Wood Middle School Orchestra

6th Grade -- Beginning Strings/General Orchestra

This course provides opportunities to begin the study of an orchestral string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). Areas of study include the elements of musical form, terms and symbols for music reading, basic music history and theory, composition, tone production, instrument care and maintenance, and the importance of consistent practice habits.  Students will perform beginning level music publicly and participation in concerts is mandatory.  

Grades 6-8 -- Advanced Orchestra

This course is for intermediate and advanced string players who have previous experience and/or have successfully completed Beginning Strings.  The emphasis is on the continued understanding of instrumental music and development of musical skills to include advanced bowing techniques and shifting.  All students will be eligible to participate in local and state solo and ensemble festivals.  Students will perform MODA Grade I-III music and participation in concerts is mandatory.  Selected sixth grade students with a Reading CRT score in excess of 700 will be exempted from either world studies, science or reading class as the schedule permits.