mathermusic

Bowhold

2010-11-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

So here is what Mr. Smith is looking for.

All City Orchestra

2010-10-28T08:34:00.001-07:00

There are still looking for string players to be in the CPS All-City Orchestra. The All City Orchestra consists of string players from many of the CPS high schools.

The orchestra meets on Saturday mornings at Jones College Prep High School downtown. See Mr. Smith if you are interested.

String Fever

2010-10-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

So we watched a couple of fun clips of those English guys playing the electric instruments. Here is a link to both. It stinks that they are on YouTube and we can't see them at school, but you can watch them elsewhere.

Bolero is the one where they are all playing the same cello.

Here's Bolero

History Of Music

2009-11-14T10:42:00.001-08:00

toothpastefordinner.com

Help Little Kids Rock Class Fill Out the Band

2009-10-07T09:14:00.001-07:00

Help Little Kids Rock Class Fill Out the Band

Posted using ShareThis

Bach - Cello Suite No.6 i-Prelude

2009-09-06T09:10:00.001-07:00

Here is another of the videos that we watched during the first few days of class. If this appeals to you, you may want to play the cello.

Violin Video

2009-09-02T18:17:00.001-07:00

This is one of the videos that we watched on the first few days of class to demonstrate the instruments. If this sound interests you, you may want to try the violin. The performer is the famous Itzhak Perlman. He is playing a piece by Bach which was written for unaccompanied violin.

Mather Orchestra News 2009

2009-04-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

Here's some news from the year

Orchestra Activites/ Accomplishments 2008-2009

The Mather Orcehstra received a 500 dollar grant for the Target Foundation and a 3500 dollar grant from the READwELL organization at Northeastern University to host a Musical Residency at Mather. We collaborated with musicans from the 5th House Ensemble, a professional chamber orchestra. The Fifth House Members visited Mather ten times and worked with the kids on the subject of ethnic music styles. The students researched different ethnic music styles and composed their own pieces. The project culminated in a joint performance between the professional and student musicians.

The Mather Orchestra was selected to participate in the MusiCorps Program sponsored by the Civic Orcehstra of Chicago. We were visited twice by chamber music groups from Civic, who provided the orchestra and band classes with a lecture/demonstration/performance.

Students from the Mather Orchestra were selected, for the fourth year in a row, to participate in the SEED program sponsored by the Chicago Sinfionetta. The Sinfonietta provided two professional musicians who visited Mather four times to coach a string quintet. They also provided private lessons for two Mather students. On May 3rd, the quartet will perform with other CPS chamber groups at Symphony Center in Chicago

The Mather Orchestra competed in the Chicago Public Schools Band and Orchestra Contest on Saturday April 18th. The orchestra was awarded an "excellent" rating.

On Friday April 24th, members of the Mather Intermediate and Advanced Orcehstras will participate in a service learning project in collaboration with Clinton Elementary. Mather students will visit Clinton to mentor and tutor the Clinton musicians.

Members of the Mather Band and Orchesta participated in the 2009 Musical; "Life is a Cabaret"

Last fall, the Mather Orchestra was visited by Dr. David Eccles. Dr. Eccles, a noted string and orchestra pedagogue and professor at VanderCook college of Music, conducted the orchestra in rehearsal and met with interested students to discuss furthering their study in college.

The Mather Band, Orchestra, and guitar classes were pleased to receive a donation from The Gift of Carl foundation. The foundation donated several instruments to Mather including: violins, guitars, bells and flutes.

In Februaury, Mr. Smith attended a two day workshop in chicago presented by The Little Kids Rock organization. The organization then donated 24 new classical guitars to Mather to support its guitar program.

This year we have several students pursuing ouside music opportunities including studying at the Merit School of Music and participation in the Northside Youth Symphony, All-City Symphony and the All-City Jazz Band.

La Llorona

2009-03-31T17:55:00.001-07:00

Mather Guitars

Come see the Musical

2009-03-09T17:34:00.001-07:00

Russian Music Box by Soon Hee Newbold

2009-02-19T19:02:00.001-08:00

This student is in one of the beginning orchestras!!!
Guess who...

Computer Lab Assignment for Feb 17

2009-02-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

Greetings third period guitarists!

The assignment for today will be to describe for me the form of any song you choose.

Please open Microsoft Word on your computer and create a new document.

For a song of your choosing please indicate

Your Name
Song Title
Song Band
Time Signature
Song Elements
Number of measures for each element

Song elements might include: Verse, Chorus, Intro, Solo, Outro or Bridge.

Save your project and email it to me

For an example of what I want, check out the part of this song analysis that says form.

My Email address is crsmith2@cps.edu

If you need someplace to search for and listen to music, try Rhapsody
Gale Library Database
NPR Music

You must email this to me today by the end of the period.

Extra Credit... if you find a good site that is accessible from school, respond to this post and tell everyone about it!

Play Major Chords on a Keyboard - wikiHow

2009-01-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

Play Major Chords on a Keyboard - wikiHow

New World Symphony Bass Section

2009-01-17T11:49:00.001-08:00

Thank you from the Gift of Carl

2008-12-29T10:30:00.001-08:00

The Mather Music Department was very pleased to receive a donation from the Gift of Carl Foundation. The organization gave use 2 violins, 2 guitars, alto sax, 3 bell sets, 2 clarinets and a flute in memory of Carl Vuillaume.

Talent Show is Coming

2008-11-11T13:34:00.001-08:00

All City Orchestra

2008-10-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Ariima and OJ for their acceptance into the CPS All City Orchestra and Jazz Band. This will be a great opportunity for each of them. I can't wait to hear the concerts!

There is still room in the orchestra which meets on Thursday after school at Lincoln Park High School. If you are interested, let me know.

Breaking Benjamin-Rain (Acoustic)

2008-10-11T13:27:00.001-07:00

Here is a nice song suggested by Arturo

click here for the chords to play along.

Bach - Brandenburg Concertos No.5 - i: Allegro

2008-10-11T13:18:00.001-07:00

The advanced orchestra will be playing an arrangement of this piece for our performance in December!

Weezer - Island In The Sun

2008-10-07T19:28:00.001-07:00

Vishal Suggested this song.

We don't know all the chords yet (we'll learn them soon) but the progression is

E minor A minor G and D

Download some free software that we used in the lab at School

2008-10-07T08:49:00.001-07:00

Did you guys like the software that we used to make the beats?

Download it yourself here

Its called Hammerhead Rhythm Station

Anyone Else But You

2008-09-23T15:36:00.001-07:00

As tried in guitar glass.

Play a full G, then move the fingers from the 5th and 6th strings to the 4th and 5th strings!!! Repeat as necessary :)

'Canon in D' Music by Johan Pachelbel (1653-1706)

2008-09-06T12:41:00.001-07:00

Check out Pachelbel Canon. Let's work on it!

Link your blog to the Mather Orchestra Website

2008-07-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

Do you have a blog of any sort? It would be cool if we had links to some Mather Student blogs on our orchestra/guitar website. Let me know if you would like me to put a link to your blog on our site.

Myspace Page

2008-06-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

Yes, we have a Mather Orchestra Myspace Page

Click here for Myspace Page

I know that it's a trifle lame.

If you would like to help me design and maintain the page I would love it. Email me!

Email Mr. Smith

News

2008-05-27T13:01:00.000-07:00

The following announcements will be on the program at our concert on June 3rd,.

Summer Orchestra

Don’t get rusty in the summer! Some of our Mather Musicians are going downtown to play in the Summer Music Festival at the Merit School of Music. Classes are from 9:30-12:30 a.m. from July 7th until August 1st. Students play in an orchestra, take a group class in their instrument, and choose music electives which include Fiddling, Rock and Roll Ensemble, Songwriting and Conducting. There is a cost for the program but financial aid is available. See Mr. Smith for details or go to www.meritmusic.org. If you just want to take some lessons, you can try the Old Town School of Folk Music. It is a great school only a couple of blocks from Mather. www.oldtownschool.org. Seek out lessons and you will be a better player next year!

West Side Story

The Mather Orchestra was pleased to collaborate on an adaptation of West Side Story. On Wednesday April 9th, Members of the Advanced Orchestra accompanied Mather Actors under the Direction of Ms. Belmonte, Mather Singers coached by Ms. Harbaugh and Mather Dancers prepared by Ms. Johnson in an exciting artistic collaboration. The students were exited to perform for a standing room only audience in the auditorium.

Chicago Public School Orchestra Contest

On Saturday, April 5th, the Mather Advanced Orchestra traveled to Shurz High School to compete in the 83rd annual CPS Band and Orchestra Contest. The orchestra combined with members of the Mather Band and performed Russian Sailor’s Dance by Gliere and Slavonic Legend by Del Borgo.

Mather Violinists Coached by Sinfionetta Members

The Mather Orchestra was chosen to participate in a program run by the Chicago Sinfionetta. A select group of Mather Violinists has been working with Sinfionetta concertmaster Paul Zafer and violinist Terrance Gray. The professional musicians visited Mather five times for private coachings with our violin octet. Additionally, Mr. Zafer will provided three private lessons to Mather students. This collaboration will culminated on Monday April 28th, in a performance at Symphony Center! Judy Kim, Gabriel Cardenas, Akie Tran, Maha Aziz, Shirley Lambert, Ana Barraza, Jonathan DeFranco, and Michelle Arellano performed Concerto for 4 violins in C major by Antonio Vivaldi.

Mather High School Welcomed Etran Finatawa

Last month, we were visited by some wonderful musicians from Niger. Two of the members of Etran Finatawa came to play for and talk to Mather musicians during their current world tour. The men that came, from the Tuareg and Wodaabe nomadic tribes of Niger, demonstrated their unique brand of African music and instruments. They shared stories with our students and even asked some of our orchestra members to give them an impromptu performance! Check them out at www.etranfinatawa.com.

Orchestra Receives New Instruments

Our principal, Chris Jones, in conjunction with the Mather Local School Council, demonstrated an enormous commitment to the Mather Orchestra program by purchasing 15,000 dollars of new instruments. The orchestra is using dozens of new violins and violas, three new cellos and five new bass bows. Mr. Smith and the orchestra students thank the administration tremendously for their support.

Thank you Mr. Reidy

This spring, the Mather orchestras and guitar classes welcomed Sean Reidy as a student teacher. Mr. Reidy, from Roosevelt University and VanderCook College of Music, shared his extensive knowledge and experience in the string bass, jazz music and the world of being a professional musician with our students. We wish Mr. Reidy luck as he finds a school of his own.

Mather Orchestra on the Web

Keep up do date with Mather orchestra and guitar news! Visit our website, http://mathermusic.blogspot.com, or our Myspace Page myspace.com/mathermusic Look at pictures, watch videos of our performances and more. Feel free to email Mr. Smith at crsmith2@cps.edu with any questions or call 773 534 2350 x 22992. Always know what your grade is by checking Edline- www.edline.net.

Upcoming Performances

The advanced orchestra combined with select beginners will also perform for Mather graduation on Saturday June 7th at De Paul University.

Thinking of Joining the Mather Orchestra?

Next year we will offer two beginning orchestras. No experience necessary. See your counselor to sign up to join us. The Mather Orchestra program is also growing. We will also be offering an intermediate group along with our advanced orchestra. Stay Tuned!

Mather Orchestra Parent Association

We are forming a Mather Orchestra Parent Association (MOPA). If you would like to be involved, let Mr. Smith know. Support the orchestra by accompanying us on field trips, fundraising and concerts.

Support the Mather Orchestra

Want to support the Mather Orchestra? Come to our concerts. Listen to a Mather musician play. Donate a used musical instrument or accessory. We are in need of guitars, acoustic or electric, for our guitar classes. Any donation to the Mather Orchestra is fully tax deductible. Visit DonorsChoose.org. Enter keyword Mather and choose the proposal that says “Recording Studio” we have over 500 dollars raised so far!

Places to Jam Online

2008-03-09T11:42:00.001-07:00

1. Ninjam: “NINJAM is a program to allow people to make real music together via the Internet. Every participant can hear every other participant. Each user can also tweak their personal mix to his or her liking. NINJAM is cross-platform, with clients available for Mac OS X and Windows. “
2. ejamming: Currently free during its public beta! Connect, jam, and record online.
3. jam2jam:Improvise with others online and creative grooves and music without having to have “music chops”.
4. Jam Central Station: Have a virtual band “back you”.
5. Kompoz: “Kompoz is a social workspace for musicians and songwriters. Got an idea for a song? Record a track. Upload it. Then invite others to add drums, bass, vocals or anything else!”
6. Kalabo: Compose, play, add to, and modify compositions online.
7. JamGlue: Upload a composition, mix it, share it…
8. Splice: Meet, Make, Mix, and Mash music online.
9. JamNow: “Broadcast, podcast or jam live whenever you want, & invite fans or musicians to join in. Or choose to keep your broadcasts private, open only to those you invite. Your sessions are recorded and can be edited, stored in your JamNow tape vault, and downloaded as MP3s. Post your performances as streams on your profile page - build your audience by playing live for people all over the world! Do it yourself!”
10. ZipJam: Not an online jam/shareable site, but rather one that allows you to find musicians to jam with and work with in your area.

Winter Concert 2007

2007-12-16T19:01:00.000-08:00

I am very proud of everyone's performance on the recent concert. The level of performance was the best that I have heard in my three years here at Mather. I admire your dedication, focus and commitment. I am most pleased by the turnout of students. We had over 95 percent attendance by our Mather Musicians.

I am also happy to hear from folks in the crowd that our students were generally a good audience. As you know, it is very important for us to support our colleagues by not only attending their performances, but also by listening while they play.

We have two more performances this year. Now that you have some experience performing in a large group, I am looking forward to your hard work and hearing even more improvement when we return from winter break!

Mariachi Club

2007-10-12T21:54:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone

Why not try the Mariachi Club? We meet in room 301 on Wednesdays after school. No experience necessary, but we're looking for guitarists, violinists, violists, bassists, vocalists, keyboard players and trumpeters.

Have fun and learn, sing and play some Mariachi style music.

What do you think of orchestra so far?

2007-09-10T21:24:00.001-07:00

So beginners? What do you think of orchestra so far? I know we barely can make a note on our instruments, but... any comments. Good or bad!

All City Performing Ensembles

2007-09-10T08:31:00.001-07:00

Here is a great opportunity for our Mather High School Musicians and Dancers.

The Chicago Public Schools have all city performing ensembles. There is a High School Band, Orchestra, Chorus and Dance Ensemble.

In the performing groups, each student will get to play in the ensemble and receive a private lesson on their instrument every week!!!

The All-City Choir will rehearse every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Fine Arts Building downtown.
The All-City Band will rehearse every Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Merit School of Music (very near downtown).
The All-City Orchestra will rehearse every Saturday from 9:00-12:00 at Jones College Prep in the South Loop
The All-City Dance Ensemble will rehearse every Saturday from 9:00-12:00 at Gallery 37 downtown.

This is an awesome opportunity for you. You get to meet students from all across the city, have fun, perform together and... its all free!!

Auditions are coming up at the end of September.

Come to see Mr. Smith if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity.

Free Music Downtown

2007-09-10T08:23:00.001-07:00

Hey All-

Why not check out some great music downtown? Saturday October 13th at Symphony Center.

Symphony Center is on Michigan Avenue directly across the street from the Art Institute.

There will be all sorts of free stuff going on. Branford Marsalis, Ella Jenkins, Latin Jazz and more.

Click here for more info.

Welcome to the Mather Music Blog

2007-07-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone

This is the new Mather Music Department Blog!

We'll use this blog to communicate with each other throughout the year. Hopefully we can keep it current and useful to all. Subscribe now! If you're looking at this from school, some of the youtube stuff won't work, but I'm trying to move everything over to TeacherTube!

What does Mr. Smith mean when he tells us to subscribe to the blog.

2007-07-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

Well...

Many of you know this already, but the cool new technology on the internet has to do with RSS feeds. This is what that orange icon to the left is all about.

First, you need to sign up with a news aggrigator or reader. Don't worry, its free. These can be things like my yahoo or igoogle. I use igoogle. Then, every time you see a website with this icon (they are all over) you can either click the icon or copy the address from the top of the page and post it in your reader.

Once you do that, every time there is something new on the site or blog or whatever, it will be automatically sent to you! You don't have to go around checking a million sites to see if there is anything new out there.

If you subscribe to this blog, every time there is a new post, it will be sent to you. If you subscribe to the wiki (www.mathermusic.pbwiki.com) everytime there is something there you will get it. Get it?

So you're in Beginning Orchestra...

2007-07-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Beginning Orchestra-

So you've never played an instument. Maybe you took clarinet for one year in 5th grade. Maybe you signed up for guitar and got put in orchestra. Maybe your counselor stuck you in orchestra to meet your music requirement.

Don't worry.

I will teach you how to play and instrument, and we will HAVE FUN doing it. It doesn't matter if you have any experience at all!. All I ask is that you give me a good effort during class and I promise you will have the hang of it in no time. Learning an instrument takes time, but we'll see each other every day and work at it.

Everyone in the class will perform! Yes that's right. I hope to have three concerts this year. Our class will perform as a group on stage.

There will be lots of other opportunities. Last year, we played for the teachers at the Holiday Breakfast, we took a trip down to the Chicago Hilton and played for the CPS awards dinner, played at Shurz High School and more.

The first thing that we are going to do is choose instruments. I will show you the violin, viola cello and bass. Each instrument has its advantages and disadvantages. Some of you will be drawn to the sound of a particular instrument, while others will have to work a while for the sound to grow on you.

I am looking forward to getting to know you and hearing your comments and reactions on this blog. Let me know what you think about things. I will be posting different subjects for us to talk about.

Mr. Smith