Middle School Instrumental Curriculum

Middle School Instrumental Music: Technique, Teamwork, & Tone

Welcome to the Middle School Instrumental Music program. Building on the foundational skills introduced in Grade 4 (Elementary), our program focuses on developing independent musicians and confident learners. Through a blend of performance, collaboration, and musical exploration, students refine their technique while developing a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Our instruction is fully aligned with the National Core Arts Standards for Music and the Massachusetts Frameworks, ensuring a sequential and well-rounded education that emphasizes not just how to play, but how to listen, create, and connect.

The Band/Orchestra Schedule

Our large group ensemble classes are integrated into the school day, ensuring music is a core part of the student experience.

• Frequency: Classes meet two days out of every four-day rotation.
• Grade 5: Students meet in two separate class periods to focus on consolidating basics.
• Grades 6 & 7: Students combine into a single ensemble to tackle more complex arrangements and ensemble cohesiveness.

The Student Experience

Ensemble students engage in a rich variety of musical experiences designed to strengthen technical skills and foster teamwork. In class, students will:

• Rehearse & Perform: Prepare age-appropriate repertoire for school concerts, festivals, and community events.
• Sight-Read: Practice reading music on the spot to improve fluency.
• Analyze: Learn basic music theory and apply it directly to performance.
• Reflect: Set personal improvement goals and critically evaluate performances.
• Explore: Investigate musical styles from diverse cultures, composers, and time periods.

Learning Goals: A Standards-Based Approach

By the end of Grade 7, our goal is for students to achieve proficiency in four key areas:

1. Performing

• Demonstrate proper instrument technique, posture, and tone production.
• Read and perform music with increasing rhythmic and melodic accuracy.
• Follow a conductor and contribute responsibly to the ensemble.

2. Creating

• Make artistic decisions regarding expression, dynamics, and articulation.
• Apply problem-solving skills to improve individual and group performance.

3. Responding

• Listen critically to rehearsals and performances.
• Identify personal strengths and specific areas for improvement.

4. Connecting

• Relate music learning to personal experiences and other academic subjects.
• Recognize how music reflects specific cultures, histories, and communities.

Tools & Materials

We utilize a variety of tools to support learning, including method books, performance literature, tuners, metronomes, and digital resources for modeling and assessment.

Available Instruments:

• BAND
  • Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Baritone).
  • Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, Baritone Horn, Tuba.
  • Percussion: Comprehensive percussion instruments.

• ORCHESTRA
• Violin, Viola, Cello, String Bass