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Now Prepare This! How to Tackle Orchestra Assessment

Get expert advice from retired orchestra director, Michael Trowbridge, on how to tackle orchestra assessment. Learn his basic rules, tips on preparing music, selecting appropriate pieces, sight-reading techniques, and more!

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Now Prepare This! How to Tackle Orchestra Assessment

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  1. Now Prepare This! How to Tackle Orchestra Assessment Michael Trowbridge, Retired Orchestra Director Prince William County, Virginia - Public Schools Co-author of Measures of Success for String Orchestra pub. FJH mtrowbridgebass@gmail.com

  2. Trow’s Basic Rules for Assessment • Read the “rules” • Check “the” list • Buy early • Correct arrangement? • The right fit for your orchestra • Yeah … the kids like it, but … • I love this piece, but …

  3. Trow’s Basic rules continued... • No Mozart • No Mendelssohn String Symphonies • No Fugues • Not all year long • All year long • Trading places

  4. Yikes even more of Trow’s rules! • The final say • Not the time to “try” something “new” • Worth the time • Don’t wait for the details

  5. Preparing Music for Assessment • Start in September • “The middle section” • Invite others in • Recordings are your best friend • One position extended scales • Share the music • Move ‘em around

  6. Prep continued… • Turn things around • Send your 1st chairs “out” • After school • Help the bass player • Keep it short • Why did you play

  7. Selecting Music • Started years ago • Read the comments • Break it down • Middle section • Music selection form

  8. The Pre-Assessment Concert • The best prep • Two weeks • Fix it • Get on stage • Invite your friends • Get an adjudicator(s)

  9. Sight Reading • Read the rules • Sight read all year long • Talk through the piece • Students chip in • Practice the routine

  10. Sight reading continued... • “A Treasury of Scales” • Rhythm books • Method books • Move ‘em around • Cue your students

  11. An inexperienced teacher sees this….

  12. An experienced teacher sees…

  13. The Warm Up • Successful • Comfortable • Done after the first note • Bach • Focus on tone and pitch

  14. The Warm Up - continued • Shorter piece • Less time

  15. Last thoughts …. • Use the entire year to prep • Use recordings • Kids want to play • Don’t worry……. It’s only assessment!

  16. Contact info • Down load Power Point file of this session and notes from: • mtrowmusic.com • mtrowbridgebass@gmail.com

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