Swinging Strings

Stringschool Summer Newsletter

2013-06-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Stringschool Newsletter May 2013

Summer Concert

Classes conclude next week 5^th June . We will have a play through of our repertoire ~~in room 13 at~~ ~~3.30 .~~ in Cahercalla Hospice Family members welcome

Gathering Event

All members of the class are invited to join the band for their recital outside the Cathedral 7pm June 8^th weather permitting. Rehearsals Tuesday after lunch in the hall.

Summer Camp

I am joining the team of Summer Music on the Shannon for their annual Summer course of classes and concerts . This year classes will be held in Ennis 29^th July to 2^nd August .

Students can sign up for half or whole days and there is more information on the sheet attached or on their website www.summermusicingalway.com

Email :cdstringschool@gmail.com Tel 086 1041 626

September

It hasn’t been confirmed at this point if the string programme will run next year . I will keep you posted. Those of you going on to secondary school might like to pursue a lesson in one of the several excellent teaching establishments. I am happy to recommend a teacher .

Programme Cahercalla Leave Sharp at 2.45

French Selection

Twinkle Twinkle

French Folk Song Julia Soloist

Frere Jacques

American Tunes

Michael Row the Boat Ashore Maxym

Bile Em Cabbage

Old McDonald Cayla and Lucy

Swinging Strings

Foxtrot
Blues

German

Ode to Joy Luke

Irish

Munster Cloak Katie A A B B A A B B

Mo Gile Mear Ali

Finale Tutti

Jingle Bells

Twinkle Twinkle Reprise

Level 2 Concludes

2013-05-29T15:43:00.000-07:00

Worksheet 2

Task List Put a tick when you do each task S S M T W Th F

1 Play Your name all 4 strings

2 Blues 13

New Tunes

3 Hot Cross Buns all 4 strings

4Old Mac 17 a Rhythm only b pizz fingers down c arco

5 Beguine Tr 12

6Bow River 29

7Twinkle 24 Rhythm Only Then with fingers down

8Twinkle Variation 19 ┌┐┌┐││ Win=ter time in Rus-sia

Hot Cross Buns

2 1 0_ 2 1 0_ oooo llll 2 1 0_

F#E D DDDD EEEE F#E D

D________________________

Old McDonald 17

3 3 3 0 1 1 0 _ 1 1 0 0 3_ _ Repeat

GGGD E E D_ B B AA G

Oo 3 3 3 oo 3 3 3 333333 33333_3_ middle line

3 3 3 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 3_ _

Frere Jacques

DE F#D x 2 F#G A x2

ABAG F#_D_ x 2 D A D_ x2

Brass in Class Visit Swinging Strings

2013-05-20T13:30:00.001-07:00

Students on the Swinging Strings programme enjoyed a wonderful workshop with the Brass in Class Team . Mr Daly and Mr Fitzgerald arrived with a car packed with all sorts of brass instruments , trumpets cornets, horns and trombones. We especially liked the bright blue p-bone.

They explained how the instruments work. We learned about valves, mouthpieces and bells. We heard a thrilling display of brass playing skills but best of all everyone got to have a go. Even our caretaking staff and our principal! Photos yet to be released but keep an eye on the school website.

Don't forget to watch out for the Ennis Brass Band recruitment announcements in September or call to the Band Room in Ennis Community College on Monday and Wednesdays.

Overheard in the yard on the way home. 'I really want to learn to play the garden hose!'

My only complaint - Mr Daly and Mr Fitzgerald made it look too easy.

Level 2 Begins

2013-05-15T15:40:00.002-07:00

15 violins issued to students who have opted for the improvers' module

Work for this week
Listen to the CD
Play along with the tracks you know
Pizz Twinkle Track 26
Bow the rhythm

Gp 1 Faye Coffey Bowe (own violin) Kalum Kerin, Chloe McHugh
Gp 2 Michael Mongans, Nora Tchadjobo, Sarah Chambers, Maggie Zi Xuan Huang, Elliott Rynne , Bryan Ruane,Alice Cullinane, Ailbhe Doherty
Gp 3Emmanuel Iwalena, Eimear Kilroy, Jessica Ryan, Joyce Nlemoah, Zusanna Marut.

Next session Wednesday 22 May during afternoon.

Track Listing
1 Vivaldi in G
2 Foxtrot
3 Cross Lake Blues ( D and A )
4 Attacama Crossing (rhythm Wintertime in Russia with string crossing D to A)
5 Chopstixs on D Hopping and Skipping and
6 Kilfenora Ceili Dancer
7 I stop and you stop 1
9 I stop and you stop 2
10 Carnival in Rio
11 Prelude to Carmen
12 Beguine (Samba)
13 Blues
14 Toreadors
15 Mr Cool
16 Ode to Joy
17 Old McDonald
18 We Will We Will Rock You
19 Twinkle Variations
20 Two String Reggae
21 Irelands Call
22 Macchu Piccu Mountain
23 Scale on A
24 Scale on D
25 Twinkle Twinkle with violin
26 Twinkle Twinkle with Backing track
27 Wintertime in Russia Fast
28 Wintertime in Russia Slow
29 Bow River

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Twinkle Twinkle.

NEW**
Line 1
D D   A A B B A_
0 0 0 0 1 1 0
G G F# F# E E D _
3 3 2 2 1 1 0

Line 2

A A   G G F# F# E_
0 0 3 3 2 2 1
A A   G G F# F# E_
0 0 3 3 2 2 1_

DD A A B B A _
G G F# F# E E D _

Level 1 programme concludes

2013-05-08T13:46:00.001-07:00

Level 1 concluded with a concert and presentation of certs in the hall on Wednesday afternoon. We played some of our favourites from the course for the classes of Ms Browne, Ms Moran and Mr Vaughan. All aparticipants were presented with certificates of achievement .
A special thank you to Ms Pilkington for her assistance and also |Ms Moran for being our guest narrotor today.
Our closing number was Mazeltov which means Good wishes . So we say Mazeltov to Swinging Strings 2012/13 .

Next week: Brass in the Class

During the year, I met some adults who were learning violin for first time. Here are three of the class on our final session of term held at the Junction Centre. Ennis . Bravo Mr Cullinane, Mr Murray and Mrs McQuillan! 'Never too early and rarely too late' to learn an instrument

Second Chance Class on outing to The Junction

Annie's Kilfenora Jig

2013-05-02T02:03:00.000-07:00

A little after class jamming with girls from the Walsh Ensemble

Today we had a music marathon. We looked back over the programme of two terms work of string tuition . Looking forward to presenting a class for an invited student audience next week. Bravo to Annie who played the Kilfenora Jig

Introduction 1 Welcome to our violin class . We have been working hard over the year and we are glad you can join us for our last session. Today we are going to introduce you to some new tunes and instruments. But first Feel The Beat Rap

Link 2 Our next piece features the instruments that are low in pitch the cellos and double bass . This backing track is a piece by Vivaldi .He was an Italian composer who wrotes loads of music just for strings

Link 3 Our next piece is called the Toreadors March . A Toreador is a Bullfighter . This piece is played at Munster Rugby Matches sometimes as the players are coming on to the field.

Link 4 Our final pizzicato piece is Foxtrot Mr Walsh

Link 5 Scales are like musical ladders . with notes going up and down , one step at a time . Here is a Scale starting on D

Link 6 Our next piece is a samba a dance from Brazil Mr Corry

Link7 The song Twinkle Twinkle uses the tune of a French folk song

Link 8 Next a story you know well . In our version we use our violins to add sound effects Three Little Pigs Story

Link 9 Finally Mazeltov means Good Wishes in Hebrew the language of the Jewish tradition. You can hear clarinets in the backing track. A good number for a finale (Fin a_ lay)

Link 10 Tango is a form of dance from Argentina This one is called La Cumparsita

Cellos today Calum, James, Eimear Basses Jordan, Sean Leaders Faye

Notices
Thanks to Ms White for the pics today

Last session with presentation of certs next week for invited audience and

Optional class for improvers starts 15th May

Mazel tov

2013-04-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Great to be back in Room 12 after a break of a few weeks. Today we listened to some Klezmer music and played along with a song called Mazel tov . Mr Corry tells me that the phrase features in a song by chart topper will. I .am.

Mr Walsh's class worked on the Three Little Pigs and Ms Walsh began work a musical illustration to Three Billy Goats Gruff.

Next week Annie and Farah Lisa have agreed to play something

Welcome to Ricky a new student inb Mr Corry's Class

Recognise these two Ennis Brass Band members ?

Music Class for 2nd Class

The 'Nash' Ensembles On the Ground at Shannon

2013-03-22T06:41:00.004-07:00

Pic courtesy Shannon_Airport via twitter

Mr Corry's Group

The weather outside was frightful but inside was quite delightful as for a third year in a row , the 80 plus 4th class participants in the Swinging Strings programme headed to the wide expanses of the departure lounge of Shannon Airport for a performance extravaganza . This year it was an exclusively Nash Event we joined the choir under Ms Carrigg and the band under Ms de Buitleir for a variety show of song , dance and instrumental items making a combined corps of 160 students, guests and teachers

Our special guests were tenor, Mr Tony Murray and star of the stage Mr Ken O Shaughnessy who narrated our special retelling of the Three Little Pigs complete with startling sound effects on strings by Ms McMahon's 4th class. MrWalsh's group doubled up on percussion to give an extra oomph to Mr Corry's class rendition of our string samba.

Narrator Mr O Shaughnessy with Ms McMahon's 4th Class

Mr Walsh

Students loved these cool fridge magnets

Two Tenors

After the show, there was a fab lunch for everyone upstairs at the Limestone Café and going home a goody bag for everyone. We sang all the way there and back . Thanks to Dorothy Quinn and all at Shannon Airport for their warm welcome and hospitality. We had a wonderful and memorable day!

ps This is our third year to return to this wonderful venue as part of our inclusive music endeavour. Every student at ENS from 4th 5th and 6th class has now participated at this event . You can read my reports from the 2012 and 2011 events here by clicking on the dates. You can hear some voices from the day on the audioboos below.

Play On Group

Ms McMahon's Group with Suzie

Mr Walsh's 4th Class

4th Class Mr Wals

BRAVO TUTTI!!

How do you get to Shannon Airport. Practice. Practice Practice !

Swinging Strings Programme

Mr Walsh Scale on D Joanne Martin
Twinkle Twinkle
Foxtrot Peter Martin
Open string riffs Barn Dance Michael Row the Boat Marines' Hymn

Ms McMahon Three Little Pigs Sounde Effects including Blues Peter Martin
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Riffs Mo Gile Mear, Can Can and Waltzing Mathilde Tremelo on Goodbye

Mr Corry Beguine (Peter Martin) with auxiliary percussion from 4th class Mr Walsh
Ireland's Call and Amran na bhFiann
You'll Never Walk Alone Tremelo D

Real pros Waiting patiently to start.

Smiley Faces on Bus Home

listen to ‘Ens on tour’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Bus home airport’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Tenor Tony Murray ’ on Audioboo

Shannon Spectacular: Preparations Continue

2013-03-15T09:40:00.001-07:00

We squeezed a few extra tutorials in today

Ms McMahon
Sound Effects Story

One or two small changes Glissando down on A for That was the end of the big Bad Wolf'

Band
School Orchestra Group plus Band Suzie on Bass

Double Bass Tutorial Suzie

Mr Walsh
Twinkle Tutorial

Proposed Running Order below

Running Order Shannon School Band Extravaganza

Swinging Strings in Class Groups

Mr Walsh

Students in four lines Seven in each row smaller students to front . 3 students from after school group added . In place at beginning

With the Band

1 Barn Dance Bows on G Two short quavers Ri-ver Bite the string

2 Michael Row Down Bow Retakes on D on Row and Lu Micahel ROW the Boat ashore all Lu ia Repeat Watch the leader for start and finish

3 Marines Hymn Down Bow Retakes on D except Line 3 D G D G Watch me for knee dip to show change of string

Solo

Bows Down Foxtrot pizz

Scale (on D)

Twinkle 1 Rhythm only 2 Tune

Exit Group 1 quietly while choir stand to perform

*************************************************************************************

Ms McMahon’s Group line up

With Band 1 Waltzing Mathilda G G zz D D zz 2 Can Can DDDD zzzz DDDD zzzz

Dancers rest position

Hollys Tune tbc

Munster Cloak G D G D Mini Retakes

Solo

Three Little Pigs inc BluesPizz Special class Friday

With Band

May We Never Sing with choir Watch me Tremelo on D

Mo Gile Mear Double Stop Heavy quavers GG z z or D D z z

Mr Corry

Into line after choir item

With Band Polkas 1 2 Quavers on G 2 Down Bow Retakes on A Every second part A A(play) B Play

Solo

Beguine

With Band

Finale Irelands Call Retakes on D

Amhran na bhFiann as rehearsed

Getting the act together School Ensembles Extravaganza

2013-03-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

From the archive Swinging Strings Group 2012 with the School Band

Mr Walsh Class
Scale on D
Foxtrot
Twinkle Twinkle Arco

Barn Dance Drone on G Down Bow Retakes G /D.
Part B Flag Wave Motion

Marines Hymn

Down Bow Retakes

Line 1 D D D D
Line 2 same
Line 3 G D G D
Line 4 D D D D

Michael Row
Down Bow Retakes on D on ROW and LU

Ms McMahon
Scale on A

Three Little Pigs inc Blues Sound Effects Story

Waltzing Mathilda

G G zz D D zz repeat Ending D D G_

Munster Cloak
G D G D G D D G
" " " D G

Can Can
Kilfenora V V on D

Mo Gile Mear
2 groups D and G Row the Boat riff on chorus flag waving on middle section

Mr Corry

Scale on D and A
(Twinkle) variation
Beguine

Polka 1
A A B B
A and B Quavers G and D 2 gps

Polka 2
A Down Bow Retakes Every 2nd bar

Irelands Call
National Anthem
Down Bow retakes on D tremelo to finish

Mr Walsh Foxtrot, Scale on D, Twinkle Twinkle Rhythm Only
Ms McMahon Scale on A Blues and Riffs on Waltzing Matilda G G zz D D zz
Ms Corry Rap, Scale Beguine Polka Riffs Ti Ti G and Down Bow Retakes A
Irelands Call and Amhran na bhFian

Follow on Gp Tunes Michael Row, the Boat Calypso and Munster Cloak
Mo Gile Mear Scale and arpeggio. G and D
2nd Chancers Review of term

Fiddle Rap and Violin Drum

2013-03-07T02:34:00.002-08:00

4 rhythms/ 4 strings
It was all about the beat today at Swinging Strings . We began with a rap before turning our violins upside down to make drums . We worked on 4 of our rhythms before bowing them. Which is your favourite . Our new rhythm today is Bow River no 4.

Rhythm Chart

Mr Walsh Scale on D and Twinkle Foxtrot
Ms McMahon Sound Effects Story
Mr Corry Beguine and more Twinkle

Violin Rap
Music Has a steady beat, Can you feel it in your feet]
Hear the music in the band , can you feel it , clap your hands
Now let me show you a clever trick, can you make your fingers click
No Feel the beat is what I said, can you think it in your head
***********************************************

Open String Notes on Stave

After school Gp
CF, AF, Ma. LF, KO, JP,

Absent LD

Arpeggios

Swinging Strings tunes Foxtrot, Blues, Beguine,

Michael Row, Mo Gile Mear

Advanced gp Munster Cloak

2nd Chancers Arpeggios , Essential Elements page 2 Fainne Geal , rhythm work Twinkle in G

Getting ready for Shannon

2013-02-26T15:50:00.002-08:00

'Marines Hymn
Balloon Bows

D D D D  Line 1

D D D D Line 2

G D G   D Line 3

D D   D D

Notes on Chord of D   D   F # A         B C A B C D    E   F   G A

                               G G    B D
Munster Cloak

Pizz
D G D G D G D G
D G D G D G G D Watch the ending

What other notes could your use to fit the chords of G and D

Mo Gile Mear

Double stopping on G and D together

4th class tunes Foxtrot, Blues, Twinkle, Scale on D, Scale on A

Improvers

New Tune Calypso

Tutti Ode to Joy French Folk Song Mo Gile Mear

Julia Ali Munster Cloak

Violin Sound Effects

1Down Retakes 2Up Bow Retakes

3Tremelo on strings 1, 2 3,4

4Strum Forward

5Knocking on wood

6Pizz descending rain EADG

7Pizz ascending GDAE

8Rock and Roll bow over all 4 strings

9Bow behind bridge for squealing

10 wolf theme on Double bass bowing fast A E A E A E A E tremolo on A off

11 First Finger glissando

12 Semitone Jaws Theme 01

The three little pigs

1Once there were three little pigs . (Garry ,   solo pause   watch for signal two beats (pizz on G 2Danny solo    Pause)   cue two counts D pause and

3Arnie solo pause   ) A
4 Time came for them to leave home and make their own home.    High Ho with strum forward on back beat

5 The first little pig Gary ( solo 12 G ) began building his house of straw pizz ascending wait for 4 counts 12 counts GGGG DDDD AAAA EEEE (Add row by row Watch for cut off )

6When he finished he sat down and admired his new house . Rock and Roll Bow **
7 Then there were three knocks on the door Wait three counts echo (Knock Knock Knock )

8 Wolf Semitone theme Who’s there .

Little pig This is Mr Wolf Let me come in ………Not by the ....

9 So the wolf huffed follow leader (tremolo on G he puffed (tremolo on D and he blew the house
10 down (up bow arpeggio E A D G lift bow off together plus bass pizz G D)

11 The second little pig gathered some wood , got out his hammer and nails and began building his house of timber (Kilfenora Ceili Dancer some knocking Knocking assigned a string each row GGGGGGGG DDDDDDDD AAAAAAAA EEEEEEEE

12 Very soon the house was ready and the little pig sat down admire his work Rock and Roll but   ( 13 Knock knock knock) Guess who !
14 semitone theme It was the wicked wolf   Little pig let me come in
15 ( So he huffed    G tremolo   and puffed D tremolo and blew the house of stix in
16 Up bow EADG off and bass pizz).

The last pig took his time . He decided to bulid his house of bricks Slwly he bulid his house of bricks

17 Pause down bow retakes slow G G G G etc

The third little pig began building his house of bricks.

18 It started to rain pizz down EADG EADGEADG
19 but on he went building his house of bricks

(Down Bow Retakes GDAE building up rows) Tremelo on bass

20 And at last he sat down to look at his lovely house Rock and Roll

21 but whats this ? here comes the big bad wolf . (semitone theme)
22 Into the house with him and cue bang ( slap ) he shut the door.
23 Very soon there can ( Knock Knock Knock ) on tr=the door . Little pig little pig let ,me come in ......

24 So he huffed tremolo G

He puffed tremolo D

And he huffed ####### G again

He puffed ####### D gradually slow down but he couldn’t blow the house down

ext he he looked for another way in 34 First finger gliss up he climbed up the chimney

But quick as a flash trghe little put a match to the fire 34 Up bow retake

The flames grew higher arpeggios The wolfs cries grew louder Down bow s on E

Bow behind bridge tremelo

That was the end of the big bad wolf and the little pigs hads a party before going back to work to rebuild their houses

Theme song

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

20th Feb Blues All 4 Strings

2013-02-19T14:51:00.002-08:00

Focus on Blues today

Lots of fun with the Level Game

Lyrics Blues

Kil rush Road is Straight and Long D E D E G G G _s

ChordG ______________________________________

Hear the cars roar A B A B D E D E

D_______________________________

Make’s you’re ears sore D E D E

C7________________________________

Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep z Honk z G G G G G z D z

Can you do better . Compose your own verse . Best one added to our lyrics

G Dmi

Over to you to write another verse

After School Group

Journals

Goals for week Concentrate on learning one new tune at a time

Repertoire Tunes (tunes you know well)

Scale Arpeggio

Daily Record Write down what you practice -

Parent Signature

Baby Slopes
Hot Cross Buns
Merrily We Roll Along
Clair de la Lune
Foxtrot
Blues

Blue Run Tunes
Lightly Row
Twinkle Variations
French Folk Song
Jingle Bells
Ode to Joy
Old McDonald
Lil Liza Jane

Red Tunes
Michael Row the Boat
Marines Hymn
Mo Gile Mear
Dawning of the Day
Fanny Power
Polkas
Premiere Waltz

+++++++++++++++++++
Black Run Tunes
Munster Cloak
Calypso
William Tell Overture,
Simple Gifts

Tangos and Twinkles

2013-02-06T01:31:00.001-08:00

Entrance Music A Tango from| Argentina

Scales Today we joined up the two halves of the scale to make one big scale all the way from D to D'

Here are the names of the notes on D and A strings

Notes on D string E F#^ G
1 2 3

Notes on A string B C#^ D
1 2 3

New
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Line 1
D D A A B B A_
0 0 0 0 1 1 0
G G F# F# E E D _
3 3 2 2 1 1 0

Line 2
A A   G G F# F# E_
0 0 3 3 2 2 1
A A   G G F# F# E_
0 0 3 3 2 2 1_

DD A A B B A _   same as line 1
G G F# F# E E D _

Knock on Wood Blues

z x z x G G G_
z x z x z x z x For x Use your 1st finger to knock on wood

G G G G G z D z

2nd Chance

Bowing Rhythms

Beguine Track 11 Good for practicing getting your elbow level right for the four strings.

G G G G D D D D A A A A E E E E A A A A D D D D G G G G G D A D Repeat G G G G D D D D A A A A E E E E A A A A D D D D G G G G G z G z

Beginners Twinkle Improvers New Tune Fainne Geal an Lae

After School Class

New Tune Marine's Hymn

Marine's Hymn Click on link here to watch a video of the new tune.

Scale Arpeggio D Major

An arpeggio is a chord broken up into single notes

New Tune Munster Cloak for advanced group Advanced Tune

Other tunes to practice Mo Gile Mear Michael Row the Boat (in your book)

Striking a Chord with Turkish Rondo

2013-01-29T23:21:00.001-08:00

Musical Alphabet A B C D E F G

This you tube clip opens with a triad Chords Triads Chords with 3 Notes

A B C D E F  GA B C D E       G chord
1 3 5

A B C D E F# G A
   1     3     5                         Dchord

Away in a Manger

GD   GD    GD   DA
DA   GD   GD G D

Entrance Music Live
Mozart Rondo a la Turca

New Notes on lowest string

4th Class Tasks
Cross Lake Blues String Crossing D to A DD z z AA z z
Attacama Crossing String Crossing D to A to V V l l WTIR Rhythm
Scale on D
Scale on A
Rock You Revisited Low A on 1 down on G string
Triads / Harmony Away in a Manger

Improvers
Gmajor Scale Two octaves
Mo Gile Mear New Tune
Ode to Joy
Michael Row The Boat Ashore

2nd Chance Level 2 Frere Jacque , Twinkle and French Folk Song
Level 1 Track 3 D D z z A A z z
Track 25 Scale on D
Track 24 Scale on A
Track 4 String Crossing Open String

Up and down the ladder and Violin High Fives

2013-01-23T14:36:00.002-08:00

Up and Down the Ladder & Violin High Fives

New track Car-ni-val- in R-io Track 10

1 Rhythm 1 Wintertime in Russia
A new track today but a familiar rhythm. V V 1 1 Ti Ti Ti Ti Ta Ta

Can you find the rhythm in the list below.

Bow Hands
Fingers well over
Thumb Bent
Knuckles forward

2 Violin High Five 1 2 ^3

2 NEW TODAY Scale on D

Scale comes from the word ladder

3 Down Up LADDER

ASCENDING 0 0 0 0 0 1 down 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 down 2 2 2 2 2 3 down 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 again

3 DOWN LADDER

DESCENDING 3 down 3333 3 3 lift up 3 2222 2 2 lift up 2 1111 1 1 lift up 10000 0 0 open D

Quiz

1 Why is musical scale like a ladder ?
2 There is a famous opera house called La Scala Where is it?
3 What two left hand fingers are closest together ?

Now you has Jazz video Watch the video
4How many instruments are there? How many can you name
5Which members of the brass family is in the band .
6Which woodwind member is present?

7How many beats in each bar 3 or 4
8There are two singers Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong What instrument does Armstrong play?
9 Do all the instruments play at the same time ?

After School Group Mo Gile Mear/ Scale of G Two octaves / Twinkle Variations 1 / Jingle Bells /Old Mac
Second Chance Class Blues, French Folk Song , Twinkle / Bowing Rhythms / Up Bows Ode to Joy / Down Bows I 's Call

Tiptoe Triplets and One Down Blues

2013-01-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

We began work on our term 2 task list today. We continue to work on placing first finger and place 2nd and 3rd in the coming weeks . Today we add a new triplet rhythm . All classes had fun with the Blues Boogie Check out the video on the side on how to play the Blues

Task 1
Rhythm 3 Triplets { 1 1 1 1 1 1} Track 5 Chopsticks
1 2 3 4 5 6
6/8 Six short beats (tiptoe)


This is a very important rhythm for Irish dancers in JIGS

Shadow bowing and Bowing on D String and
first finger down on D (E) to jig  Lilting Banshee

Task 2

Cross Lake Blues (Mr Walsh) Track 3 DD_ __ A A _ _

Task 3
First Finger Blues

lD E D E l G G G_ l x 4 Track 13
0 1 0 1 0 0 0

lA B A Bl  D E D El

lG G G Gl G z D zl

Bonus Quiz 1 The painting on the classroom board was called Soleil Levant,. Can you find out who the artist was and when it was painted.

2 6/8 is the time signature of what Irish dance

3 Read more about Blues music here http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/music/popular_music/blues1.shtml

Write your own short summary on your school blog
Where and when was Blues music first heard. Who sang and played it .

After School Orchestra Class
Present Maxym, Ali, Cayla, Katie, Lucy and Julia

Focus this term on Irish repertoire

1 Scale G major D___________ A E______________
3 0 1^2 3 0 1^2

2 Mo Gile Mear squishy 2 on A string
3 Dawning of the Day Work on rhythm first
4 Continue to work on repertoire tunes

listen to ‘Dawning of the Day’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Mo Gile Mear Stringschool’ on Audioboo

Début 2012 5th Dec ENS Halla in pictures

2012-12-05T14:56:00.003-08:00

4th class Mr Walsh

Play On Group

Mr Corry's Group

Double

Leader

Bass section

Leader

Matinée Recital in Hall

2012-12-05T07:52:00.004-08:00

FANDABIDOSI!!

Well done to all the students of 4th class students . Well done also to the orchestra class . Bravo to the announcers, the cello and bass players and percussionist. How commanding were those leaders ! Couldn't have done it better myself Nathan, Sean and Emmanuel. Thank you to Mr Walsh,Ms McMahon and Mr Corry for your coopoeration. Well done to Mrs Hallahan and Mr Murray from our Mams and dads class. The band played splendidly and we had great support from Ms Carrigg on keyboard.

I will be posting some photos as soon as I have them to hand. In the meantime here are the programme notes for today.

Ennis National School proudly presents

Swinging Strings Ensemble 2012 with Ennis NS Band

A lunchtime recital at the Halla on

Wednesday 5^th December 11.45am

Programme

Mr Walsh and Class

O Come All you Faithful trad. Pizz on G

Toreador’s March from Carmen Bizet pizz on D and A

Joy to the World Handel

Good King Wenceslas trad

********************************

Ms Mc Mahon and Class

Mary Had a Baby trad.

We’re Walking in the Air Howard Blake

Silent Night Gruber

Foxtrot Peter Martin

**********************************

Orchestra Class

French Folk Song

with guests from Second Chance Class Twinkle Twinkle

Mr Corry and Class

Away in a Manger

Irelands’s Call Phil Coulter

Ode to Joy Beethoven

Down Up Bells Pierpoint

Ennis National School Band directed by Fiona de Buitléir

Swinging Strings directed by Cathy Desmond

The Swinging Strings programme was first commissioned in 2010 by Principal Mr Ray McInerney. It is one of a handful of whole class music tuition projects running in Irish schools. The project is coordinated by Mrs Fiona de Buitléir of Ennis N.S. To date nearly 240 children in Ennis NS have now participated and received violin tuition in Ennis NS. The objective is to fulfil the Arts curriculum in tandem with offering every student the experience of playing in an ensemble and experience all musical genres The programme has expanded this year to include an after school class offering specialist string tuition as an option for students wishing to continue learning an instrument . This year the first adult’s class was launched making the musical activity intergenerational at Ennis NS

Ennis National School Band was initiated 30 years ago by Sean McDermot. We are delighted to have several of Sean’s grandchildren playing with the band. We believe that the school is unique in the scale of collaboration between the fledgling Swinging Strings ensemble and the established school band. The number of pupils participating in the annual Shannonside School Band Spectacular, (an initiative of the school to broaden the playing experience of band members) tripled on the previous years with all 4^th class students participating in the gala occasion at Shannon Airport.

The Swinging Strings project director, Cathy Desmond is a graduate of NUI Maynooth, and holds a Licentiate of Trinity College London. A professional violin and viola player, she has played with a range of ensembles including, the National Youth Orchestra, Limerick Baroque Players and the Corn Barn Players. She was awarded a National Youth Orchestra Achievement Award for her work in establishing a school orchestra in St Peter’s College Dunboyne. Cathy was a finalist in the Ennis Chamber Business Excellence Awards 2012

Updates, reports and photographs of the programme are posted regularly on the dedicated web site, www.swingingstrings.blogspot.com which can also be accessed via www.ennins.ie We encourage parents, guardians, grandparents, and friends etc, etc to monitor the projects’s progress on the site and comments are always welcome.

The class kit consists of half size violins and double bass. We use Stentor 1 instruments as supplied locally by Custy’s. We are always delighted to accept donations of instruments or to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

The second term of tuition will resume in January 2013 and further exciting performing opportunities are planned in the New Year.

Thinking of buying a violin ? . We recommend Stentor 1 or Primavera student violins supplied locally by Custy’s . Cost €90 to Swinging Strings participants.

Queries: Cathy Desmond at cdstringschool@gmail.com

Fiona de Buitléir info@ennisns.ie

www.swingingstrings.blogspot.com

2012-11-28T10:47:00.003-08:00

Invitation

Ennis National School and Stringschool invite you to the

Christmas Ensemble Concert

Wednesday 5^th December 2012 11.45am

In the ENS School Hal

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Participants

Swinging Strings 4^th class groups

& Stringschool Orchestra Class .

Ennis National School Band

Second Chance Class

Dress Rehearsal /Carols

2012-11-28T10:26:00.003-08:00

Mary Had a Baby Click on this link for BBC School's version of Mary Had a Baby. They do it slightly differently to our version.

Some carols for you to listen you. See you all for your top and tail rehearsal in the Halla on Wednesday morning . Can't wait!

Perfromance notes in previous post

Leaders Nathan, Emmanuel, Sean

Lend Me a Tenor and Draft Programme

2012-11-20T14:18:00.001-08:00

Mr Walsh's class had a special treat when operatic tenor Tony Murray called to the class and sang a selection of numbers. We heard a Neapolitan song (from Naples in Italy) Funniculi Funnicula .

Mr Murray played the role of Mr Bumble in the Ennis Musical Society production in 2010 and we enjoyed a selection of numbers from Oliver. We even had a dance from some of the girls. Bravo Mr Murray! Everyone enjoyed the performance .

We learned that opera singers don't use microphones but 'project' their voices so that amazingly even in large opera houses , they can be heard even in the gods . The highest female voice is the Soprano We learned that the lowest male voice is the Bass . Here are the human voice types in order of pitch .
Soprano
Contralto
Tenor
Bass

Count John McCormack

Well known tenors include Luciano Pavarotti , Andrea Bocelli (Ms de Buitléir is a fan) . Dean Power from Clarecastle is a tenor who sings in Munich Opera House in Germany. The most famous Irish tenor was John McCormack who was one of the biggest musical celebrities of the 20th century and sold millions of records.

Quiz : What string instrument corresponds to the tenor voice ?
What is the highest male voice ?

Draft programme Concert in two weeks

Mix of pizz arco open strings and first finger and three fingers down.

Mr Walsh
1 O Come All You Faithful pizz open string G same as Vivaldi G

l G G z z l G G G z l G G G G l G G z z l
O Come Faith Joy umph

2 Toreador's March pizz Open D and A

D D D_ D D A _ x3 lA A A A l A A A D l Repeat

4 Joy to the World    Arco Down Bow Retakes on D Balloon Bows Watch for end
one verse

Two verses
3Good King Wenceslas Arco all fingers 1 2 ^3 down on tapes Quavers on G' Tiny bows verses 1 High G' (1 2^3 )
verse 2 Low G open string

Leader today Nathan , Cello Annie, Bass Liam

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Ms McMahon
Mary Had a Baby same rhythm as Win ter time in Rus-sia arco
Basic open D ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 x3 0 0 0
Mar- y had a Bab-y Train Don't Come
Advanced    0 0 0 0 1 2 2 1 0

Walking in the Air
Ostinato pizz
Walk Air ***Sky People Below Sleeping Fly ____________
E E x3 E E E E E E E E
f p f p f p f p

Middle section Finger LH drumming on wood

4321 4321 4321 4321
Silent Night
Silent Night Holy Night    All Calm All Bright
D D D D A A   D D

   G G D D   G   G D    D
Round Vir Mother Child Holy    Infant Tender Mild

A    A   D D D A D D
Sleep Heav Peace __ Sleep Heav Peace _

Foxtrot Arco

D D D_ A A A_ D D D_ A A A_
D D D_ D D D_ A A A_ A A D z
Cello Bass Joyce

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After school Group Twinkle Twinkle and French Folk Song solo

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Mr Corry
Away in a Manger pizz
GD GD GD    D A
D G G G same

Ireland's Call Balloon Bows Tremelo Arco

Ode to Joy Arco

D D z z AA zz Long D to finish Bow in air
Jingle Bells
1 2^3 on D string Down Up Bells Ostinato

Dashing through the snow Stomp
One horse open sleigh "
Oer the fields we go "
Laughing all the way "
Bells on ..ring "
Spirits bright "

Get ready bow on string for more jin -gles

Leader Sean /Maggie Cello Ailbhe Bass Brian

Thanks to Ms de Buitleir and her band trio, Donnacha, Nedin, and Katie on whistle. Super support today Bravo !

Fiddle High Fives and Changing Chords

2012-11-13T15:14:00.000-08:00

Accompanist and Leader Mr Corry's class

Today we began our rehearsals for our forthcoming debut concert .

NEW *** 3 fingers down on D string to make G'
^
1 23 (second and third finger close together)

Entrance Music

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Not much time today to dwell on our entrance music. Have a look at the video .

The Blue Danube is named after a European river and is a waltz by which composer ? .

Clap along . How many beats in each bar or group?

Three fingers down on D string

Vivaldi in G

Old Mc Donald Quaver G'G' new note G 1 23 down

Away in a Manger Chord Changes G and D G G G D D G G

Rock You Open string A and low A First finger on G string

Cross Lake Blues String Crossing

Leader

Leaders David, Zeba, Norah

Double bass Players today included Maggie, Sean, Conor and Liam

Ailbhe acted as piano accompanist. We had two people who demonstrated guitar chords (Joyce and Farah- Lisa )

Thanks to Mr Enda O Connor for assisting today

Vivaldi in G and Jigs

2012-11-07T00:53:00.002-08:00

Lesson 8
Musical Tasks Today

Entrance Music Traditional fiddle JIG 123 456 Which one of the above fits a jig best

1 Vivaldi in G

Vivaldi in G

lG G z z l G G G z I G G G G I G G z zI

2 Rock You Arco First finger down on G to make low A

3 Cross Lake Blues D D z z A A zz

4 Rocket Bows Knuckles pointing skyward

5 Mary Had a baby 0000 0 0 Did you recognize the rhythm Train done come

6 First finger down on D to make E
First finger riff
E E E E D D D D E E E E D D E E

Mr Walsh's class had lot of fun playing along with the dramatic first movement of Winter. I agree with Mr Walsh . Winter is the most dramatic of the four concertos known as the Four Seasons . It is my favourite too.

Can you recognise the rhythm

Leaders Holly W, Liam, Amy Emmanel, Hugh
Bass and Cello Arian, Sean, Ruth, Dana,

Adults Class Focus on Scales

Orchestra Class Scales G D A

Tuning Using your adjusters

Beginners Rolling Along, Twinkle, Lightly Row , Jingle Bells

Advanced Silent Night, Jingle Bells
New Mary Had a Baby

Six Musical Tasks to close first half term

2012-10-24T01:31:00.001-07:00

We wrapped up our first half term with a busy task list

One from the archive for the week that is in it 2011 class

Entrance Music Prelude from opera Carmen by Bizet

1 Pizz on G Old Mc Donald class A / Vivaldi on G (Class B &C)
2 Toreador's March pizz.on D and A 'reading the dots' recognition notes on stave
3 Balloon Bows Ireland's Call NEW OSTINATO on percussion Bass section
4 Rocket Bows
5 Rock You Down Up Bows on A
6 NEW **First finger riff (see below)
7 String Crossing D D z z A A z z Elbow down , Elbow Up (class A and B)

Lots of leaders, bass players, percussion players today. Percussion, Holly ,Sean, Annie Leaders Emmanuel*, Brian Amy , Bass Ruth, Laoise, Elliot, Sean. Points Mr C Norah
Did you get one of my new special tokens ?

Elements featured : rhythm, pitch pulse, tempo, timbre, dynamics, structure & patterns , mood,

Instrument families: Strings, Brass

We had singing from choir members and we had a duet ( two parts) * Emmanuel and teacher.

We welcomed trainee teacher Mr Enda O Connor to our class today.

I am looking forward to seeing you all in the second half of term.

Drunken Sailor Riff

E E E E D D D D E E E E D D E E

1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1

Adults We Will Rock You / Blues/ Cross lake Blues 19/13 /3
After school Orchestra Class Scales onG Dand A various rhythms

Repertoire, Twinkle, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Lightly Row, Frere Jacques, French Folk Song ,