MENC Forums
An area for discussing professional concerns and music education.
You are not logged in.
Announcement
Quick update, April 28, 2009: We have updated the forum rules and added a FAQ. Email Paul Fergus with your comments and/or questions.
#1 2009-09-02 21:52:23
- glcviolin
- Just arrived
- Registered: 2009-09-02
- Posts: 3
Need help with orchestra warm-ups
I have a brand-new high school orchestra class this year - meeting 4x/week for 50 minutes; very mixed levels as I had to scrape together whoever would join so I could get this class into the day-time schedule. I have excellent scale sheets, but would love ideas on warm-ups for the whole ensemble that focus on producing an excellent sound, and building the intonation up from the bass. I'd really like to focus on tone production, listening, and intonation these first few weeks, for about 20-25 minutes each class. Any thoughts?? Thanks!
Offline
#2 2009-09-08 16:20:11
- fiddle-player Sue
- 2009 November Orchestra Mentor
- From: Finger lakes o New York state
- Registered: 2008-04-17
- Posts: 196
Re: Need help with orchestra warm-ups
Congratulations! These days, adding a class is an uphill battle in many places. Do you have money for materials? There are some books you could look at that might be useful. Mostly level 1&2, "Uni-Tunes", which is good note-reading & basic rhythm review w/some short pieces, or Andy Dabczynski's Sight-Reading book, level 2&3 "Intermediate Studies" from Highland-Etling (it's older but was in print last year) which is scales, arpeggios, short studies & 2,3&4 part rounds & easy ensembles, & level 3&4 "String Techniques for Superior Musical Performance" by Robert Frost, which is new & similar to the Int.Studies but somewhat more advanced, with also a nice excerpt from symphonic & other lit. Sue
Offline
#3 2009-09-29 00:04:15
- jmrobinowitz
- 2009 September Orchestra Mentor
- Registered: 2009-05-28
- Posts: 3
Re: Need help with orchestra warm-ups
Try using your materials as a vehicle for demanding excellence in tone production, intonation, balance/blend, etc. In a positive but firm demeanor, insist that your group responds appropriately. Don't compromise. Continue working until they begin satisfy your demands. Good luck.
Offline
#4 2009-11-04 23:29:06
- darth_linux
- Just arrived
- Registered: 2009-11-03
- Posts: 3
Re: Need help with orchestra warm-ups
I really like the book "Bach Chorales for Strings." Individual part books are about $3 and the conductor score is $16. You can outfit your whole group for about $75 if upper strings share one book per stand. There is a variety of keys, and challenge levels - good for anyone from second year all the way to 6th year. 1st and 2nd violin parts are usually in octaves so you can have as many as 4 violin parts going to cover your skill sets. I highly recommend it.
Offline