• Course Description

    Sixth Grade Orchestra is offered for students playing violin, viola, cello, and bass. Students choosing to participate in the advanced sixth grade orchestra must have at least 1 year of prior experience with the completion of Essential Elements Book 1 or equivalent.  Students will continue learning skills in tone production, note reading (rhythmic and melodic), scales, and bowings.  Emphasis will be placed on good technique, left and right-hand posture, vibrato, and an introduction to shifting and ensemble playing.  Students will learn a variety of orchestra music and the class will perform at the Winter and Spring Performance Nights, as well as Festival of Strings (at KHS). 

    Participants in the orchestra will use interactive teaching/learning methods of movement, listening, and playing instruments to develop  intelligent, sensitive musicians with a life-long appreciation of music.  Students will improve as individual performers and share their talents with others through public performances and participation in festival events.   Public performances are a requirement of this class.  

    Grade Level(s): Sixth grade

    Related Priority Standards (State &/or National):  Missouri Grade Level Expectations for Music

    Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)

    Learning targets remain constant for grades 4-12, while content knowledge and techniques spiral to provide continuous refinement of orchestra music skills.  Components of musical performance can be demonstrated at levels ranging from beginner to advanced.  Teachers select music literature that is matched to levels of proficiency as the vehicle for student growth in reading skills and performance skills of tone quality, intonation, technique, rhythm, articulation, and musicality.  The level of difficulty is determined by the repertoire chosen at each grade level. 

    Instruction in Concert Orchestra will cover the following topics:

    • Appreciation (music styles, music history, value of music)
    • Care of instruments
    • Dynamics
    • Musical forms
    • Playing an instrument
    • Peforming skills
    • Rhythm/meter
    • Symbols/terms
    • Technical skills
    • Tone production/intonation

    Learner objectives include the following:

    • Students will demonstrate performance skills.
      • Perform rehearsed music at public concerts
      • Demonstrate knowledge of proper concert behavior
      • Perform exercises from the course method book
      • Perform solos and in small ensembles
    • Students will demonstrate correct knowledge of rhythm/meters at different tempos.
      • Perform bowing styles appropriate to different styles of music
      • Perform in mixed meters and time signatures
    • Students will demonstrate technical skills.
      • Demonstrate knowledge of and expand upon previously learned material
      • Perform appropriate string orchestra music at Grades 2-4 level
      • Demonstrate knowledge of correct positions
      • Perform major and minor scales
      • Demonstration knowledge of appropriate fingerings
      • Demonstrate knowledge of sight-reading skills using Grade AAA level material
      • Demonstrate knowledge of tenor/treble clef (cello/bass instruments)
    • Students will demonstrate correct tone production and intonation skills.
      • Demonstrate the ability to tune instruments on their own
      • Demonstrate knowledge of ensemble intonation skills
      • Demonstrate refined bow control and vibrato
    • Students will demonstrate knowledge of musical terms.
      • Define and use terms/symbols used in the course method book and performance material

    Date Last Revised/Approved: 2002