ORCHESTRA
Course Description
String Orchestra I 0673 & 0790
This course is designed for students who exhibit an interest in learning how to play the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. In most cases the student will need to provide his/her own instrument and be committed to achieving an established level of performance commensurate with being placed in an advanced orchestra during his/her second year of performing.
String Orchestra II 0674 & 0791 & 0482
This course is designed for those string performers who have completed one or more years of study. Students will be placed appropriately according to instrument selection and/or playing proficiency.
String Orchestra III 0792 & 0483
This course is offered to those students who wish to study orchestral literature and who have attained a certain level of performance capability. Members of this organization will perform at UIL competitions and at concerts, and should be prepared to spend time outside of the school day preparing for these performances.
This course is designed for students who exhibit an interest in learning how to play the violin, viola, cello, or string bass. In most cases the student will need to provide his/her own instrument and be committed to achieving an established level of performance commensurate with being placed in an advanced orchestra during his/her second year of performing.
String Orchestra II 0674 & 0791 & 0482
This course is designed for those string performers who have completed one or more years of study. Students will be placed appropriately according to instrument selection and/or playing proficiency.
String Orchestra III 0792 & 0483
This course is offered to those students who wish to study orchestral literature and who have attained a certain level of performance capability. Members of this organization will perform at UIL competitions and at concerts, and should be prepared to spend time outside of the school day preparing for these performances.
F.A.Q.
String Orchestra – FAQ
1. What does String Orchestra have to offer the “Tex” Hill Student?
String orchestra offers students the opportunity to learn a stringed instrument in an ensemble setting with friends and peers. Involvement in orchestra provides opportunity for creative expression and enrichment in a student’s life. Orchestra students develop an understanding of responsibility, self-discipline, social skills, confidence, leadership, being a team player, and taking pride in hard work and accomplishments.
Countless research studies have shown the cross-curricular benefits of being involved in fine arts and music classes. Musical training has shown correlations with improvements in test scores, language development, reasoning skills, spatial intelligence, and problem solving. In addition, music training helps reinforce the values of excellence, sustained effort, teamwork, and discipline.
2. Who is my orchestra director?
Ms. Jennifer McKeeman (Phone: (210) 356-8046 and email: [email protected])
3. When does orchestra class meet?
Orchestra meets every day for 45 min. as one of a student’s classes during the school day.
4. Who will be in my orchestra class?
Students in orchestra will attend class with their peers and friends studying at their same level. All beginners (regardless of instrument) study together in a beginner class period.
5. What is the “Tex” Hill Orchestra mission statement?
The “Tex” Hill Orchestra Program will provide students with a variety of meaningful musical experiences that will facilitate outstanding musical achievement and excellence.
6. Does my child need prior musical experience to take orchestra?
No experience needed! If a student has never played before or has very little experience, all of the skills regarding correct instrument technique, music reading skills, and musical expression will be taught from scratch and reinforced. There are students in the “Tex” Hill Orchestra at all levels of experience. Students with slightly more experience will be met at their level to continue their musical learning forward.
7. What instruments are offered and how do I choose one?
String Orchestra offers study of violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Students who have not previously chosen their instrument in 5th grade strings will receive a letter inviting them up to the Tex Hill Orchestra room to try and pick their instrument.
Harp is also an option for students, however harp spaces are limited. Choosing harp also requires private lessons from our district harp teacher in order to study the instrument. Please contact me for more information if your child is interested in playing harp!
8. What are the different orchestra levels?
Students who are new to the Tex Hill Orchestra program and playing a stringed instrument will be placed in one of the following groups:
9. How do I sign up for Orchestra?
Students usually receive their top two choice sheet choices. Therefore, to sign up for Orchestra, put a “1” or “2” next to the correct Orchestra course on the course selection sheet.
10. How is grading calculated for orchestra?
20% - Daily Work/Performance and Rehearsal Participation
20% - Homework Quizzes
20% - Playing Tests
40% - Concerts/Performances
11. Is there a time commitment outside of class for orchestra activities?
Students are required to attend and perform evening concerts as their “nine weeks test” for their Orchestra course. There are typically two concerts per semester. Occasional after school rehearsals are scheduled for 6th grade students in preparation for concerts.
12. Does Orchestra participate in special events/competitions?
Students in orchestra have the opportunity to compete in solo and ensemble competition and Region Orchestra Auditions at all levels of playing. Advanced (7th and 8th grade) orchestra also have the opportunity to compete in UIL Concert and Sight Reading Competition and collaboration with the Johnson High School Varsity Orchestra.
13. What field trips are available to students who take orchestra?
Students of all grades will be offered the opportunity to go on social and/or competitive field trips as an orchestra! So far the 6th graders this year have . The 7th and 8th graders will be attending a music competition and festival in New Braunfels before also spending the day at Schlitterbahn!
Please contact me with any further questions!
Jennifer McKeeman
[email protected]
(210) 356-8046
1. What does String Orchestra have to offer the “Tex” Hill Student?
String orchestra offers students the opportunity to learn a stringed instrument in an ensemble setting with friends and peers. Involvement in orchestra provides opportunity for creative expression and enrichment in a student’s life. Orchestra students develop an understanding of responsibility, self-discipline, social skills, confidence, leadership, being a team player, and taking pride in hard work and accomplishments.
Countless research studies have shown the cross-curricular benefits of being involved in fine arts and music classes. Musical training has shown correlations with improvements in test scores, language development, reasoning skills, spatial intelligence, and problem solving. In addition, music training helps reinforce the values of excellence, sustained effort, teamwork, and discipline.
2. Who is my orchestra director?
Ms. Jennifer McKeeman (Phone: (210) 356-8046 and email: [email protected])
3. When does orchestra class meet?
Orchestra meets every day for 45 min. as one of a student’s classes during the school day.
4. Who will be in my orchestra class?
Students in orchestra will attend class with their peers and friends studying at their same level. All beginners (regardless of instrument) study together in a beginner class period.
5. What is the “Tex” Hill Orchestra mission statement?
The “Tex” Hill Orchestra Program will provide students with a variety of meaningful musical experiences that will facilitate outstanding musical achievement and excellence.
6. Does my child need prior musical experience to take orchestra?
No experience needed! If a student has never played before or has very little experience, all of the skills regarding correct instrument technique, music reading skills, and musical expression will be taught from scratch and reinforced. There are students in the “Tex” Hill Orchestra at all levels of experience. Students with slightly more experience will be met at their level to continue their musical learning forward.
7. What instruments are offered and how do I choose one?
String Orchestra offers study of violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Students who have not previously chosen their instrument in 5th grade strings will receive a letter inviting them up to the Tex Hill Orchestra room to try and pick their instrument.
Harp is also an option for students, however harp spaces are limited. Choosing harp also requires private lessons from our district harp teacher in order to study the instrument. Please contact me for more information if your child is interested in playing harp!
8. What are the different orchestra levels?
Students who are new to the Tex Hill Orchestra program and playing a stringed instrument will be placed in one of the following groups:
- Beginning Orchestra = This orchestra is for all students starting their first year of study on an instrument.
- Advanced Beginning Orchestra = While still a beginning ensemble, these students have had previous experience in the 5th grade strings program.
9. How do I sign up for Orchestra?
Students usually receive their top two choice sheet choices. Therefore, to sign up for Orchestra, put a “1” or “2” next to the correct Orchestra course on the course selection sheet.
10. How is grading calculated for orchestra?
20% - Daily Work/Performance and Rehearsal Participation
20% - Homework Quizzes
20% - Playing Tests
40% - Concerts/Performances
11. Is there a time commitment outside of class for orchestra activities?
Students are required to attend and perform evening concerts as their “nine weeks test” for their Orchestra course. There are typically two concerts per semester. Occasional after school rehearsals are scheduled for 6th grade students in preparation for concerts.
12. Does Orchestra participate in special events/competitions?
Students in orchestra have the opportunity to compete in solo and ensemble competition and Region Orchestra Auditions at all levels of playing. Advanced (7th and 8th grade) orchestra also have the opportunity to compete in UIL Concert and Sight Reading Competition and collaboration with the Johnson High School Varsity Orchestra.
13. What field trips are available to students who take orchestra?
Students of all grades will be offered the opportunity to go on social and/or competitive field trips as an orchestra! So far the 6th graders this year have . The 7th and 8th graders will be attending a music competition and festival in New Braunfels before also spending the day at Schlitterbahn!
Please contact me with any further questions!
Jennifer McKeeman
[email protected]
(210) 356-8046