MMS ~ MUSIC ELECTIVES – PERFORMANCE

PERFORMANCE CLASSES

All student participants in a middle school performance class are required to attend both the winter and spring concerts for their respective ensembles.

 6th Grade Band

This course is designed to build upon students’ prior knowledge of instrumental music and ensemble playing. Selected methods, literature, and repertoire will be challenging yet attainable for the technical and musical development of the students. The use of a metronome and tuner is encouraged for musical growth and development and will be included in lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and daily practice. Listening is a critical component of music education. At this level, students will be presented with listening examples within weekly lessons and ensemble rehearsals. 6th-grade students wishing to begin a band instrument will follow the curriculum and guidelines in the 5th Grade Band Curriculum. They will participate in the 6th-grade band ensemble at the director's discretion.

 7th & 8th Grade Band

These courses are designed as a continuation of the 6th Grade Band Curriculum with an emphasis on the refinement of both individual and ensemble playing. Sectional rehearsals continue with added repertoire for solo and small ensemble playing. Students from these ensembles may audition for the Wind Ensemble and/or Jazz Band. 7th & 8th-grade students wishing to begin a band instrument will follow the curriculum and guidelines in the 5th Grade Band Curriculum. They will participate in the 6th Grade Band ensemble at the director's discretion.

6th Grade Orchestra

This course is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to further their knowledge of playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, bass). Emphasis will be placed on technique, note-reading, sight-reading, ensemble rehearsal, and individual musical development. Students will attend one ensemble (String Orchestra) and one small group instructional class per week.  Sixth-grade students wishing to begin a string instrument will follow the curriculum and guidelines in the 5th Grade Orchestra Curriculum. They will participate in the 6th grade orchestra ensemble at the discretion of the director.

7th & 8th Grade Orchestras

These courses are designed to continue the 6th Grade Orchestra Curriculum with emphasis on the refinement of both individual and ensemble playing. Sectional rehearsals continue with added repertoire for solo and small ensemble playing. Ensemble playing includes String Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra. Students enrolled in this ensemble will attend one before-school rehearsal each week.  Students will have an opportunity to perform symphonic works from master composers. Students from these ensembles may audition for the Select Strings.  7th & 8th-grade students wishing to begin a string instrument will follow the curriculum and guidelines in the 5th Grade Orchestra Curriculum. They will participate in the 6th-grade orchestra ensemble at the director's discretion.

Rotating Sectional Rehearsals (Band and Orchestra only):

All students in the Instrumental Music Program are required to attend sectional rehearsals. In the event of a major academic test during a sectional period, the student must notify their music teacher before missing a scheduled sectional rehearsal before taking the test to receive attendance credit. Sectionals rotate to fall on a different period for each meeting. Students will not miss the same academic class more than three times each semester. Schedules are compiled and distributed by the Directors at the beginning of each semester. Homogeneous instruments and/or abilities are arranged in sectionals. Sectionals emphasize improving the technique on specific instruments and continuing to develop musicianship skills. Particular emphasis will be placed on note reading, scales, tone quality, sight-reading, and musicianship.

Each sectional will include:

• Technique

• Sight-reading

• Musicianship and note reading

• Development of skills

• Production of tone quality for their instrument

• Posture

• Breathing

 6th Grade Chorus

This course is designed to build upon students’ prior knowledge of the world of vocal music and choral singing. It is designed to teach vocal music effectively. Selected methods, literature, and repertoire will be challenging yet attainable for the technical and musical development of the students. Using sight singing, count singing, and note reading is essential for musical growth and development and will be included in daily rehearsals. Listening is a critical component of music education. Students will be presented with listening examples within weekly rehearsals at this level. The emphasis in rehearsals will be on improving technique on a student’s choral/vocal technique and continuing to develop musicianship skills. Particular emphasis will be placed on note reading, scales, tone quality, sight-reading, and musicianship. Each rehearsal will include technique, sight-reading/Solfege, musicianship and note reading, development of skills, production of tone quality, posture, and breathing. The music selected will represent a plurality of musical styles and cultures. Since language is an instrument of choral music, the repertoire will often be sung in various languages.

 7th & 8th Grade Chorus

These courses are designed to continue the 6th Grade Chorus Curriculum with emphasis on the refinement of both individual and ensemble singing. Advanced levels of sight-reading and count singing will be implemented to build upon past experiences. Students from these ensembles may audition for Select Chorus.

 Select Ensembles:

Middle School Select Ensembles members must be registered in one of the above-mentioned performance classes.

 Select Chorus

Select Chorus is selected through an audition of chorus members in 7th & 8th grade chorus members. It is an opportunity for chorus students to sing and perform repertoire that is more challenging than that offered in the chorus class. Select Chorus meets once a week during a study hall/lunch period. 

 Chamber Strings

Chamber Strings is available only to 7th & 8th-grade strings students who are at an advanced level. This ensemble allows students to study and perform more challenging repertoire not offered in the regular orchestra. Members are selected from the Orchestra based on an audition, seating, and teacher evaluation. Chamber Strings meets during the school day, once a week, as part of a rotating sectional.

 Wind Ensemble

Wind Ensemble is a smaller wind group that auditioned from 7th & 8th Grade Band members.  This band rehearses two times each week before school. It is an opportunity for its members to perform music at a more difficult level. Selected members of the Wind Ensemble are also required to play in the Symphonic Orchestra.

 Jazz Band

Jazz Band is selected by audition for registered students in 7th & 8th Grade Bands.  This ensemble rehearses once a week after school.  It is an opportunity for its members to perform music of the jazz genre. 

Selection to these ensembles based upon:

• Audition

• Musicianship

• Citizenship – the ability to work with others

• Sectional attendance

• Instrumental/Vocal needs of the ensembles

These ensembles perform at:

• Winter and Spring Middle School concerts

• Selected assemblies during the school year

• Elementary Schools

• Festivals

• Other selected performances