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In 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, students have Conservatory twice a week. All 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in the school meet at the same time for Conservatory and choose from one of six different mixed-grade level Conservatory class options for the duration of the school year:
Band
Band
6th, 7th, and 8th grade Band offers students who play wind and percussion instruments the chance to further develop their instrumental and musical skills both individually and in a larger ensemble.
In this class students will:
Learn new key signatures
Read rhythms, pitches, and musical markings
Perform higher level/more challenging repertoire.
Performance Opportunities:
Winter Concert
Spring Concert
Prerequisite:
Students should have some prior experience on a band instrument (woodwinds, brass, or percussion) or have taken 5th grade band.
Orchestra
Orchestra
6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Orchestra continues building on the skills that string students learned in 5th Grade Orchestra. Repertoire includes St. Anthony's Chorale, Theme from Water Music, Song Without Words, as well as popular songs from around the world.
In this class students will:
develop beginning to intermediate-level orchestral repertoire
Learn new key signatures, rhythmic patterns, and positions
Learn techniques and skills required for an ensemble with several parts.
Performance Opportunities:
Winter Concert
Spring Concert
Prerequisite:
Students should have some prior experience on an orchestra instrument (violin, viola, cello, or upright bass) or have taken 5th grade orchestra.
Chorus
Chorus
6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Chorus is open to all students who want to sing. The chorus works on a wide range of repertoire representing many of the cultures of our Brookline students and beyond. Through the global tradition of choral singing, students learn a variety of musical styles from different parts of the world and different eras.
In this class students will:
develop their ability to sing with healthy vocal technique
read rhythms, pitches and musical markings common in music
express themselves through singing
improve their ability to sing in multiple parts (3-4 part harmony)
Performance Opportunities:
Students have the opportunity to sing in multiple concerts, including the Town-Wide Choral Concert in which middle school students from across the district and Brookline High students perform together.
Prerequisite:
A love of singing is the only prerequisite.
Guitar/Ukulele
Guitar/Ukulele
Guitar/Ukulele class covers the fundamentals of guitar and ukulele.
It is perfect for students with no prior guitar or ukulele experience, or those with some experience who want to learn more about the basics of the instrument and how to play both solo and in an ensemble. Students will learn how to play songs from different styles and genres, and have the chance to create their own compositions, writing songs individually and as a group.
In this class students will:
Learn the basics of the guitar and/or the ukulele
Learn to read tablature, chord charts, and standard notation
Learn basic chord voicing
Strumming patterns/ fingerstyle techniques
Performance Opportunities:
In-Class Presentations
Prerequisite:
None
Music Exploration
Music Exploration
Music Exploration is a lively and fun class that engages students in a wide variety of ways to learn about and create music. This is a great class for students who want exposure to many different aspects of music.
Students will experience different musical styles from around the world and get to learn how to compose, play and improvise on keyboards, melodicas, and other instruments. Students with any experience on other instruments or singing will also have the opportunity to develop their prior experience in class. In addition, students will explore music history, reflecting on what makes music work, how music has developed and changed over time, and its role in society and culture.
In this class students will:
Learn how to play and improvise on the blues
Create original songs
Learn contemporary songs
Learn and use music technology programs
Engage in other music making activities such as hand drumming
Learn and reflect on music history and it's impact on our culture
Performance Opportunities:
In-Class Presentations
Prerequisite:
None
Music Production
Music Production
(7th and 8th grade only)
(7th and 8th grade only)
Music Production introduces students to electronic music and recording.
Students will learn through the use of Soundtrap, an online DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). They will also learn about the sociocultural and historical context and influence of music technology on different genres of music. Students will present their musical compositions and projects to their peers in class and reflect on their music making.
In this class students will:
Explore musical composition, songwriting, form, arranging, genre, and literacy through digital music and class discussion.
Learn to use and make loops and samples, input music, work with MIDI and audio files
Listen to and analyze several different musical genres
Record and edit live performances
Create and arrange their own musical compositions
Performance Opportunities:
In-Class Presentations
Prerequisite:
7th and 8th grade only
For more information, please visit our 6-8 Conservatory Frequently Asked Questions page at this link.
(for violin, viola, cello & upright bass)
(for trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute & percussion)
Link to Needs-Based Financial Assistance Form for Instrument Rental
Link to Needs-Based Financial Assistance Form for Instrument Rental
Please read the rental letter and if you require needs-based financial assistance to cover the cost of instrument rental please click here and fill out the needs-based financial assistance instrument request form:
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