CLAGUE MIDDLE SCHOOL
ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS
2026 - 2027
CLAGUE MIDDLE SCHOOL
ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS
2026 - 2027
CLAGUE MIDDLE SCHOOL
ORCHESTRA SYLLABUS 2026 - 27
Ms. Abigail Alwin alwin@aaps.k12.mi.us
Mrs. Elizabeth Paddock paddocke@aaps.k12.mi.us
We look forward to cultivating a strong culture of collaborative learning this year!
OBJECTIVES FOR ORCHESTRA
Joy & Creativity : Experience the joy of music, encouraging the development of creative expression
Music Literacy : Understand how music works, and translate musical symbols into meaningful sounds
Cultural Relevance : Understand music in a cultural and historical context
Instrument Technique : Refine playing skills and instrument technique (rhythm, tone, intonation, bowing styles, posture etc.)
Collaborative Learning : Understand and fulfill responsibilities as a member of a music ensemble (cooperation, patience, leadership, preparation for class, home practice, instrument care, concert attendance)
Our Schoology page is the most important place to look for assignments due, project descriptions, rubrics, daily lesson plans & other learning resources. Regular updates and announcements will be sent through PowerSchool messenger. You can expect updates from us approximately every two to four weeks. You can also search for “Clague Orchestras” in your web browser and find our classroom website which has information about equipment specifications, how to get an instrument, special events, our calendar of events, and much more. https://sites.google.com/a/aaps.k12.mi.us/clague-orchestras/home
Information for Incoming Students
Assessment Literacy Model: We will be using a grading process that aims to help students become comfortable with feedback around specific learning objectives, clarifying the areas that they have performed well in and areas that need improvement. Students will understand the learning targets which specify what they need to know and demonstrate. Formative assessments will be scored using a 4-point rubric and will not affect the final grade of record. Summative assessments will be graded using a letter grade and will affect the final grade.
Schoology: Schoology (and not PowerSchool) will have the most up-to-date feedback on grades. Feedback is given through detailed rubrics. Any additional written feedback on assignments will be posted in Schoology. We will teach students how to use this information to their benefit, and intend to use tools to help each student become more self-reflective. All assessment grades will be shown in schoology, and you will see an overall percentage grade here which calculates all formative and summative assessments (not final grade of record). Schoology must be manually synced with PowerSchool, and we will aim to do this weekly.
· Rehearsals and Group Activities
· Individual Practice habits & Homework Assignments
· Playing and Written Tests
· Concert Performances
· Special projects and/or presentations
DAILY REHEARSALS
Be Prepared: Bring all materials to class (instrument, equipment, music folder, pencil, planner), practice regularly, set up and warm up in a timely manner, Students must return all sheet music and books at the end of the year in good condition. Fees will be charged for missing music, and equipment.
Positive approach: Being open-minded, accepting, optimistic, curious and inquiring, and learning to step into healthy challenges are encouraged. We work to build a positive group attitude that is reliant on what each person brings to class.
Consider others: We all contribute to cultivating a classroom culture where there is kindness, respect, inclusiveness and joy. Each person can recognize the efforts of others, encourage each other and respect each other.
Respond and Participate: Be brave, ask and answer questions, demonstrate focus and attention, and understand it will take practice, mistakes, reflection and multiple attempts to develop new skills over time. We are in this together!
SEATING/CHAIRS Students in all grade levels will be paired with other students whose skills and attributes compliment each other and who form good working partners. This pairing will make a “stand” which will rotate on a regular basis. Decisions on seating will be decided at the discretion of the teacher, and will be based on tests and quizzes as well informal assessments of instrument skills and the social context in the classroom.
PRACTICING AT HOME
You should be hearing your child practice their instrument regularly, and help them develop a routine. If they are struggling with this, please reach out. Students will fill in the amount of time that they have played each day on an online-chart in schoology, and it is best if students are honest about the time that they spend playing their instrument. For the first several weeks of school this chart will be formative to help you establish an honest routine. 7th & 8th Graders are expected to practice at least 150 minutes per week, and 6th graders 120 minutes per week. It is best to divide this into 20-30 minute increments of daily practice.
Learning to practice is a challenging skill, and we will be teaching students to understand practice techniques, goal setting and structure. Students who practice their instrument at home will get more out of class time, will have more to contribute to the team, and will set a foundation for expanding their knowledge & skills. It goes without saying that the more a student practices, the greater chance of success over time. One’s desire to practice arises from frequent & effective practicing; the more effort a student puts into an activity, the higher their interest will be. Home practice will ultimately help students feel confident when they share their learning in class.
6th Grade Practice Chart 7th Grade Practice Chart 8th Grade Practice Chart
CONCERTS - This is a BIG DEAL!
There is a personal obligation to handle performance attendance responsibly and with pride, and to understand your commitment to the team. Consider a performance to be similar to a final exam in other classes, with the resulting grade being the same for each member based on the collective effort. Since there is no opportunity to make up a performance, missing a concert is equivalent to not taking an exam and obtaining a zero as a score. We want every student to enjoy the fruits of their collective labors!
All students are expected to be on time and in attendance until the conclusion of the evening concert. Participation in performances by each student is expected, attendance is taken, and the performance is graded. Student absences from concerts are excused only for illness/emergency, and the teachers must be notified. If a student is absent without reason, we will contact parents/guardians that evening.
Parents: We love the community spirit that is felt when we gather for performances, and it is important that we communicate with you our expectations for student supervision. Because the students are with us for the performance, they are under our care while at school. However, parents should also be available on location. If a parent or guardian is unable to attend the concert it is imperative that you let us know ahead of time so that we are aware in case of an emergency.
The concert dates are scheduled at the start of the year (click link, above), so that all schedule conflicts can be avoided and/or resolved well in advance. Mark the dates for your child’s concerts in your calendar now. Students must alert all affected parties (coaches/teachers) months in advance so that conflicts do not occur.
CONCERT ATTIRE
White dress shirt, pressed; Black pants or long skirt, pressed; Black socks or tights/nylons; Black dress shoes. Please do not wear sneakers, clothing with words or symbols, jeans or tank tops. Skirts or dresses need to come all the way over the knee while seated.
If you have items that your child has outgrown, please consider donating them to the school so that we can provide them to students who might need them in the future.
If for any reason you think you may not have a ride to or from a concert or are unable to get the concert attire, please let us know as soon as possible. We will do everything we can to make sure you have what you need and that you have safe and reliable transportation to and from every concert.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AND PRESENTATIONS
SOLO & ENSEMBLE FESTIVALThe Solo and Ensemble Festival is an annual event sponsored by the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA). This year's festival takes place on a Saturday in early February at Livonia Franklin High School. Students will sign up in October to perform either a solo work or to perform with others in a small ensemble. It is an opportunity to perform music for an experienced teacher who will provide written/verbal comments, suggestions for improvement, and an overall rating. Music ensembles will have a limited amount of time to prepare in class for the festival, and will benefit greatly by meeting outside of class to prepare. There is a small fee for participation in this event. Participation as a soloist or as a member of an ensemble is strongly encouraged for 7th & 8th grade students.
ORCHESTRA NIGHT @ HILL AUDITORIUM Orchestra Night is a showcase of the Ann Arbor Middle School and High School Orchestra Programs, and takes place at the world-renowned Hill Auditorium on the campus of the University of Michigan. It is one of our most important and exciting concerts of the year. It is an opportunity for our students to share their music learning with the community and to hear what is in store for them as they progress to the high school level.
ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL
ALL STATE HONORS ORCHESTRA Seventh and eighth grade students from all over Michigan are invited to audition for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) All-State Middle School Orchestra, which will rehearse and perform at the Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids, January 23-25, 2025. We encourage every student who is interested in an advanced ensemble experience to audition.
MID -LEVEL STRING CLINIC Students in grades 7 - 9 are invited to attend the Mid-Level String Clinics, which provide a fun, immersive string experience. Events take place all-day on a Saturday in October, and the event is hosted by one of our close neighboring school districts.
SUMMER MUSIC CAMP OPPORTUNITIES & SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS We can never say enough about the great things that happen musically and socially for kids who attend music camp. The work is intensive and fun, and the outdoor settings are conducive to self-reflection as well as camaraderie. Students who have attended music camps consistently come back to school in the fall with very positive reviews, and are invigorated for the upcoming school year. Information will be updated as it is received for the summer of 2025.