• BERNER ACADEMIC RESOURCE GUIDE

Middle School Chorus allows students interested in performing music the opportunity to:

• Participate in ensemble singing
• Learn to interpret musical notation, beginning with pitch and rhythm and advancing to interpretive markings, key signatures and time signatures
• Learn proper performance technique including breathing, vowel formation, and vocal diction
• Use solfege for sight reading
• Participate in small group instruction, assessments and concerts in addition to class meetings

Middle School Orchestra continues a student’s growth as individual and ensemble performers. Students continue to:

• Build ensemble skills including timing, tone, and tuning
• Learn to interpret conducting gestures and perform more complicated rhythmic passages
• Perform more challenging repertoire while addressing advanced techniques such as balance, style and articulation.
• Participate in small group lessons that help students develop instrument specific skills such as bowing, 18 intonation and extended range
• Participate in small group instruction, assessments and concerts, in addition to class meetings

Students in General Music will study 20th and 21st century musical styles using a variety of digital tools. Students will:

• Learn to identify styles of music
• Learn to recreate those styles using instruments such as piano and drums as well as digital composition tools
• Refine their music reading skills, focusing on both rhythm and pitch as they perform and compose for instruments.
• Use a variety of musical and nonmusical technology tools for presentation