December Updates - Including Science!

What a wonderful concert with great performances last night - way to go, everyone!

ORCHESTRA:
Keep practicing for playing exams which will be taking place December 16 through 19th.

Orchestra groups should be preparing as follows:

Orchestra 10:  Page 20 (Cellos and Bass:  B PART
                                        PLUS A PART ms. 1-23)
Orchestra 20:  Page 25 (Cellos:  B PART, PLUS
                                        A  PART ms. 1-6)
Orchestra 30:  See me with your selection, ASAP.

SCIENCE 7:  We have now completed up to page 116 in our textbooks.
                        Please make sure that ALL assignments are handed in.

SCIENCE 8:  We have completed up to page 119 in our textbooks.
                        Check that all assignments are handed in.

Important dates/Things to remember:
* December 16-19 - Playing tests for orchestra.
* Orchestra 30 students see Mr. B with your selections.
* Check to make sure that all of your science assignments are up to date and handed in.  If you are unsure whether any of yours are missing - make sure to ask Mr. Bernier.

October Updates

Well, what do I find in my mailbox today but a letter to Mr. B from the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association.  Your awesome teacher is soon to receive an award (obviously for his awesomeness.)
In appreciation "for his work in the orchestral community" they are presenting him with the SOA Orchestra Development Award!
He will be honoured Friday,  November 14th at the Saskatchewan Music Conference Banquet - AND he gets a free supper.  How great is that?

I hope you are all enjoying your instruments this year and by now moving on from the very beginning screeches to something resembling music!  Patience and practice, right?

As for Mr. B's science students - your classes are a mystery to me - sorry!  It makes it that much more important to pay attention in class and make sure you get notes and assignments from a friend if you miss a day!  Remember it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you miss, so be proactive!

Welcome Back!

You may or may not know that Mr. Bernier leads a wildly exciting life outside of his teaching time here at Rivier.  He is looking forward to training some new horses this fall and winter, rebuilding an antique wagon, and has been busy teaching and playing all summer.   Here's a short excerpt from his website:
" I had a great summer working for Dream Brokers in Saskatchewan, and the Alberta Society of Fiddlers. Thanks to all.  It was great to meet new people, and visit with old friends in the past two months.  Summer is over, and I now prepare for the new 2014-2015 school season."

Many of you are adjusting to the orchestra program for the first time this year, or taking up a brand new instrument.  Remember that practice makes perfect and if you want to rock that violin, bass, cello, etc. you have to put in the time!

Before you know it you will be doing cool things like this:

Who doesn't love music AND horses?

Am I right?  I know you all imagine that teachers live their entire lives AT SCHOOL, but if you ever wondered what happens after 3:30, you could have a look at Mr. Bernier's website
Bernier Music & Bernier's Belgians to learn a little bit more about Mr. B's other activities AND those huge horses he keeps busy with!
Congratulations to all of you who participated in music festival again this year - great job!
A reminder that the PASO concert is coming up on Sunday, April the 13th here at Rivier - grab your tickets from Mr. Bernier or any student orchestra members!  It's a great way to support the arts in our community and a great reason to go for ice cream on the way home!

Important Updates

News from Mr. Bernier:

Wayne Toews, the adjudicator for the strings section of music festival, will be holding a free strings workshop at River Academy next wednesday, March 19!  For more information and to register, please contact Linda Alberts (she will have handouts for you).  This would be a great event to participate in!
Here is Mr. Toews bio, and while I don't have the music festival program in front of me I am sure it will have Mrs. Alberts contact info for you.  Miss Campbell always has a program on her (because she is participating in a gajillion categories) if you have not purchased one yet.

Next, and equally importantly, it is once again time for the annual
Prince Albert Strings Orchestra Concert!  I have not seen a poster yet,  but Mr. Bernier has shared a bit of the playlist with me and it sounds like it is going to be as awesome as ever.  It will be held here at Rivier Academy on Sunday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets will be available from Mr. Bernier or from any of the Rivier students who are also members of  PASO - just ask and they will be more than happy to sell you one!

I won't do a duplicate post of all of the music festival times since I notice that Miss Campbell posted all them for you already - but I will send positive thoughts to all of you who are working hard to prepare your pieces in the next few weeks!

Somebody PLEASE do this!

Okay, this is a request from Mrs. C.:
Before I retire, I want to see SOMETHING LIKE THIS on the Rivier stage.  I know it can't be exactly like this, but I want something unexpected that will rock my socks with those string instruments.  Either that, or I am going to be forced to take up the cello myself, and that is probably not going to pretty.  Somebody will end up having to cut my hair free from the strings or the bow at the very least.
So please watch and be inspired - save me from myself.

Time to get ready!

Music Festival is a go!  So that means you should have your music chosen and be ready to register this Saturday, January 18th and then begin preparing for your performances!  As nerve-wracking as it may seem, it as a great opportunity to get some valuable feedback on your playing and to OWN that stage for a few minutes.  Just think - if you put in just 10 minutes a day from now until festival, you will be awesome.  And what's 10 minutes?  I have some shoes with tiny little buckles that take me that long to fasten.  I'm just saying.
Here's a bit of inspiration for today: