Sept. 2, 2014
Welcome back for another amazing school year!
Beginners should have their instrument and supplies. We are playing our instruments daily and there will be home practice assignments to complete that involve your instrument!
Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra students need to get week 1 practice record signed tonight because they are due tomorrow! We are perfecting our daily warm-ups and starting on All-City audition music, All-Region audition music, and concert music. There is plenty to practice DAILY!
Welcome back for another amazing school year!
Beginners should have their instrument and supplies. We are playing our instruments daily and there will be home practice assignments to complete that involve your instrument!
Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra students need to get week 1 practice record signed tonight because they are due tomorrow! We are perfecting our daily warm-ups and starting on All-City audition music, All-Region audition music, and concert music. There is plenty to practice DAILY!
Sept. 8, 2014
All students should have the required supplies for orchestra class. For Intermediate and Advanced, this includes a tuner and cord. The first playing test for Intermediate and Advanced is this Thursday (9/11/14).
Advanced will play their All-City scale with a metronome on at 120.
Intermediate will play Defender of Time measures 1 - 8 with the metronome on. There is not a set tempo at the moment, so do what you are comfortable with!
All students should have the required supplies for orchestra class. For Intermediate and Advanced, this includes a tuner and cord. The first playing test for Intermediate and Advanced is this Thursday (9/11/14).
Advanced will play their All-City scale with a metronome on at 120.
Intermediate will play Defender of Time measures 1 - 8 with the metronome on. There is not a set tempo at the moment, so do what you are comfortable with!
Sept. 16, 2014
Beginning Orchestra will have their first playing test this Friday. Each student will perform line 12 from the book with the CD accompaniment.
Intermediate Orchestra will record their Hunter's Chorus test Thursday and Friday. Metronomes should be set at 110. Cello and bass will play measures 25 - 32. Violin and viola will play measures 11 - 22.
Advanced Orchestra will record their Tango Avila excerpt (basses will play Yo Ho Ho excerpt) Thursday with their metronome at 108.
Open house is tomorrow night. I hope to see many of you there - I will be in the orchestra portable!
Beginning Orchestra will have their first playing test this Friday. Each student will perform line 12 from the book with the CD accompaniment.
Intermediate Orchestra will record their Hunter's Chorus test Thursday and Friday. Metronomes should be set at 110. Cello and bass will play measures 25 - 32. Violin and viola will play measures 11 - 22.
Advanced Orchestra will record their Tango Avila excerpt (basses will play Yo Ho Ho excerpt) Thursday with their metronome at 108.
Open house is tomorrow night. I hope to see many of you there - I will be in the orchestra portable!
Sept. 22, 2014
Beginning Orchestra has started putting their bows on the string! We are playing open strings only right now. The left hand is working on making fingered notes, but it is separate from the bow for now. Our test this week will be our first composition. We will be composing with quarter notes, quarter rests, and open G, D, and A strings. All compositions should have: clef sign, 4/4 time signature, bar lines, and repeat sign. We will peer-edit our compositions before turning them in on Thursday for a test grade.
The Intermediate Orchestra test will be from our book - line 35. Please, if you have not purchased your book yet, you need to do so! You are losing participation points daily for not being able to complete your book assignment!
Mississippi Cakewalk will be the content of the Advanced Orchestra test this week. Measures are posted on the board. Metronome will be set at 110 for the test.
Beginning Orchestra has started putting their bows on the string! We are playing open strings only right now. The left hand is working on making fingered notes, but it is separate from the bow for now. Our test this week will be our first composition. We will be composing with quarter notes, quarter rests, and open G, D, and A strings. All compositions should have: clef sign, 4/4 time signature, bar lines, and repeat sign. We will peer-edit our compositions before turning them in on Thursday for a test grade.
The Intermediate Orchestra test will be from our book - line 35. Please, if you have not purchased your book yet, you need to do so! You are losing participation points daily for not being able to complete your book assignment!
Mississippi Cakewalk will be the content of the Advanced Orchestra test this week. Measures are posted on the board. Metronome will be set at 110 for the test.
Sept. 25, 2014
The first concert for Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra is two weeks from today! Here is the reminder going home with students:
Parents Invited/Reminder!!
What: Fall Concert
When: Thursday, October 9th
Where: Horn HS Auditorium
Arrive: Between 6:20pm and 6:30pm for tuning and to find your seat
Concert begins at 7:00pm with Intermediate. Advanced will immediately follow. We will be done by 7:30pm.
Please stay for the Horn HS Orchestras – they are amazing!
Concert Uniform:
Girls – Black long skirt or nice black dress slacks (no jeans).
Black dress shirt/blouse (no t-shirts or tight-fitting tops)
Black dress shoes, (no tennis shoes or flip flops), black
socks or hose.
Boys – Black dress pants (no jeans), black button-up dress shirt, black
socks, black dress shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops)
Not having concert clothes is not an acceptable reason to miss a concert.
Remember that concerts are a large part of your orchestra grade!
The first concert for Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra is two weeks from today! Here is the reminder going home with students:
Parents Invited/Reminder!!
What: Fall Concert
When: Thursday, October 9th
Where: Horn HS Auditorium
Arrive: Between 6:20pm and 6:30pm for tuning and to find your seat
Concert begins at 7:00pm with Intermediate. Advanced will immediately follow. We will be done by 7:30pm.
Please stay for the Horn HS Orchestras – they are amazing!
Concert Uniform:
Girls – Black long skirt or nice black dress slacks (no jeans).
Black dress shirt/blouse (no t-shirts or tight-fitting tops)
Black dress shoes, (no tennis shoes or flip flops), black
socks or hose.
Boys – Black dress pants (no jeans), black button-up dress shirt, black
socks, black dress shoes (no tennis shoes or flip flops)
Not having concert clothes is not an acceptable reason to miss a concert.
Remember that concerts are a large part of your orchestra grade!
Sept. 30, 2014
This Friday marks the end of the first Six Weeks grading period. Time has flown by! Please, please, please make sure all your work is turned in to your teachers.
Next week (Oct. 9) is the first concert for Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra students. Two weeks away are All-City Auditions for Advanced Orchestra members, and All-Region Auditions for select students.
This Friday marks the end of the first Six Weeks grading period. Time has flown by! Please, please, please make sure all your work is turned in to your teachers.
Next week (Oct. 9) is the first concert for Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra students. Two weeks away are All-City Auditions for Advanced Orchestra members, and All-Region Auditions for select students.
Oct. 6, 2014
Our first concert is almost here! Make sure to check the yellow concert sheet ( or see the Sept. 25 blog entry below) so you show up at the right place, on time.
Our first concert is almost here! Make sure to check the yellow concert sheet ( or see the Sept. 25 blog entry below) so you show up at the right place, on time.
Oct. 13, 2014
The first Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra concert was a success! Thank you for all the hard work you put into your instrument to make the music sound as beautiful as it did. I also enjoyed reading your concert reviews.
This Wednesday is early release. 6th and 8th graders are testing all morning, so you will not need your instruments. 7th grade will have a very short class, but we are playing!
The first Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra concert was a success! Thank you for all the hard work you put into your instrument to make the music sound as beautiful as it did. I also enjoyed reading your concert reviews.
This Wednesday is early release. 6th and 8th graders are testing all morning, so you will not need your instruments. 7th grade will have a very short class, but we are playing!
Oct. 21, 2014
Congratulations to this year's All-City Orchestra members: Alex (bass), Brianna (cello), Melissa (viola), Naomi (viola), Erika (violin), Elizabeth (violin), Luke (violin), Hector (violin), Talaiya (violin), and Sam (violin). I am so proud of you!
Congratulations to this year's All-City Orchestra members: Alex (bass), Brianna (cello), Melissa (viola), Naomi (viola), Erika (violin), Elizabeth (violin), Luke (violin), Hector (violin), Talaiya (violin), and Sam (violin). I am so proud of you!
Nov. 3, 2014
The first Beginner Concert is this week! We are so excited to show off all we have learned since the beginning of school. The amount of growth is amazing and we hope you can join us. This is a required performance for all Beginning Orchestra students, and
Beginner Concert: Thursday, Nov. 6th
7:00pm - 7:45pm
Horn HS Auditorium (park on the right side of the school at the back near the field house); enter through the back glass doors
Students report between 6:20 and 6:30 for tuning
This weekend is the All-City Orchestra clinic and concert. Berry has 10 students who auditioned and earned a spot in the groups! Please come out and support your friends/fellow orchestra members (see list below).
Friday, Nov. 7: All-City Sectionals 4:30 - 6:00 at Agnew MS
Saturday, Nov. 8: All-City Clinic 9:00 - 3:30 at West Mesquite HS; Concert at 4:00pm at West Mesquite HS
The first Beginner Concert is this week! We are so excited to show off all we have learned since the beginning of school. The amount of growth is amazing and we hope you can join us. This is a required performance for all Beginning Orchestra students, and
Beginner Concert: Thursday, Nov. 6th
7:00pm - 7:45pm
Horn HS Auditorium (park on the right side of the school at the back near the field house); enter through the back glass doors
Students report between 6:20 and 6:30 for tuning
This weekend is the All-City Orchestra clinic and concert. Berry has 10 students who auditioned and earned a spot in the groups! Please come out and support your friends/fellow orchestra members (see list below).
Friday, Nov. 7: All-City Sectionals 4:30 - 6:00 at Agnew MS
Saturday, Nov. 8: All-City Clinic 9:00 - 3:30 at West Mesquite HS; Concert at 4:00pm at West Mesquite HS
Dec. 1, 2014
Concert Alert! Concert Alert!
The Winter Concert for ALL Berry Orchestras is next week. We will perform at Berry in the cafeteria on December 9th at 7pm. Students should arrive between 6:15pm and 6:30pm for tuning. You should wear your orchestra uniform. Elf ears and Santa hats are optional.
It is a required concert; if you do not perform you will earn a grade of zero and will not pass the third six weeks.
Concert Alert! Concert Alert!
The Winter Concert for ALL Berry Orchestras is next week. We will perform at Berry in the cafeteria on December 9th at 7pm. Students should arrive between 6:15pm and 6:30pm for tuning. You should wear your orchestra uniform. Elf ears and Santa hats are optional.
It is a required concert; if you do not perform you will earn a grade of zero and will not pass the third six weeks.
Feb. 3rd
My apologies that the blog hasn't been updated in a while! January was a crazy month, and suddenly it's February. Sectionals are continuing according to the schedule sent home before break. There are only a few left, so make sure you attend.
Required Event Alert!
Pre-UIL (Feb. 19th)
We are hosting Pre-UIL for the south side schools on Feb. 19th. Paper reminders will be sent home on Thursday.
Intermediate Orchestra: Arrive at Berry about 4:45p. We warm-up at 5:00p, hit the stage at 5:30p, and sight-read at 6:00p. Have your ride get you by 6:30.
Advanced Orchestra: Arrive at Berry about 6:45p. We warm-up at 7:00p, hit the stage at 7:30p, and sight-read at 8:00p. Have your ride get you by 8:30p unless you want to help clean up!
My apologies that the blog hasn't been updated in a while! January was a crazy month, and suddenly it's February. Sectionals are continuing according to the schedule sent home before break. There are only a few left, so make sure you attend.
Required Event Alert!
Pre-UIL (Feb. 19th)
We are hosting Pre-UIL for the south side schools on Feb. 19th. Paper reminders will be sent home on Thursday.
Intermediate Orchestra: Arrive at Berry about 4:45p. We warm-up at 5:00p, hit the stage at 5:30p, and sight-read at 6:00p. Have your ride get you by 6:30.
Advanced Orchestra: Arrive at Berry about 6:45p. We warm-up at 7:00p, hit the stage at 7:30p, and sight-read at 8:00p. Have your ride get you by 8:30p unless you want to help clean up!
March 4th
I am so proud of the Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras! This is the first time in nine years that BOTH groups have earned sweepstakes at UIL competition! These are two amazing groups that I'm privileged to work with on a daily basis.
In the state of Texas UIL is the fine arts equivalent of the STAAR test. It is a group effort, not an individual test. Orchestra, band, and choir all participate in UIL.
At the contest there are two parts. First, we perform three prepared pieces that we have been working on daily for a panel of three judges. Each judge gives us a rating (one is superior, two is excellent, three is average, and we won't talk about fours and fives). The three ratings are averaged together to give us our stage rating. Intermediate earned a 1, 1, 2 resulting in an overall rating of 1. Advanced earned 1's from all three judges.
After the stage performance is done, we go directly to the sight-reading room. There is a different panel of three judges to listen to the sight-reading piece. Each group has seven minutes to look at the music, while listening to Mrs. Algood explain the piece by singing, counting, clapping, stomping, dancing - anything except actually playing it on an instrument for the group! All students can do is shadow bow (pretend to play) during that seven minutes. Once time is up Mrs. Algood can't say anything else, and the students have to perform the piece for the judges. Ratings work the same way in sight-reading as they did on stage. Both Intermediate and Advanced earned all 1's from the judges. Impressive to say the least!
I am so proud of the Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras! This is the first time in nine years that BOTH groups have earned sweepstakes at UIL competition! These are two amazing groups that I'm privileged to work with on a daily basis.
In the state of Texas UIL is the fine arts equivalent of the STAAR test. It is a group effort, not an individual test. Orchestra, band, and choir all participate in UIL.
At the contest there are two parts. First, we perform three prepared pieces that we have been working on daily for a panel of three judges. Each judge gives us a rating (one is superior, two is excellent, three is average, and we won't talk about fours and fives). The three ratings are averaged together to give us our stage rating. Intermediate earned a 1, 1, 2 resulting in an overall rating of 1. Advanced earned 1's from all three judges.
After the stage performance is done, we go directly to the sight-reading room. There is a different panel of three judges to listen to the sight-reading piece. Each group has seven minutes to look at the music, while listening to Mrs. Algood explain the piece by singing, counting, clapping, stomping, dancing - anything except actually playing it on an instrument for the group! All students can do is shadow bow (pretend to play) during that seven minutes. Once time is up Mrs. Algood can't say anything else, and the students have to perform the piece for the judges. Ratings work the same way in sight-reading as they did on stage. Both Intermediate and Advanced earned all 1's from the judges. Impressive to say the least!
March 25
Advanced Orchestra: Don't forget about the Side-by-Side Concert tomorrow night at Horn HS. Dress is elementary dress code. Bring all things necessary to play!
6pm - Dinner
6:30pm - Sectionals
7:15pm - Large group rehearsal
7:45pm - Performance
Advanced Orchestra: Don't forget about the Side-by-Side Concert tomorrow night at Horn HS. Dress is elementary dress code. Bring all things necessary to play!
6pm - Dinner
6:30pm - Sectionals
7:15pm - Large group rehearsal
7:45pm - Performance
April 27
Tomorrow is transition night for the 5th graders! Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra will perform when they arrive around 9:15am. We will set up chairs and stands during 1st period. We are the first performance this year, followed by choir, and then band. In the evening, 5th grade students and parents will meet in the gym for a short introduction and then may rotate between elective presentations.
NRH2O Rehearsal this Wednesday (April 29) 3:30-4:15 in the big room
Six Flags Rehearsal this Thursday (April 30) 3:30 - 4:15 in the big room
Solo and Ensemble is this Friday, May 1st! Check the solo and ensemble schedule posted in the room for your individual time. We are at Horn HS. Arrive 20-30 minutes early to tune, warm-up, and find your room. If you miss your time, they may not be able to squeeze you in later.
Tomorrow is transition night for the 5th graders! Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra will perform when they arrive around 9:15am. We will set up chairs and stands during 1st period. We are the first performance this year, followed by choir, and then band. In the evening, 5th grade students and parents will meet in the gym for a short introduction and then may rotate between elective presentations.
NRH2O Rehearsal this Wednesday (April 29) 3:30-4:15 in the big room
Six Flags Rehearsal this Thursday (April 30) 3:30 - 4:15 in the big room
Solo and Ensemble is this Friday, May 1st! Check the solo and ensemble schedule posted in the room for your individual time. We are at Horn HS. Arrive 20-30 minutes early to tune, warm-up, and find your room. If you miss your time, they may not be able to squeeze you in later.
May 12
We just completed our Spring competitions, and they went well! Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra combined for the Spring in the Park Festival where they earned a superior rating and runner-up for best in class. The Beginning Orchestra competed at the NRH2O music festival yesterday and earned a superior rating. Way to go!
Next week is our Spring concert on Tuesday, May 19th. We will start at 7:00pm and orchestra awards will be given out during the concert. Advanced Orchestra can wear dress clothes (not necessarily black) since it is their last concert at Berry. Everyone else will be in regular concert dress.
We just completed our Spring competitions, and they went well! Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra combined for the Spring in the Park Festival where they earned a superior rating and runner-up for best in class. The Beginning Orchestra competed at the NRH2O music festival yesterday and earned a superior rating. Way to go!
Next week is our Spring concert on Tuesday, May 19th. We will start at 7:00pm and orchestra awards will be given out during the concert. Advanced Orchestra can wear dress clothes (not necessarily black) since it is their last concert at Berry. Everyone else will be in regular concert dress.
May 18
Tomorrow is the Spring Concert at 7pm in the Berry Gym. It will be amazing! For the first time in the school's history, we will be performing as a full orchestra. That means select band students will play with the orchestra!
Tuning will take place from 6:15pm to 6:50pm in the orchestra room.
Tomorrow is the Spring Concert at 7pm in the Berry Gym. It will be amazing! For the first time in the school's history, we will be performing as a full orchestra. That means select band students will play with the orchestra!
Tuning will take place from 6:15pm to 6:50pm in the orchestra room.
June 3
I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the Berry Orchestra students for making this a great year!! This has been one of the best years I've spent at Berry. Each grade level has contributed something unique - sixth grade enthusiasm, seventh grade musicianship, and eighth grade dedication - to make this year extra special. I can't express how much of a privilege to work with these talented students on a daily basis. No, not every day was perfect. Yes, there were disappointments. But overall I think the orchestra can look back on the year and be extremely proud of all we accomplished. I am already planning for next year and looking forward to meeting the next sixth grade class, watching the seventh grade grow, and pushing the eighth grade class further than they think they can go!
If you need to get a hold of me over the summer, please email [email protected]. I will check email at least once a week! Have a wonderful break!!!!!
I'd like to say a huge thank you to all the Berry Orchestra students for making this a great year!! This has been one of the best years I've spent at Berry. Each grade level has contributed something unique - sixth grade enthusiasm, seventh grade musicianship, and eighth grade dedication - to make this year extra special. I can't express how much of a privilege to work with these talented students on a daily basis. No, not every day was perfect. Yes, there were disappointments. But overall I think the orchestra can look back on the year and be extremely proud of all we accomplished. I am already planning for next year and looking forward to meeting the next sixth grade class, watching the seventh grade grow, and pushing the eighth grade class further than they think they can go!
If you need to get a hold of me over the summer, please email [email protected]. I will check email at least once a week! Have a wonderful break!!!!!