So, What happens next year?
current 4th grade -
Hey 4th grade - you get the oppotunity to join orchestra next year as a 5th grader!! What an exciting time for you. Orchestra is a class that you can learn to play the violin, viola, or cello. You don't have to have any experience playing an instrument. I will tell you that playing a string instrument is not the easiest thing in the world, but with practice and patience you can do it, just like our current class. I hope you give our group a try.
Orchestra at WIS is during the spotlight time. I will see you for one small group instruction time with like instruments, and one time with the full group - on Thursday's. That is pretty amazing!
current 5th grade -
Hey 5th grade - you get to move on to 6th grade orchestra at IMMS! We will continue to learn about our instruments and begin to work in harmony. To this point we have played in unison, or all one part. We will begin to play different parts together. This will take more concentration and effort, but you will be ready for it.
Orchestra will also be a class of its own. You won't be missing out on class work. Orchestra will meet every other day on the day 1 or 2 schedule at IMMS. You will miss recess once a week for your small group instruction!
You can choose to play in band and sing in choir along with playing in orchestra. While it takes a dedicated student to participate in all 3 classes, it can be done!! 2 is certainly doable and encouraged if you are interested.
current 6th grade -
Hey 6th grade - You will continue to work on D - G - and C major. We'll also add in some other accidentals to your music and possibly a new key or two. Your harmonies will get trickier and yet more fun! In 6th grade you will be required to work on a solo for solo night in November and will choose if you want to play it for contest in March!!
Orchestra will also be a class of its own. Orchestra will meet every other day on the Day 1 - 2 schedule at IMMS. You will miss recess once a week for your small group instruction.
Next year you will be required to choose orchestra as an elective with a lot of other choices. Remember that orchestra can be a life long experience. You can choose to take orchestra and one other music along with a foreign language. If you have questions regarding what classes to pick, ask me and we'll work through the choices with your parents. Always remember that the McFarland music department stands together with their students.
current 7th grade -
Hey 7th grade - This year you will meet for orchestra on Day 1 or 2. We will continue to work in the keys of C, G, and D, but will begin to throw in more accidentals and harmonies. The pace of our music will pick up a bit too!
This year you are required to work on a solo for solo night in November and can choose to perform that solo for contest in March. You will be judged on your own personal performance of the appropriate piece that we have chosen for you!
Next year you have the opportunity to again play in orchestra as an elective. I hope you choose to. There's no reason to quit now!
current 8th grade -
Hey 8th grade - This year you will meet for orchestra on Day 2 as a whole grade level. We will continue to work in the keys of C, G, and D, but will begin to throw in more accidentals and harmonies. We will also work on shifting, vibrato and more techniques. The pace of our music will pick up a bit too!
This year you are required to work on a solo for solo festival in November and the opportunity to perform that solo for contest in March. You will be judged on your own personal performance of the appropriate piece that we have chosen for you!
Next year you head to high school and have the opportunity to again play in orchestra. I hope you choose to. There's no reason to quit now! Just think of what you have accomplished. You will join the Chamber Strings.
high school students -
Wow! 9th and 10th graders will register for Chamber Strings. We continue to work on string skills and continue to grow in our musicality. Students are required to participate in solo and ensemble festival at the district festival in March. You may choose your own piece of music (there is a list of possible pieces) and your own group if you do an ensemble.
11th and 12th grade students will register for Philharmonic Orchestra and continue to make more strides in the orchestra world!
In college you'll be ready to take on the college orchestra and all it holds for you!
Hey 4th grade - you get the oppotunity to join orchestra next year as a 5th grader!! What an exciting time for you. Orchestra is a class that you can learn to play the violin, viola, or cello. You don't have to have any experience playing an instrument. I will tell you that playing a string instrument is not the easiest thing in the world, but with practice and patience you can do it, just like our current class. I hope you give our group a try.
Orchestra at WIS is during the spotlight time. I will see you for one small group instruction time with like instruments, and one time with the full group - on Thursday's. That is pretty amazing!
current 5th grade -
Hey 5th grade - you get to move on to 6th grade orchestra at IMMS! We will continue to learn about our instruments and begin to work in harmony. To this point we have played in unison, or all one part. We will begin to play different parts together. This will take more concentration and effort, but you will be ready for it.
Orchestra will also be a class of its own. You won't be missing out on class work. Orchestra will meet every other day on the day 1 or 2 schedule at IMMS. You will miss recess once a week for your small group instruction!
You can choose to play in band and sing in choir along with playing in orchestra. While it takes a dedicated student to participate in all 3 classes, it can be done!! 2 is certainly doable and encouraged if you are interested.
current 6th grade -
Hey 6th grade - You will continue to work on D - G - and C major. We'll also add in some other accidentals to your music and possibly a new key or two. Your harmonies will get trickier and yet more fun! In 6th grade you will be required to work on a solo for solo night in November and will choose if you want to play it for contest in March!!
Orchestra will also be a class of its own. Orchestra will meet every other day on the Day 1 - 2 schedule at IMMS. You will miss recess once a week for your small group instruction.
Next year you will be required to choose orchestra as an elective with a lot of other choices. Remember that orchestra can be a life long experience. You can choose to take orchestra and one other music along with a foreign language. If you have questions regarding what classes to pick, ask me and we'll work through the choices with your parents. Always remember that the McFarland music department stands together with their students.
current 7th grade -
Hey 7th grade - This year you will meet for orchestra on Day 1 or 2. We will continue to work in the keys of C, G, and D, but will begin to throw in more accidentals and harmonies. The pace of our music will pick up a bit too!
This year you are required to work on a solo for solo night in November and can choose to perform that solo for contest in March. You will be judged on your own personal performance of the appropriate piece that we have chosen for you!
Next year you have the opportunity to again play in orchestra as an elective. I hope you choose to. There's no reason to quit now!
current 8th grade -
Hey 8th grade - This year you will meet for orchestra on Day 2 as a whole grade level. We will continue to work in the keys of C, G, and D, but will begin to throw in more accidentals and harmonies. We will also work on shifting, vibrato and more techniques. The pace of our music will pick up a bit too!
This year you are required to work on a solo for solo festival in November and the opportunity to perform that solo for contest in March. You will be judged on your own personal performance of the appropriate piece that we have chosen for you!
Next year you head to high school and have the opportunity to again play in orchestra. I hope you choose to. There's no reason to quit now! Just think of what you have accomplished. You will join the Chamber Strings.
high school students -
Wow! 9th and 10th graders will register for Chamber Strings. We continue to work on string skills and continue to grow in our musicality. Students are required to participate in solo and ensemble festival at the district festival in March. You may choose your own piece of music (there is a list of possible pieces) and your own group if you do an ensemble.
11th and 12th grade students will register for Philharmonic Orchestra and continue to make more strides in the orchestra world!
In college you'll be ready to take on the college orchestra and all it holds for you!