Students progress from beginning to advanced levels of orchestra with auditions as a requirement to determine student's ability and placement for the appropriate level.
Graham has traditionally had three levels of orchestra.
During distance learning, Advanced Orchestra, will take place during 6th period.
Beginning Orchestra is a an entry level class for students who have one year year of experience playing a stringed instrument (violin, viola, cello or string bass) in elementary school in 5th grade or limited and/or no experience or limited background reading music. In this class, students review and build upon the basic foundation for playing a string instrument including developing technique, tone, listening, and playing in ensemble with others. No audition is required. During the 2020-2021 school year, we hope to meet virtually as the strings club. Have fun making new friends and playing a string instrument!
Advanced Orchestra is a class is designed for students who have two or more years of experience. Prior experience in beginning orchestra at Graham or teacher approval is a prerequisite. This course builds upon previously learned aural skills, playing technique, leadership, communication skills and further develops ensemble skills. We will learn new playing and bow techniques in fun music. During the 2020-2021 year, students will perform in virtual concerts and projects demonstrating their knowledge, talent, skills, and character.
It will give the student leadership, organization skills, teamwork, confidence, listening skills, problem solving strategies, cross-curricular advantages in social studies, math, language arts, and self-discipline. Please click on the following articles to see how playing in orchestra will prepare one for skills in college and beyond:
Playing an instrument gives higher executive brain skills than just listening to music (courtesy of common health website)
Playing in an orchestra gives you career benefits courtesy of oxford-royale website.
Reasons why you should join orchestra- courtesy of connolly music
How to listen when tuning and/or how to tune their own instrument.
Executive skills to perform on their instrument with both the bow and left hand.
Performance of rhythmic patterns.
Scales, arpeggios and warm-ups.
Sight-reading music at first sight from easy to progressively difficult levels.
Tunes/Songs in multiple keys.
Bowing patterns and bow distribution for an even melody and tone.
Left hand finger patterns for increasingly complex chromatic patterns and accidentals
Technique for producing a beautiful sound with musicality.
Musical phrases that say something beyond the mere notes.
Cross-curricular connections to visual art, history, cultural/ethnic studies, and language.
How to contribute to and to have a unique voice in the musical community through playing a stringed instrument.
For more resources on string skills, please visit the following website: String Skills