Welcome to 6th Grade Orchestra!

Abigail Alwin, lead teacher  alwin@aaps.k12.mi.us

Elizabeth Paddock, co-teacher paddocke@aaps.k12.mi.us

  PDF of this information can be downloaded here. 

LEARNING GOALS (based on State and National Standards for Music Education)

• • Ensemble Skills: how to be an effective organization

  • String instrument technique

  • Create: composition and improvisation

  • Music Literacy: rhythm, pitch, theory

  • Cultural and historical context

GRADING

• • Daily rehearsals: individual responsibility toward the group

  • Preparation for class and regular practice

  • Progress on instrument/ playing tests

  • Concerts generally begin at 7:00. Students are expected to arrive early and remain in attendance for the entire concert. Most concerts last between 60 and 90 minutes.

  • The concert dates for 6th Grade music ensembles are January 26 and May 17

Concert Attire:  White long sleeve dress shirt, SOLID BLACK pants or long skirt (no jeans please), SOLID BLACK socks or tights/nylons, and SOLID BLACK dress shoes. We know that 6th graders grow quickly. We suggest that you wait until late December or early January to get concert clothing for 6th graders so it will still fit at concert time.

PRACTICE CHART/ HOMEWORK

• • At least 120 minutes of practice each week, 20 min, 6 days a week for 6th grade

  • parent support & verification

  • Students turn in their “practice log” every two weeks, and are graded within a few days.

  • We are working out the details for a Practice Club. Stay tuned for more details about an after-school practice support opportunity.   

  • Listen to your child’s practice to support them, encourage them, and to see if progress is happening

You can support your child by ...

... Encouraging to work hard and be persistent. Learning to play an instrument only comes from working through problems, and being persistent in the face of difficulty and struggle.

... Giving lots of encouragement and reminders when they are practicing. Comment when you hear improvement.

... Arranging mini-recitals at home or have a family practice time when everyone practices some skill including you! (you can practice any skill but a musical skill is great)

... Private lessons – not required, but I have recommendations if you are interested.

... Attend concerts together:  FREE! U of M concerts, UMS, Ann Arbor Symphony

... Stay in touch, if you should have any questions or concerns. Regular e-mails will go out to parents with updates and opportunities. We are here to help support your child’s success at Clague.