Here are the 2011/2012 concert dates.
Winter Concert (5th Grade Band, 5th Grade Strings, 4th & 5th Grade Choir) - December 7th @ King Phillip Middle School
Spring Concert 1 (4th & 5th Grade Strings, The 2 Cans, 3rd Grade Choir) - May 8th @Whiting Lane
Spring Concert 2 (4th & 5th Grade Band, 4th & 5th Grade Choir, Jazz Band) – May 16th @ King Phillip Middle School
Rock Cats (4th & 5th Grade Band) – June 17, 2012
Here is the WHPS Suzuki strings packet which we use with all string players in fourth and fifth grade.
In fourth grade we play: Twinkle (October), Lightly Row (January), Song of the Wind (February), Allegro (April)
In fifth grade we play: May Song (Septemeber), Andantino (January), Rigadoon (March)
Here is a link to a recording of Frosty The Snowman – by, John Edmondson
Here is a link to a recording of Patapan – by, Michael Story
Here is a link to a recording of Clog Dance – by, Elliot Del Borgo
Here is a link to a recording of Air of Nobility – by, James Swearingen
I highly recommend practicing with a steady beat. This can be accomplished by using a metronome. A metronome is a machine that makes a clicking sound at a set number of times per minute. You could go to your local music store and purchase a metronome to practice with OR click on the link below to use an online metronome.
Smart Music is a software which is included in your Essential Elements 2000. The software is essentially Guitar Hero for string instruments. It records you playing a song and gives you a score based on your note, rhythm, and intonation accuracy. The software is located on the disc 1 CD. You will also find some extra software including:
The Amazing Slow Downer – slows down music without changing the pitch
Finale Notepad – allows you to write music on the computer
iPas is a software which is included in your Standard of Excellence – Enhanced Edition. The software is essentially Guitar Hero for band instruments. It records you playing a song and gives you a score based on your note, rhythm, and intonation accuracy. It also includes a metronome and tuner for practicing at home with your computer. My favorite feature is the ability to email your recording, score, and special message to me. I can’t wait to get emails with student recordings! My email address is: alan_smith@whps.org
Some students have had difficulty installing this software. On a Windows computer use the following steps:
1. Insert Standard of Excellence – Disc 2
2. Open ‘My Computer’
3. Right click on ‘iPas’
4. Click on ‘Explore
5. Double click on ‘Windows’
6. Double click on ‘install.exe’
If you continue to have inssues installing this software, click on the link below. This website explains how to install on Windows Vista and Windows 7.
All of Mr. Smith’s instrumental students should practice each day (at least 5 days a week) for approximately 15 minutes. Practicing should include:
1. a short warm-up to get the student and their instrument ready to play
2. practice assigned songs from the lesson book
3. practice sections of the concert music
Do not play straight through the song. Students should focus on sections of music (maybe one measure) with which they have difficulty. If you can play a section of music two times in a row without note or rhythm mistakes then move on. As a general rule “if you sound good practicing, you are not working on the right stuff” 
Students should complete a practice journal every month, filling in what is assigned at each lesson. The practice journal can be viewed and printed from the link below.
Practice Journal
