Febuary 3, 2026
PERFORMANCE TIMES (To be posted Dec 19)
During your lesson, choose a solo with Mrs. O’Neill. – Cycle starting Dec 3
You will choose between two pieces of music during your lesson with Mrs. O’Neill.
Practice your solo.
The goal is for you to be a confident performer and to understand the difference between lesson ready music and performance ready music.
Find a recording of your solo. – In class week of Dec 10-11.
You will find a quality example of your solo online. This recording will serve as an example of how your piece should sound. Submit the recording URL to Google Classroom.
Sign up for a performance time. – No later than Dec. 15 at 3:30 PM.
Fill out the Google form that is emailed to you. If you do not fill out the form before the deadline, it is your responsibility to arrange a performance time trade with another student. Times will be assigned by Mrs. O’Neill and emailed out on Dec. 19. Form was emailed to students and parents on Dec 4.
Practice your solo with accompaniment.
To gauge your level of expertise in your solo and to enhance its musicality, you will be playing with accompaniment. You may find accompaniment recordings on the orchestra website. You will also practice with accompaniment during lessons.
Solo Festival – February 3, 2026
This is a traditional style solo festival. The judge will write about the great parts of the solo and give a few pointers for improvement. Parents, grandparents, etc are encouraged to watch your performance.
Self evaluate your solo. – In class Feb 5-7.
You will fill out a self reflection. Complete on Google Classroom.
Solo Festival Preparation
It’s time to practice and prepare for solo festival.
These are things every student should do to be fully prepared.
Things to identify:
Make sure you know the key signature.
Double check all the notes. Are you playing the correct notes?
Double check the rhythm. Clap the rhythm then play it.
Bowing check. Make sure the downs are down and the ups are up.
Form. Does the music follow a pattern? (ie. ABA, ABACA, etc)
Musicality. Check for dynamics, styles, etc.
Strategies for challenging sections:
Using your resources. Play along with the recording you found online.
Woodchucking. Play the last measure, then play the last two measures, then the last three measures, etc.
Isolate. Find the challenging section(s) and play it repeatedly until correct.
Put it in context. After isolating the challenging section, put it into context by starting before the challenge and finishing after the challenge.
Clap, sing, play. Clap the rhythm, sing the music, then play it.
Slow then go. Practice the section slowly. Speed up the tempo as you experience success.
Goal setting. Set a goal for practice. (ie. I will get this spot correct 3 times in a row before I move on.)
Partner. Practice the section with a partner.
Reality checks – Checking in to make sure you are most successful:
Practice every week – often.
Attend your lesson every cycle.
7th and 8th graders may practice during their study hall.
Double check the grading timeline to make sure you have everything done.
Record yourself. Listen to the recording. Find 2 positive things and one thing to work on.
Play for a small audience like your parent or friend.
Practicing with accompaniment:
Attend your lesson and practice with Mrs. O’Neill.
Use the online accompaniment found on the MS Orchestra website.
If you have a family member or friend who can play the piano, you may ask Mrs. O’Neill for a copy of the piano accompaniment so you may practice at home.