Mondays
Level 1 Strings A: Practice #73-77.
Level 2 Strings A: Learn "Ode to Joy" (#107). Review "Acadian Lullaby" (#98).
Level 2 Brass: Review all of "Soaring Eagles" and "Midnight Sky."
Level 1 Strings B: Practice #73-77.
Tuesdays
Level 1 Clarinets A: Practice #1.24 and 1.27.
Level 1 Strings C: Practice #16, 20, and 22. Optional: practice page 8.
Level 1 Flutes: Practice #1.24 and 1.27.
Level 1 Percussion 4th Grade: Practice all of page 8b.
Level 1 Woodwinds 5th Grade:
Level 1 Percussion 5th Grade: Practice #1.24, 1.27, 1.29, 1.30, and 1.31.
Level 2 Strings B: Learn "Ode to Joy" (#107). Review "Acadian Lullaby" (#98).
Level 1 Clarinets B: Practice #1.24 and 1.27.
Fridays
Level 2 Percussion: Learn/review your parts in "Soaring Eagles" and "Midnight Sky." Here are the part assignments:
Midnight Sky
Bells: Benjamin
Wind Chimes: Chloé and Juliet
Triangle: Bode and Annabelle
Suspended cymbal: Alexandra, Naomi, and Malcolm
Crash cymbals: Leo
Bass drum: Matthew
Soaring Eagles
Snare drum: Matthew, Annabelle, Leo, and Bode
Bass drum: Chloé
Crash cymbals: Benjamin
Triangle: Naomi, Malcolm, Juliet, and Alexandra
Level 2 Flutes: Learn all of "Soaring Eagles." Review all of "Midnight Sky."
Level 1 Trumpets: Practice #1.24 and 1.27.
Level 1 Strings D: Practice the top three exercises on pages 14-15 (#58-60 and #64-66). These are meant to be "air bowed" (moving your bow in the air), not rosin bowing as the book says. Make sure you are using a beautiful bow grip at all times (use the pictures on the top of pages 14 and 15 to help with that).
Level 1 Low Brass 4th Grade: Practice #1.23 and 1.24.
Level 1 Brass 5th Grade: Practice #1.23 and 1.24.
Level 2 Clarinets and Saxophones: Learn all of "Soaring Eagles" and "Midnight Sky."
Level 1 Saxophones: Practice #1.23 and 1.24.
Click here to view the weekly schedule.
Tuesday, January 27, 7:00 PM: Winter Concert (Chorus, Level 2 Band, and Level 2 Orchestra)
Tuesday, June 2, 7:00 PM: Spring Concert (Chorus and all instrumental music students)
Both concerts will take place in the gymnasium at Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS).
Each family is responsible for obtaining an instrument for their child(ren).
There are four options:
Renting an instrument from a local music store (recommended). Click "Local Music Stores" (below) for a list of reputable vendors in the area.
Purchasing an instrument (not recommended). Please do NOT purchase an instrument without consulting Mr. Klaus first. Most instruments on Amazon are of very poor quality.
Some families are able to obtain an instrument from a friend or relative; if you are unsure of the instrument's suitability, please contact Mr. Klaus.
Sligo Creek has a limited number of school instruments available to loan at no cost to families with financial need. Click here to fill out the form to request an instrument from the school. Please do not fill out this form before exploring option 1 above.
After you obtain an instrument, please click on "Instrument Supplies to Own" (below) to see a list of recommended accessories.
Bethesda Violins (violins and violas only)
Delivery-based business
301-272-1209
11151 Veirs Mill Rd., Wheaton, MD 20902
301-946-8808
Gailes' Violin Shop (string instruments only)
10013 Rhode Island Ave, College Park, MD 20740
301-474-4300
7010 Westmoreland Ave, Takoma Park, MD
301-270-9090
Lashof Violins (string instruments only)
1 East Diamond Ave., Ste. F, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-330-2606
L & L Music Wind Shop (band instruments only)
7 Metropolitan Ct., Suite #3, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-948-7273
21040 Frederick Rd Suite B, Germantown, MD 20876
301-353-1113
12274 Rockville Pike Suite K, Rockville, MD 20852
301-881-6440
Potter Violins (string instruments only)
7711 Eastern Ave., Takoma Park, MD
830 Muddy Branch Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-652-7070
1-800-317-9452
306 E Diamond Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301-948-7478
Orchestra Supplies
Violin:
music stand (for home use)
shoulder rest (make sure to select the right size for your child’s violin)
Viola:
music stand (for home use)
shoulder rest (it says it’s for violin, but this will fit 13-inch and 14-inch violas)
Cello:
music stand (for home use)
All orchestra students: String Basics: Steps to Success for String Orchestra, Book 1. This book will be provided for all level 1 students free of charge. Level 2 students who have lost their book from last year should purchase a replacement copy. Make sure you purchase the correct book for your instrument!
Band Supplies
Flute:
music stand (for home use)
Clarinet:
music stand (for home use)
extra reeds (suggested: strength 2)
Alto Saxophone:
music stand (for home use)
extra reeds (suggested: strength 2)
Trumpet:
music stand (for home use)
Trombone:
music stand (for home use)
Euphonium:
music stand (for home use)
Percussion:
music stand (for home use)
snare drum stand (make sure you get the taller one)
All band students: Measures of Success, Book 1. This book will be provided for all level 1 students free of charge. Level 2 students who have lost their book from last year should purchase a replacement copy. Make sure you purchase the correct book for your instrument!
One of the best ways to excel on your instrument is to study with a private teacher. Contact Mr. Klaus if you would like a list of local private lesson teachers.
Set aside a specific time and place to practice.
Practice in a room without distractions such as TV, video games, etc.
Practice for short periods of time (10-30 minutes) rather than 90 minutes in one day.
Perform for family members on a regular basis.
Say - Finger - Play
This strategy can help a musician learn a difficult section of music.
First, say the name of the notes you are trying to play. Repeat until all hesitation is gone.
Next, finger the notes on the instrument while saying the name of the note . Repeat until all hesitation is gone.
Finally, play the instrument. You should be able to perform the section better! If not, repeat steps one and two.
This strategy breaks down the many steps a musician must go through to play an instrument.
Use a METRONOME to keep a steady tempo as you practice.
Flash Cards
On one side of an index card, write the name of a note you have learned.
On the other side of the card, draw the musical staff (5 lines), the clef for your instrument (treble, alto, or bass clef), and the note named on the opposite side of the card.
Repeat these steps until you have a stack of cards for every note you have learned on your instrument.
Try the following activities with the flash cards:
A family member can hold up the note side of a flash card and have the student call out the name of the note. Begin by giving a certain amount of seconds to answer. Decrease the amount of time as they get faster at answering.
A family member can hold up the letter side of a flash card and have the student play the note. Again, begin by giving a certain amount of seconds to answer. Decrease the amount of time as they get faster at answering.
The student can also do these activities without a family member by picking a card, answering the question, and turning over the card to see if their answer is correct.