Orchestra

Course length: Full year

Course number: 500919

Course description: The 6th Grade String Orchestra course introduces students to fundamental musical concepts and performance techniques for string instruments. Students will develop skills in rhythm, melody, and harmony while creating and performing music within simple forms. They will learn to read and interpret musical notation, analyze musical structure, and apply expressive elements to their playing. Through guided rehearsals and performances, students will refine their technique, demonstrate stage presence, and explore connections between music, culture, and history.

Students will:

• Generate simple rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrases within AB and ABA forms that convey expressive intent.
• Select, organize, construct, and document personal musical ideas for arrangements and compositions within AB or ABA form that demonstrate an effective beginning, middle, and ending, and convey expressive intent.
• Use standard and/or iconic notation and/or audio/ video recording to document personal simple rhythmic phrases, melodic phrases, and two-chord harmonic musical ideas.
• Evaluate their own work, applying teacher-provided criteria such as application of selected elements of music, and use of sound sources.
• Describe the rationale for making revisions to the music based on evaluation criteria and feedback from their teacher
• Present the final version of their documented personal composition or arrangement, using craftsmanship and originality to demonstrate an effective beginning, middle, and ending, and convey expressive intent.
• Apply teacher-provided criteria for selecting music to perform for a specific purpose and/or context, and explain why each was chosen.
• Explain how understanding the structure and the elements of music are used in selected for performance.
• When analyzing selected music, read and identify by name or function standard symbols for rhythm, pitch, articulation, and dynamics.
• Identify how cultural and historical context inform performances.
• Perform a selected piece of music demonstrating how their interpretations of the elements of music and the expressive qualities (such as dynamics, tempo, timbre, articulation/style, and phrasing) convey intent.
• Identify and apply teacher provided criteria (such as correct interpretation of notation, technical accuracy, originality, and interest) to rehearse, refine, and determine when a piece is ready to perform.
• Perform the music with technical accuracy to convey the creator’s intent.
• Demonstrate performance decorum (such as stage presence, attire, and behavior) and audience etiquette appropriate for venue and purpose.
• Select or choose music to listen to and explain the connections to specific interests or experiences for a specific purpose.
• Describe how the elements of music and expressive qualities relate to the structure of the pieces.
• Identify the context of music from a variety of genres, cultures, and historical periods.
• Describe a personal interpretation of how creators’ and performers’ application of the elements of music and expressive qualities, within genres and cultural and historical context, convey expressive intent.
• Apply teacher-provided criteria to evaluate musical works or performances.
• Demonstrate how interests, knowledge, and skills relate to personal choices and intent when creating, performing, and responding to music.
• Demonstrate understanding of relationships between music and the other arts, other disciplines, varied contexts, and daily life.

Course length: Full year

Course number: 500919

Course description: The 7th Grade String Orchestra course builds upon foundational skills by expanding students' ability to create, perform, and analyze music. Students will explore more complex musical forms and techniques, developing their ability to interpret and express musical ideas. They will refine their ensemble playing through collaboration, working with contrasting musical styles and understanding historical and cultural influences on performance. By applying evaluation criteria, students will assess their own and others' performances, preparing for more advanced musical experiences.

Students will:

• Generate rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrases and variations over harmonic accompaniments within AB, ABA, or theme and variation forms.
• Select, organize, and document personal musical ideas for arrangements, songs, and compositions within AB, ABA, or theme and variation forms.
• Use standard/iconic notation or audio/video recording to document personal rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic sequences.
• Evaluate their own work using selected criteria, including elements of music and feedback from teachers and peers.
• Present the final version of their documented personal composition, song, or arrangement.
• Apply collaboratively developed criteria for selecting contrasting music.
• Explain and demonstrate the structure of contrasting pieces.
• Perform contrasting music, demonstrating expressive intent.
• Identify and apply collaboratively developed criteria to refine and prepare performances.
• Perform with technical accuracy and stylistic expression.
• Select contrasting music to listen to and compare connections to experiences.
• Classify and explain how elements of music and expressive qualities relate to contrasting pieces.
• Identify and compare the cultural and historical context of music.
• Select from teacher-provided criteria to evaluate musical works or performances.
• Demonstrate how interests, knowledge, and skills relate to personal choices in music creation, performance, and response.
• Demonstrate understanding of relationships between music and other arts, disciplines, varied contexts, and daily life.

Course length: Full year

Course number: 500919

Course description:  The 8th Grade String Orchestra course prepares students for high school-level ensemble performance by deepening their technical proficiency, expressive ability, and musical understanding. Students will engage with advanced musical forms, incorporating introductions, transitions, and codas in their compositions. They will develop personal criteria for selecting and evaluating music, perform with stylistic expression and cultural authenticity, and explore connections between music and other disciplines. Through independent and collaborative work, students will refine their craft and prepare for future musical opportunities.

Students will:

• Generate rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic phrases with harmonic accompaniments within expanded forms (including introductions, transitions, and codas).
• Select, organize, and document personal musical ideas for arrangements, songs, and compositions within expanded forms.
• Use standard/iconic notation or audio/video recording to document personal rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic sequences.
• Evaluate their own work by selecting and applying appropriate criteria.
• Present the final version of their documented personal composition, song, or arrangement.
• Apply personally developed criteria for selecting contrasting music.
• Compare the structure of contrasting pieces and explain the use of musical elements.
• Perform contrasting pieces and explain how expressive qualities convey intent.
• Identify and apply personally developed criteria to refine and prepare performances.
• Perform with technical accuracy, stylistic expression, and culturally authentic practices.
• Select programs of music and demonstrate connections to personal interests.
• Compare how elements of music and expressive qualities relate to structure within programs of music.
• Identify and compare cultural and historical contexts of music programs.
• Apply personally developed criteria to evaluate musical works or performances.
• Demonstrate how interests, knowledge, and skills relate to personal choices in music creation, performance, and response.
• Demonstrate understanding of relationships between music and other arts, disciplines, varied contexts, and daily life.

• Orchestra