Here are links to some of the songs the 7-8 choir is working on this sememster. If you can't play these, go to jwpepper.com and search for the song titles (sometimes you have to search a little to find the correct one! Everything we are performing is 2 part music.)
Snow is Falling Still
www.jwpepper.com/ram/3286390.ram
The Polar Express: A Choral Medley (This recording is 4 voice parts--we are only performing 2 voice parts, but there is no recording of that. Sorry!)
www.jwpepper.com/ram/3302568.ram
Antiphonal Gloria--I haven't found a recording of this piece as of yet.
My hope is to add one more piece to the 7-8 choir, so we will have 4 songs at the concert, but I have yet to narrow it down. Hopefully soon.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Homecoming
This coming week is homecoming week, and that always provides for some interesting experiences. I have to admit that I am glad school picture day is not the same as "bad hair day." Providing that everything goes as usual, the middle school band will play the school song for a pep assembly on Friday when the seniors come back to the middle school. This is our first "performance" of the year and I am always excited to see how things will fit together.
On Thursday, October 2nd, come to the high school between 5 and 7 and support the Music Boosters by eating at their Beefburger Supper!
Another big thank you to those who came out to conferences! Teacher/parent communication is really important in the education of students! Again, if you have suggestions for improving the experience, please contact the staff or administration at the middle school.
On Thursday, October 2nd, come to the high school between 5 and 7 and support the Music Boosters by eating at their Beefburger Supper!
Another big thank you to those who came out to conferences! Teacher/parent communication is really important in the education of students! Again, if you have suggestions for improving the experience, please contact the staff or administration at the middle school.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Conferences
The first night of conferences has come and gone and it was good to see some of you there! I know that not everyone likes the way conferences get formatted, but it is hard to find a solution that is good for everyone all the time. If you have any suggestions on what would make them better, please let me or another faculty member at the middle school know. We all would love for parents to come talk to us. We all play a big role in the educational process. Communication is one of the most important steps!
I look forward to visiting with many of you tomorrow, as well. Most of the time, I will be out in the band room. If I am not there, I have probably run inside to use the restroom, grab some food or peeked in to see how the volleyball game is going. I'll try to make myself obvious!
I look forward to visiting with many of you tomorrow, as well. Most of the time, I will be out in the band room. If I am not there, I have probably run inside to use the restroom, grab some food or peeked in to see how the volleyball game is going. I'll try to make myself obvious!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Choir
I'm sorry, but I haven't posted much about choir yet. It isn't that I don't have things to say--time just sort of gets in the way sometimes. I am really pleased with the effort that the students in 7-8 choir. I went into this year not knowing what was really going to happen, but the students have really stepped up and make most days very enjoyably. :) We have only 3 guys in a group of about 30, but it's great to have them in there. I would love for more guys to be a part of the choir! Right now we are working on music for our winter concert on Dec. 22nd.
As an aside, I am sorry I have not posted any grades for the 7-8 choir on ParentOnline. I am still trying to figure out the best way to put the grades into the system, as choir doesn't necessarily fit the "conventional" grading system. If there is a question or concern, please give me a call or email and I'd be glad to talk to you. I am really looking for the best way to put those up and as soon as I do, I'll get them posted! Thanks for your patience.
I'll try to get links to the songs we are singing in case you would like to listen.
As an aside, I am sorry I have not posted any grades for the 7-8 choir on ParentOnline. I am still trying to figure out the best way to put the grades into the system, as choir doesn't necessarily fit the "conventional" grading system. If there is a question or concern, please give me a call or email and I'd be glad to talk to you. I am really looking for the best way to put those up and as soon as I do, I'll get them posted! Thanks for your patience.
I'll try to get links to the songs we are singing in case you would like to listen.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Music in our lives
Before I jump in on the importance of music, I thought I would share a reminder about conferences. Next Monday and Tuesday, please take time to come in a talk during conferences. 7th and 8th grade teachers have some scheduled times and some open times to come in and talk. I'll be out in the band room, and I'll have open time between 4-5 and 6-7 both nights.
As I mentioned in the last post, it was great to have Ms. Lau play along on the fight song the other day at our assembly. I know that she really enjoyed it. Music--whether it is singing or playing--is one of those things that you can do and enjoy throughout life. Not that you have to haul out you trumpet after it has been sitting in the attic for 30 years (not that it would be a bad thing), but even the appreciation for the work and skill it takes to produce something that surrounds nearly every aspect of our lives is important.
I understand that very few people go on and have a career in music, but everyone encounters music on a daily basis. Whether radio, TV, movies, iPods, an elevator or so many more situations, music is all around us. It brings joy, recalls important events, reminds us of those gone before and is a great way to relax. While I don't have a list of Presidents who were singers, the list of those who played instruments is quite interesting:
Thomas Jefferson played violin, Woodrow Wilson played violin, Harry Truman and Richard Nixon were pianists, Bill Clinton plays the sax and it has been rumored that Warren Harding sat in on rehearsals with "The President's Own."
Perhaps the most important thing music does is span country language and culture barriers. Trips by orchestras to countries have opened the way for dialogue and other interactions with countries with whom we would otherwise never talk to. The New York Philharmonic relatively recently performed in North Korea to standing ovations--not necessarily the response Americans would typically receive.
Music is all around. It is a part of every life, whether it is our profession, our passion, our hobby or our fun. Educating our students about it is even more important, whether they become teachers or Presidents of the US or anything in between.
www.playpiano.com/Articles/presidents-music.htm
As I mentioned in the last post, it was great to have Ms. Lau play along on the fight song the other day at our assembly. I know that she really enjoyed it. Music--whether it is singing or playing--is one of those things that you can do and enjoy throughout life. Not that you have to haul out you trumpet after it has been sitting in the attic for 30 years (not that it would be a bad thing), but even the appreciation for the work and skill it takes to produce something that surrounds nearly every aspect of our lives is important.
I understand that very few people go on and have a career in music, but everyone encounters music on a daily basis. Whether radio, TV, movies, iPods, an elevator or so many more situations, music is all around us. It brings joy, recalls important events, reminds us of those gone before and is a great way to relax. While I don't have a list of Presidents who were singers, the list of those who played instruments is quite interesting:
Thomas Jefferson played violin, Woodrow Wilson played violin, Harry Truman and Richard Nixon were pianists, Bill Clinton plays the sax and it has been rumored that Warren Harding sat in on rehearsals with "The President's Own."
Perhaps the most important thing music does is span country language and culture barriers. Trips by orchestras to countries have opened the way for dialogue and other interactions with countries with whom we would otherwise never talk to. The New York Philharmonic relatively recently performed in North Korea to standing ovations--not necessarily the response Americans would typically receive.
Music is all around. It is a part of every life, whether it is our profession, our passion, our hobby or our fun. Educating our students about it is even more important, whether they become teachers or Presidents of the US or anything in between.
www.playpiano.com/Articles/presidents-music.htm
Friday, September 12, 2008
Iowa/I-State Friday
The last day of school before the game is always interesting. It is really fun to see all the students decked out in cardinal and gold and old gold and black. It really is fun, but sometimes it is hard to keep the focus on learning. For me, one of the highlights is playing each school song at the pep assembly in the afternoon. This year, for my first time at CM, I had students come down and play with me! It was great that even though the Cyclones had considerably fewer representatives in the students body, there were several who wanted to play the fight song with me. I commend them on their effort and enthusiasm! It takes courage to come in front of your peers and perform a song that you haven't spent much time practicing. The same goes for the 3 that came down to join me for the Hawkeye song. That song is much more difficult, especially since in is written in 6/8 time--something we don't talk a whole lot about at the middle school level.
On a side note, it was great to have Ms. Lau, a former Cyclone Marching Band member, join us for their song. Music really can follow you through your life. This brings me to an interesting point which I will write more about in the next couple of days. I am glad we have reached the weekend, and GO HAWKS!
On a side note, it was great to have Ms. Lau, a former Cyclone Marching Band member, join us for their song. Music really can follow you through your life. This brings me to an interesting point which I will write more about in the next couple of days. I am glad we have reached the weekend, and GO HAWKS!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wednesday Surprise
By now most of you have probably discovered about the additive leak that caused the early dismissal from the middle school. The odor was quite strong, and as of Wednesday afternoon, is still present--although less obvious. Hopefully tomorrow everything will be back to normal. I am using this time to update some information on peoples' computers, as well as cleaning up and organizing the band and choir rooms. It is amazing how quickly things become messy. But then again, with chairs, instruments, stands, music and other assorted items, there is a lot that can be put in the wrong place.
7th and 8th grade parents, we are scheduling conferences again this year, but we hope that allowing you to schedule the time will encourage you to come and talk about your student. All the details are on the middle school website. We would really like to see a large turnout as this is a great way for parents to talk to teachers and vice versa.
I hope the students enjoyed their suprise time off. I am ready to get back at things tomorrow!
7th and 8th grade parents, we are scheduling conferences again this year, but we hope that allowing you to schedule the time will encourage you to come and talk about your student. All the details are on the middle school website. We would really like to see a large turnout as this is a great way for parents to talk to teachers and vice versa.
I hope the students enjoyed their suprise time off. I am ready to get back at things tomorrow!
Monday, September 8, 2008
Website
If you like the new colors and design of the website, say a big "THANK YOU" to Mr. Ruden. He did an awesome job with it!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Fight Songs
The 7-8 band always starts the year working on the school fight song "Onward Tigerhawks" (On, Wisconsin), but as the time of the Iowa-Iowa St. game rolls around, I have some other fight songs available to all the band students. In case you aren't familiar, the Big Game gets played up a lot at the middle school. Everyone dresses in their favorite team's gear on the Friday prior to the game. The day concludes with a tug-of-war at each grade level between Cyclone and Hawkeye fans. After all the grades have gone, it's the faculty's turn. I am proud to say that they Hawks have won that one several years running.
I'll let the students know today, but I do have copies of each of the fight songs for Iowa and Iowa State available for each instrument. Just a fun way to cheer on your favorite!
I'll let the students know today, but I do have copies of each of the fight songs for Iowa and Iowa State available for each instrument. Just a fun way to cheer on your favorite!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Grades
As of this afternoon, most of the grades for classes I teach have been updated! Keep in mind that it is early in the quarter and one item can significantly alter the grade. As more things get entered, this will certainly change. If there are questions, please contact me, either through the comment function, email (bwipperman@mail.colfax-mingo.k12.ia.us) or phone (641-363-4282).
If you are reading this blog, you have probably found the middle school website. The site is consuming more of my time, as of late, trying to update, improve and make it more user friendly. If there are any requests or suggestions, please let me know. I'll see what I can do!
If you are reading this blog, you have probably found the middle school website. The site is consuming more of my time, as of late, trying to update, improve and make it more user friendly. If there are any requests or suggestions, please let me know. I'll see what I can do!
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