The large majority of students in the 6th Grade Orchestra program are beginners. Many beginning students have very little music background including those that do not read music.
Students are randomly placed in one of two 6th Grade orchestra classes regardless of instrument type. Both classes will include beginning orchestra students and students who have played the string instrument for a varied number of years. While an advanced orchestra class is not offered in 6th Grade, classroom activities, instruction, and performance assessments are adjusted for advanced students to provide needed challenges for those students. In addition, extra performance opportunities are offered outside of class for interested advanced 6th Grade orchestra students.
What will my child learn?
6th Grade (Beginner) Orchestra classes focus on two curriculums students will learn during the school year. The first is learning specific techniques and perform them with proficiency with their chosen string instrument: violin, viola, cello, or string-bass. The second is performing with small and large groups which offers a different set of challenges. Students will also learn to compose and improvise their own music, and collaborate with other students in small group performances. Around the 4th quarter of the school year, the 6th Grade (Beginner) Orchestra goes beyond the Begininer Orchestra Standards and into Intermediate Orchestra Standards as they are introduced to new concepts such as dotted quarter note rhythms and perform music at the 7th Grade level at Spring Concert. Furthermore, 6th Grade Orchestra students may audition to be placed in the advanced orchestra class for 7th Grade.