Music can be a highly positive experience for your child. In fact, playing an orchestral instrument has been shown to have numerous cognitive, social, and emotional benefits.

• Cognitive development: Playing an instrument can help improve memory, concentration, and coordination.

• Social skills: Playing in an orchestra will help your child develop friendships and critical social skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership.

• Academic performance: A wealth of research suggests a strong correlation between musical ability and good grades.

• Creativity and self-esteem: Learning an instrument can stimulate your child’s imagination and creativity. It can also be a huge confidence booster as they master new skills.

• Sense of community: Orchestra can provide a welcoming and safe environment for children. There, they can find a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie while working with others.

Of course, there are countless other benefits to playing an orchestral instrument. But if nothing else, playing a string instrument can be a source of joy and fulfillment all on its own.

You need two main items to participate in 6th Grade Orchestra

• Instrument

• Essential Elements for Strings (book 1) method book

Other accessories needed (which may be included with your rental*):

• • Rosin

  • Name tag

  • Music Stand (for at home practice)

  • Kun style shoulder rest (violin/viola)

  • Rockstop (cello/bass)

Violin and Viola students will need to bring their instrument with them to school each day that they have Orchestra class. Because of the size of the instrument, Cello and Bass students do not need to bring their instrument to school for Orchestra class. Cello and Bass students will have a rented instrument that stays home for practicing and an assigned school instrument to use in class.

A minimum of 60 minutes of at home practice per week is expected for beginning orchestra students.  Since repetition is important in learning to play a stringed instrument, 15 minutes, 4 times a week is much more beneficial than a marathon practice session.

There will be two performances in 6th grade. The first is typically in January after returning from winter break and the second is in May.

In 6th grade orchestra, we do not have letter grades. We use the Standards Based Grading (SBG) that students are accustomed to up through 5th grade. Using SBG gives us the opportunity to provide more feedback to students to improve their playing. This also takes away some of the pressure of earning a letter grade while learning a brand new skill.

There are five standards:

1. Vocabulary & Note Reading

2. Posture & Tone Production

3. Rhythm & Pitch

4. Musicianship

5. Assessment & Performance