music bag (not just a backpack), and not torn or crumbled. Method books should remain in a music bag, because they tend to get damaged more quickly in just a backpack.
    2. Listening: Listening is the MOST IMPORTANT exercise of the learning an instrument. As children, we hear words hundreds of times before making our first attempts at speech. Similarly, immersive listening to the repertoire will prepare the student to know the pieces by heart and potentially begin learning to play the pieces on their own. Please play the method book repertoire continually, in the car, at home, in the background. If you do not have a cd or mp3 audio, you can listen to the Youtube playlist we’ve linked below.
    3. Chunk Practicing: When you are learning a new piece, it is much better to practice the music in chunks rather than all the way through every time. Once you’ve learned the piece, it’s a good habit to practice in chunks of measures from the end to the beginning. It is also much better to practice in smaller sections rather than one long session..so practice daily.
    4. Standing/ Sitting (excluding dance): Viola, violins, and upright bass spend sectionals standing up. This allows students to practice proper form while minimizing slouching and injury due to improper form. Please practice standing at home, as well. Cellos (and band instruments) should be seated forward, closer to the edge of their seat (not laying back) and should not be stiff. Band instruments that can practice standing up at home should do so a few times a week.
    5. Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror as many times as possible during each week.
    6. Meteronme. Practice with a meterone.
    7. Review: Repetition is essential. Warm up with pieces you’ve learned.
    8. Remember Practice Record
  • Practice Plan (written assignments to be turned in to Welcome Table upon arrival – if not completed last week)
    1. When are you going to practice? Give specific times and days.
    2. When are you going to do passive listening of an hour per day?
    3. Do you have your practice space set up?
    4. Can you easily access videos and listening assignments?
    5. Is your metronome, tuner, stand, mirror easily accessible?
    6. Are your supplies in the space and easily accessed?

PRACTICE RECORDS 

Band/Orchestra/Drumline/Flags/Recorder/Choir/Dance/Piano students should have received their green Practice Record sheets. Be sure the top portion is complete with your full name, class name (one sheet per class), and instrument.

    • Review Applicable Areas Focused Practice Guide: https://letswonder.org/focused-practice-guide/
    • Remember to bring your Practice Records filled-out and signed by a parent every week.
    • For this week, complete the line with the date (9/21 9/22) to turn in the next class. Use the first line with the sample as your reference.
    • If you did not receive a Practice Record for a class keep track of your minutes and transfer them to your Practice Record sheet next week.
    • Please note, class and rehearsal times do NOT count towards practice times. Students should practice so they are prepared for class and rehearsals.
    • Upon your arrival, please place your practice notes as listed below. Your class Helping Hands will record your minutes and return your Practice Records sheet to you before the end of class.
      • Band: Table outside of High School Room
      • Bucketline: Classroom counter
      • Choir: Classroom Counter
      • Dance: Gym Window Ledge
      • Drumline: Table outside of High School Room
      • Flags: Stage floor by stairs
      • Orchestra: Large island on the 2nd level
      • Piano 1 & 2: Classroom table
      • Recorder 1: Classroom counter
      • Recorder 2: Stage floor by stair

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • ALL: Review first 27 seconds of the Daily Do (https://vimeo.com/166148072)
  • If you have not yet done so: tell your parents what Music Foundations class you are in (2A, 2B, 3A, 3B). Write it on a piece of paper with your name, have them sign it and bring it back to class.
  • 2B: If you were in this class last year and have a theory book, bring it. (I have some of your books with me so don’t worry if you can’t find it.)”

PIANO 1

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • **Remember to sit tall, keep your wrists up, and curve your fingers as you play!
  • **Before you begin practice, review finger numbers:
    • thumbs are 1, pointer fingers are 2, middle fingers are 3, ring fingers are 4, pinkies are 5
  • If you did not complete page 8 last week, do that this week.
  • Practice pages 10-13. If you’re up for a challenge, you can try page 15!

PIANO 2

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • **Every time you sit at the piano remember to sit tall, keep your wrists up, and curve your fingers as you play**
  • If you haven’t already, complete pages 37-39, 44, and 58 this week.
  • Practice pages 56-57 and 59-60

BUCKETLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • -Practice the sticks out/in procedure (come out 2 counts before the first note, come in 2 count after the last note) using the first four measures of “”Legatos””
  • -Finish learning the rest of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
  • -Look ahead at “”Count-Up Legatos”” (no variations)
  • -Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
  • – TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
  • – STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”

DRUMLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice the sticks out/in procedure (come out 2 counts before the first note, come in 2 count after the last note) using the first four measures of “”Legatos””
    • Finish learning the rest of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
    • Look ahead at “”Count-Up Legatos”” (no variations)
    • Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
    • STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drumsticks or general drumsticks, music stand, pencil, practice pad (use pad and stand at home, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.)

FLAGS

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Prepare your environment
    • Remember safety first
    • Make sure the areas is clear
    • Make sure the clearance of the ceiling and surrounding items are clear and will not get hit
    • Announce to those around you that you are spinning your flag
    • Keep the silk (flag) away from things that will snag it (rough surfaces, trees)
    • Don’t forget to temporarily tape the bottom of the flag down with electrical tape (no other type of tape)
  • > The glide step-nice and smooth. Make sure you are starting with the LEFT foot.
  • > Presents-sliding your hand up and down the pole as needed because of arm length.
  • > The following video will show you where we will be going. WINDMILLS are at 11:28. Feel free to practice DROP SPINS, DROP STOPS and CONES.
  • Flags https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMABHeJupi8&t=1202s

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • Please practice what your coaches have given you. Work on your best sound on each note!
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  •  Clarinet & Saxophone
    • Notes are the most important things to know after knowing how to make sounds on your instrument. Know these 3 things about notes:
      • 1. the name of the note
      • 2. how to finger it
      • 3. where it lives on the treble clef staff
      • These 3 things are basis of being able to understand what looking at and the putting action in to it.
    • Keys to playing well:
      • > Take in a deep belly breath-the air should not be trapped in your upper chest. It’s easiest to do this laying on your back and breathing normally. Transfer this feeling to when you are sitting or standing and you are now properly breathing and being able to take in a large amount of air.
      • > Blow through your mouthpiece firmly. Check the front of your book for proper embouchure position. There are also videos on EssentialElementsInteractive.com. Your code to join is in the front of the book and it’s free.
      • > Make sure you hand position is correct in order to have fingers cover all of the holes completely that you are using for each specific note.
      • > Your hand shape should be closer to holding a sandwich with flat finger pads over the keys, a round shape of fingers like holding a glass will not allow you to cover the holes well enough.
    • Play all exercises on pages 4-5.
      • > The long tone (odd numbered) will help you listen to your sound. Change the amount of air to hear where the best sound is made.
      • > The even numbered exercises will help you with finger agility as you go from note to note.
      • > Make sure to read all of the yellow boxes-this is music theory to go along with what you are presently seeing in your music.
    • Practice at least 10 minutes at a time and accumulate 20 min/day for the minimum of 5 days.
    • Happy Music playing! And, don’t forget to clean your instrument.
  •  Flute
    • Parts of the Instrument
    • Make sure you understand you posture; where is you head, neck, spine and feet.
    • Practice breathing. Lay on on the floor and fill you belly with air and slowly let it out.
    • Practice playing a B flat and holding the note as long as you can.
    • Practice high EFlat. All fingers. Finger chart in the back of book.
  •  Horn:
    • This week, focus on establishing good practice routine. Practice breathing, then buzzing, then producing notes. Sure you’re paying attention to her red-handed position and relaxed but upright posture, so you can breathe well. Look for recordings or videos of the piece Konzertstuck for four horns by Robert Schumann. Keep breath steady, and blow through the note changes, continuing with a solid, beautiful tone through each note.
    • Work on getting a good breath and listen for good tone and correct pitches.
    • Practice the under lined songs in your essential elements book.
  •  Percussion
    • Work on Exercises #21-30 for both snare drum and mallets. Review Exercises #1-20. Learn C, F, Bb, Eb Major Scales. Concentrate on proper set-up and playing position/grip for snare drum.
  • Trombone & Baritone (Low Brass)
    • Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing. Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece. After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing a note and holding that pitch without letting it wobble up or down. Then try a different note. If you have someone who can play a Bflat or F on the piano for you, see if you can match that pitch in first position. Remember to have fun with it! All of this practice will help build your lip and mouth strength.
    • Practice pages 4-5 in method book – especially lines 6, 8, and 11
  • Trumpet
    • Continue to work on buzzing without the mouthpiece as often as you can working on changing pitch (going up and down)
    • Work on buzzing with the mouthpiece, also trying to change pitch (this is first part of warm-up)
    • Practice first two exercises in the book
    • Work on playing a C and a G

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves (Use a metronome)
      • Bb concert scale #1 And #2 on page 40 of Book 1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
    • Please practice what your coaches have given you.
  • Bass Guitar –
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes
  • Clarinet
    • To be able to play in the middle register of the clarinet all holes, specific to each note, must be covered in order to sound that note. The following exercises in your method book will get you ready for those notes. You don’t need to do everyone of them everyday; start with the first one and progress as you are able. This is a great long tone warm up to do before you begin practicing your music. If you are unsuccessful on the high notes, squeeze your clarinet and then check your finger pads for incomplete circles-this is where the leak will be found.
    • > Scales from class-Use these to make sure you are reading the music. Tell yourself the names of the notes in your head and see/memorize where they live on the staff as you play
    • > Page 34, 175. Egyptian Dance
    • > Use the Concert Bb Major scale (your C Major scale) and the rhythm exercises on page 42-43 and play one note per measure with the correct rhythm. Do this ascending & descending. You can pick where to start.
    • Essential Elements Book 1 p. 24, exercise 119 Grenadilla Gorilla Jump 1-working with the register key, if you have that one go to 121. Grenadilla Gorilla Jump 2, then 123. Grenadilla Gorilla Jump 3, 126. Grenadilla Gorilla Jump 4, & 128. Grenadilla Gorilla Jump 5
  • Electric Guitar
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
  • Flute
    • Make sure you understand you posture; where is you head, neck, spine and feet. Practice breathing. Lay on on the floor and fill you belly with air and slowly let it out.
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2 octaves. Practice pages 20-21 and 24 and 25
  • Percussion
    • On Snare Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls. Also the “Rhythm Tree” exercise (taught by rote) and Timing Exerise (from Drumline Book). For Mallets, review C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab Major scales, adding Db & Gg/F# Major. For both snare and mallets, practice the Essential Elements #11-20.
  • Saxophone
    • > Scales from class-Use these to make sure you are reading the music. Tell yourself the names of the notes in your head and see/memorize where they live on the staff as you play.
    • > Use the Concert Bb Major scale (your G Major scale) and the rhythm exercises on page 42-43 and play one note per measure with the correct rhythm. Do this ascending & descending. You can pick where to start.
    • > Page 34, 175. Egyptian Dance
  •  Trombone
    • Bring pencil to class! Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs. Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch. Especially work on these pieces in the yellow method book emphasizing speed:
      • 74, 78 and 79. Try 83 too and see how fast you can get it
      • On page 40, work on key of Bflat 1-3
      • Page 47 (chromatic scale) low Bflat to high Bflat – again emphasizing speed (without sacrificing pitch)
      • Work on the sheet music Swing Fever (using recording listed for midpoint band)
  •  Trumpet
    • Great job today!
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Welcome to Wonder Band!
    • Scales, arp & 3rds, 2-3 octaves (Use a metronome) – pick a scale
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • Swing Fever: working towards the correct notes and rhythms. If you forgot to pick your music up from the round table, please print it from the temporary folder. If you are not using the family’s primary wonder email, you may need to ask for permission to access the file. Please make sure you let us know who you are, if it prompts you during this process. If you have trouble, please email hello@letswonder.org. [LINK]
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice any challenging rhythms and high notes. Make sure you know all the notes.
    • Work on reading the rhythms ahead.
  • Electric Bass
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so use your private lesson method book.
  • Percussion
    • Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls, and look ahead at “Timing” exercise (from Drumline Book). Practice the “Rhythm Tree” and “Trading 8th” (taught by rote in class). Review all flat major scales (C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) and their corresponding relative minor scales (a, d, g, c, f, bb, eb).
  • Trumpet
    • Continue with warm-up routine to include all scales and working on increasing range

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d (NOT 30 this week)
  • 1st Year String Expectations: It is said that Twinkle Twinkle requires the student to learn more than 42 skills. Therefore, we take the majority of the first year to learn Twinkle, breaking down smaller sets of skill into isolated exercises. This means students will not put the bow to the strings (or play their instruments) right away. The exercises they do are important to practice because they help build muscle memory with proper form. Once one has attained a level of mastery on the individual skills, building upon and joining them together becomes much easier. Please be patient and take seriously the exercises in each week’s Class Notes.
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgjRQfXvXDg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: scroll, pegs, peg box, nut, strings, neck, fingerboard, bridge, f-holes, tail piece, fine tuners, tail-chord, end-pin, front, back, purfling, sound post, bass-bar.
      • Bow: Tip, stick, horse-hair, ferrule* (I thought the spelling was ph, I was wrong), frog, screw, thumb leather, silver winding.
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • 4 steps to a good bow hold:
      • Right hand Palm up
      • Bow stick goes across your 4th and 1st finger joint. (Point bow in the direction towards your thumb, horse hair away from you).
      • Long- John silver Curved thumb on the side of the stick, at the corner of the frog
      • (middle finger matches with the silver part of the frog, ferrule)
      • Thumb comes to the side of the stick, curved and in the tip of the thumb
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Cello Left Hand Pluck
    • Ski Jumps
    • Be comfortable with the bow-hold so it is automatic how you pick it up and hold it. Likewise, be comfortable sitting with the cello: be able to pluck the A, D, G, C strings [pizzicato] (at least 4 times like we did in class). Take a moment to enjoy the sound of each string as you pluck.
    • Bear claw – hold for 5 – 10 seconds.
    • Left hand placement – Hovering fingers
  • Violin & Viola

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  •  Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 1 octaves – G Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Current Book
    • 3. Practice Boil ’em Cabbage Down Variations 1 (Huckleberry Jello), 2 (Huckleberry Huckleberry), and 3 (Gooseberry Gooseberry). Clap and count the rhythmns out loud. Use a big and beautiful tone always
    • 4. Beautiful Skies: Learn for next week.
    • 5. Oh! Susanna: Learn for next week.
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  •  Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle to Allegro
    • C Major Scale
      • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
      • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
      • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8
      • Table top exercise

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 45m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – G Major
    • 2. Review – Suzuki B1-Current
    • 3. Variations on an Irish Tune – measures 1-40. Look at measures 40-69 for next week.
    • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
    • * PRACTICE POINTS:
      • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
      • always work on tricky sections
      • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
      • 2. correct notes
      • 3. bow direction
      • 4. intonation
      • 5. dynamics
      • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂
  • Cello
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Current
      • Judas Maccabaeus from Suzuki B2
    • Lully Gavotte
    • C Major Scale through 2 octaves
    • 1st exercise- play scale degrees 1,4,5,8
    • 2nd exercise- play scale degrees 1,3,4,5,7,8
    • 3rd exercise- play scale degrees 1,2,3,4,,5,6,7,8

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble:
  • 1. Scales, arp & 3rds, 3 octaves – g minor
  • 2. Review: Suzuki B1-Current
  • 3. Prelude and Fugue in e minor by Beethoven, first movement. Pay close attention to bowing and articulation. Legato 16ths. Separation between eigth notes and quarter notes. Vibrate everything! Practice with a metronome and pay careful attention to your rests, that they are counted correctly. Write in fingering as needed. Listen to recordings as well. Ludwig van Beethoven – Prelude and Fugue for 2 violins and cello in E minor Hess 29
  • ***PLEASE measure all pieces for rehearsal purposes. Just need measure number at beginning of each line
  • * PRACTICE POINTS:
    • choose 1 practice point every time you practice a small section
    • always work on tricky sections
    • 1. correct rhythm, steady tempo
    • 2. correct notes
    • 3. bow direction
    • 4. intonation
    • 5. dynamics
    • 6. slow to fast with metronome (work on this LAST!) 🙂

RECORDERS 1

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Posture
    2. Reading Music (Remember = Middle line B! Second space A! Second line G!)
    3. Fingering for the B, A, and G notes. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    4. Work on Page 5 in your Be a Recorder Star book. We’ll work on that next week.
    5. Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Next week, don’t forget to bring your:
    • Recorder
    • Recorder book
    • Pencil
    • Stand
  • You all are progressing so quickly! Great work with the rhythm chart and stand partners today. Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Posture
    2. Reading Music
    3. Fingering from low C up to high E. Make sure you cover up the entire hole and blow softly.
    4. Keep working on the transition between High D and High E.
    5. Please work on the “Extending Your Range” and “It’s Me O Lord” songs on page 2 several times.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Next week, don’t forget to bring your:
    • Recorder
    • Recorder book
    • Pencil
    • Stand
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • Practice the alphabet, try spelling names in addition to the alphabet. For experienced signers, work on your accuracy and speed, and teach your family or friend how to sign their name.
  • Continue working on spelling names
  • Practice Signs: My, Your, Name, Wh words (Who, What, When, Where, Why, How – REMEMBER EYEBROWS DOWN WITH THESE),
  • Advanced students, it’s one thing to learn how to sign a word. It’s another to understand someone else’s sign. Practice your speed and fluency, as well as reading someone elses sign.

DANCE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Block 4 – 2pm-3pm – Practice Time: 10m/5d
    • Review ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • Movement
      • Releve walks around your house with arms in 1st position
      • Skips with pointed toes
      • Leap over stuffed animals
      • Please have your ballet attire and shoes by next week – if you are in need of assistance with shoes, please let me know. I am always happy to help with fitting and recommendations.
  • Block 5 – 3pm-4pm – Practice Time: 15m/5d
    • – Body facing positions
      • En face
      • – a la quatrieme devant
      • – a la quatrieme derriere
      • – a la seconde
    • Croise
      • – croise devante (front)
      • – croise derriere (back)
      • – Ecarte
    • Ballet terminology
      • *Plie – to bend
      • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
      • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
      • *Rond De Jambe – circle of the leg
      • *Frappe – to strike
      • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
      • *Saute – to jump
      • *Passe – to Pass
      • *Pas de chat – step of the cat
      • *Cambre – means “arched” and refers to a graceful, controlled bending of the upper body, which can be performed forward, backward, or to the side
      • * Port de bras – “carriage of the arms” in ballet, referring to both the graceful, flowing movement of the arms and specific exercises designed to improve arm quality
      • * Pas de cheval – step of the horse
      • * Tembe – “fall” from one leg to the other, or from two legs to one, landing with a bent knee
    • Movement
      • Chaine turns with tennis ball (any ball that you have) between your knees
      • 16 releves
      • Stretching – splits – Right, Left, Center (please always warm up before stretching to prevent injury)
  • Reminder

GUIDED PE

  • Great class today!
  • Remember to be on time and with your waterbottle
  • Please wear PE and movement friendly clothes and shoes and be ready to be in grass!
  • Beginners- please work on your breathing while lying and rolling. Remember the terms supine (face up) and prone (face down)
  • Advanced-I will list your Emphasis and Combo here for reference. Please be sure to work on any movements that you need to using suggested regressions. Also, do not forget to tell me and begin working on your personal fitness goals.
  • Also remember to work for your team and as a team.
  • THANK YOU!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Really great class. Please make sure you have all equipment needed to complete class. You need a dose camera with 18-55mm lenses, camera bay, sd card, battery charger , full size sturdy tripod. Please come to class with these items and your camera fully charged.
  • 2nd+ Year Students
    • Return next week with 1 to 3 pictures of food as subject or direct object and we will critique as a class.
      Watch a few quick videos of food photography and discuss.
  • Wonder Student Photography 25-26 Folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AA9Lot8NgFikQ1gPnG49q3-STs4nDSAj?usp=drive_link

THEATER

  • I loved working with you all and getting to know you better today!
  • Try practicing an activity for each the voice, mind and body this week!
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Practice saying ba ba and singing bam bam bam with your own “microphone”. You can use a spoon or stick or even an invisible microphone in your hand to practice patterns to be ready for class!

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.
  • For homework this week, make a snowflake to bring to class! You can use any material you like, such as paper, yarn, or sticks! Remember, anyone who brings a homework assignment in gets a sticker 🙂

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • Parents Be sure that your child shows you his/her work each week. There is a CD and Parent Handbook in their folder for the Cattail Marsh. Be sure that they are listening to their cds/recording (there is a code for downloading the music)each and every week just like your older children! It’s really important. Have them show you their written work; Ask them about it. Ask them what they did in class. Encourage them to share with you. Read the Parent Handbook and help and encourage your child in every way that you can. Teach them to be responsible for their materials. Bringing their decorated bag to class each week with their Binder, Folders, and flash cards!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • Parents it is just as important for your young children to do their home assignments each week as it is for your older for it will set a precedent for the future! Besure that they are listening to their CD every day.
  • Listen to your recording: Especially My Secret clap patterns pg 26
  • Read and sing following notes on your song page pg 30
  • Show Mom and Dad familiar triple patterns and familiar tonal patterns
  • Listen to the excerpt from Handel’s Water Music – Dance together

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • Show your family a plie and tendu
    • Review ballet terminology
    • Plie – to bend
    • Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • Degage/glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • Play freeze dance with your family this week

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Introduction/What is a program. Please complete take home worksheet. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-1.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • Topics Covered: Variables, Expressions and Statements. Please complete take home worksheet. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-2.html

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WONDER CHARACTER: ATTENTIVENESS

TO: WONDER MEMBERS
MEMO: WONDER CHARACTER: ATTENTIVENESS
MONTH: OCTOBER

MEMORY VERSES

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 71:17-18 – God, You have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wonders. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. – Psalms 71:17-18
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 2:1-5 – My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding…Then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. – Proverbs 2:1-5 NET (New English Translation)
    • Isaiah 28:23 – Listen, and hear my voice! Listen attentively, and hear my word! – Isaiah 28:23 LEB (Lexham English Bible)
    • Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV (English Standard Version)
    • Matthew 7:24 – Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. – Matthew 7:24 World English Bible (WEB)
    • 1 John 3:11 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. – 1 John 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

CHARACTER STUDY

  • Character Trait: Attentiveness
  • Definition: Attentiveness is showing a person’s worth by giving full attention to their words.
  • Bible Word: Hebrew word: קָשַׁב qashav (Strong’s Number H7181) means to prick one’s ears to intently listen and heed what has been said. Greek word: ἀκούω akouō (Strong’s Number G191) means to attend to or consider what is or has been said.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/09/30

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/09/30
DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 2025

ACTION ITEMS (REPLIES GENERALLY NEEDED BY FRIDAY, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE (REPLY TO THIS MEMO))

  1. CLASS NOTES: Make sure you’ve read the Class Notes from last week’s memo. For MUSIC STUDENTS, there is a first assignment for all band, orchestra, drumline, recorder, choir, p.
  2. [New AND Returning Families] If you have not yet done so, please complete the homework list on last week’s memo . We need to confirm that you are receiving memos, know how to reply to the memos, and understand the Wonder Way expectations.

What a wonderful first day! Below are class notes or practice notes for each class.

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 71:17-18 – God, You have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wonders. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. – Psalms 71:17-18
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 2:1-5 – My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding…Then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. – Proverbs 2:1-5 NET (New English Translation)
    • Isaiah 28:23 – Listen, and hear my voice! Listen attentively, and hear my word! – Isaiah 28:23 LEB (Lexham English Bible)
    • Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV (English Standard Version)
    • Matthew 7:24 – Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. – Matthew 7:24 World English Bible (WEB)
    • 1 John 3:11 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. – 1 John 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

ALL ATTENDEES

  • REMINDERS:
    • Label ALL personal possessions
    • Attire worn must be according to Wonder Way
      • Highlights: Wonder Tees should be worn every week, shorts/skirts/dresses should be at the knee or lower, and leggings are NOT to be worn alone.
    • Labeled Family Wagon to store your family’s backpacks, lunch bags, and instruments in the first floor hallway. If  you had ANY items
    • Bag / Backpack for folders, binders, class attire, some instruments, supplies, etc… (You do NOT need a bag or binder for every class, but we’ve listed classes that require these items below)
    • Technology: Phones and electronic devices are not to be used at Wonder (including smart watches). If a phone is seen without prior permission, it will be confiscated until dismissal. Students with more than one infraction will be required to turn-in their device upon arrival and retrieve it upon departure. Laptops may be used during study hall for parent-approved study, but not games.
    • Water Bottle with tight-fitting lid (NO JUICE)
    • Snack (morning and afternoon – actual times vary, MESS-FREE)
    • Lunch (cold lunch, MESS-FREE)
    • Dinner (please bring a picnic dinner if you would like to join)

ALL ENSEMBLES (BAND/ORCHESTRA/DRUMLINE/FLAGS/RECORDER/CHOIR/DANCE)

  • Reminder to Parents & Students:
    1. Stewardship: It is the students responsibility to keep their instrument and music in proper condition. Music should remain in a binder and in a music bag (not just a backpack), and not torn or crumbled. Method books should remain in a music bag, because they tend to get damaged more quickly in just a backpack.
    2. Listening: Listening is the MOST IMPORTANT exercise of the learning an instrument. As children, we hear words hundreds of times before making our first attempts at speech. Similarly, immersive listening to the repertoire will prepare the student to know the pieces by heart and potentially begin learning to play the pieces on their own. Please play the method book repertoire continually, in the car, at home, in the background. If you do not have a cd or mp3 audio, you can listen to the Youtube playlist we’ve linked below.
    3. Chunk Practicing: When you are learning a new piece, it is much better to practice the music in chunks rather than all the way through every time. Once you’ve learned the piece, it’s a good habit to practice in chunks of measures from the end to the beginning. It is also much better to practice in smaller sections rather than one long session..so practice daily.
    4. Standing/ Sitting (excluding dance): Viola, violins, and upright bass spend sectionals standing up. This allows students to practice proper form while minimizing slouching and injury due to improper form. Please practice standing at home, as well. Cellos (and band instruments) should be seated forward, closer to the edge of their seat (not laying back) and should not be stiff. Band instruments that can practice standing up at home should do so a few times a week.
    5. Mirror: Practice in front of a mirror as many times as possible during each week.
    6. Metronome. Practice with a metronome at home.
    7. Review: Repetition is essential. Warm up with scales and pieces you’ve learned.
    8. Remember Practice Record
  • Practice Plan (written assignments to be turned in to Welcome Table upon arrival – if not completed last week)
    1. When are you going to practice? Give specific times and days.
    2. When are you going to do passive listening of an hour per day?
    3. Do you have your practice space set up?
    4. Can you easily access videos and listening assignments?
    5. Is your metronome, tuner, stand, mirror easily accessible?
    6. Are your supplies in the space and easily accessed?

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • Class Notes for Music Foundations are usually very short, but important. There are four different Music Foundations classes: 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B. Some notes will be for certain classes and some will be for all classes.
  • ALL Classes
    1. Tell your parents what class you are in! Write it on a piece of paper, have them sign it, and bring it back to class.
    2. Review the first 15 seconds of the Daily Do (https://vimeo.com/166148072) (2x/day for 5 days)

PIANO 1

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • The books for class did not make it time for our first class, so I sent home a couple copies of pages so you can practice until next class.
  • 1) Follow the instructions on page 4 to trace your hands and number your fingers.
  • 2) Practice wiggling your 1’s, then your 2’s, then 3’s, then 4’s, then 5’s. Parents: Challenge your students by calling out numbers 1-5 out of order to see their comprehension.
  • 3) Starting at the middle of the piano, use your left hand fingers 2 and 3 on the 2-black-key groups. Play “2-3-together,” then move down (to the left) to the next 2-black-key group and play “2-3-together.” Continue down to the next group and the next until you are on the lowest group.
  • Repeat with the right hand. Use right hand fingers 2 and 3 on the 2-black-key group at the middle of the piano. Play “2-3-together,” move up (to the right) to the next 2-black-key group and repeat until you are at the highest group. **Notice that on your left hand, your 2 finger is on the higher note, but on your right hand, your 2 finger is on the lower note.**
  • 4) Complete page 8.
  • 5) Practice pages 10 and 11, Right & Left and Left & Right. We didn’t spend much time on page 11 in class, but do your best.

PIANO 2

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 15m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • It was so great to see you all this morning and review some of our pieces from last year!
  • Please review pages 34-39 to help remember the names of the white keys.
  • pg 45, Batter Up!
  • pg 47, My Clever Pup
  • pg 51, The Zoo
  • pg 52-55, Lost My Partner

BUCKETLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
    • 1st Year Students
      • Using your practice pad kits, practice different rhythms using a metronome.
      • Focus on keeping your tempo consistent with a metronome.
      • Start with a slower tempo and increase tempo throughout your practice time
      • You’ll receive the Wonder Drumline Book next class
    • 2n Year Students
      • Wonder Drumline Book
      • Focus on keeping your tempo consistent with a metronome.
      • Start with a slower tempo and increase tempo throughout your practice time
      • Practice the sticks out/in procedure (come out 2 counts before the first note, come in 2 count after the last note) using the first four measures of “”Legatos””
      • Finish learning the rest of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
      • Look ahead at “”Count-Up Legatos”” (no variations)
      • Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
      • TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
      • STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: Practice Pad (not practice kit), Bucket drumsticks, music stand, pencil
  • Practice Kit – Please do not bring your practice kit stand to Wonder. Be sure to use it in your home practice, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.

DRUMLINE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Wonder Drumline Book
    • Practice the sticks out/in procedure (come out 2 counts before the first note, come in 2 count after the last note) using the first four measures of “”Legatos””
    • Finish learning the rest of “”Legatos”” (m. 19-36)
    • Look ahead at “”Count-Up Legatos”” (no variations)
    • Practice these exercises at a variety of tempos and stick heights:
    • TEMPOS: 88 bpm, 104 bpm, 112 bpm, & 120 bpm
    • STICK HEIGHTS: 3″” (piano), 6″” (mezzo-piano), 9″” (mezzo-forte), & 12″” (forte)”
  • Bring to next class: Bucket drumsticks, music stand, pencil (if you did not bring your practice kit please bring it next week – if you did bring your practice kit you do not need to bring it until we let you know
  • Practice Kit – Please do not bring your practice kit stand to Wonder. Be sure to use it in your home practice, as it provides a better setup for playing with better posture.

FLAGS

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Practice marching steps we learned this week
  • Prepare your environment
    • New students will have flags next week
    • Remember safety first
    • Make sure the areas is clear
    • Make sure the clearance of the ceiling and surrounding items are clear and will not get hit
    • Announce to those around you that you are spinning your flag
    • Keep the silk (flag) away from things that will snag it (rough surfaces, trees)
    • Don’t forget to temporarily tape the bottom of the flag down with electrical tape (no other type of tape)
  • Drop Spin
  • Add marked time if your drop spin is strong
  • Bring to next class: Flag (new students who do not have a flag, they will be brought for you next class)

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Ensemble
    • Welcome to Wonder Band!
    • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
      • All Instruments: p2-3 (read and practice)
  • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
    • Huckleberry Jello
    • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
    • Pineapple, Pineapple
    • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
    • Jello (shh) lo
  • Bring to next class: Instrument, Essential Elements book 1, music stand, pencil, at least 3 reeds (clarinet, saxophone)
  • Baritone & Trombone (Low Brass)
    • Begin warmup by laying on floor to concentrate on deep belly breathing.
    • Continue warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece.
    • After placing the mouthpiece back in the trombone, focus on playing a note and holding that pitch without letting it wobble up or down.
    • Then try a different note.
    • If you have someone who can play a Bflat or F on the piano for you, see if you can match that pitch in first position.
    • Remember to have fun with it! All of this practice will help build your lip and mouth strength. Please be sure to purchase and bring your method book to our next class
  •  Clarinet
    • Make sure your focusing on your smiling muscles on the corners of your mouth to keep your lips from puffing out
    • Work on long tones, playing the notes as long as you can
    • Don’t forget to sizzle
    • Practice working notes EDG
    • Practice first two exercises in the book
  • Flute
    • Practice high EFlat. All fingers. Finger chart in the back of book.
    • Make sure you understand you posture; where is you head, neck, spine and feet.
    • Practice breathing. Lay on on the floor and fill you belly with air and slowly let it out.
    • Practice playing a B flat and holding the note as long as you can.
  • French Horn:
    • This week, focus on establishing good practice routine. Practice breathing, then buzzing, then producing notes.
    • Be sure you’re paying attention to her red-handed position and relaxed but upright posture, so you can breathe well. Look for recordings or videos of the piece Konzertstuck for four horns by Robert Schumann.
    • Keep breath steady, and blow through the note changes, continuing with a solid, beautiful tone through each note
  • Percussion
    • Practice setting up and putting away the snare drum, practice pad, and bell kits.
  • Saxophone
    • Make sure your focusing on your smiling muscles on the corners of your mouth to keep your lips from puffing out
    • Work on long tones, playing the notes as long as you can
    • Don’t forget to sizzle
    • Practice working notes BAG
    • Practice first two exercises in the book
  • Trumpet
    • Great first day!
    • Continue to work on buzzing without the mouthpiece as often as you can working on changing pitch (going up and down)
    • Work on buzzing with the mouthpiece, also trying to change pitch (this is first part of warm-up)
    • Practice first two exercises in the book
    • Work on playing a C and a G
    • Practice 20 minutes per day, this can be broken up throughout the day as we are building endurance with our lips

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Ensemble
    • Welcome to Wonder Band!
    • Scales (Use a metronome)
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
        • All Instruments: p2-3 (read and practice)
        • And if you are new to Essential Elements Book 1 you can zoom through the repertoire in them as a warmup
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Bring to class next week: Instrument, Essential Elements book 1, 2 music stand, pencil, at least 3 reeds (clarinet, saxophone)
  • Bass Guitar –
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
  • Clarinet
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
  • Electric Guitar
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Work through your personal method book
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
  • French Horn
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • This week, work on the skills you learned last year – C, B-flat, F, and G. Pick two of the duets that I gave you and learn both parts. Also look at the high range extension, exercise, being sure that you are breathing for the highest note in the and only going so high as you can play with an open and beautiful job.
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
  •  Flute
    • Make sure you understand you posture; where is you head, neck, spine and feet.
    • Practice breathing. Lay on on the floor and fill you belly with air and slowly let it out.
    • Practice pages 20-21 and 24 and 25.
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
  • Percussion
    • Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls. Also the “Rhythm Tree” exercise (taught by rote).
    • Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls.
  • Saxophone
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
  •  Trombone
    • Begin warmup by buzzing in the mouthpiece and then move to lip slurs.
    • Continue your warmup by playing with tonguing then slurring as you move from first to third position on any pitch.
    • Especially work on these pieces in the yellow method book:
      • 95, 102, 103. Really focus on consistent practice to build your lip and mouth strength, so we can move to more complicated pieces!
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
  •  Trumpet
    • Great job today!
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Continue to practice numbers 1-6 in the red book, use a tuner if needed to help ensure hitting the right notes
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 45m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Remember Practice Record
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Ensemble:
    • Welcome to Wonder Band!
    • Scales (Use a metronome)
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
        • All Instruments: p2-3 (read and practice)
        • And if you are new to Essential Elements Book 1 and 2 you can zoom through the repertoire in them as a warmup
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • We had some moving parts this week, so Miss Carol will be updating this link with new music to better suite the ensembles. Check back by next Tuesday for the link to print your music.
    • Work on warm-up routine, include scale work in the warm up
    • Bring to class next week: Instrument, Essential Elements book 1, 2, 3, music stand,  pencil, at least 3 reeds (clarinet, saxophone)
  •  Clarinet
    • Practice any challenging rhythms and high notes. Make sure you know all the notes.
    • Work on reading the rhythms ahead.
  • Electric Bass
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces
  • Electric Guitar
    • Practice scales you know and sight-read some personal choice pieces. The Essential Elements series doesn’t include a guitar book so we are still determining which will be the best book to use alongside the main method book.
  • Percussion
    • Work on “Hugga-Hugga-Burr” roll exercise (taught by rote) for both open and closed rolls.
  • Trombone
    • Use a bit of valve oil in the places I showed you every time you play this week, to make sure that F trigger moves the way it should.
    • Make sure your main tuning slide is out about 3/4 of an inch (where we marked) so the trombone is in tune.
    • Warmup: Start by buzzing – F-Bb-F, E-A-E, etc, starting somewhere comfortable and just getting your air and tone flowing
    • Move on to playing lip slurs on the trombone – starting in position 5, do the exercise we worked on together from your band book, moving up through position 1 – your mid-low register sounds great, so you should always start from there when you warm up.
    • Then work on your assignments for band
    • Focus always on connecting notes with your breath, and keeping an open “oh” or “aw” shape in your mouth – like you’ve just taken a bite of something hot or like you have a ping-pong ball in your mouth.
    • Blow through each note and each note change, really listening to your own tone and allowing it to be full and beautiful.
  • Trumpet
    • Fun first day!
    • Continue with warm-up routine to include all scales and working on increasing range
    • Get back into practice habit, at least 30 minutes per day (will move back up to 60m), even with busy schedules this can be done! 🙂
    • Work on sightreading different parts in your book, can do any one you choose, have fun with it!

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • 1st Year String Expectations: It is said that Twinkle Twinkle requires the student to learn more than 42 skills. Therefore, we take the majority of the first year to learn Twinkle, breaking down smaller sets of skill into isolated exercises. This means students will not put the bow to the strings (or play their instruments) right away. The exercises they do are important to practice because they help build muscle memory with proper form. Once one has attained a level of mastery on the individual skills, building upon and joining them together becomes much easier. Please be patient and take seriously the exercises in each week’s Class Notes.
  • Remember Practice Records
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Bass and Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1 (Playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgjRQfXvXDg)
    • Parts of the Instrument
      • Bass: Afterlength, Bass bar, Belly, Bout, Bridge, C Bout, Dowel, Endblock, Endpin, F-Hole, Fingerboard, Flatback, Gmba shape, Headstock, Upper and Lower bout, machine heads, Mensur, Neck, Nut, Overstand, Peg box, Ribs, Romberg Bevel, Saddle, Scroll, Shoulders, Sound hole, Sound post, Table, Tailgut, Tailpiece, Tuning Keys, Violin Corner
      • Cello: Scroll, Peg box, Pegs, Nut, Neck, Finger board, Strings, Purfling, Bridge, Fine tuners, Tail piece, Tail cord, Shoulder bouts, C-bouts, Lower bouts, End pin, F-holes, Front, Back
      • Bow, Stick, Pharrell, Horse hair, Screw, Thumb leather* (we didn’t talk about this), Silver winding* (nor this)
    • Rhythms (clapping https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5)
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
    • 4 steps to a good bow hold:
      • Right hand Palm up
      • Bow stick goes across your 4th and 1st finger joint. (Point bow in the direction towards your thumb, horse hair away from you).
      • Long- John silver Curved thumb on the side of the stick, at the corner of the frog
      • (middle finger matches with the silver part of the frog, ferrule)
      • Thumb comes to the side of the stick, curved and in the tip of the thumb
    • BOW ASSIGNMENT
      • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
      • Up Like a Rocket
        • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
        • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
        • Round and round like a great big drum,
        • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.
    • Bass Hold:
      • Nut should be around the top of your head
      • Stand upright, arms length from the bass
      • Lean bass to body with palm with heal
      • Corner should balance against the center to side of stomach (just above belt line) from the middle to side of body
      • legs relaxed, left knee to bottom bout keep the bass from falling
    • Cello Hold:
      • Sit regularly (don’t move for the instrument, bring the instrument to you)
      • Cradle the instrument with both knees
      • If you need, try to adjust so that the cello is not pushing you back – you should be able to lean into the instrument slightly.
    • Knuckle Knocks:
      • Gentle fist starting at the nut, along the finger board to the bridge
      • Touch the scroll, touch the bridge (while having good sitting posture).
    • Cello Left Hand Pluck
      • C for cello each finger (1-4) 4x on each string AAAA, DDDD, etc
    • Ski Jumps
      • Each finger (1-4) on each string
      • Start in (1st) position, slide, pluck, return to (1st) position
  • Violin & Viola
  • BOW ASSIGNMENT
    • 100 bow holds! Each day, if your house has stairs, practice bow hold on the bottom stair, and go up one stair, do a new bow-hold, shake out hand and take a step.
    • Up Like a Rocket
      • Up like a rocket, down like the rain,
      • Back and forth like a choo choo train.
      • Round and round like a great big drum,
      • Land on your head curved pinky and thumb.

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  •  Ensemble:
    • Welcome to Wonder Orchestra! I sure enjoyed sight reading music with you all during our first class! We will have concert music ready to start at next rehearsal. This week, please practice what you have worked on with your string coaches, plus the G Major scale, 1 octaves.
    • Scales (Use a metronome)
      • G Major, 1 octaves
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • We will sight read more pieces next class!
      • Feel free to pluck through the music you received
      • And, start playing at a slower tempo
  •  Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Practice Routine:
      • Open strings (good tone)
      • Ringing tones (2x bows)
      • Scale D major 4-16th notes per note
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Twinkle, Twinkle AB Sections – bowing with different rhythms
        • French Folk Song
        • Lightly Row A, A1, B, A1
        • Song of the Wind
        • Go Tell Aunt Rhody
        • Review the songs that you remember well and come with any questions you might have, or requests of pieces to polish.
      • I will assign performance days next week
  • Viola and Violin
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 1
    • Watch Pre-twinkle: Setup Exercises Videos: https://a-musician-is.com (password: amusicianis)
      • Please watch the videos if you are behind or don’t remember the pieces. They are in the video playlist bk.1
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Twinkle Twinkle with varying bowing in A, G, D Major – bowing with different rhythms
      • French Folk Song (violas)
      • Lightly Row
      • Song of the Wind
      • Oh Come Little Children
      • Allegro

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  •  Ensemble:
    • Welcome to Wonder Orchestra! I sure enjoyed sight reading music with you all during our first class! We will have concert music ready to start at next rehearsal. This week, please practice what you have worked on with your string coaches, plus the G Major scale, 2 octaves.
    • Scales (Use a metronome)
      • G Major, 2 octaves
    • Review (Use a metronome)
      • Suzuki B1-Your current book
    • Repertoire (Use a metronome)
      • We will sight read more pieces next class!
      • Feel free to pluck through the music you received
      • And, start playing at a slower tempo
  • Cello
    • Listen Daily: Suzuki 2-3
    • Practice Routine:
      • Open strings (good tone)
      • Ringing tones (2x bows)
      • G Major scale, 2-8ves, 4-16th notes per note.
      • Review (Use a metronome)
        • Suzuki B1
        • All the pieces you know well. Focus on the pieces near the end of the book. Come with questions or requests of pieces you’d like to polish. Use a metronome.
      • New Song – May Time:
        • Feel free to pluck through the song
        • Tempo of ”discovery,” to tempo of “success”
      • I will assign performance days next week
  • Viola and Violin

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Ensemble:
    • Welcome to Wonder Orchestra! I sure enjoyed sight reading music with you all during our first class! We will have concert music ready to start at next week’s rehearsal.
    • Scales: Several 2 octave scales
  • Scales
  • Review (Use a metronome)
    • Suzuki B1-Your current book
  • Ensemble:
    • We will sight read more next class!

RECORDERS 1

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Great first class! Here are a couple notes for practice this week, as well as some things to remember for next week’s class:
  • During your practice, please work on:
    1. Posture/holding your recorder
    2. Setting up your stand (if you don’t have a stand, please try to get one within the next couple weeks)
    3. Fingering for the B, A, G notes. Remember to cover the holes completely with the pads of your fingers; no need to press too hard!
    4. Blowing into your recorder with the proper amount of air
    5.  Practice songs 1-4 on page 4 of your book, and Hot Cross Buns on page 6. You can play anything in between if you have the time! Focus on reading the notes on the lines. You can write the note names in if you need to.
    6. Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Next week, don’t forget to bring your:
    • Recorder
    • Recorder book
    • Pencil
    • Stand
  • It will be a great year learning, playing music, and wondering together!

RECORDERS 2

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Remember Practice Records
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • Great first class! Here are a couple notes for practice this week, as well as some things to remember for next class:
  • During your practice, please work on:
  • 1. Posture/holding your recorder
  • 2. Setting up your stand (if you don’t have a stand, please try to get one within the next couple weeks)
  • 3. Fingering *Try to practice from Low C all the way up to High E; if you need it, there is a fingering chart in the back of your method book. We have Baroque style recorders, so don’t be confused by the German style fingerings they have listed in the back. Focus on the E-E octave.
  • 4. Remember to practice covering the thumb hole on the back only halfway to play high E.
  • 5. Practice songs 1-3 in your book from page 2. You can also work on Jolly Good Fellow if you need more to work on. If you’re having trouble remembering the note names for treble clef, you can write them in your book. You can also practice and make up some of your own Apple Pie rhythyms. Ap-ple = two eight notes, pie = one quarter note, blue-ber-ry = triplets. Keep your measure to just 4 beats total.
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Next week, don’t forget to bring your:
    • Recorder
    • Recorder book
    • Pencil
    • Stand
  • Again, great job this week! I can’t wait to keep learning with you all!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • Practice the alphabet, try spelling names in addition to the alphabet. For experienced signers, work on your accuracy and speed, and teach your family or friend how to sign their name.

DANCE

  • See ALL ENSEMBLES notes above and complete assignment
  • Practice Time: 10m/5d
  • Review Focused Practice Guide Review: https://letswonder.org/focused-practice/
  • Remember Practice Records
    • *Record your time on your practice records and get it signed by a parent before you bring it back next class. If you did not get a practice record in class, you may have received it later in the day or you will receive it next class. Practice Records were not passed out today. Please use your own paper to keep track of the total minutes you practice each day for the next two week, have your parents sign it, and bring it back for next class.
  • It was great to meet you all this week! I look forward to working with you all this year.
  • Please review ballet terminology:
    • *Plie – to bend
    • *Tendu – to pointe and stretch
    • *Battement Glisse – beating, gliding movement
    • *Frappe – to strike
    • *Rond De Jambe – cirle of the leg
    • *Fondu – to melt
    • *Grand Battement – large beating movement
    • *Saute – to jump
    • *Passe – to Pass
    • *Pas de chat – step of the cat
    • We will continue to add to our list of ballet terominogy as we progress this year
  • Reminder

GUIDED PE

  • Great 1st class!
  • REMINDERS
    • *Arrive with waterbottle (and snack if needed) at your class start time
    • *get into a circle and ready for warmups!
    • *We will break into our groups and get ready to move!
    • *Wear PE friendly shoes (minimalist/barefoot recommended)
    • If you wear cowboy boots or other hard soled shoes please be prepared to take them off or change shoes to not damage the jump box or slip!
    • It’ll be a great year with lots of fun and hard work! Thank you!

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • 1st Year Students
    • Great first day of photography! To get started, let me suggest a few videos. There are literally thousands of “photography” videos on YouTube. These explain the main concepts very well.
    • Start with this one from the George Eastman Museum first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMnpYoDzLk&list=PLH_FfjHEuvR5U0Ur8rB35fezQ1yZkShMk&index=1
      • You’re welcome to watch them all, of course. (But they only posted 8 of 12 on YouTube)
    • Then, this one is a fascinating mix of old and new photography: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfRiBSEfCFQ
    • And finally, this third video is an interview with an old pro who explains his basics for great photography.
      • Listen to Huntington Witherill describe how he developed his photographic eye to capture extraordinary photos while keeping his eyes open for the unxpected. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ptA1v5LNU
    • Bonus Points: Get your parents or siblings to watch with you. They are really quite good.
  • 2nd Year Students
    • Each student was given a 3X5 photo mat to look through, simulating a viewfinder. They were given the question, how do you tell the story of what is happening in this room by looking through this aperature?
    • Pull the mat closer to your face simulates a 14mm lens. Arms length is aprox 200mm lens. How bright is the room? The aperature of your eye is round, but how open is your pupil in this light?
    • Homework, start looking at light in various situations and imagine a rectangle around a section of what you can see. How would you capture the event to tell the story to someone who isn’t there?
    • Homework, Clean you cameras and charge batteries. Start taking pictures between now and next class. Choose 3-5 you want to share with the class.
  • Parents, please make sure your child has all needed equipment to complete course. Some students didn’t have the correct equipment or no equipment. Equipment is needed for next class. Thank you!
    • Required Equipment
    • DSLR or mirrorless camera (some bridge cameras are also fine)*
    • Standard Kit Lens (the most common kit lens is the 18-55mm)
    • Camera Bag
    • Camera Memory Card
    • Camera Tripod
    • Adaptor (transfer images to computer)
    • Access to Google Drive
    • *You will need a camera that has manual settings. An easy way to tell if your camera is suitable for our Photography class is to look at the top and see if the camera has a dial with the letter ‘M’ (for manual).
  • Throughout the year, students will need to upload their images to their designated folder. Some images will be used in the collaborative project, individual project, and yearbook submission. Please be sure you can access this folder.

THEATER

  • It was so nice meeting all of you for theatre class today! We are going to have a great year. I look forward to seeing you on October 21st!
    • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Thank you to the former parents who were able to step in on our first day! There was lots of music and movement happening! Practice some movement with your little ones this week.

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Thank you to the former parents who were able to step in on our first day! There was lots of music and movement happening! Practice some movement with your little ones this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

  • We had a wonderful first day at Wonder! We had a great beginning to our year today and it is going to be so much fun to see what wonderful things we will learn this year. Our Theme is Peace and it was such a blessing to hear the children in each class be able to tell us what Peace means!
  • Something New for this year. Rather than entering the class immediately upon arrival as we’ve done in the past, each week the children are to line up outside the classroom, having taken off their shoes (leave socks on) and put them neatly together against the wall with any other stuff they bring (jackets, back packs, toys). Quiet voices. The teachers will welcome the children to come into class when it is time. Please bring in only your music bag and water bottle into the classroom each week! (Toys and play things need to be left at home or in the hallway)
  • New students: The children received their music bags today that they are to decorate in some way and bring back to our next class. They can use permanent colored pens; iron on decals; color crayons (iron safe-made especially for this) or puff paints. Please allow the children to design and have a say in what/how they decorate them but they will need your help! Bring these to class every week with your home assignments in them!
  • Returning students who were in MM1 last year: They will use their same bags and binders this year. Please remove the previous folders, papers, etc from the binders but leave the rhythm and tonal cards in the pouch. We will be using them again. At our next class they will receive their materials and binders that will go into their bags that they must bring to class each week with their finished assignments.
  • All Parents: They will have simple home assignments to complete at home with you. Please teach them to be responsible for their bags, binder and other materials that they will receive as we go along. Be sure it is put by the door to come to Wonder each week! Ask them what we did in class; what was the story; songs and activities. Be sure children have a water bottle with fresh water in it each week. Thank you!

MUSIC MAKERS 2

  • We had a wonderful first day at Wonder! We had a great beginning to our year today and it is going to be so much fun to see what wonderful things we will learn this year. Our Theme is Peace and it was such a blessing to hear the children in each class be able to tell us what Peace means!
  • Something New for this year. Rather than entering the class immediately upon arrival as we’ve done in the past, each week the children are to line up outside the classroom, having taken off their shoes (leave socks on) and put them neatly together against the wall with any other stuff they bring (jackets, back packs, toys). Quiet voices. The teachers will welcome the children to come into class when it is time. Please bring in only your music bag and water bottle into the classroom each week! (Toys and play things need to be left at home or in the hallway)
  • New students: The children received their music bags today that they are to decorate in some way and bring back to our next class. They can use permanent colored pens; iron on decals; color crayons (iron safe-made especially for this) or puff paints. Please allow the children to design and have a say in what/how they decorate them but they will need your help! Bring these to class every week with your home assignments in them!
  • Returning students who were in MM1 or 2 last year: They will use their same bags and binders this year. Please remove the previous folders, papers, etc from the binders but leave the rhythm and tonal cards in the pouch. We will be using them again. At our next class they will receive their materials and binders that will go into their bags that they must bring to class each week with their finished assignments.
  • All Parents: They will have simple home assignments to complete at home with you. Please teach them to be responsible for their bags, binder and other materials that they will receive as we go along. Be sure it is put by the door to come to Wonder each week! Ask them what we did in class; what was the story; songs and activities. Be sure children have a water bottle with fresh water in it each week. Thank you!

DISCOVERY

  • What a wonderful group of kids we had. Our “table” was full! We spent most of the class going over how to prepare for our “work” materials and how to properly use some of the materials and proper classroom behavior. Other learning materials (work) will be explained as the weeks go on; read a Beatrice Potter book; snack time and spent time at the “Park”. What a beautiful day it was and we had a great time together!
  • Please bring socks and water bottles for next week. While in the class students will not wear shoes.
  • Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in 209 at doors at the end of lunch (please make sure they stop by the bathroom before heading to class)
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 209 (or end of B4 playground, end of B5 Middle School Room for those who are doing Littles Dance)
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • It was so great to meet you all. I had so fun much dancing/moving with you all.
    • This week I want you to dance with your family. Find a song that you all love and try different different dynamics/quality of movement – slow, fast, sharp, soft.
    • We will work on this concept the next time we meet. Have fun and be creative.

PLAYROOM WITH HELPING HANDS

  • After Lunch Check-in: Please be sure to check your student in room 212
  • Check-out: Please be sure to quietly check your student out in room 212 or (playground) with the Playroom Helping Hands

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • Topics Covered: Introduction/What is a program. Please complete take home worksheet. For further review, you may reference https://learnpythontherightway.com/chapter/chapter-1.html

COMPUTER SCIENCE (FUNDAMENTALS OF EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • Please check-in at the Welcome Table at the beginning of your schedule.
  • Thank you! You all were very helpful this week! The first day of Wonder is very different than what the rest of the year will look like.  It takes a few weeks to find the best ways to have you learn and assist. Assignments are based on program needs and the student’s maturity, capabilities, listening skills, and character. Assignments may vary from week to week. Students should arrive ready to serve as requested with a good attitude, respect, cheerfulness, and perfect effort.

STUDY HALL

  • Please check-in at the Welcome Table at the beginning of your class.
  • Students should expect to attend study hall the entire block. If you’ve completed all of your work, you will need to remain in the study hall area and complete a quite activity (a book is one of the best choices).  
  • Students who will be using a computer or phone for work will need to sign the tech policy before next class.

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/09/09

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/09/09
DATE: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Below are notes to help each family prepare for their time at Wonder, including details for all students, music students, and class-specific notes. We’ve also included a short note to help students understand the goal or what we’re working toward during the course of the year.

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 71:17-18 – God, You have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wonders. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. – Psalms 71:17-18
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 2:1-5 – My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding…Then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. – Proverbs 2:1-5 NET (New English Translation)
    • Isaiah 28:23 – Listen, and hear my voice! Listen attentively, and hear my word! – Isaiah 28:23 LEB (Lexham English Bible)
    • Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV (English Standard Version)
    • Matthew 7:24 – Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. – Matthew 7:24 World English Bible (WEB)
    • 1 John 3:11 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. – 1 John 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

ALL ATTENDEES (CLARIFICATIONS)

  • 1st Day Preparation: Please review the first Class Notes for a complete list of needed items. Below, we’ve only included updates.
  • Binder (Update): One binder may be enough to use for all classes but will require pocket dividers for the number of classes.
  • Music Bag: A music bag is NOT a backpack but rather a tote designated for music-related items. Black canvas totes with a zipper work best because they are usually sturdy enough to protect supplies and hide stains. New Music Makers students will be provided a bag.
  • Music Stand: Be sure you have the correct music stand.

ALL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES

PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT AND PRIVATE LESSONS

We cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintaining the skills you’ve already learned, especially our Prelude musicians. Please be sure to practice regularly. As Dr. Andrew has wisely noted, practice makes permanent.

Returning students are expected to, at the very least, maintain the same level of skill the class reached at the end of the year. If you plan to continue with the same instrument, we suggest keeping your instrument rental active and pursuing summer private lessons with one of our coaches. It’s very easy for beginner instrument players to loose proper technique and form without practicing on a regular basis.

Practice Tips for Focused Practice

  1. Practice! Practice DAILY so you don’t forget what you learned!
  2. Stay hydrated
  3. Always pay attention to healthy posture and good breathing (don’t forget body and finger stretches)
  4. Work on the scales and arpeggios  you know
  5. Practice with a metronome
  6. Practice rhythm and note reading (strings have the I can read music books)
  7. Work on Etude / Technique books (for upper ensembles)
  8. Continue to REVIEW the repertoire you learned this year
  9. Learn more pieces in your method books (strings can watch coaching videos)
  10. Listen to the repertoire in your method book
  11. Take private lessons during the summer, even if it is sporadically.

ALL ENSEMBLES (BAND/ORCHESTRA/DRUMLINE, BUCKETLINE, FLAGS/RECORDER/CHOIR)

  • Still missing items? Contact our vendors and they’ll deliver them to Wonder when items are ready or you can pick them up on the first day of class. [LINK]
  • First Music Assignment: Anatomy of Your Instrument & Rhythms
    1. Come prepared to class by reviewing the Instrument Guide for instrument specific needs [LINK]
    2. Read Focused Practice Guide: https://letswonder.org/focused-practice/
    3. Practice Plan (written assignments to be turned in to Welcome Table upon arrival)
      1. When are you going to practice? Give specific times and days.
      2. When are you going to do passive listening of an hour per day?
      3. Do you have your practice space set up?
      4. Can you easily access videos and listening assignments?
      5. Is your metronome, tuner, stand, mirror easily accessible?
      6. Are your supplies in the space and easily accessed?
    4. Anatomy of Your Instrument
      • Beginners: Do a little research and see if you can come to the first day of class with a little information about the parts of your instrument.
      • Experienced: It’s always good to review the anatomy of your instrument.
      • Voice: Your an instrument too! Learn a little about your voice and the parts of your voice. This site is a good place to start (https://www.singwise.com/articles/anatomy-of-the-voice)
    5. Watch Video & Learn/Practice Rhythms and Names (clapping) (5min/5days): (https://photos.app.goo.gl/nrxnCqvWbuBghF7x5) 
      • Huckleberry Jello
      • Gooseberry, Gooseberry
      • Pineapple, Pineapple
      • Huckleberry, Huckleberry
      • Jello (shh) lo
      • Beginners Instruments: While we wait for the first day of class, it’s important that you become familiar with your instrument, but don’t play your instrument (unless your coach gave you specific instructions). We don’t want you to develop improper habits before we ever really start. So, your first assignment is to learn the parts of your instrument and practice clapping rhythms. Spend about 5-minutes a day (1 or 2 times  a day) clapping and saying the rhythm nicknames above. Watch the video above.
      • Returners: It’s also always good to practice your rhythms. We know many of you already know the proper names for the rhythm types, but you may be less familiar with nicknames we use. Please make sure you are familiar with them so you can be helpful to newer students when needed…and so you will know what terms mean if they are used in class. Review basic rhythms, but feel free to practice your own while using the nicknames above.
    6. Listen: If you have your method books, start listening to the music. If you don’t, just enjoy listening to some instrumental classical and/or jazz.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

BEGINNER PIANO

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

BUCKELINE, DRUMLINE & FLAGS

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Instrument Class Students)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

TRAINING & MIDPOINT BAND (2nd Year Students or Above)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

TRAINING, MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA, & CONCERT ORCHESTRA (2nd Year Students or above)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

RECORDERS 1 & 2

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above
  • Returning recorder students, please bring your instrument and Book 1.

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

PRIME CHOIR

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • We have a few potential people to lead this class. We will plan to make updates next week if we find someone or if we change the class to spanish.

DANCE

  • No notes for this week.

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • Returning students, please bring your art bags and materials.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • No notes for this week.

THEATER

  • No notes for this week.
  • History II: The Early Church and Middle Ages: Covers the period from c. AD 33 to 1600 AD

MUSIC MAKERS 1 & 2

  • Returning students, please bring their bags and binders the first day.

LITTLE MOVERS, LITTLE SHAKERS, & LITTLE CYCLES

  • No notes for this week.

DISCOVERY

  • Please take your child to the restroom BEFORE class and wait with them during the first day of class.
  • Please be sure to check-out your child in every day, according to their schedule.
  • Checkout may happen in the same arrival room, outside, or in the dance room, depending on when your child is scheduled to leave. We will let you know where on the first day.

DANCE FOR DISCOVERY STUDENTS

  • No notes for this week.

PLAYROOM WITH GUIDE FOR STAFF AND HELPING HANDS

  • Please be sure to check-out your child in every day, according to their schedule.

PLAYROOM WITH PARENT

  • No notes for this week.

LAB

  • We are moving forward with the Berean Builders curriculum. Please order it as soon as you are able and begin the reading so you are prepared for the labs.
  • Reading Schedule: LINK (Please view the suggested reading schedule and read week 1 & 2 before the next class.)
    • We will follow the suggested reading schedule and will create a lab that will focus on a specific area of study.
  • Text: Berean Builders Discovering Design with Chemistry

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION & EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No notes for this week.
  • Computer Science Intro: Standard Application [prerequisite; offered every year]
  • Computer Science: Fundamentals of Embedded Programming [2025-2026 Focus]

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

WGN CLASS NOTES: WONDER PREP

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: WONDER PREP
DATE: Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Below are notes to help each family prepare for their time at Wonder, including details for all students, music students, and class-specific notes. We’ve also included a short note to help your family understand the goal, specifically what each class/ensemble is working toward during the course of the year (including required and optional performances).

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Wonder provides monthly biblical character lessons every month based on Scripture. Students are able to memorize and recite these verses, as well as others, throughout the year. We always start the year with “Attentiveness, which is listed below. You can see the full definition in the link above, and practice the memory verses below. During our first assembly on the first day of class, you’ll learn more about how you can earn points for Scripture memorization. These are also great memory verses and discussion topics for the family. We hope you are encouraged by them.
  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 71:17-18 – God, You have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wonders. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. – Psalms 71:17-18
  • Character Scripture:
    • Proverbs 2:1-5 – My child, if you receive my words, and store up my commands within you, by making your ear attentive to wisdom, and by turning your heart to understanding…Then you will understand how to fear the LORD, and you will discover knowledge about God. – Proverbs 2:1-5 NET (New English Translation)
    • Isaiah 28:23 – Listen, and hear my voice! Listen attentively, and hear my word! – Isaiah 28:23 LEB (Lexham English Bible)
    • Proverbs 4:20-22 – My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 ESV (English Standard Version)
    • Matthew 7:24 – Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. – Matthew 7:24 World English Bible (WEB)
    • 1 John 3:11 – For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. – 1 John 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

ALL ATTENDEES

  • Label ALL personal possessions
  • Attire worn must be according to Wonder Way
    • Highlights: Wonder Tees should be worn every week, shorts/skirts/dresses should be at the knee or lower, and leggings are NOT to be worn alone.
  • Family Wagon to store your family’s personal items in the first floor hallway. ALL items must fit in the wagon except cellos and upright basses. All other instruments must fit in the wagon, along with stands, backpacks, and lunch bags. Larger families may need two wagons.
    • What kind of wagon? It is best to use a wagon with wheels. They can be purchased online according to your budget and size needs, and can often be found used (facebook, nextdoor).
    • Don’t own a wagon? A basket or bin could work, though the wheels of a wagon make it easier to move. ALL items must fit in the solution.
  • 1 Year Parent Read: Nurtured by Love by Shinichi Suzuki
  • Bag / Backpack for folders, binders, class attire, some instruments, supplies, etc… (You do NOT need a bag or binder for every class, but we’ve listed classes that require these items below)
  • Technology: Phones and electronic devices are not to be used at Wonder (including smart watches). If a phone is seen without prior permission, it will be confiscated until dismissal. Students with more than one infraction will be required to turn-in their device upon arrival and retrieve it upon departure. Laptops may be used during study hall for parent-approved study, but not games.
  • Water Bottle with tight-fitting lid (NO JUICE)
  • Snack (morning and afternoon – actual times vary, MESS-FREE)
  • Lunch (cold lunch, MESS-FREE)
  • Dinner (please bring a picnic dinner if you would like to join)

* Regarding Food. Snack breaks are not just to give the body a rest or refuel energy but to encourage relationship building. When selecting healthy snacks and lunch, please consider the following:

  • Water ONLY (NO JUICE) in water bottle with tight-fitting lid
  • Bring a well-balanced lunch; this is especially important for students who are staying in the afternoon
  • Bring snacks and cold lunches which do not require refrigeration and/or use of the microwave
  • Choose simple mess-free snacks easy enough to eat within a 5-minute break
  • Include an ice-pack in your student’s lunch pail, if needed
  • Healthy snacks can include, but are not limited to, fresh fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, fruit cups, applesauce, granola bars, crackers, and cheese sticks
  • Avoid foods with added sugar, dyes, and artificial ingredients (such ingredients in food have been shown to negatively affect behavior and and focus/concentration)
  • Avoid sweets, chocolates, cookies, etc.
  • NO popcorn or beverages other than water
  • Nut-free (although we do our best to make sure surfaces are wiped, because class materials are shared, we ask all food be nut-free)
  • No food sharing (even for birthdays)

ALL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES (BAND/ORCHESTRA/BUCKETLINE, DRUMLINE & FLAGS/RECORDER/CHOIR)

  • Label ALL personal possessions
  • Music Bag
  • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Metronome + Tuner
  • *Music Stand + Carrying Case (REQUIRED Model: Peak sms-32 – Black Full-Back Foldable, label bag & non-audience side): $35
    *Excluding CHOIR & FLAGS, Prelude Orchestra Members (beginner string cello, double bass, violin, & viola students –  no stand needed this year).
  • Still missing items? Contact our vendors and they’ll deliver them to Wonder when items are ready or you can pick them up during Orientation. [LINK]

Homeschool Music Fest Days Brief Overview (cohomeschoolmusic.org/music-fest/)

Many families request this information early in the year to help them better prepare their students, so we’ve added a quick overview for now. You’ll get more information as we get closer to the event.

    • Two day event in February or March, exclusively for homeschool students around the state
    • Solo & Ensemble Festival (1st Day – Optional): Student-led solo or ensemble for homeschool voice, strings, band, and piano students). Ideal for Recorder, Training, Midpoint, or Concert level musicians. Family’s register directly;  additional fee required. Preparation details below:
    • Concert Festival (2nd Day – Required for Wonder Choirs, Midpoint Band, Midpoint Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, and Drumline & Flags): Official homeschool ensemble groups. Wonder registers participating groups; no additional fee required.

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Goal: Develop music theory skills, knowledge, and understanding concepts

BEGINNER PIANO

  • Method book will be distributed on the first day of class
  • You must have a piano at home for daily practice; we provide pianos for class use
  • Music Bag
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): April Assembly Performance, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Wonder Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

BUCKELINE, DRUMLINE & FLAGS

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above
  • Instrument, Case & Instrument Specific Accessories
    • DO NOT Purchase drumline or bucketline Drumline Sticks or Practice Flag until placement is assigned after the first day of class. 
    • Bucketline: Practice Kit
    • Drumline: Practice Kit with Practice Sticks, Drumline Sticks (Required sticks will be based on drumline placement later in the year; do not purchase until placement is given)
    • Flags:  Practice Flag & Pole – For flags, it will be more cost effective for us to make a bulk order, rather than each individual family purchasing their poles and silks (saving of about $15 each). Please bring $35 cash on the first day of class to pay for those items. (Do not individually order required practice flag and pole; (Order/Pickup through Wonder on the first day of class)
  • (Drumline & Bucketline Only)
    • Music Bag
    • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
    • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
    • Metronome + Tuner
    • Music Stand + Carrying Case (REQUIRED Model: Peak sms-32)
    • Method book will be distributed on the first day of class
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Homeschool Music Fest (Drumline Only), Homeschool Day at the Capitol, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Instrument Class Students)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above
  • Instrument, Case & Instrument Specific Accessories
  • Music Bag
  • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Metronome + Tuner
  • Music Stand + Carrying Case (REQUIRED Model: Peak sms-32)
  • Method Book (start listening to the audio daily)
    • Prelude: Essential Elements with Audio Book 1
  • Performance Repertoire will be distributed throughout the year
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

TRAINING & MIDPOINT BAND (2nd Year Students or Above)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above
  • Instrument, Case & Instrument Specific Accessories
  • Music Bag
  • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Metronome + Tuner
  • Music Stand + Carrying Case (REQUIRED Model: Peak sms-32)
  • *Method Book (start listening to the audio daily)
    • Training: Essential Elements with Audio Book 1, 2
    • Midpoint: Essential Elements with Audio Book 1, 2, 3
  • Performance Repertoire will be distributed throughout the year
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Homeschool Music Fest (Midpoint Band Only), Homeschool Day at the Capitol, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

* If you have not received your placement, please wait to acquire additional method book levels.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ notes above
  • Instrument, Case & Instrument Specific Accessories
  • Music Bag
  • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Metronome + Tuner
  • *Music Stand + Carrying Case (REQUIRED Model: Peak sms-32)
  • Method Book (start listening to the audio daily)
    • Prelude: Suzuki with Audio Book 1
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

TRAINING, MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA, & CONCERT ORCHESTRA (2nd Year Students or above)

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ note above
  • Instrument, Case & Instrument Specific Accessories
  • Music Bag
  • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Metronome + Tuner
  • Music Stand + Carrying Case (REQUIRED Model: Peak sms-32)
  • Method Book (start listening to the audio daily)
    • Training: Suzuki with Audio Book 1
    • Midpoint: Suzuki with Audio 1, 2, 3
    • Concert: Suzuki with Audio 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 +
  • Performance Repertoire will be distributed throughout the year
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Homeschool Music Fest (Midpoint & Concert Orchestra Only), Homeschool Day at the Capitol, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

* If you have not received your placement, please wait to acquire additional method book levels.

RECORDERS 1 & 2

  • Instruments and method book will be distributed on the first day of class (returning students must bring their instrument and Book 1)
  • Music Bag
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Music Stand + Carrying Case (REQUIRED Model: Peak sms-32)
  • Method Book (start listening to the audio daily)
    • Recorder 1: Book 1
    • Recorder 2: Book 1, 2 (Book 2 provided by Wonder)
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event
  • Main Performance Attire: Wonder Black
  • Community Event Attire: Wonder Black or Wonder Basic

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

  • Based on space availability, we will need to combine the junior and senior choir this year
  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ note above
  • Music Bag
  • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Performance Repertoire will be distributed throughout the year
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Homeschool Music Fest, Homeschool Day at the Capitol,  Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

PRIME CHOIR

  • See ‘ALL ENSEMBLES’ note above
  • Music Bag
  • Plain Black 3-Ringed Binder with Clear Pockets (label inside binder)
  • Pencil & Eraser (no pens + highlighters)
  • Performance Repertoire will be distributed throughout the year
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Homeschool Music Fest, Homeschool Day at the Capitol,  Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

  • No additional items required
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Homeschool Day at the Capitol, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Concert Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

DANCE

  • View practice attire requirements on Expectations page.
  • Keep hair up in a ponytail or braid
  • Bag / Backpack
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Family Day Event, Optional Community Events
  • Rehearsal Attire:
    • Please keep in mind: Students have limited time to change into their rehearsal attire. Please either wear your attire during the day or wear easily changeable attire to Wonder.
    • Black Canvas Ballet Shoes: Adult Size, Boy/Girl Size, Child Size
    • Plain Black Leggings (fitted but not too tight to restrict movement): No particular brand
    • Rehearsal Shorts (mid-thigh length, any color): Adult Size, Boy/Girl Size OR Rehearsal Skirt (mid-thigh length, black): Adult Size, Boy/Girl Size
  • Main Performance Attire: Wonder Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic – Black Shoes, (Girls: Plain Black Leggings, Black Skirt, Ponytail) (Boys: Black Leggings, Black Shorts, Combed Hair)

*Regarding modesty. It is imperative the Dance Guide can clearly observe and evaluate each student’s form in order to ensure proper technique and avoid injury. Leggings must be worn with shorts or a skirt. Loose and long attire that obstructs the guide from properly doing so are not at the best interest of the student for this discipline.

GUIDED PE

  • Clothes should be loose, comfortable, and allow for freedom of movement and independence in dressing. No leggings or shorts above the thigh.
  • Barefoot shoes are highly encouraged for healthy movement and development.
  • Goal: Develop improved movement habits, strength, awareness

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • Materials will be distributed on the first day of class (returning students must bring their art bags)
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event Final Project, Optional Community Projects

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE PUNCH)

  • Materials will be distributed on the first day of class
  • Bag / Backpack
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event Final Project, Optional Community Projects

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • DSLR or mirrorless camera (some bridge cameras are also fine)*
  • Standard Kit Lens (the most common kit lens is the 18-55mm)
  • Camera Bag
  • Camera Memory Card
  • Camera Tripod
  • Adaptor (transfer images to computer)
  • Access to Google Drive
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event Final Project, Optional Community Projects

*You will need a camera that has manual settings. An easy way to tell if your camera is suitable for our Photography class is to look at the top and see if the camera has a dial with the letter ‘M’ (for manual).

THEATER

  • Theater Monologue Overview
    1. Theater focuses on a different Historical Time Period each year.
    2. In class and at home research of the Historical Time Period is required (the depth of research is flexible, but the student should, at a minimum, understand their character and background).
    3. Depending on individual ability, students may author an original work(s) or select from a number of historically fitting pieces to learn and recite in costume.
    4. If a student chooses to write an original work, all writing must be completed at home. Parents are welcome to help their younger children if they’d like to write an original work, but must not write it for them.
    5. Students will use class time to discuss the time period and character research, practice reciting their scripts, and get feedback from others during class.
    6. Home practice is required, as students will need to memorize their selected work(s).
    7. Students will have the option to work as an individual or with a partner and help design their set with props. Monologues may be dramatic, humorous, educational, or persuasive and will have varying requirements.
    8. Small group rehearsals and Crew Days will be scheduled in the evenings (and possibly some mornings) during the spring session so each group can have enough time to design sets, design costumes, and rehearse lines.  You will be required to attend a minimum of 1 or 2 rehearsals, based on your individual or group needs. Students and one parent are required to be present the entire day/time they attend.
  • Historical Time Period:
    • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 BC
    • History II: The Early Church and Middle Ages: Covers the period from c. AD 33 to 1600 AD
    • History III: The Renaissance, Reformation, and Growth of Nations: Covers the period from 1455 to 1707
    • History IV: Wars of Independence to Modern Times: Covers the period from 1708 to 2014
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event
  • Main Performance Attire: Period Costumes, based on the character, Costumes and Props not provided

MUSIC MAKERS 1 & 2

  • Materials will be distributed during the first few weeks of class (returning students must bring their bags and binders the first day)
  • No additional items required
  • A snack may be eaten before or after class in Guided PE
  • Goal (See Calendar for Dates): Year of Wonder Spring Event, Family Day Event, Optional Community Events
  • Main Performance Attire: Wonder Black
  • Community Event Attire: Concert Black, Wonder Black, or Wonder Basic

LITTLE MOVERS, LITTLE SHAKERS, & LITTLE CYCLES

  • Materials will be distributed during the first few weeks  of class
  • No additional items required
  • A snack may be eaten before or after class in Guided PE
  • Goal: Gain more exposure to musical concepts and bond with grownup

DISCOVERY

  • Full-Sized Backpack
  • Daily Snacks: Due to the diversity of allergies, Wonder provides a daily snack for all Discovery students which includes apple/veggie pouch, cassava chips, and cucumbers. Unless a student is allergic, we’d like to add pickles or sauerkraut in our options.
  • Change of Clothes (1 set of seasonally appropriate clothing, including socks)
  • Apron / Smock (recommended)
  • Show-and-tell items (on occasion; request notification will be noted in future class notes)
  • Child should be potty trained and can independently use the restroom
  • Family Photo (1 – 4X6) we can place in our room for the children to look and share about
  • Goal: Strengthen skills in grace and courtesy, concentration, independence, creativity, curiosity, and confidence

* Regarding Clothing. Clothes should be loose, comfortable, and allow for freedom of movement and independence in dressing. Clothes that can be easily laundered are highly recommended, since messes are a constant part of indoor and outdoor activities. Because we cannot keep track of everyone’s clothes without labels, please label every item of clothing, including mittens and socks, with your child’s name. Labeling clothes helps us get them back to the right child.

DANCE FOR DISCOVERY STUDENTS

We ‘re happy to announce we have a dance class for our Discovery students during the last 30 minutes of Block 5 (4:30pm-5:00pm). It is not visible on the online schedule because the class is only opened to enrolled students. If you’re child is interested in participating, please note the details below:

  • View practice attire requirements on Expectations page.
  • Black Canvas Ballet Shoes: Child Size
  • Rehearsal attire should allow for free movement of the legs. There will be no time to change before class, so please be sure your child is dressed upon arrival (excluding dance shoes).
  • Plain Black Leggings (fitted but not too tight to restrict movement): No particular brand
  • Rehearsal Shorts (mid-thigh length, any color) OR Rehearsal Skirt (mid-thigh length, black) – we need to see movement from the knees so long shorts/skirts are not ideal
  • Main Performance Attire: Wonder Tee, Black Shoes, (Girls: Plain Black Leggings, Black Skirt, Ponytail) (Boys: No Leggings, Black Shorts, Combed Hair)
  • Goal: Family Day Event

*Regarding modesty. It is imperative the Dance Guide can clearly observe and evaluate each students form in order to ensure proper technique and avoid injury. Leggings must be worn with shorts or a skirt. Loose and long attire that obstructs the guide from properly doing so are not at the best interest of the student for this discipline.

PLAYROOM WITH GUIDE FOR STAFF AND HELPING HANDS

  • ALL personal items should be labeled
  • Full-Sized Backpack OR Diaper Bag
  • Daily Snacks (mess-free, sugar-free, dye-free, nut-free; a pack of crackers, a cheese stick, some cut up fruit, etc. works well; amounts should be suitable for a ‘snack’; snacks can be inside lunch box, but will help your child find his or her snack easily if it is packed separately from lunch and labeled as ‘Snack.’)
  • Diapers (5 minimum)
  • Wipes (1 pack, will be shared among the children to expedite the changing process, label not required)
  • Change of Clothes (2 sets of seasonally appropriate, including socks)
  • Underwear or Cloth Training Pants (if beginning or have mastered the toileting process, several pairs)
  • Extra Shoes (if your child is prone to bathroom accidents)
  • Family Photo (1 – 4X6) we can place in our room for the children to look and share about
  • Goal: Strengthen skills in grace and courtesy, concentration, independence, creativity, curiosity, and confidence

* Regarding Clothing. Clothes should be loose, comfortable, and allow for freedom of movement and independence in dressing. Please do not send in clothing with characters from TV shows or movies as these can be quite distracting. Clothes that can be easily laundered are highly recommended, since messes are a constant part of indoor and outdoor activities. Because we cannot keep track of everyone’s clothes without labels, please label every item of clothing, including mittens and socks, with your child’s name. Labeling clothes helps us get them back to the right child.

PLAYROOM WITH PARENT

  • The items listed above are suggested for children with parents, as well
  • Parents of young children may use the Playroom. Parents MUST accompany children in the Playroom at all times. The Playroom staff is only responsible for children of Guides or other Wonder helpers currently scheduled in an assignment.

LAB

  • Lab Materials only include items needed to conduct experiments in class; textbook not included
  • Text: Berean Building Chemistry
  • Lab Discipline Rotation
    • Human Biology 1: Systems (Anatomy & Physiology 1, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Nervous Systems)
    • Human Biology 2: Nutrition (Anatomy & Physiology 2, Digestive System, Metabolism, Reproductive System, and Special Systems)
    • Chemistry [25-26 focus]
    • Earth Science or Physics
  • Goal: Learn through hands-on science experiments and activities

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION & EMBEDDED PROGRAMMING)

  • No additional items required
  • Computer Science Discipline Rotation
    • Computer Science Intro: Standard Application [prerequisite; offered every year]
    • Computer Science: Fundamentals of Web Application
    • Computer Science: Fundamentals of Embedded Programming [2025-2026 Focus]
    • Computer Science: Fundamentals of Video Game Development with Unity
  • Goal: Year of Wonder Spring Event Final Project

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No additional items required
  • Assignments for student volunteers are based on program needs and the student’s maturity, capabilities, listening skills, and character. Assignments may vary from week to week. Students should arrive ready to serve as requested with a good attitude, respect, cheerfulness, perfect effort, and for the entire class period.
  • Goal: Opportunity to serve others within the homeschool community and learn practical skills

STUDY HALL

  • No additional items required
  • Students are encouraged to bring a calm, indoor activity for Open Block classes. Books, card or board games, and schoolwork are all appropriate options for non-enrichment activities.
  • Laptops may be used under Helping Hands supervision.
  • Goal: To quietly and independently (or with a parent) complete personal work

WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/05/05

TO: WONDER WGN MEMBERS
MEMO: WGN CLASS NOTES: 2025/05/05
DATE: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

To print, click on the Memo Title to view the View PDF & Print link above the selected memo. To save paper and ink, we suggest selecting the following options when printing: double-sided and 2-pages per side. You can also copy/paste relevant sections, then print.

MEMORY VERSES (SEE ALL)

  • Scripture of the Month: Psalms 107:8 – Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, And for His wonders to the sons of men! – Psalms 107:8
  • Character Scripture:
    • Matthew 5:5 — Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. — Matthew 5:5 World English Bible (WEB)
    • Matthew 11:29 — Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. — Matthew 11:29 American Standard Version (ASV)
    • Numbers 12:3 — Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth. — Numbers 12:3 New American Standard Bible (NAS)
    • Matthew 11:29 — Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. — Matthew 11:29 American Standard Version (ASV)
    • Psalms 25:9 — The meek will he guide in justice; And the meek will he teach his way. — Psalms 25:9 American Standard Version (ASV)

EVENT RECAP

What an exceptional Year of Wonder event! You all played wonderfully! Do you remember how challenging the music was during the first days of rehearsal? Now, you’ve not only learned the music but also learned how to play better together as an ensemble. Congratulations to all the first timers who performed with confidence and focus. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as we did listening to you share music together. And, thank you to all our art students who submitted a piece in the art display. We were impressed with the technique and creativity showcased, as well as the collaboration piece which was the perfect backdrop to the evenings photos!

SPRING EVENTS (NEXT WEEK)

  • Performance Attire: Be sure you have your performance attire for each ensemble and prepare accordingly (ALL instruments, choirs, ASL, Music Makers, and theater)
    • Family Day is May 12 (Wonder Tee and black bottoms for Everyone)
    • No shorts, please.
  • Instruments and Voice Students: Be sure to bring  your Practice Records and ALL of your music next week, as some will need to be returned. 

MUSIC FOUNDATIONS

  • No notes for this week.

BEGINNER PIANO

  • No notes for this week.

DRUMLINE

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Buckets
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our music.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Exercises, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.
  • Drumline
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll may only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Exercises, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

FLAGS

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Wow!

PRELUDE BAND (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Essential Elements Book 1 aka Yellow Book
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

TRAINING BAND (2nd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Essential Elements Book 2 aka Red Book
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

MIDPOINT BAND (3rd Level Students or Above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Essential Elements Book 3 aka Green Book
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our most recent music. We’ll only do one but we haven’t decided yet.
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

PRELUDE ORCHESTRA (Beginner Students)

  • Practice Time: 20m/5d
  • Ensemble:
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on our Twinkle Variations.
  • Cello & Bass
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Violin & Viola
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)

TRAINING ORCHESTRA (2nd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 30m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on Appalachian Hymn
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.
  • Cello
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Violin & Viola
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)

MIDPOINT ORCHESTRA (3rd Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on Farandole
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.
  • Cello
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
  • Violin & Viola
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)

CONCERT ORCHESTRA (4th Level Students or above)

  • Practice Time: 60m/5d
  • Ensemble
    • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go! Keep working on Schubert
    • Regular Practice Routines with Metronome (Scales, Review, etc. – see prior Class Notes)
    • Be sure to bring all of your music to return.

RECORDERS 1

  • Practice Time: 10m/4d
  • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go!
  • During your practice, please work on:
    • Fingering for all the notes you’ve learned so far.
    • Practice concert behavior: rest position, playing position.
    • Work on Concert Piece: Praise and Thanksgiving
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Happy practicing!

RECORDERS 2

  • Practice Time: 15m/4d
  • Great concert everyone! One down, one more to go!
  • Fingering from low C to High E
  • Concert Pieces: Praise and Thanksgiving and Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
  • Instrument Care: Don’t forget to “blow” out your recorder after every practice section! One time this week, please rinse it with warm water and make sure it dries.
  • Happy practicing!

PRIME CHOIR

JUNIOR/SENIOR CHOIR (YOUTH CHOIR)

SIGNS AND WONDERS: ASL SIGNING CHOIR

DANCE

GUIDED PE

  • No notes for this week.

ART (DRAWING & WATERCOLOR)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (TEXTILES – NEEDLE FELTING)

  • No notes for this week.

ART (PHOTOGRAPHY)

  • No notes for this week.

THEATER

  • Theater Photo Album [LINK]
  • Thanksgiving Theater 24-25 Spreadsheet: [LINK]
  • History I: Creation to the Resurrection: Covers the period from 4004 B.C. to c.A.D 33

LITTLE MOVERS & LITTLE SHAKERS

  • Remember to listen to recordings daily this week.

LITTLE CYCLES

  • Remember to listen to recordings and check out your books daily this week.

MUSIC MAKERS 1

MUSIC MAKERS 2

DISCOVERY

  • No notes for this week.
  • Dance
    • No Practice Records required
    • See if you can remember what we learned
      • Foot positions we learned (1st, 2nd, 5th)
      • Arm positions (1st, 2nd, 5th)
      • Plie and Grande Plie
      • Tendu
      • Walking, Marching, Skipping and leaping!
    • Practice Pliés in 1st, 2nd and 5th positions.
      • Stand tall
      • Bend at the knees, bottom tucked in under the body
      • Heels on the floor in demi-plié in 1st and 5th positions
      • Heels come off of the floor in grande plié in 1st and 5th positions
      • Heels always on the floor in 2nd positions demi-plié and grande plié
    • Stretch every day.
      • Bend over and reach for your toes, keeping your legs straight (this can also be done on the floor)
      • Point & Flex your toes while sitting tall on the floor with legs out straight
      • Butterflies and Mermaids
    • Use your strong legs!
      • Jumps
      • Leaps
      • Skips

PLAYROOM WITH GUIDE FOR STAFF AND HELPING HANDS

  • No notes for this week.

LAB

  • No notes for this week.

COMPUTER SCIENCE (STANDARD APPLICATION)

  • No notes for this week.

COMPUTER SCIENCE (WEB APPLICATION)

  • No notes for this week.

JUNIOR HELPER

  • No notes for this week.

STUDY HALL

  • No notes for this week.

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