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Finding Your True North and Magnetic Declination

9/23/2020

 
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We don't know precisely when the compass was invented. However, historians know it was used ubiquitously throughout Europe as early as the twelfth century, and even earlier in China.

The idea of letting the Earth's magnetic field guide your travels has been a time tested foolproof way of getting from point A to point B. Whether traveling by land, air, or sea, compasses exist in virtually every vehicle that travels from one place to another.

Even with the advent of modern global positioning satellites, adventurers, young and old, rarely leave home without their trusty directional companion. Except it is not foolproof. The compass is a little faulty.

Starting with its first use, early navigators noticed that the compass did not always align with Polaris (the North Star). The degree of variation would change, but the inconsistency remained an unexplained constant for over five hundred years. The mystery remained unsolved until the early 1830's when British scientists initiated what became known as the Magnetic Crusade - a worldwide survey meant to measure and track the deviation, now known as Magnetic Declination.

It turns out that true north and magnetic north are not the same things. At least not at this moment as magnetic north is a moving object and changes locales every year, whereas true north is fixed. As of today, the two are separated by approximately two hundred and fifty miles.

For everyday use, the difference between the two is insignificant. When using a compass to walk a mile, the variation between the two might cause you to miss by a couple of feet or yards—traveling one hundred miles? Well, you might miss by a half-mile or so. A thousand miles could have you in a different state or country. The greater the distance you travel, the more significant the gap between the two. Use magnetic north to get to the gas station? No problem. Use it to get from Los Angeles to Hawaii, and you will likely miss the entire chain of islands.

Navigating by your true north matters, not just in your travels, but in your life as well.

Our true north lies slightly adjacent to its magnetic counterpart and centers not around performances and crowds, but building character, making music, and creating memories.

Remember, over short trips and small distances, true north and magnetic north are virtually identical. But in the seven months, since the pandemic struck and distant learning began, the time and length have the two destination feeling miles apart. Through it all, it's essential to navigate yourself and your program by your True North because…

Magnetic north changes from year to year, but TRUE north is forever.

Friday, August 14

8/14/2020

 
While we are in virtual classroom setting, we will not be starting 6th graders in band or orchestra classes. These classes would be extremely difficult in the virtual classroom setting, therefore we will not be starting performing arts until we return to face-to-face classroom learning.
Sixth grade students will have the opportunity to take general music instead. General music will explore reading, writing and listening to music without using instruments.
As soon as we return to face-to-face learning, we will be offering sixth graders the chance to choose their performing arts classes.

Wednesday, May 20th

5/20/2020

 
'Hello everyone,
What an odd ending to the school year.  I am sure you are experiencing many different emotions at this time.  Many of you are sad you are ending the school year without saying goodbye to friends and teachers.  Others are more excited about moving on to the Middle School. Honestly, I have mixed emotions as well.  While I am happy you all are moving one step forward in your life’s journey, I am disappointed that I was not able to see you in person to celebrate your year’s accomplishments. 
 
As we began our music year, I know you thought you all would never be able to play well together as a group.  Some of you struggled longer that others but in the end look what you accomplished.  I encourage you to not let the end of the year end your musical career.  Remember what you can do if you put your mind to it and begin 7th grade with a renewed enthusiasm for music. 
 
Stay healthy keep a positive attitude, and remember that your academic achievements have not been diminished one bit by this pandemic, just the celebration. YOU did it and the pandemic can never take that away from you!
 
I will check up on you in Middle School Band and I look forward to hearing the great progress you are going to make. Until then, CONGRATULATIONS on your successes and continue to make music!
 

Here is the link to the end of the year school video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gugUwD6m1FA&feature=youtu.be


Here are some links for your enjoyment. Included are links to music games.

Brass Fingerings/Positions Training Games
Music Racer Games/ Woodwind Finger Chart Games
Percussion Games
Online Metronome
Music Dictionary
Table of Accents
Table of Dynamics
Table of Key Signatures
drselfridgemusic
Music Theory.net
Teoria.com
eMusicTheory.com
Jazz Guitar Online
Dolmetsch Music Theory
Music Theory on 8notes.com
BerkleeShares
Music Theory for Songwriters
The Tonal Centre

I encourage you to watch the videos during the summer of the performers that we have watched this spring.

Army Field Band Video:
Wednesday, May 20 @ 1pm: Super Mario Bros
Music in 8 Bits
Watch on: Facebook | YouTube

Lincoln Center At Home:

8:30am
From the Vault: Full Concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Every week, Jazz at Lincoln Center is releasing previously unseen video content from its archival “vault” via the Jazz at Lincoln Center Channel on Youtube.
Watch 

1:00pm
#TurnItOutWithTiler
Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet Tiler Peck helps you perfect that plié through live ballet classes on her Instagram.
Watch 

2:00pm
Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom
Line Dancing Workshop with Ms. Yvonne (Episode 43)
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Revisit the fundamentals of line dancing and build a new dance together.
Watch 

5:00pm
Wednesday with WendyNew York City Ballet
Take a ballet-inspired movement class taught by NYCB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan on Instagram Live. Suitable for people of all ages and levels of training.
Watch 

7:30pm
Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera
The Metropolitan Opera
Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Kathleen Kim, Stephanie Blythe, Marcelo Álvarez, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Fabio Luisi. From December 8, 2012.
Watch 


Tuesday, May 19th

5/19/2020

 
ORCHESTRA STUDENTS:
Your assignments will be listed by date on a TUESDAY/ THURSDAY basis.   There will be several assignments listed each day.  You are to choose one (1) assignment only for submission.  Following the instructions given, correctly complete the assignment each day and submit this via email. You will only need to complete one (1) assignment of your choosing each day. You are to only choose assignments listed for ORCHESTRA: TUESDAY and THURSDAY. The other assignments are for additional information, knowledge and fun learning if you choose.
Note:  There will be no new assignments given on FRIDAYS.  This is the day you are to catch up on any work for any classes you did not complete during the week.

1. Watch one of the videos listed below.
Write a one paragraph paper describing your thoughts about the video. The paragraph must contain  five or more complete sentences and correct punctuation. Include the title of the video and any performers in the video.

Choose one of the following assignments. Correctly complete the assignment and email to Mr. Smart for credit.    james.smart@cobbk12.org

Army Field Band Video:

Tuesday, May 19 @ 1pm: Musical Passport
A Journey Through Time and Space
Watch on: Facebook | YouTube

Lincoln Center At Home:
1:00pm

#TurnItOutWithTiler
Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet Tiler Peck helps you perfect that plié through live ballet classes on her Instagram.
Watch 

2:00pm

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom
All About Myths Workshop with Ms. Myxy (Episode 42)
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Learn about the elements of myths, and try writing your own.

Watch 

5:30pm

Bach to Bach
Live From Lincoln Center
This archival broadcast features the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performing an all-Bach program.

Watch 

7:30pm

Wagner’s Lohengrin
The Metropolitan Opera

Starring Eva Marton, Leonie Rysanek, Peter Hofmann, Leif Roar, and John Macurdy, conducted by James Levine. From January 10, 1986.

Watch 

8:00pm

George Balanchine’s Diamonds from Jewels
New York City Ballet
Fall in love with the regal elegance of Diamonds, featuring Sara Mearns and Russell Janzen. Introduced by NYCB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan.
Watch 

8:00pm

Live From Lincoln Center
Act One
Lincoln Center Theater
Wonderfully adapted for the stage by Tony Award-winning writer and director James Lapine, Act One is a funny, heartbreaking, and suspenseful portrait of the Broadway legend Moss...

2. Theory Sheets: # 16 and 17 (below).
     Correctly complete both sheets, and email the completed assignment.

musical_instruments_worksheet_16.pdf
File Size: 2284 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

musical_instruments_worksheet_17.pdf
File Size: 2530 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Monday, May 18th

5/18/2020

 
BAND STUDENTS:
Your assignments will be listed by date on a MONDAY/WEDNESDAY basis. There will be several assignments listed each day.  You are to choose one (1) assignment only for submission.  Following the instructions given, correctly complete the assignment each day and submit this via email.  You will only need to complete one (1) assignment of your choosing each day.
You are to only choose assignments listed for BAND: MONDAY and WEDNESDAY. The other assignments are for additional information, knowledge and fun learning if you choose.
Note:  There will be no new assignments given on FRIDAYS.  This is the day you are to catch up on any work for any classes you did not complete during the week.

Choose one of the following assignments. Correctly complete the assignment and email to Mr. Smart for credit:   james.smart@cobbk12.org

1. Watch one of the videos listed below.
Write a one paragraph paper describing your thoughts about the video. The paragraph must contain  five or more complete sentences and correct punctuation. Include the title of the video and any performers in the video.

Army Field Band Video:

Monday, May 18 @ 1pm: Joint Service Jam Sessions
Music From All Five Services
Watch on: Facebook | YouTube

Lincoln Center At Home:
1:00pm

New York Premiere of Daniil Trifonov’s Quintetto concertante
New York Philharmonic
The NY Phil and 92Y co-present the first-ever broadcast of the NY premiere of Mary and James G. Wallach Artist-in-Residence Daniil Trifonov’s Quintetto concertante.
Watch 

1:00pm

#TurnItOutWithTiler
Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet Tiler Peck helps you perfect that plié through live ballet classes on her Instagram.
Watch 

2:00pm

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom
Writing an Aria Workshop with Ms. Ashley (Episode 41
)
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Explore arias in music, and practice writing one for your voice.
Watch 

6:00pm

Ballet Essentials Online
New York City Ballet
Tune in as NYCB artists lead viewers through a ballet warm-up and movement combination inspired by some of the Company’s iconic repertory.
Watch 

7:30pm

Mozart’s Idomeneo
The Metropolitan Opera
Starring Nadine Sierra, Elza van den Heever, Alice Coote, and Matthew Polenzani, conducted by James Levine. From March 25, 2017.
Watch 

2. Theory Sheets: # 14 and 15 (below).
     Correctly complete both sheets, and email the completed assignment.

musical_instruments_worksheet_14.pdf
File Size: 2178 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

musical_instruments_worksheet_15.pdf
File Size: 3230 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Thursday, May 14th

5/14/2020

 
ORCHESTRA STUDENTS:
Your assignments will be listed by date on a TUESDAY/ THURSDAY basis.   There will be several assignments listed each day.  You are to choose one (1) assignment only for submission.  Following the instructions given, correctly complete the assignment each day and submit this via email. You will only need to complete one (1) assignment of your choosing each day. You are to only choose assignments listed for ORCHESTRA: TUESDAY and THURSDAY. The other assignments are for additional information, knowledge and fun learning if you choose.
Note:  There will be no new assignments given on FRIDAYS.  This is the day you are to catch up on any work for any classes you did not complete during the week.

1. Watch one of the videos listed below.
Write a one paragraph paper describing your thoughts about the video. The paragraph must contain  five or more complete sentences and correct punctuation. Include the title of the video and any performers in the video.

Choose one of the following assignments. Correctly complete the assignment and email to Mr. Smart for credit.    james.smart@cobbk12.org

Army Field Band Video:

Thursday, May 14 @ 1pm: Rising Above
The Army Changed My Life
Watch on: Facebook | YouTube

Lincoln Center At Home:
1:00pm

#TurnItOutWithTiler
Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet Tiler Peck helps you perfect that plié through live ballet classes on her Instagram.
Watch


2:00pm
Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom
Exploring Ballet Workshop with Deb (Episode 39)
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Take a close look at San Francisco Ballet’s production of “Romeo and Juliet.“
Watch

6:00pm
Ballet Essentials Online
New York City Ballet
Tune in as NYCB artists lead viewers through a ballet warm-up and movement combination inspired by some of the Company’s iconic repertory.
Watch

7:30pm

Britten’s Peter Grimes
The Metropolitan Opera
Starring Patricia Racette, Anthony Dean Griffey, and Anthony Michaels-Moore, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. From March 15, 2008.
Watch 

7:30pm

Yo-Yo Ma Plays Dvořák
Live from Lincoln Center
This Live From Lincoln Center 1995 telecast features cello superstar Yo-Yo Ma as soloist in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the New York Philharmonic, led by maestro Kurt Masur.
Watch

7:30pm
Britten’s Peter Grimes
The Metropolitan Opera
Starring Patricia Racette, Anthony Dean Griffey, and Anthony Michaels-Moore, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. From March 15, 2008.

Watch 

2. Theory Sheets: # 12 and 13 (below).
     Correctly complete both sheets, and email the completed assignment.

musical_instruments_worksheet_12.pdf
File Size: 2183 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

musical_instruments_worksheet_13.pdf
File Size: 2138 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Wednesday, May 13th

5/13/2020

 
BAND STUDENTS:
Your assignments will be listed by date on a MONDAY/WEDNESDAY basis. There will be several assignments listed each day.  You are to choose one (1) assignment only for submission.  Following the instructions given, correctly complete the assignment each day and submit this via email.  You will only need to complete one (1) assignment of your choosing each day.
You are to only choose assignments listed for BAND: MONDAY and WEDNESDAY. The other assignments are for additional information, knowledge and fun learning if you choose.
Note:  There will be no new assignments given on FRIDAYS.  This is the day you are to catch up on any work for any classes you did not complete during the week.

Choose one of the following assignments. Correctly complete the assignment and email to Mr. Smart for credit:   james.smart@cobbk12.org

1. Watch one of the videos listed below.
Write a one paragraph paper describing your thoughts about the video. The paragraph must contain  five or more complete sentences and correct punctuation. Include the title of the video and any performers in the video.

Army Field Band Video:

Wednesday, May 13 @ 1pm: Soldiers’ Cabaret
Bringing Broadway Hits to Life
Watch on: Facebook | YouTube

Lincoln Center At Home:
8:30am

From the Vault: Full Concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Jazz at Lincoln Center

Every week, Jazz at Lincoln Center is releasing previously unseen video content from its archival “vault” via the Jazz at Lincoln Center Channel on Youtube.

Watch

1:00pm

#TurnItOutWithTiler
Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet Tiler Peck helps you perfect that plié through live ballet classes on her Instagram.
Watch 

2:00pm

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom
Visual Art Workshop with Ms. Taryn
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom brings you your daily dose of creative art-making using simple materials found at home.

Watch 

4:00pm

#ConcertsForKids
Etienne Charles
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Led by composer and performer Etienne Charles, Creole Soul brings the danceable excitement of Caribbean music to families at home.
Learn More »

5:00pm

Wednesday with Wendy
New York City Ballet
Take a ballet-inspired movement class taught by NYCB Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan on Instagram Live. Suitable for people of all ages and levels of training.

Watch 

7:30pm

Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxo
The Metropolitan Opera

Starring Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, and Tatiana Troyanos, conducted by James Levine. From March 12, 1988.

Watch

2. Theory Sheets: # 10 and 11 (below).
     Correctly complete both sheets, and email the completed assignment.

musical_instruments_worksheet_10.pdf
File Size: 2036 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

musical_instruments_worksheet_11.pdf
File Size: 2058 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Tuesday, May 12th

5/12/2020

 
ORCHESTRA STUDENTS:
Your assignments will be listed by date on a TUESDAY/ THURSDAY basis.   There will be several assignments listed each day.  You are to choose one (1) assignment only for submission.  Following the instructions given, correctly complete the assignment each day and submit this via email. You will only need to complete one (1) assignment of your choosing each day. You are to only choose assignments listed for ORCHESTRA: TUESDAY and THURSDAY. The other assignments are for additional information, knowledge and fun learning if you choose.
Note:  There will be no new assignments given on FRIDAYS.  This is the day you are to catch up on any work for any classes you did not complete during the week.

1. Watch one of the videos listed below.
Write a one paragraph paper describing your thoughts about the video. The paragraph must contain  five or more complete sentences and correct punctuation. Include the title of the video and any performers in the video.

Choose one of the following assignments. Correctly complete the assignment and email to Mr. Smart for credit.    james.smart@cobbk12.org

Army Band Video:

Tuesday, May 12 @ 1pm: Fun With Family Bands
Making Music At Home
Watch on: Facebook | YouTube

Lincoln Center At Home:
12:30pm

Weekly Lunchtime Playlist
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Every weekday at 12:30 pm we invite you to take a break and enjoy world-class chamber music performances shared from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s archives.
Watch 

1:00pm

#TurnItOutWithTiler
Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet Tiler Peck helps you perfect that plié through live ballet classes on her Instagram.
Watch 

2:00pm

Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom
Theater Workshop with Mr. B
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom brings you your daily dose of creative art-making using simple materials found at home.
Watch 

5:30pm

Chamber Music Society: Masters and Masterpieces
Live from Lincoln CenterHugh Downs hosts this 1992 CMS concert with key works by Saint-Saëns, Mozart, and Ravel, concluding with a jubilant account of Franz Schubert’s “Trout“ Quintet.

Watch 

7:30pm

Thomas Adès’s The Tempest
The Metropolitan Opera
Starring Audrey Luna, Isabel Leonard, Alek Shrader, Alan Oke, and Simon Keenlyside, conducted by Thomas Adès. From November 10, 2012.

Watch

2. Theory Sheets: # 8 and 9 (below).
Correctly complete both sheets, and email the completed assignment.

musical_instruments_worksheet_8.pdf
File Size: 2265 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

musical_instruments_worksheet_9.pdf
File Size: 2043 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Monday, May 11th

5/11/2020

 
BAND STUDENTS:
Your assignments will be listed by date on a MONDAY/WEDNESDAY basis. There will be several assignments listed each day.  You are to choose one (1) assignment only for submission.  Following the instructions given, correctly complete the assignment each day and submit this via email.  You will only need to complete one (1) assignment of your choosing each day.
You are to only choose assignments listed for BAND: MONDAY and WEDNESDAY. The other assignments are for additional information, knowledge and fun learning if you choose.
Note:  There will be no new assignments given on FRIDAYS.  This is the day you are to catch up on any work for any classes you did not complete during the week.

Choose one of the following assignments. Correctly complete the assignment and email to Mr. Smart for credit:   james.smart@cobbk12.org

1. Watch one of the videos listed below.
Write a one paragraph paper describing your thoughts about the video. The paragraph must contain  five or more complete sentences and correct punctuation. Include the title of the video and any performers in the video.

Army Band Video:

Monday, May 11 @ 1pm: Mix Tape Monday!
Featuring Straight No Chaser
Watch on: Facebook | YouTube

Lincoln Center At Home:

12:30pm
Weekly Lunchtime Playlist
Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Every weekday at 12:30 pm we invite you to take a break and enjoy world-class chamber music performances shared from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s archives.
Watch 

1:00pm
#TurnItOutWithTiler
Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet Tiler Peck helps you perfect that plié through live ballet classes on her Instagram.
Watch 

2:00pm
Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom
Music Workshop with Damian
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classroom brings you your daily dose of creative art-making using simple materials found at home.
Watch 

5:30pm
San Francisco Ballet: Romeo and Juliet
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
With its celebrated score by Prokofiev, Tomasson’s bravura interpretation of Romeo & Juliet is "visceral, fresh, and ultimately sublime."(Huffington Post)

6:00pm
Ballet Essentials Online
New York City Ballet
Tune in as NYCB artists lead viewers through a ballet warm-up and movement combination inspired by some of the Company’s iconic repertory.
Watch 

7:30pm
Massenet’s Werther
The Metropolitan Opera
Starring Lisette Oropesa, Sophie Koch, Jonas Kaufmann, and David Bižić, conducted by Alain Altinoglu. From March 15, 2014.
Watch 

2. Theory Sheets: # 6 and 7 (below).
     Correctly complete both sheets, and email the completed assignment.

musical_instruments_worksheet_6.pdf
File Size: 1869 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

musical_instruments_worksheet_7.pdf
File Size: 3864 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Friday, May 8th

5/8/2020

 
This concert is for your enjoyment. It is not for a grade.

#MemorialForUsAll

Memorial for Us All: Yo-Yo Ma
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, many rituals we hold dear are no longer possible. As we find our footing in this new terrain, faith leaders have enlisted New York City artists and Lincoln Center to offer a weekly Memorial for Us All. Music unlocks thoughts, feelings, and memories that unite and free us. These memorials allow music to begin to heal us all, as it has in so many rituals since the beginning of time.
Each Sunday at 6:00 pm ET, we premiere a new community remembrance in the form of a short concert honoring and celebrating those who have left us too soon.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma will lead the second Memorial for Us All this Sunday, May 10 at 6:00 pm ET.
Memorial for Us All is a secular community remembrance, welcoming all to celebrate the lives of those who have left us too soon. Community members are invited to submit the names of a neighbor, friend, or loved one to honor here.
#MemorialForUsAll

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