Black Bear Ballet

Warning! Dancing black bears frequent this area! Written as a note-reading reinforcement of the low octave of the G major scale, this is a great chance to teach your students about the A Dorian mode. It's an excellent introduction to section independence for your ensemble, though the rhythms are usually still doubled by at least one other section. Students will demonstrate their knowledge of whole, half, quarter, and eighth notes throughout the piece. Your students will become much more comfortable with dynamic changes and will have many phrasing opportunities. Use the lower G major scale register to discuss bow weight/tone and how the approach to the bow will change with changing dynamics.