6th Grade
Music

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Band

Band classes meet by grade level in a large group setting during the school day. Students will learn a wider range of music, expand their playing ability, and be part of a great team. Band is a performing group, and students will have multiple performance and travel opportunities throughout the year. Students who participated in band in 5th grade are highly encouraged to continue playing their instrument in middle school. The instruments offered are listed below.

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Orchestra

Orchestra classes meet by grade level in a large group setting during the school day. Students will learn a wider range of music, expand their playing ability, and be part of a great team. Orchestra is a performing group, and students will have multiple performance and travel opportunities throughout the year. Students who participated in orchestra in 5th grade are highly encouraged to continue playing their instrument in middle school. The instruments offered are listed below.

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Chorus

Chorus meets by grade level in a large group setting during the school day and is where the formal instruction on vocal singing begins. Students will be exposed to various genres of music and expand their musical knowledge while being part of a great team. Chorus is a performing group, and students will have multiple performing and travel opportunities throughout the school year.

Band Class Instruments

  • Oboe

  • Flute

  • Clarinet

  • Saxophone

  • Trumpet

  • Bassoon

  • Bass Clarinet

  • Tenor Saxophone

  • Baritone Saxophone

  • French Horn

  • Baritone Horn

  • Trombone

  • Tuba

  • Percussion

Orchestra Class Instruments

  • Violin

  • Viola

  • Cello

  • Bass

Skills and Student Outcomes

  • Review playing position and posture

  • Complete differentiated SMART Music assignments based on ability

  • Practice and master scales (three major scales)

  • Perform in two concerts/year

  • Opportunities for community-based performances

Skills and Student Outcomes

  • Review playing position and posture

  • Practice and master scales (six major scales and three minor scales)

  • Perform in two concerts/year

  • Opportunity for smaller group performances

Skills and Student Outcomes

  • Understand how to use singing voice properly

  • Sing in two part harmony using a specialized music reading system called “Solfege”

  • Build fluency in reading, writing, hearing and singing music intervals

  • Perform in two concerts/year

  • Opportunity to audition for “Spotlight Show Choir”

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Music Matrix and
Matrix Technology

Music Matrix, or general music, is similar to the music class students took in elementary school. It is not a performing class and it presents more broad, introductory concepts. Music matrix includes an introduction to guitar, piano, ukulele and world drumming, music theory and history. Students are also introduced to digital audio composition and editing in the computer lab.

Skills and Student Outcomes

  • Create, perform, respond and connect using various drums of the Afro-Cuban culture

  • Learn how to read musical print through “Music Ace”

  • Learn how music is created and performed in the 21st century through “Garage Band”

  • Beginning piano skills with the use of Synthesia software