Middle School

*Please note that for the 2008-2009 school year, 8th grade students are members of Concert Orchestra and all inquiries pertaining to 8th grade orchestra students should be referred to the Concert Orchestra page.

Students in 6th and 7th grade that have been continuously involved in orchestra have the option of choosing to continue in orchestra as their fine arts/electives course.  Students in middle school have more options than in lower school, so 6th grade students especially are cautioned in their electives choice.  Students who leave orchestra may not be able to return later, as they tend to fall greatly behind the rest of the students who continue.

Middle School Orchestra class will occur Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday each week during 5th Period, from 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. each week (no orchestra on chapel day schedules).  This will be a combined class of 6th and 7th grade students, concentrating on moving to the next performance level and expanding their instrumental and ensemble skills.  The Middle School Orchestra will perform approximately three to four times per school year, participating in Grandparent's Day, Christmas Spectacular, and the Southern Star Music Festival.  The Southern Star Music Festival is a local festival that will involve performing off campus on a Friday, then heading to Six Flags Over Georgia on the following Saturday for a day of fun followed by an evening awards ceremony where our ratings and comments are given.

Students in Middle School Orchestra will continue to place emphasis on preparing their individual musicality to enhance their ensemble's overall performance.  Students should keep a healthy practice habit at home and work towards performing their music with little to no mistakes.  Beginning in 2008-2009, middle school students will be evaluated on performing tests to determine practice record assignments.  Students achieving a 95 or better on performance tests will be exempt from turning in practice records for a given period of time (until next performance test).  Students achieving 94 or below will be required to turn in weekly practice records for a given period of time.  This places emphasis on getting the job done musically, rather than meeting the weekly quota of 120 minutes. Some students need less practice time, and some students need a bit more.  However, the emphasis should always be whether or not the student can adequately and sufficiently perform their concert music.

It will be necessary to receive and thoroughly read through the Middle School Orchestra Handbook as there are pages at the back that need to be filled out and returned by August 22nd.

Required Materials for Middle School Orchestra:

• A suitable instrument, bow, and case (If a student has had the same bow for at least a year, it should either be swapped out if it is a fiberglass/Glasser bow, or rehaired if it is a wooden/carbon graphite bow.)
• A spare set of strings - Thomastik Dominant or equivalent set of all four strings for correct size instrument (to be kept in case for when a string breaks).  This is not optional.  (If a student has had the same strings for at least a year, a 2nd set of strings should be purchased to be replaced on the instrument.  This can be done at school by the orchestra teacher.  Old strings that are not broken or frayed may be reserved for "in case of emergencies.")
• 1 inch 3-ring black notebook with at least 10 sheet protectors (low/no glare) for keeping sheet music
• Essential Technique for Strings 2000 Book 3 (Green trim) for student's instrument
• Instrument accessories: Kun, Viva, or similar shoulder rest for violin/viola; rockstop for cello/bass (sponge shoulder rests do not provide necessary stability for violin/viola students)  *Some violin/viola students find a clip-on shoulder rest bag to be convenient when the shoulder rest will not fit inside the student's case
• Pencil for marking music
• Rosin (usually included with rental instrument)

Remember the importance to keep the instrument & bow away from siblings or other people who are not familiar with how to care for string instruments.  Also be sure to keep instrument & bow away from extreme heat or cold - always keep at room temperature.  The orchestra teacher is able to fix minor maintenance issues such as a fallen bridge, loose strings or replacing broken strings.  Any instrument that needs minor repairs should be taken to the teacher first. Broken bridges, fallen soundposts or other major damage needs to be taken to the music store's repair department.

Music is a lifelong investment, so parent-teacher communication is essential along the journey.  Please contact Audra Boyd should you have any questions or concerns.