(UPDATED 04/09) For today I'll post this in 3 spots; the Music Dept Website, MusicFirst, and your TEAMS class. Please respond using MusicFirst (Class message in upper RH corner). If everything looks good for all classes just say 'All ensembles good', but please specify and problems 'All good except I didn't see it for JB in TEAMS' for example. This one's a long read.....
Hi everyone! (doesn't that seem warm and personal?)
First off, I just want to say my interest and concerns around this educational detour will be focusing on you, your musicianship, and your enjoyment of music (something I truly believe can be part of your personal well being). Not having been together sharing the ensemble experience has been a challenge, but it's also about the intrinsic dynamic of what goes along with being together 'music-ing'.
We know that one of the most challenging parts of what lies before us is the apprehension that goes along with the unknown and uncertainty of how we proceed; we all are more comfortable when we feel secure. Me too. The last thing I want you to have to deal with is the obstacles of the new to us tech that as a school, we'll be needing to learn/use. I'm learning too. I do feel a self-imposed pressure to know and be able to instantly solve everything related to that for you -but I can't. I will however, do everything to help in that regard, but it may take time as we both deal with issues.
What I will ask is that we all make a concerted effort to deal with challenges that arise. Please reach out to me, and/or your classmates -some may have just solved your same issue. If you have a helpful suggestion -again for me or your classmates, please share those too. Here is one important thing that I ask of all... please READ INSTRUCTIONS/DESCRIPTIONS FULLY before asking questions -it's not fair to ask others to answer questions that are already in front of you.
Instead of calling it 'On Line Learning', a fellow teacher aptly described it as 'Emergency Based Learning' -and I don't disagree. We do need to be flexible -teachers and students alike; we need to be patient (with ourselves and with others) and make the effort. From our day to day classes I know that these qualities are part of you all.
---------
So, here's our current landscape; where things currently sit, and where we each need to be.
We are already using two primary online sources and will continue to do so; they are familiar and should be straight forward.
1) our dept. website: www.wgssmusic.weebly.com, which will primarily continue to be a repository for files and documents.
2) wgss.musicfirstclassroom.com This is where I expect us to be spending most of our time. There's LOTS within this package that we have not yet used and will be of great value moving forward.
The new puzzle piece is #3. TEAMS
Hopefully your accessing & setting up for using Office365, your @langleyschool.com email access, and MS TEAMS has gone relatively smoothly. I know I found I had (am still finding) some issues. Let me know if you're struggling (this is new to me too) and I'll help as much as I can.
I have created a TEAM for each ensemble; you should see as many music TEAMS as ensembles you are in. I have not yet published anything there yet -just gotten everyone added. As we move forward (and as I learn & determine how best to create our new 'virtual class' you will find more there). I actually expect you (if all your teachers are using TEAMS) will quickly become more proficient than myself.
I really want to make sure that we start this journey with everyone; with no one missing the boat. So here's some starting points/expectations.
Everyone should by now (or in the process of) should be having your/an instrument to play on. I've posted on both our Weebly site and in MusicFirst regarding that (proactively, I expect you've been checking there already).
I expect (especially in the beginning) that you check in at all 3 places daily. That does not mean there will be something new every day, but check in.
For now (like I've already been asking), I just want you to be playing some music that you already have or can easily get. It certainly can include some scale/tech work/improv/etc as well; something that you can enjoy WHILE FOCUSSING ON PLAYING IT WELL (think all the issues we regularly bring up in class). I will be putting up O Canada asap, but in the mean time why not start figuring out the melody (or download the sheet music). I want you to play it in Concert Eb (check what you download to make sure it matches), which means the first note should be a Concert G. Good luck!
Do 15 min/day. Keep a log of things you did: (example)
Monday -20 min. focused on Ab & Eb scales at 75bpm. Worked on learning 'O Canada', and played 'We are the Champions' and 'section 'E' of 'Trumpet Boogie'
At the end of next week I'll ask you to submit it (I'll let you know more later, just record your entries for use later).
That's enough for now. Go enjoy some music; playing and listening!
(UPDATED 04/08) Please make sure you have access to, and check in daily, to the primary online tools your class is using. Instrumental ensembles -that would include here, our MUSICFIRST classrooms, and on TEAMS. While how (how much) we use TEAMS is yet to be determined, as a Gator, you'll be using it regardless. Mr. Fawkes -an admitted TEAMS rookie- will be working at getting your ensemble TEAM up and running over the next few days.
INSTRUMENTAL STUDENTS: Please DO NOT return your Technique Books at this time -you will still be needing them. If you're using a school instrument as your PRIMARY INSTRUMENT and you already have it at home, please continue to work with it and it will be returned (along with tech. books, ensemble music, uniform, etc.) later. If you're using a school instrument as a SECONDARY INSTRUMENT and you can use your personal instrument as a substitute (ie: you've been playing a school bass clarinet and you have your own soprano clarinet) please do so. If you require additional assistance/guidance, please let us know.
CHORAL STUDENTS: Please DO NOT return your music or uniform at this time, we will be collecting them at a later time.
(UPDATED 03/31) While most students' instruments went home for the break, I was in today and saw a few still in the Storage Room. The school has not designated an access date for retrieving needed materials, stay tuned for date/time of access. Please make sure you have your instrument and music/folder available at home.
Music matters -now more than ever.
For the music dept., we will try to tailor our response to meet our unique needs. DOING MUSIC is one of the most mindful, therapeutic activities you can use right now. Music matters –especially now.
Please check back both here AND your MusicFirst between Mar. 27-30 for updated info.
SPRING BREAK 2020 and then.......?
Well, we expected there would be adjustments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and there will be. As much as we'd all appreciate the security of knowing what we are returning to after Spring Break, the truth is we don't know what that is going to look like yet –it's currently a moving target and the District is doing their utmost to create a working solution for all; stay tuned to the Dist. website for that.
Hi everyone! (doesn't that seem warm and personal?)
First off, I just want to say my interest and concerns around this educational detour will be focusing on you, your musicianship, and your enjoyment of music (something I truly believe can be part of your personal well being). Not having been together sharing the ensemble experience has been a challenge, but it's also about the intrinsic dynamic of what goes along with being together 'music-ing'.
We know that one of the most challenging parts of what lies before us is the apprehension that goes along with the unknown and uncertainty of how we proceed; we all are more comfortable when we feel secure. Me too. The last thing I want you to have to deal with is the obstacles of the new to us tech that as a school, we'll be needing to learn/use. I'm learning too. I do feel a self-imposed pressure to know and be able to instantly solve everything related to that for you -but I can't. I will however, do everything to help in that regard, but it may take time as we both deal with issues.
What I will ask is that we all make a concerted effort to deal with challenges that arise. Please reach out to me, and/or your classmates -some may have just solved your same issue. If you have a helpful suggestion -again for me or your classmates, please share those too. Here is one important thing that I ask of all... please READ INSTRUCTIONS/DESCRIPTIONS FULLY before asking questions -it's not fair to ask others to answer questions that are already in front of you.
Instead of calling it 'On Line Learning', a fellow teacher aptly described it as 'Emergency Based Learning' -and I don't disagree. We do need to be flexible -teachers and students alike; we need to be patient (with ourselves and with others) and make the effort. From our day to day classes I know that these qualities are part of you all.
---------
So, here's our current landscape; where things currently sit, and where we each need to be.
We are already using two primary online sources and will continue to do so; they are familiar and should be straight forward.
1) our dept. website: www.wgssmusic.weebly.com, which will primarily continue to be a repository for files and documents.
2) wgss.musicfirstclassroom.com This is where I expect us to be spending most of our time. There's LOTS within this package that we have not yet used and will be of great value moving forward.
The new puzzle piece is #3. TEAMS
Hopefully your accessing & setting up for using Office365, your @langleyschool.com email access, and MS TEAMS has gone relatively smoothly. I know I found I had (am still finding) some issues. Let me know if you're struggling (this is new to me too) and I'll help as much as I can.
I have created a TEAM for each ensemble; you should see as many music TEAMS as ensembles you are in. I have not yet published anything there yet -just gotten everyone added. As we move forward (and as I learn & determine how best to create our new 'virtual class' you will find more there). I actually expect you (if all your teachers are using TEAMS) will quickly become more proficient than myself.
I really want to make sure that we start this journey with everyone; with no one missing the boat. So here's some starting points/expectations.
Everyone should by now (or in the process of) should be having your/an instrument to play on. I've posted on both our Weebly site and in MusicFirst regarding that (proactively, I expect you've been checking there already).
I expect (especially in the beginning) that you check in at all 3 places daily. That does not mean there will be something new every day, but check in.
For now (like I've already been asking), I just want you to be playing some music that you already have or can easily get. It certainly can include some scale/tech work/improv/etc as well; something that you can enjoy WHILE FOCUSSING ON PLAYING IT WELL (think all the issues we regularly bring up in class). I will be putting up O Canada asap, but in the mean time why not start figuring out the melody (or download the sheet music). I want you to play it in Concert Eb (check what you download to make sure it matches), which means the first note should be a Concert G. Good luck!
Do 15 min/day. Keep a log of things you did: (example)
Monday -20 min. focused on Ab & Eb scales at 75bpm. Worked on learning 'O Canada', and played 'We are the Champions' and 'section 'E' of 'Trumpet Boogie'
At the end of next week I'll ask you to submit it (I'll let you know more later, just record your entries for use later).
That's enough for now. Go enjoy some music; playing and listening!
(UPDATED 04/08) Please make sure you have access to, and check in daily, to the primary online tools your class is using. Instrumental ensembles -that would include here, our MUSICFIRST classrooms, and on TEAMS. While how (how much) we use TEAMS is yet to be determined, as a Gator, you'll be using it regardless. Mr. Fawkes -an admitted TEAMS rookie- will be working at getting your ensemble TEAM up and running over the next few days.
INSTRUMENTAL STUDENTS: Please DO NOT return your Technique Books at this time -you will still be needing them. If you're using a school instrument as your PRIMARY INSTRUMENT and you already have it at home, please continue to work with it and it will be returned (along with tech. books, ensemble music, uniform, etc.) later. If you're using a school instrument as a SECONDARY INSTRUMENT and you can use your personal instrument as a substitute (ie: you've been playing a school bass clarinet and you have your own soprano clarinet) please do so. If you require additional assistance/guidance, please let us know.
CHORAL STUDENTS: Please DO NOT return your music or uniform at this time, we will be collecting them at a later time.
(UPDATED 03/31) While most students' instruments went home for the break, I was in today and saw a few still in the Storage Room. The school has not designated an access date for retrieving needed materials, stay tuned for date/time of access. Please make sure you have your instrument and music/folder available at home.
Music matters -now more than ever.
For the music dept., we will try to tailor our response to meet our unique needs. DOING MUSIC is one of the most mindful, therapeutic activities you can use right now. Music matters –especially now.
Please check back both here AND your MusicFirst between Mar. 27-30 for updated info.
SPRING BREAK 2020 and then.......?
Well, we expected there would be adjustments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and there will be. As much as we'd all appreciate the security of knowing what we are returning to after Spring Break, the truth is we don't know what that is going to look like yet –it's currently a moving target and the District is doing their utmost to create a working solution for all; stay tuned to the Dist. website for that.
BCMEA Provincial Honour Groups
Auditions & selections for the annual Provincal Honour groups occur in April for the follow school year's ensembles, which meet & perform at the BCMEA Concerts at the Oct. Pro D weekend. There are many of you that should strongly consider auditioning. If this interests you, you can begin preparing with the 2020 Honour Group audition materials
Auditions & selections for the annual Provincal Honour groups occur in April for the follow school year's ensembles, which meet & perform at the BCMEA Concerts at the Oct. Pro D weekend. There are many of you that should strongly consider auditioning. If this interests you, you can begin preparing with the 2020 Honour Group audition materials
Welcome!
After what I hope was a great summer for everyone, we're looking forward to seeing and catching up with our returning students, as well as meeting and get to know our new ensemble members.
We use this website as a conduit for a lot of general information, as well as a central directory to useful/needed links for individual courses. It will serve you well to bookmark this site, as you will find yourself returning to it frequently.
For the start of classes, you will not need instruments for the first day. While you may not have been playing/singing every day (or maybe you have?), please make a point of doing some playing & preparation prior to our first ensemble classes to make sure you're able to help both yourself, and the ensemble, start off on the right foot. Intermediate & Senior Instrumental class should plan on playing the second class back; Juniors will be announced in class -either Mon. or Wed. of week 2.
After what I hope was a great summer for everyone, we're looking forward to seeing and catching up with our returning students, as well as meeting and get to know our new ensemble members.
We use this website as a conduit for a lot of general information, as well as a central directory to useful/needed links for individual courses. It will serve you well to bookmark this site, as you will find yourself returning to it frequently.
For the start of classes, you will not need instruments for the first day. While you may not have been playing/singing every day (or maybe you have?), please make a point of doing some playing & preparation prior to our first ensemble classes to make sure you're able to help both yourself, and the ensemble, start off on the right foot. Intermediate & Senior Instrumental class should plan on playing the second class back; Juniors will be announced in class -either Mon. or Wed. of week 2.
Although school has started up, our copiers seem to think it's still summer break. We'll get course guidelines and expectations out as soon as we have machines working.
Our New Parent's Meeting will take place Thurs. Sept. 21st @ 7:00pm. Although aimed primarily towards the parents of our incoming Gr. 8 class, all parent's of students new to our program are welcome.
Need a new/extra copy of the Expectations Booklet? Download here.
Click here to view Mr. Witzke's Whistler pictures taken from April 25-28, 2019.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rjnb9kvn936jjl7/AABGazOsbaVlI5Wby__HPO0Ca?dl=0
Our New Parent's Meeting will take place Thurs. Sept. 21st @ 7:00pm. Although aimed primarily towards the parents of our incoming Gr. 8 class, all parent's of students new to our program are welcome.
Need a new/extra copy of the Expectations Booklet? Download here.
Click here to view Mr. Witzke's Whistler pictures taken from April 25-28, 2019.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rjnb9kvn936jjl7/AABGazOsbaVlI5Wby__HPO0Ca?dl=0