CDs for 4th grade, songs for 7/8

4th Grade

Two home-made, low-tech CDs of every song in Smart Violin are in the "Dolde" parent folder. Feel free to borrow one and return it when the time seems right. If all the CDs are gone, and you would like a copy, please let me know--if you provide me with a blank CD, I will burn a copy for you to keep.
I was talking with one of the private instructors about how many students are progressing rapidly; if your student seems to be thriving, don't feel you have to get a CD. Other students seem more uncertain, however, and if hearing the songs frequently help them support the ensemble on January 28, I encourage you to support them in that way.
I had my first rehearsal for our upcoming Saratoga Chamber Orchestra concert. The music is all from 20th century American composers and is quite challenging. I practice a lot and can't make the violin parts sound great by the first rehearsal, but by concert time, our ensemble and individual work will make beautiful music. I want the 4th graders (and older students) to get this sense, too--it is OK if something seems really challenging; the group will help carry the music along, with students participating in the appropriate way.

Guitar

I will send home with students Wednesday the entire repertoire for our January 28 assembly. Guitar students are playing 9 songs (3 with 4th grade strings, 3 with 5/6, 1 with a Spanish class, and 2 sing-alongs for the audience).
I recommend that students with younger siblings playing violin play duets at home.

If you have a 4th to 6th grader and would like the guitar chords to the songs they are playing (so you or they could play along at home), please let me know, and I will make extra copies for you (I received permission from the publishers to make copies for the purpose of providing guitar chords).

With warmth and light,

William Dolde