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 Time's for Real Alex Wildner will be having his senior project performance Thursday, May 24, at 7pm, in the Arts Academy Auditorium. The night will consist of original acoustic music, tea, and crumpets.
	Gregory Pawlowicz has been playing guitar for four and a half years, and this past year has been preparing for college auditions to pursue a career as a Jazz musician after high school. Greg will be performing a set of Jazz standards and originally composed material. He will be accompanied by fellow AAW student Andrew Waslowsky on drums, and two friends from his home district high school on bass and saxophone. The performance will take place at the Arts Academy auditorium on Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00 pm.
	On May 25th, 2007, Steve Krantz will be performing his senior guitar recital at the AAW auditorium. Steve will be playing a variety of things, including music from video games, two blues covers, and a new blend of contemporary rock from his own band. Steve has been playing guitar for about four years, and has plans to attend Berklee College of Music and pursue music professionally after high school. The performance is at 5 pm, doors open at 4:30. This performance is free.
	John Wright will be performing an instrumental senior project accompanied by friends on May 16th.
	Aniqua Bailey will present a program entitled Gospel Music: The Past and PResent. In this, she will explain how gospel music in black churches has changed over the years. She will be joined by different instrumentalists, including on of the Arts Academy's own, Eric Montgomery (bass guitarist). Aniqua is a member of Lifeline. Shew as also raised on gospel music and knows this presentation will give everyone insight on the origins of gospel music. Travel through time with Aniqua Friday, April 27, 2007, at 7pm.
	Senior Eric Rudko will be performing his senior project at the AAW auditorium on May 8, 2007, at 7pm. A light reception of food and beverage will be served following the performance.
	Senior Nianco Chapman writes: I am a writer, and uncertified novelist ("BiPolaroid"), and a self-proclaimed "Musicologist," with the lone introspect of the audio-universe of music, and not its theiries ("Liberal & Aesthetic Appreciator"). With these noted facts, I will use these natural elements which are mere resources of my aptitude apparel: to write my book report/tributary of a senior project on the late, great Freddie Mercury, including a visual presentation.

News

Spring Concert

The "Annual Spring Concert" of the AAW Instrumental Music Department will take place this Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the Arts Academy, at 7:30 p.m.

          

The program will consist of the AAW Percussion Ensembles, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Piano Solo.

Soloists for the evening will be Ms. Lydia Cleaver, principal harpist of the Dearborn Symphony, Ms. Joni Day, principal oboist of the Dearborn Symphony, Mr. Dennis Carter, principal flutist of the Dearborn Symphony, and our own Mr. Jonathan Boyd, principal bassoonist of the Dearborn Symphony.

Ms. Cleaver will be performing the Aria in Classic Style for Harp and Strings by Grandjany.  The flute, oboe and bassoon trio will be the Vivaldi, Concerto in g minor. The 2 nd Hour percussion ensemble will make their debut with Six Little Indians. Plus, there will be much more great music from the orchestra and wind ensemble. 

Please join us for this wonderful evening of music, our first concert in our new home!  

Tickets are available at the door.  AAW Students and Children under 12 are free. 

Louisiana 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.

 

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