Mission Attendance Area Orchestra Course Sequence (4th-8th Grade)

4th Grade: Elementary Beginning String Orchestra

This class provides an introduction to the instrument and establishes basics, including music reading, tone production, correct playing techniques, and basic performance techniques. The first meeting of this class will involve an instrument selection process to establish a balanced ensemble. There will be a minimum of two concerts, one in the winter and one in the spring. Classes meet at Hopkins MS once per week for 1 hour, and involve students from all Mission Attendance Area elementary schools (Chadbourne, Gomes, Mission San Jose, and Mission Valley) and Immersion Schools.

5th Grade: Elementary Intermediate String Orchestra

This class is a continuation of Orchestra, picking up from the end of Beginning Strings. It continues with more advanced topics related to music reading, playing techniques, and tone production. There is also a focus on harmony and musical independence. There will be a minimum of two concerts, one in the winter and one in the spring. Classes meet at Hopkins MS once per week for 1 hour, and involve students from all Mission Attendance Area elementary schools and Immersion Schools.

6th Grade: Hopkins 6th Grade Orchestra

This class is a continuation of Intermediate Orchestra, picking up from the end of Intermediate Strings. It continues more detailed refinement of skills including music reading, tone production, and more advanced playing techniques. There is continuing focus on harmony, musical independence, and musicality. Students in this class are expected to perform at a high elementary level. There will be a minimum of two concerts, one in the winter and one in the spring. Class meets at Hopkins MS once per week for 75 minutes.

7th Grade: Hopkins MS Intermediate Orchestra

This class represents the first opportunity for students to have music classes as part of their daily school schedule. Classes meet as part of the regular school schedule for 49 minutes per day. Continuation and refinement of skills such as tone production, ensemble balance, blend, and intonation are focused upon. Also, students learn and master an advanced level of music reading, notation, and theory. This ensemble performs at a very high level, and requires a lot of musical growth during the year. This class is not to be confused with Elementary Intermediate Orchestra, as they are not the same! Intermediate Orchestra performs in a minimum of 3 evening concerts per year, and travels to the local CMEA Orchestra Festival, and a Music in the Parks Festival at Great America in the spring.

8th Grade: Hopkins MS Advanced Orchestra & Full Orchestra

This is the second in the comprehensive Orchestra sequence at Hopkins MS. Classes again meet as part of the regular school schedule for 49 minutes per day. This class continues refinement of all previously learned skills. There is also an introduction of more advanced performance and music reading concepts. This class is designed to prepare students to participate in the orchestra at Mission San Jose High School, and performs at a very high level. Advanced Orchestra performs at a minimum of 3 evening concerts during the year. This ensemble also participates in the spring CMEA Orchestra Festival, and travels to Anaheim, CA (Disneyland) to participate in the Music in the Parks festival in May. Selected students in this class are part of the Hopkins Full Orchestra, where members of Wind Ensemble are brought in to rehearse with the string players. The full orchestra plays at 8th grade promotion and may perform at other concerts. It rehearses after school, generally in the spring semester.