"To generate creative ideas, it's important to start from an unusual place.  But to explain those ideas, they have to be connected to something familiar."
- Adam Grant, American Psychologist

This is most definitely an unusual place.  But Music is familiar, and wonderful.

While we are in this unusual situation, it's important for students to keep what makes them unique.  Therefore it is my intention to keep the music alive.  Herein lies some opportunities for musical learning that will improve your child's mental health as well as their current music marks.

First: I know that many of you are concerned about your marks.  PowerSchool is going through some changes to accommodate our new reality, and during that time your marks may seem odd.  Please be patient as we work through this.

For Senior High Music Students, I'm sure that you've heard that you automatically pass all your classes ... that's only partly true.  If you have 50% or higher in Instrumental Music 10/20/30, you get 5 High School credits for that class.  However, if you have less than 50% in Instrumental Music 10/20/30, you will get 5 High School "non-allocated" credits which is just a fancy way of saying you get credits but don't pass the class.  As a result, you all have some more work you are required to do to complete the course.  Read on below to find out what those details are.
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For Grade 7, 8 and 9 Music Students, I'm sure that you've heard that you automatically pass all your classes.  That is entirely true for you.  However, you may wish to do some extra catch-up or extra mini-project work to ensure your Instrumental Music class mark is amazing.  Read on below to find out what those details are.

Second: All musical support will be administered via this webpage, Mr. Windsor's Discord Server, Breezin' Thru, Charms and Google Classroom.  Students are encouraged to join Mr. Windsor's Discord Server, as he will also be working more directly with them through this free communication app.  This server was opened on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.
Many students have already completed minimum expectations while in the classroom setting.  To see what those minimum expectations were, please click on the appropriate buttons above.  Please note that not every assignment that had been assigned in the classroom setting was fully taught, and therefore is not expected to be submitted; however students can optionally choose to complete work we began in class but didn't have enough time to finish.
Minimum expectations from the classroom setting include certain recordings of Solos (List A or List B pieces), certain chapters in Breezin' Thru, and some Responding assignments.  Work done on these assignments are what constitutes a music student's mark in band from the classroom setting.
You should all have access now through Google Classroom to your Project Options.

Senior High Music Students need to select at least one project.  Project descriptions are described in detail in the button above.

Grade 7, 8, and 9 Music Students may optionally select any number of the projects described.  Summaries of those projects are also available in the appropriate buttons above.

I have also compiled a couple of videos that will give you a quick walkthrough of each of the projects.  View them to the left.  The first video is for Senior High Music Students, the second one is for Grade 7, 8 and 9 Students.
The following resources may be useful to you depending upon the Project or Mini-Project you select.
For those who have chosen a project with a "List C" Piece component, please see the list of List C Pieces that have already been arranged here.
For those who have chosen a project with a "Story Music" component, please see the details about the Story Music Assignment here.
For those who are transcribing or composing music, you may wish to use a free software for notating music.  The one that is accessible for everyone regardless of device is NoteFlight, a browser-based notation app, and Mr. Windsor has a version that links directly to Google Classroom.  Mr. Windsor's favorite is Finale, for which there is a free version that works on Windows and Mac PCs.  Mr. Phu's favorite is Sibelius, which also has a free version that works on Windows and Mac PCs.  MuseScore is a newer option (thank you Gabe Gramblicka for the suggestion), and it is user friendly, but also only available on Windows and PC.  You may choose your favorite on here, or simply use manuscript paper (a copy of which is also included here).
Mr. Windsor will teach his lessons through Noteflight, the most widely accessible version.
For those who have chosen the "O Canada" mini-project, check out the inspiration for the project by watching Eric Whitacre's Virtual Chorus sing "Lux Aurumque", a piece that was also performed by the Senior Concert Band earlier this year.  The concept is to provide students with a copy  of "O Canada" for their part, and give them an opportunity to record through their own device.  Mr. Windsor will then compile all the recordings into one final edited recording.  Our version may also include recordings from students elsewhere in Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division.

Something Borrowed

In unusual times, it's not unusual to be the recipient of generosity.  This generosity includes new digital tools in music thanks to a company called MusicFirst, offering us such tools for free.  I'm still exploring them at this point, but will share them with you as soon as I understand how they will benefit students.

Something Blue

If ever you feel blue, Mr. Windsor is here for you.  Join his Discord Server, connect with him when you need him.  He is online during every school day from 8:45 AM to 3:30 PM.  After hours, Mr. Windsor is intermittently available, but if you need support, you can always ask.  He'll be there when he can be (keeping in mind he needs his own downtime, too).  This will be a tough time, made easier by talking when you need it.

Strings, Steel and Jazz

Plans for these courses are still coming up.  As with everything else, they will be optional assignments for bonus marks.  For Strings I am exploring solos designed for your instrument.  For Jazz, I have one small project in mind that will help you connect with your genre.  For Steel Pans ... this has to be on hold for now, but I am making plans that can be put into effect no earlier than April 2, 2020.  Please be patient for me.

Changes When They Come

They will come.  There are still many moving parts.  But when they do, we'll work through it together.  Thank you for your support, and thank you for continuing to encourage your child's musical learning.
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