F.E. Blog 11

5th Grade Orchestra

I had no idea what to expect from a 5th grade orchestra.  I am impressed that any 5th grader can play a stringed instrument, let alone in an orchestral setting.  It made me a little sad to see that the students had to rehearse in the lunch room.  As a music teacher, I would have loved to see them have their own room with instrument lockers and everything they could ever need.  I found myself in a very real situation: not all music teachers have their own classrooms.  However, the teacher did a great job with the space and it did not seem to bother the students.

The students were preparing for an orchestra concert with other area elementary schools.  They had recently started the music, but seemed to be really catching on.  The teacher taught them the conducting pattern and had them conduct themselves.  I thought this was so cool.  There is no way I would have known a 3 or 4 conducting pattern in elementary school.  These students also had excellent intonation.  I noticed them adjusting their fingering without having to be asked.  The teacher really did not have to tell them fingerings.  She sang to them (even though I know for a fact she is an excellent cellist) and it worked very well.  I realized that I could totally teach an elementary orchestra.  I have the basic string knowledge, I am patient, and I have a good ear.  These are the attributes that this teacher demonstrated, and it seemed to work great for her orchestra.