Instrumental Music

Prerequisites:
Wind – None

Percussion – 2 or more years of keyboard or piano study

Research indicates that the study of a musical instrument can provide significant cognitive, physical, and social benefits for students. At Mounds Park Academy, 5th Grade Band is the entry point for students who choose to study a wind or percussion instrument. In this course, students learn the basic fundamentals of playing a band instrument and performing in an ensemble. These basic skills lay the foundation for continuing development in the coming years of study. Through participation in individual and small group lessons as well as large group rehearsals, students learn the basic fundamentals of music reading, rehearsal etiquette, and proper performance technique on their individual instruments.
 

Beginning a new instrument is an exciting adventure, and one that students in Orchestra 5 will experience this year. Each student has the opportunity to choose between the violin, viola, cello and bass as a part of the larger orchestra. By attending semi-private fifteen-minute lessons each week, as well as rehearsals every other day, students become more confident with playing and performing. This course encourages students to take risks with a new instrument and apply knowledge of note reading from prior music classes. An afternoon of sharing music that students have learned, as well as a culminating concert in May, provides students with a venue to demonstrate the progress made throughout the year.

Prerequisites:

Wind – Range of no experience to 1 year of study on an instrument.

Percussion – 2 or more years of keyboard/piano study

The continued study of a musical instrument boosts confidence and self-esteem in students. Each successful performance results in a sense of achievement and accomplishment. In 6th Grade Band, students continue to develop and advance the skills they began to cultivate in their previous year of study on a band instrument. The students are introduced to more complicated music appropriate to their developing skill level as they continue to refine their tone quality, increase their range, and improve their technical facility. Greater emphasis is placed on playing with proper intonation and balance in the large group setting. Students also work on listening with a more critical ear to improve their own individual playing as well as the group’s overall sound.
 

Developing and honing one’s technique as an instrumentalist requires dedication and practice. These are two skills that are an integral part of Orchestra 6. Studying slurs, multiple finger patterns and key signatures continues to raise the overall level of playing by all students in the orchestra. As the skill level rises in the orchestra, so does the level of difficulty in the music. Adding vibrato to longer notes in rehearsals and weekly semi-private lessons raises the level of musicianship of the orchestra. A December performance, as well as a culminating concert in May, provides students with the opportunity to share the progress they make throughout the course of the year.

Prerequisites: Previous Orchestra experience or private lessons

Cooperation, responsibility and teamwork are important life skills. Orchestra 7/8 emphasizes the importance of the individual as part of the larger ensemble while instilling a sense of inner responsibility on the part of each student. Continuing to develop technique remains at the forefront of rehearsals and weekly small group fifteen-minute lessons. By learning to shift to multiple positions, a higher level of playing is promoted both as an individual and as an ensemble. A December performance, as well as a culminating concert in May, provides students with the opportunity to share the progress they make throughout the course of the year.
 

Prerequisites:
Wind – One to two years previous playing experience on a band instrument or approval of the instructor.

Percussion – 2 or more years of keyboard/piano study

The overall emphasis of 7/8 Band is to help students continue their journey towards becoming strong, independent performers who can make smart musical decisions. More difficult rhythmic patterns, key signatures, and time signatures are introduced as the students continue to develop their playing skills. Students are expected to draw upon their knowledge of previous performances to play in a stylistically appropriate manner, and the increasing complexity of the music encourages part independence. During large group rehearsals, a strong emphasis is placed on playing with proper balance and intonation. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their own performance as well as that of the entire band using critical listening and thinking skills.
 

Prerequisites:
Wind – One to two years previous playing experience on a band instrument or approval of the instructor.

Percussion – 2 or more years of keyboard/piano study

The overall emphasis of 7/8 Band is to help students continue their journey towards becoming strong, independent performers who can make smart musical decisions. More difficult rhythmic patterns, key signatures, and time signatures are introduced as the students continue to develop their playing skills. Students are expected to draw upon their knowledge of previous performances to play in a stylistically appropriate manner, and the increasing complexity of the music encourages part independence. During large group rehearsals, a strong emphasis is placed on playing with proper balance and intonation. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their own performance as well as that of the entire band using critical listening and thinking skills.