5th Grade Music Curriculum Framework

  • General Music 5 (All Year – every other day) – The 5th grade general music program is designed to give each student a quality education in the many aspects of music. Included in the course is the brief study of guitar, keyboard and recorders. Students will also gain knowledge in singing, dancing, movement, listening, and playing Orff and rhythm instruments. The program is also designed to enhance learning skills in the SOLs for language arts and social studies. 

    Beginning Band 5 (All Year – every other day) - Students are taught the basics of reading music which includes note names on the staff, note values and simple rhythm patterns. They will apply these reading skills to the instrument which they have been selected to play. Beginning band includes: flute, clarinet; trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, tuba; electric bass; percussion.  ***At the beginning of the second semester, alto saxophone will be offered to clarinet students only, by audition. 

    Each student will be instructed on how to hold the instrument and produce a controlled sound on a limited number of notes necessary to play songs and exercises in their lesson book. Students will improve their playing skills as they gain experience through class instruction and daily practice. Students are required to perform in two concerts per year.  15-20 minutes of practice per night is expected. 

    Beginning Orchestra 5 (All Year – every other day) - Students are taught the basics of reading music, which includes note names on the staff, note values and simple rhythm patterns. They will apply these reading skills to their performances. Each student will be instructed on how to hold the instrument, the bow and how to produce a good sound. All of the students are required to perform in two scheduled concerts. In order to be successful in this class, it is mandatory that each student practice for 90 minutes each week. The students will perform in front of their classmates for all tests. Beginning orchestra instruments include:  violin, viola, cello, and bass.

    Chorus 5 (All Year – every other day) - Students will learn to sing in an ensemble, and will learn proper vocal techniques to help develop their voices and the basic music theory needed to read music. Students will sing and perform music from a variety of music styles. All chorus students are required to attend the spring program