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Elizabeth Duke Orchestra Contact Info. Mrs. Duke School Schedule 4th Grade Orchestra 5th Grade Orchestra Orchestra Registration 2008-2009 Orchestra Calendar 2008-2009 Lesson & Rehearsal Schedules Weekly Practice Record Concert Dates & Information Equipment Requirements Practice Tips For Parents - Instrumental Music About Mrs. Duke
Email: eduke@mail.nssd112.org Phone: (847) 432-1720 X104
Mrs. Duke School Schedule
4th Grade Orchestra Students who participate in the Braeside, Lincoln, Ravinia and Red Oak 4th Grade Orchestras meet once each week to work as an ensemble (all instruments together) as well as one other time during the day to work together in small groups of alike instruments (for example, just violins or cellos).
During the school year, we have three concerts to display the music and instruments we have learned. These concerts are very special and exciting performance opportunities. We would love to see you at all of the concerts!
5th Grade Orchestra Students who participate in the Braeside, Lincoln, Ravinia and Red Oak 5th Grade Orchestras meet once each week to work as an ensemble (all instruments together) as well as one other time during the day to work together in small groups of alike instruments (for example, just violins or cellos).
During the school year, we have six concerts to display all of the great music we have learned and the improvement we have made on our instruments. These concerts are very special and exciting performance opportunities. We would love to see you at all of the concerts!
Orchestra Registration 2008-2009
4th Grade Registration Sheet 4th Grade Orchestra Information Sheet 5th Grade Registration Sheet 5th Grade Orchestra Information Sheet
Orchestra Calendar 2008-2009 August 5th Grade Back to Orchestra Lunch Meetings 8/27/08 Ravinia’s Back to Orchestra meeting and sign-up for 5th Grade Orchestra, 12:05-12:30pm. 8/28/08 Braeside’s Back to Orchestra meeting and sign-up for 5th Grade Orchestra, 11:50am-12:15pm. 8/29/08 Lincoln’s Back to Orchestra meeting and sign-up for 5th Grade Orchestra, 11:45am-12:10pm 9/2/08 Red Oak’s Back to Orchestra meeting and sign-up for 5th Grade Orchestra, 11:50am-12:15pm.
4th Grade Orchestra Demonstration /Try-out 8/27/08-9/5/08 Mrs. Duke will visit your class to talk about orchestra and give you a chance to try the orchestra instruments.
September 4th Grade Orchestra Sign-up Meetings 9/8/08 Sign up meeting for students and Parents/guardians at Ravinia School from 4:30-7pm. Please call or email Mrs. Duke ahead of time to schedule a 10-minute meeting. 9/9/08 Sign up meeting for students and Parents/guardians at Lincoln School from 4:30-7pm. Please call or email Mrs. Duke ahead of time to schedule a 10-minute meeting. 9/10/08 Sign up meeting for students and Parents/guardians at Braeside School from 4:30-7pm. Please call or email Mrs. Duke ahead of time to schedule a 10-minute meeting. 9/11/08 Sign up meeting for students and Parents/guardians at Red Oak School from 4:30-7pm. Please call or email Mrs. Duke ahead of time to schedule a 10-minute meeting.
5th Grade Lessons 9/8/08 Small group lessons begin at each school this week. You will receive a schedule from Mrs. Duke telling you the day of the week and the time to come to your lesson.
5th Grade Rehearsals 9/15/08 Orchestra rehearsals will start at lunch/recess this week. On your lesson day, bring your lunch to the orchestra room. You will eat your lunch during the regular recess time and they play during the regular lunchtime.
4th Grade Lessons 9/22/08 Small group lessons begin at each school this week. You will receive a schedule from Mrs. Duke telling you the day of the week and the time to come to your lesson.
October 4th Grade Rehearsals 10/6/08 Orchestra rehearsals will start at lunch/recess this week. We will have rehearsals during your regular recess time.
November Parent Teacher Conferences 11/24/08-11/25/08 Mrs. Duke will be at Lincoln school during conferences. If you would like to schedule a conference at a different school, please email (eduke@nssd112.org) or call ahead of time at (847) 432-1720 ext. 104.
December All District 5th Grade Field Trip 12/2/08 All 5th grade orchestra students will travel to Elm Place Middle School and rehearse with all of the district’s 5th grade orchestras.
All District 5th Grade Concert 12/4/08 All 5th grade orchestra students will perform at Elm Place. Performers need to arrive at 6:15pm in order for us to carefully tune all of the instruments. . Participation is required and it is expected that all students stay until the end of the concert. If you cannot attend this concert, please notify me in writing or email ahead of time.
Michael’s Restaurant Concert 12/10/08 All 5th grade orchestra students will perform at Michael’s restaurant. Performers need to arrive at 5:30pm in order for us to carefully tune all of the instruments. Participation is required and it is expected that all students stay until the end of the concert. If you cannot attend this concert, please notify me in writing or email ahead of time.
Winter Break 12/20/08-1/4/09 If you are not traveling, try your best to practice as much as you can during the break so you will not forget what you have worked so hard to learn.
January Practice – Practice – Practice! Concerts are right around the corner J
February Winter Concerts 2/3/08 – 7:00pm Lincoln & Ravinia 4th & 5th Grade Orchestras will perform at Ravinia School. Performers need to arrive at 6:15pm in order for us to carefully tune all of the instruments. Participation is required and it is expected that all students stay until the end of the concert. If you cannot attend this concert, please notify me in writing or email ahead of time.
2/5/08 – 7:00pm Braeside & Red Oak 4th & 5th Grade Orchestras will perform at Red Oak School. Performers need to arrive at 6:15pm in order for us to carefully tune all of the instruments. Participation is required and it is expected that all students stay until the end of the concert. If you cannot attend this concert, please notify me in writing or email ahead of time.
March Parent Teacher Conferences 3/18/09-3/20/09 Mrs. Duke will be at Lincoln school during conferences. If you would like to schedule a conference at a different school, please email (eduke@nssd112.org) or call ahead of time at (847) 432-1720 ext. 104.
April Spring Break 4/3/09-4/13/09 If you are not traveling, try your best to practice as much as you can during the break so you will not forget what you have worked so hard to learn.
Orchestra Demonstration Concert 4/17/08 Each 5th Grade Orchestra will have the opportunity to perform one song with the Edgewood Middle School Orchestra during their elementary tour. Times will be announced as soon as they are arranged.
May Spring Concert 5/21/09 – 7:00pm Braeside, Lincoln, Ravinia & Red Oak 4th & 5th Grade Orchestras will perform at Edgewood Middle School. Performers need to arrive at 6:15pm in order for us to carefully tune all of the instruments. Participation is required and it is expected that all students stay until the end of the concert. If you cannot attend this concert, please notify me in writing or email ahead of time.
In School Performances Dates & Times To be Announced At each school, each orchestra will have the opportunity to perform for the whole school. Dates and times will be announced as soon as they are arranged.
Lesson & Rehearsal Schedules Ravinia 4th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Monday’s 12:05-12:30pm
5th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Monday’s 11:40-12:05pm
Lesson Schedules to be posted soon!
Braeside 4th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Tuesday’s 11:50-12:15pm
5th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Tuesday’s 12:15-12:40pm
Lesson Schedules to be posted soon!
Red Oak 4th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Wednesday’s 11:50-12:15pm
5th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Wednesday’s 12:15-12:40pm
Lesson Schedules to be posted soon!
Lincoln 4th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Friday’s 11:45-12:10pm
5th Grade Orchestra Rehearsals Friday’s 12:10-12:35
Lesson Schedules to be posted soon!
Weekly Practice Record
Practice records are due each week. Each week there is a new practice record with this week’s assignments on it. 4th grade’s goal is to fill in 6 boxes with 10 minutes each and 5th grade’s goal is to fill in 6 boxes with 20 minutes each. At the end of each week, there should be a total of 60 (4th) and 120 (5th) minutes.
Concert Dates & Information
4th Grade Orchestra Concerts 2008-2009
Winter Concerts Tuesday, February 3rd Lincoln & Ravinia Orchestras at Ravinia School 763 Dean Avenue Arrive: 6:15pm Performance: 7:00pm
Thursday, February 5th Braeside & Red Oak Orchestras at Red Oak School 530 Red Oak Lane Arrive: 6:15pm Performance: 7:00pm
Spring Concert Thursday, May 21st All Orchestras at Edgewood Middle School 929 Edgewood Road Arrive: 6:15pm Performance: 7:00pm
In School Performances Dates & Times To Be Announced For Each School
Concert Uniform Black Pants/Skirt, White Shirt and Black Socks & Shoes
5th Grade Orchestra Concerts 2008-2009
All District 5th Grade Orchestra Concert Thursday, Dec. 4th Elm Place – 2031 N. Sheridan Rd Arrive: 6:15pm Performance: 7:00pm
Michael’s Restaurant Concert Wednesday, Dec. 10th Michael’s Restaurant – 1879 2nd St Arrive: 5:30pm Performance: 6:00pm
Winter Concerts Tuesday, February 3rd Lincoln & Ravinia Orchestras at Ravinia School 763 Dean Avenue Arrive: 6:15pm Performance: 7:00pm
Thursday, February 5th Braeside & Red Oak Orchestras at Red Oak School 530 Red Oak Lane Arrive: 6:15pm Performance: 7:00pm
Orchestra Demonstration Concert: Friday, April 17th In School Performance with Edgewood Middle School Times To Be Announced For Each School
Spring Concert Thursday, May 21st All Orchestras at Edgewood Middle School 929 Edgewood Road Arrive: 6:15pm Performance: 7:00pm
In School Performances Dates & Times To Be Announced For Each School
Concert Uniform Black Pants/Skirt, White Shirt and Black Socks & Shoes
Equipment Requirements
All D112 Orchestra students must have the following:
Instrument Rosin Shoulder Rest (Violin/Viola Only) Rock Stop (Cello/Bass Only) Music Stand for home practice
An appropriate, good quality instrument is essential to participate in the District 112 music program. Inferior instruments are more difficult to play, often need expensive and time consuming repairs, do not blend well with other instruments and usually are incapable of tuning appropriately. It is highly recommended that each orchestra student rent an instrument from the local music stores until they have reached the full size instrument.
When deciding to purchase an instrument, please consider the following:
As with any other major purchase, a good rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Buying an instrument is like buying a car- you should always be able to test-drive it. If the person selling it to you does not let you play it first, then he or she is probably trying to hide something from you. Likewise, if they pressure you to buy it before you can consult with your teacher, they are probably trying to hide something from you. Always be on the safe side before purchasing an instrument and Check with Mrs. Duke or your private lesson teacher before you pay any money for an instrument.
Practice Tips Practicing is not everyone’s favorite part of playing an instrument but it is necessary to become successful at your instrument. Here are a few practice hints that will help you with developing regular and meaningful practice habits this year.
#1 Aim to practice 6 days a week between 10-20 minutes. Practicing your instrument every day helps train your muscles and listening ear. You are not only training your brain to play the right notes but also ensuring that your muscles remember and your ear understands all of the music.
#2 Find a regular time to practice. Every student I have ever known has a very busy schedule with lots of after-school activities, play dates, etc. If you can find a regular time to practice, it will become much easier to follow a practice routine. Here are just a few of the times I enjoy practicing:
#3 Focus your practicing. This means don’t practice everything every day. Choose a few songs and aim to perfect them. This may mean you practice a few songs 5 to 10 times in one day. As you practice consistently, you will notice that your muscle memory and brain will improve on each song with this type of practicing. Playing every song one time a day will not train your muscles, especially if it is practiced too fast and with wrong notes or incorrect posture.
#4 Frustration occurs when practicing. It can be very frustrating when practicing and you can’t figure out a note or bowing. Remember to take a break, write down the question for me and use your references. This means, just don’t’ give up. Think of a question for me to help you with and check in your book. Many times a new concept or activity will have explanations in your method book. If you can’t find an explanation, make sure to write down the question with specific terms. Try to not to ask “I don’t like this song because I can’t play it.” Try instead “I can’t seem to figure out measures 5-10 and I am very frustrated.” I promise that I will be able to help you figure it out and succeed at the challenging song.
#5 Take a break from classroom homework and practice. Your 10-20 minutes a day does not have to be in a row. Sometimes it can be beneficial to practice 5 minutes before school and 15 minutes after school. It is your individual choice and responsibility to practice when you want to. Try even to practice by taking a break from your classroom homework. When frustrated by other homework, music can help your brain relax and open up new ideas that will help you with your other homework!
#6 Be patient. Learning an orchestral instrument takes time and practice. It may not sound perfect right away but with practice you will be able to play wonderfully! Give yourself the opportunity to become good by practicing and being kind to and patient with yourself.
#7 Perform for your friends and family. Your friends and family can’t wait to hear you play so plan a special performance for a friend or family each week. Not only will that motivate you to practice but it will also impress your family and friends. One of the best parts of music is to perform for others and share the music you enjoy. Start this performing right away! You will love the thrill performing!
For Parents - Instrumental Music
- Advocacy information coming soon!
I am Elizabeth Duke and I have been a violin player since I was five years old. I love to play music and I enjoy all types of music from classical to fiddle to rock ‘n roll. My favorite activity is to listen to great music and figure out how I can play it or how I can teach it to my students. I hope to instill this love of music in all my students.
This is my fourth year teaching orchestra and my second year in District 112. I received my masters in Performance and String Pedagogy from Northwestern University and my teaching certificate at DePaul University. Before beginning my public school teach career, I taught private violin and viola lessons in the north shore area for eight years and then two years at Lake Zurich High School as their orchestra and strolling strings director.
In District 112, I teach the 4th and 5th grade orchestras at Lincoln, Braeside, Ravinia and Red Oak elementary schools. I am a traveling teacher and enjoy meeting many of the families of district 112. I am truly enjoying teaching elementary orchestra and look forward to the great music making from the District 112 orchestras. |
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