All Syringa orchestras are under the direction of Mrs. Aly Lindquist

CONCERT DATES:

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CADET ORCHESTRA:

This is a class for 2^nd year* orchestra students only. In 5^th grade, students have the choice of violin, viola, cello, or bass.  Students will use the same instrument as the previous year.  If students are interested in switching, they MUST discuss this with the teacher first.

In Cadet Orchestra, students learn to read music.  We focus on proper posture and basic bowing techniques, as well as building a musical vocabulary.  Students experience playing music that has more than one or two parts.  As their ear develops, they learn how to tune their instrument by ear, as well as how to produce a pleasing tone.  At the end of the year, students audition and are placed in Intermediate or Advanced Orchestra.

*If you missed out on 5th grade orchestra but you'd like to join orchestra at Syringa Middle School,

please email Aly Pedersen to discuss your options.

It's not too late to join!

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INTERMEDIATE ORCHESTRA:

This is a class for 3^rd and 4^th year orchestra students.  Students in this class spend a lot of time focusing on proper playing posture and producing a pleasing tone.  We review vocabulary and techniques from the year before and continue to add to our knowledge.  As we progress, rhythms become more complex, adding more interest to our musical selections.  Students also experience more keys and experiment with major and minor scale, as well as learn how to play with vibrato.

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ADVANCED ORCHESTRA:

This is a class for 3rd and 4th year orchestra students.  Advanced students are expected to be very self-motivated and excited to learn new and challenging techniques!  Advanced techniques like shifting and vibrato are used almost immediately.  Our musical selections include a lot of key changes, time changes, complex rhythms, and dissonant harmonies.  Students focus on adding expressiveness to performances while staying in tune and matching bow strokes with their stand partner.  Individual practice, outside of class, is absolutely necessary for the ensemble to progress.