OXFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS
6th Grade Orchestras
Oxford Middle School has two 6th Grade orchestras distinguished by level:
Our 6th Grade Beginning Orchestra welcomes students who have one year or less experience on a stringed instrument. This class is for beginners or those relatively new to their instruments, but does move at a fast pace. Focuses of 6th Grade Beginning Orchestra are fundamentals such as note reading, rhythms, musical styles, right and left hand techniques, basic major/minor scales, care and tuning of instruments, vocabulary and tone production. 6th Grade Orchestra participates in three concerts per school year and they join the 6th Grade concert Orchestra for two of those performances.
Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests. Orchestra requires a commitment of practice time outside of class, but the time and effort quickly turns into results and success!
The 6th Grade Concert Orchestra welcomes students who have more than one year experience playing on a stringed instrument. Students will continue their progress on their instruments while reinforcing a strong foundation of technique and musicality. 6th Grade Concert Orchestra participates in three concerts per school year.
Note reading, rhythms, musical styles, right and left hand techniques, basic major/minor scales, intonation, musical interpretation, care and tuning of instruments, vocabulary and tone production are objectives taught in this class. Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests.
Our 6th Grade Beginning Orchestra welcomes students who have one year or less experience on a stringed instrument. This class is for beginners or those relatively new to their instruments, but does move at a fast pace. Focuses of 6th Grade Beginning Orchestra are fundamentals such as note reading, rhythms, musical styles, right and left hand techniques, basic major/minor scales, care and tuning of instruments, vocabulary and tone production. 6th Grade Orchestra participates in three concerts per school year and they join the 6th Grade concert Orchestra for two of those performances.
Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests. Orchestra requires a commitment of practice time outside of class, but the time and effort quickly turns into results and success!
The 6th Grade Concert Orchestra welcomes students who have more than one year experience playing on a stringed instrument. Students will continue their progress on their instruments while reinforcing a strong foundation of technique and musicality. 6th Grade Concert Orchestra participates in three concerts per school year.
Note reading, rhythms, musical styles, right and left hand techniques, basic major/minor scales, intonation, musical interpretation, care and tuning of instruments, vocabulary and tone production are objectives taught in this class. Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests.
7th Grade Orchestra
Orchestra students can continue their study in 7th Grade. At the 7th Grade level the students begin to learn more advanced topics and have an increased amount of performance opportunities. 7th Grade Orchestra develops string players to gain a mastery of fundamentals while progressing towards more advanced string playing technique, ensemble playing skills, musical artistry and appreciation of music in society.
Topics covered in 7th Grade Orchestra consist of, rhythms, musical styles, right and left hand techniques, shifting, major/minor scales, intonation, tuning, musical interpretation, ensemble, professionalism, vocabulary, music periods, and music genres.
7th Grade Orchestra members participate in five performances every school year. In addition to a Fall, Winter, and Spring performance, 7th Grade Orchestra performs for the annual MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) festival. In preparation for this festival the orchestra participates in a pre-festival concert and a special orchestra workshop at the Oxford High School Performing Arts Center.
In addition to school performances, the 7th Grade and 8th grade orchestra members can combine for a special ensemble that travels to Mackinac Island to participate in the Mackinac Island Music Clinic every year in May. This is an overnight trip that is enjoyed immensely by all who participate! Parents are encouraged to join as chaperones! OMS Orchestras runs two fundraisers per year that are devoted to raising money for orchestra supplies, music, instruments, and for students to earn money to use towards their trip to Mackinac.
Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests as well as other activities and assignments. Orchestra requires a commitment of practice time outside of class, but the time and effort quickly turns into results and success!
Topics covered in 7th Grade Orchestra consist of, rhythms, musical styles, right and left hand techniques, shifting, major/minor scales, intonation, tuning, musical interpretation, ensemble, professionalism, vocabulary, music periods, and music genres.
7th Grade Orchestra members participate in five performances every school year. In addition to a Fall, Winter, and Spring performance, 7th Grade Orchestra performs for the annual MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) festival. In preparation for this festival the orchestra participates in a pre-festival concert and a special orchestra workshop at the Oxford High School Performing Arts Center.
In addition to school performances, the 7th Grade and 8th grade orchestra members can combine for a special ensemble that travels to Mackinac Island to participate in the Mackinac Island Music Clinic every year in May. This is an overnight trip that is enjoyed immensely by all who participate! Parents are encouraged to join as chaperones! OMS Orchestras runs two fundraisers per year that are devoted to raising money for orchestra supplies, music, instruments, and for students to earn money to use towards their trip to Mackinac.
Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests as well as other activities and assignments. Orchestra requires a commitment of practice time outside of class, but the time and effort quickly turns into results and success!
8th Grade Orchestra
The 8th Grade Orchestra is designed to refine one’s study of a stringed instrument. Emphasis in this level of orchestra in placed on beauty of sound, tone, vibrato, articulation, dynamics, expression, advanced bow techniques, shifting, pitch and tuning, playing in an ensemble, and interpreting music. This class prepares students for success at the high school level and really stresses an identity of team work and collaboration.
8th Grade Orchestra members participate in five performances every school year. In addition to a Fall, Winter, and Spring performance, 8th Grade Orchestra performs for the annual MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) festival. In preparation for this festival the orchestra participates in a pre-festival concert and a special orchestra workshop at the Oxford High School Fine Arts Center.
In addition to school performances, the 7th grade and 8th grade orchestra members can combine for a special ensemble that travels to Mackinac Island to participate in the Mackinac Island Music Clinic every year in May. This is an overnight trip that is enjoyed immensely by all who participate.Parents are encouraged to join as chaperones. OMS Orchestras runs two fundraisers per year that are devoted to raising money for orchestra supplies, music, instruments, and for students to earn money to use towards their trip to Mackinac.
Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests as well as other activities and assignments. Orchestra requires a commitment of practice time outside of class, but the time and effort quickly turns into results and success!
8th Grade Orchestra members participate in five performances every school year. In addition to a Fall, Winter, and Spring performance, 8th Grade Orchestra performs for the annual MSBOA (Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association) festival. In preparation for this festival the orchestra participates in a pre-festival concert and a special orchestra workshop at the Oxford High School Fine Arts Center.
In addition to school performances, the 7th grade and 8th grade orchestra members can combine for a special ensemble that travels to Mackinac Island to participate in the Mackinac Island Music Clinic every year in May. This is an overnight trip that is enjoyed immensely by all who participate.Parents are encouraged to join as chaperones. OMS Orchestras runs two fundraisers per year that are devoted to raising money for orchestra supplies, music, instruments, and for students to earn money to use towards their trip to Mackinac.
Students are graded on daily class performance, having supplies during class, attendance/tardies, practice records, and playing tests as well as other activities and assignments. Orchestra requires a commitment of practice time outside of class, but the time and effort quickly turns into results and success!