Concert Band
Concert Band is designed primarily for 6th grade band students who have had at least one year of experience on their instrument. Students may also enroll in this class to begin a wind, brass or percussion instrument if there are no scheduling conflicts. Most students in this class will have begun their study in elementary school, but students are encouraged to switch to some of the less familiar instruments such as oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, French horn and tuba. Students work on various genres including symphonic, movie, and popular music. They will develop ensemble playing skills and teamwork along with instrument tuning, sight-reading, music history, and theory in accordance with the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework. Throughout the year, students may have additional opportunities such as the district honor orchestra, all southern and all state honor groups and field trip. The class includes 4 performances. Students may use their own instrument, rent, or borrow one from the school if available.
String Orchestra
The String Orchestra is a year-long course for 6th grade students with experience on the violin, viola, cello or string bass. Students may also start a string instrument as a beginner or switch to a different string instrument if there are no scheduling conflicts. In String Orchestra, students will work towards mastering string music skills such as tuning, bowing articulations, shifting, and learning vibrato. Students also participate in many alternate methods to learning music, including playing percussion instruments, bucket drumming, and composing their own songs. Students have three performances per year, featuring various genres including classical, jazz, fiddle, movie, and popular music. String orchestra will develop ensemble playing skills and teamwork along with sight-reading, music history, and theory in accordance with the California Visual and Performing Arts Framework. Enrichment activities are available for all students, including the IUSD Honor Orchestra, All-Southern, and All-State level Orchestras. Students may use their own instrument, rent, or borrow one from the school if available.
Chorus
This is a yearlong, non-auditioned class. Students will perform a wide variety of music styles including pop, show, traditional, classical and folk. Music theory, sight- reading, proper vocal technique, musicianship and music history are taught and assessed throughout the year.This is in accordance with the Californica Visual and Performing Arts Framework. Drama, movement activities, and the opportunity for solos and small ensembles will also be included during the year. There will be a mandatory evening concert each trimester. Students must be enrolled in this class if they plan to audition for the district middle school honor choir.