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    Instrumental Music

    Goals & Objectives

    The student should be able to:

    1. Demonstrate classroom rehearsal procedures.
    2. Meet individual responsibilities for care and preventative maintenance of a musical instrument.
    3. Demonstrate concert performance procedures, and meet performance obligations as indicated on the school’s comprehensive instrumental music calendar.
    4. Demonstrate basic competencies of instrumental music performance in the areas of tone production, intonation, articulation, range, and memorized scales.
    5. Read and perform appropriate MENC (Music Educators National Conference) grade-level music.
    6. Sight-read appropriate MENC grade-level music.

    MCPS Program of Studies. Instrumental Music, Grades 6-8, P.2

    Music Performance Policy

    Concert Attendance Policy

    Concerts are the culmination of many hours of hard work, and enhance the learning process.  They are a vital part of the course objectives and the grading policy.  Because performances are part of the course objectives, attendance is a requirement.

    Students will be expected to perform in appropriate concert dress:

     Gentlemen  Ladies
    • Solid white shirt, preferably white long-sleeve button-up shirt with collar, black (or dark colored) tie
    • Black dress pants or slacks, black socks, black dress shoes
    •  White blouse
    • Black skirt (knee length or lower) w/ black shoes

    or

    • Black dress pants and black dress shoes

    Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to concert time.

    In order to perform successfully, students must have their necessary equipment in concert-ready condition. This includes gathering music, stands, chairs, soaking reeds, and lubricating valves as well as warming up instrument and tuning with the group. Arriving 30 minutes prior to the concert time allows for this necessary preparation.

    MCPS Performances Opportunities

    Key Middle School students are eligible for several activities run by MCPS and the State of Maryland throughout the school year:

    • Montgomery County Honors Jazz Ensemble (7th and 8th grades)
    • Montgomery County 6th Grade Honors Groups (6th grade only)
    • MCPS Jr. High Honors Groups (7TH and 8th grades)
    • Maryland State Jr. High Honors Groups (7TH and 8th grades)
    • MCPS Solo and Ensemble Festival (6th, 7th and 8th grades)
    • Maryland State Solo and Ensemble Festival (6th, 7th and 8th grades)

    Students are either nominated to participate in auditioning for these events by the director, based on interest, ability, and instrumentation requirements, if any. Further information will be sent home with eligible students as each event approaches. See the Instrumental Music Calendar for dates. Most of these activities have a small cost associated with them

    Instrument Maintenance

    In order for any musical ensemble to be successful, all instruments must be in proper working condition.  Periodic instrument checks will be conducted on all instruments (borrowed, rented, or owned) to ensure that all instruments are working optimally.  During these inspections, any damages or necessary repairs will be noted and parents will be informed.

    Here are some tips to help you properly maintain your instrument:

    • Keep the instrument case free of objects.
    • Always assemble your instrument gently.
    • When not playing, the instrument should be either in the student’s lap or in the case.
    • Keep the instrument clean both inside and out for sanitary reasons and good playing response.  Do not run water through any woodwind instrument.
    • Reed should be stored in a ventilated case (not on the mouthpeice) or they will mold.
    • The student’s name, home address, phone number and school name should be on the case both inside and out.

    It is the student’s responsibility to properly maintain your instrument and to get any necessary repairs completed as soon as any type of damage is noticed on the instrument.  If using an MCPS owned instrument, repairs that are not due to normal wear will be charged to the student in accordance with the MCPS Receipt and Bond Agreement. 

    If instrument repairs become necessary, there are many options available to you in deciding where to take the instrument.  Some factors to consider are:

    • Location
    • Price
    • Amount of time the repair shop will keep the instrument (some shops actually send the instrument away and the process can be very time consuming)
    • Availability of a “loaner” instrument until the repair is completed
    • Reputation