6th Grade Music Course Guide
Band 6
Band rehearsals are scheduled every other day. In rehearsals, band music will be prepared as an ensemble, with the emphasis on an accurate, musical performance. Small group instruction takes place in sectional lessons scheduled during the school day.
Exams:
Assessment of progress is ongoing. There are four principle means of assessment:
- ·Observed work in sectionals
- ·Mastery of work assigned in sectionals
- ·Tests on band music
- ·Attitude, preparation and contribution in rehearsal
Requirements:
There will be evening concerts in December and May.
Chorus 6
Students will be introduced to a varied choral repertoire, including American music (patriotic music and the tradition of American musical theater), and the music of other cultures. Students will learn to develop vocal ability through breathing exercises and various types of warm-ups. Students will also build music-reading skills, specifically melodic reading and rhythmic reading. A major focus of this course will be the issue of “the individual within a larger ensemble” and how to blend voices appropriately.
Major Projects/Research
Requirements:
There will be evening concerts in December and May.
General Music 6
In General Music, the students will experience and explore music in a variety of settings. The students will work with percussion instruments, electronic keyboards, and guitars. They will also sing music from different cultures. The classes will look at music styles that range from classical music, to world music, contemporary American music, and beyond. Students will also learn about the music business, career opportunities in music, and compare music to other art forms.
Orchestra 6
Orchestra students will have the opportunity to play an array of music from many different time periods and cultures. Through studying this music students will continue to develop skills on their instrument, will have the valuable experience of playing in a musical ensemble and will understand music in relation to the time period and culture during which it was written. Students will further develop the ability to read and understand musical notation and markings, dynamics, time signature and style markings. The ability to describe, analyze, and evaluate music, heard and performed using musical terminology will also be developed. Small group instruction takes place in sectional lessons scheduled during the school day.
Requirements:
There will be evening concerts in December and May.
Other Related Information:
Students are encouraged to participate in the annual New York State School Music Association Solo and Ensemble Festival (NYSSMA) which is held every spring. Forms for signing up are offered to students in January or February, depending on the Festival dates.
Selections for All County Orchestra and the Long Island String Festival Orchestra are submitted to the Nassau Music Educators Association strictly according to the previous year"s NYSSMA score. The NMEA selection committee considers nominations in October and November.