Preston MS Orchestras
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Beginning Orchestra
Beginning 6th Grade Orchestra is designed to teach basic skills to students with little or no previous playing experience, although 6th grade string players of all experience levels may be included in this class. Instruments taught in this class and in the Summer Orchestra Program are violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Students will learn the basics of position, fingering and bowing techniques, ear training, and music reading. Beginning 6th Grade Orchestra students will perform in three evening concerts per year. Sixth grade Orchestra students will have the opportunity to participate in the PSD Solo & Ensemble Festival in second semester.
Concert Orchestra
Concert Orchestra is designed for students with a minimum of one year of playing experience on a stringed instrument. Concert Orchestra builds on the knowledge and skills learned in the first year(s) and challenges the students with higher level performance music. Students will build on the basic skills taught in 6th grade to develop better intonation, intermediate bowing skills, deeper music theory understanding, and to explore higher positions (alternate fingerings). Concert Orchestra students will perform three evening concerts per year. Students will be encouraged to audition for the PSD Honor Orchestra in the second semester as well as to participate in the PSD Solo & Ensemble Festival.
Symphonic Orchestra
Symphonic Orchestra is an advanced level course designed for students with a minimum of two years of playing experience on a stringed instrument. Symphonic Orchestra students have made a conscious decision to make music an integral part of their daily lives. Emphasis is placed on tone quality, expressiveness, unity of the ensemble, higher positions and alternate fingerings, advanced bowing techniques, and a wider variety of musical styles. Students in Symphonic Orchestra will be expected to audition for the PSD Honor Orchestra in second semester as well as strongly encouraged to participate in the PSD Solo & Ensemble Festival. Symphonic Orchestra will perform at three evening concerts during the year as well as two festivals. Students in Symphonic Orchestra will be performing in multiple activities this year.
Jazz Orchestra: Jazz Orchestra is an auditioned orchestra that meets every Thursday afternoon from 3:05 - 4:20 p.m. In the fall students are given music to prepare and then they audition at the end of September. Students that are chosen are then expected to make a year-long commitment to Jazz Orchestra and be in attendance every week for rehearsal. Performances will include our Orchestra concert in December as well as our Just Jazz Desserts Concert/Fundraiser in April. The highlight of our year is in April at the UNC Jazz Festival in Greeley, CO.
Chamber Ensemble: Chamber Ensemble meets during either Purple or Teal 6th period for the entire school year. The students for this ensemble are usually handpicked based upon several factors, including but not limited to: passion for making music, ability to work as a small and dedicated team as well as be able to work without adult input for the majority of the time, will be able to demonstrate the willingness to work together with others and commit to some very intense rehearsals,and have the technique that is required to be a part of this ensemble. Students can be added to this ensemble if they demonstrate all of the above requirements to Mrs. Rangel. Performances for this group will be varied and will not be on the regular calendar because they could be added at any time and possibly be last-minute opportunities. The goal for this group is to become very responsible, mature, and self-motivated within the ensemble.