Jonathan Boyd leads the instrumental music department. In addition to orchestra, band, and composition classes, AAW offers bagpipe classes, taught by Mr. Bradley, and guitar classes, taught by Mr. Montgomery.

	This is pianist, saxophonist, guitarist, arranger/composer Alesha Brown’s first and only year at Arts Academy in the Woods. She’s really enjoyed her experience and can truly say that it’s been worthwhile. The school has allowed her to collaborate with other musicians/artists and improve as a musician, making her gifts really shine. Her other hobbies include playing various sports, drawing, dancing, and acting. Her dream for the past 14 years has been to become a recognized eclectic musician and she’s determined to fulfill that dream. Alesha's senior performance was on April 27th.
	Craig Shephard has attended AAW for two years. The school has played a large role in enriching the talents he discovered at age 11 and has helped him become a well developed bassist. He has also absorbed many other musical skills from fellow musicians and family members. Harmonizing, vocal skills, and other musical techniques have become natural for him due to his constant exposure to the world of music. Craig plans on going into the music business as a session musician, songwriter, and sound engineer.
	Laurel Fraczkowski’s senior recital will be June 1st at Thornlea House on the grounds of the Cranbrook complex in Bloomfield Hills. (Cranbrook and Lone Pine Rds.) She will be playing the solos Hunter’s Moon by Gilbert Vintner, Nocturno, by Franz Strauss, and Concerto No. 1 in Eb Major, by Richard Strauss. She will also be performing in a duet arrangement of “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, and Carl Nielsen’s Quintet for Woodwinds with the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra Woodwind Quintet. Laurel will be attending Wayne State University next year as a performance major on horn. She is a member of the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra, and was a member of the MSBOA State Honors Band at the 2006 Michigan Youth Arts Festival.
	Corey Allen will perform his senior recital on Tuesday, May 16th at 7 p.m. in the AAW Auditorium. It will consist of ten songs ranging in style from jazz to rock, swing to classical, and others. The songs will be presented in both ensemble and solo format, and will feature many guest musicians from school and from the Lexington, Michigan area, where Corey is from. Corey has been attending AAW for one year, after transferring from Croswell-Lexington High School, over 60 miles away. He has been playing guitar for six years, and will study jazz guitar in Central Michigan University’s Jazz program next year. will perform his senior recital on Tuesday, May 16th at 7 p.m. in the AAW Auditorium. It will consist of ten songs ranging in style from jazz to rock, swing to classical, and others. The songs will be presented in both ensemble and solo format, and will feature many guest musicians from school and from the Lexington, Michigan area, where Corey is from. Corey has been attending AAW for one year, after transferring from Croswell-Lexington High School, over 60 miles away. He has been playing guitar for six years, and will study jazz guitar in Central Michigan University’s Jazz program next year.

News

Lousiana Philharmonic Left in the Dark

Read about the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and how they are dealing with the aftermath of hurricane “Katrina”.

Looking for 2 Parent/Adult Volunteers

The instrumental music department is looking for two individuals who can manage fund raising and community relations/development. Persons must be available to meet with music director once a week on a volunteer basis, and should be available August 18, 2006 and after. Please leave a message for Mr. Boyd at curtalguy@aol.com, or call the school and leave a message: 586-294-0391.

 

	What Mr. Boyd does after school lets out in June
	Bobble-Head Neeme Jarvi and Mozart action figure enjoy the music department's beautiful new bench! Thank you, Ms. Huntoon! We just LOVE it!

Courses

Exploratory/Beginning Instrumental Music

This is an exploratory, elective class for students who have no previous music experience on a musical instrument. Students may learn to play any instrument in a class setting, and use this class to explore instrumental music or to use it as a preparatory class for more advanced AAW instrumental music classes. Recommended for non-music majors, and for music majors who wish to learn an additional instrument. Open to beginning instrumental and piano students. For guitar, students should elect Guitar I. Open to all students.

Piano/Composition Class

For pianists and composers from Intermediate to Advanced levels. Students participate in a supervised independent study setting. Students participate in mandatory performance preparation and mandatory composition/theory assignments. Students may, and are encouraged to take part in all AAW concert events. Recommended for music majors, and for experienced non-music majors who wish additional piano/keyboard training, and theory training. Beginners should take Exploratory/Beginning Instrumental Music. Open by permission of instructor.

String Orchestra

Students participate in daily rehearsals of chamber music and orchestral repertoire, and perform in all AAW Concert events. Students should be intermediate level to advanced level. Beginners should take Exploratory/Beginning Instrumental Music (see above). Students are encouraged to attend Solo and Ensemble Festivals, and participate in local youth orchestras. Recommended for music majors and experienced non-music majors wishing to advance on a string instrument. Open by audition only.

Wind Ensemble

Students participate in daily rehearsals of wind band literature and chamber music for wind and percussion instruments. Students are high-intermediate to advanced level. The Wind Ensemble attends MSBOA Band Festival and students are encouraged to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festivals and in local youth bands/orchestras. Beginners should take Exploratory/Beginning Instrumental Music (see above). Recommended for any student who has attained high school level or above on a wind or percussion instrument. Open by audition only.

Senior Project, Instrumental Music

Open to Senior Instrumental Music majors only. A supervised independent study course. Requirement for graduation from AAW. Seniors conceive and prepare (with instructor guidance) a major project of their choice, using instrumental music as the basis for the project. Projects have consisted of the following: Senior Recital, Original Composition, Research Paper, Presentation for children, Presentation collaboration with dancers/singers. artists, etc. Projects can be collaboration with another student in the same or different art discipline; for example, a flutist may with to prepare a joint recital with a dancer or actor from AAW. Presentations are made toward the end of the school year. A reflective essay is mandatory.

Suggested Methods and Etude Books Suitable for Class Testings

Flute:
Intermediate: Melodious and Progressive Studies for Flute Book One, Cavally, B-413
Intermediate/Advanced: 35 Exercises for Flute (Volume 2), Koehler, 01557

Bassoon:
Intermediate: Method for Bassoon (green cover), Weissenborn, CU96
Intermediate/Advanced: Scale Studies, Milde.

Clarinet:
Intermediate: Rubank Intermediate Method for Clarinet, 04470170
Intermediate/Advanced: 32 Etudes, Rose, 0439

Saxophone:
Intermediate: Rubank Intermediate Method for Saxophone, 04470200
Intermediate/Advanced: 48 Famous Studies, actually an oboe book, Fehrling, B103

Trumpet:
Intermediate: First Book of Practical Studies for Cornet and Trumpet (edited by Nilo Hovey), Getchell, EL00304
Intermediate/Advanced: 40 Progressive Etudes for Trumpet, Hering, 03309

Horn:
Intermediate: First Book of Practical Studies for Grench Horn, Getchell, EL01748
Intermediate/Advanced: 335 Selected Melodious Progressive and Technical Studies for Horn (Book One), Pottag, B-134

Trombone:
Intermediate: Beeler Method, Book One, Beeler, WB0007
Intermediate/Advanced: Etudes and Clef Studies, Blazevich, 00120238

Tuba:
Intermediate: Rubank Intermediate Method for Tuba, 04470250
Intermediate/Advanced: 40 Advanced Studies, Tyrell 48001043

Percussion:
Intermediate:
Modern School for Snare Drum, Goldenberg, 00347777; Modern School for Xylophone, Vibraphone and Bells, Goldenberg, 00347776; Modern Method for Timpani, Goodman, 11424A
Intermediate/Advanced: same as above

Violin:
Intermediate: 75 Studies, Opus 36, Number 1, Mazas, 50255250
Intermediate/Advanced: 42 Studies, Kreutzer, 50253620

Viola:
Intermediate: Etude Specieles, Mazas, 50262570
Intermediate/Advanced: 42 Studies, Kreutzer, 50261270

Cello:
Intermediate: 170 Foundations (Volume One), Schroeder, 02469
Intermediate/Advanced: 21 Studies Book One, Duport, 2314

Bass:
Intermediate: Melodic Foundation Studies, Gale
Intermediate/Advanced: 57 Studies, Storch/Hrabe, 1034

National Standards for Music Education

1. Singing, Alone and with others, a varied repertoire of Music
2. Performing on Instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music
3. Improvising Melodies, variations, and accompaniments
4. Composing and Arranging music within specified guidelines
5. Reading and notating music
6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music
7. Evaluating music and music performances
8. Understanding relationships between music, the other arts and disciplines outside the arts
9. Understanding music in relation to history and culture