8th Grade
Music

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Band

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Orchestra

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Chorus

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. The instruments offered are listed below.

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. The instruments offered are listed below.

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

  • Build fluency in ability to read and perform scales, advanced rhythms, extended ranges and alternate fingerings

  • Complete differentiated SMART Music assignments based on ability

  • Students perform a variety of extra concerts and can audition for Jazz Band

Skills and Student Outcomes

  • Build fluency in ability to read and perform scales, advanced rhythms, shifting and vibrato, along with new bowing techniques

  • Students perform in two concerts per year

  • Opportunity to participate in smaller group performances

  • Participate in Fantastic Festivals Adjudication

Skills and Student Outcomes

  • Learn to sing in three-part harmony (Soprano, Alto or Baritone)

  • Master the ability to read, write, hear and sing music intervals

  • Expand ability to analyze and assess choral performances

  • Perform three concerts/year

  • Students may audition for “Spotlight Show Choir”

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Music Matrix and
Matrix Technology

Music Matrix is a general music class which presents more broad, introductory music 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

  • Expand ability to read tablature as well as musical print through matrix guitar

  • Expand chord progression to seventh chords

  • Explore various cultures and musical styles

  • Continue studying the patterns and music styles of Afro-Cuban instruments by creating and performing through Matrix Drumming

  • Continue development of piano skills through Matrix Technology

  • Show proficiency in music composition through Garageband