Middle School Fine Arts

Fine Arts Course Offerings in Middle School

In the middle school, the fine arts curriculum is designed to build upon the foundations of arts education cultivated in the lower school years. Students in grade 6 begin this building process by choosing one fine arts course in which to specialize for an entire year. This enables students to develop set of specific performance techniques, skills, and literacy in a given medium while continuing to build their aesthetic sensitivity as an individual. While only one fine arts course is required, students with an affinity for the arts are often able to fit two fine arts electives into their schedule in grade 6.

Fine Arts electives available to students in grade 6 include:

ACT 2 (drama group by audition only)
Band (expand the section below to learn more about the program and instruments)
Choir (expand the section below to learn more about the program)
Intro to Broadcasting
Orchestra (expand the section below to learn more about the program and instruments)
Theatre
Visual Art

Regardless of their God-given talents, our curriculum aims to provide every middle school student at CCS with a comprehensive arts education experience that will prepare them for the path God has for them in upper school and beyond.

Be a Part of the Music

All Charlotte Christian School grade 5 students are currently selecting their fine arts elective for the next school year. Band, choir, and orchestra are electives that meet every other day during normal school hours. The classes focus on developing fundamental vocal skills or performance skills on a beginning band or orchestra instrument while teaching students how to read notes and rhythms. The classes take commitment but are rewarding and enjoyable.

This page contains information about sixth grade beginning band, choir, and orchestra at Charlotte Christian School and is designed to help you and your child make an informed decision about whether music is a good fit for them and, if they choose band or orchestra, which instrument they most want to play.

Why is Music Important?

Band, choir and orchestra are popular choices with grade 6 students and most student musicians are extremely successful, but these classes aren't necessarily for every child. These are the four characteristics that our most successful student musicians typically embody:

FOCUS - Successful band, choir, and orchestra students are self motivated to focus in class and at home on mastering performance skills and reading music. Student musicians must be focused enough in class to follow directions easily in a classroom environment that is fast paced and driven enough at home to set personal practice goals and follow through until they are met.
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT - Our most successful band, choir, and orchestra students are typically A and A/B honor roll students who understand the importance of developing good study habits and completing assignments on time. A large part of learning to play an instrument is learning to read music, which takes dedicated study time at home the first few months of band, choir, and orchestra.
DEDICATION - Our most successful band, choir, and orchestra students are dedicated to regular practice at home. There is no substitute for good practice habits, whether it be on an instrument, on the athletic field or in the dance studio, and student musicians who don't practice at home don't make progress in class.
A LOVE OF MUSIC - Our most successful band, choir, and orchestra students love music! If your child enjoys listening to, performing, and learning about music, band, choir, or orchestra may be a great fit for them.

Although it is not a requirement, we find that students who currently take private lessons on piano typically make excellent student musicians in middle school.

Beginning band, choir, and orchestra students at Charlotte Christian School are some of the most involved and well-rounded students on our campus. Many of them are actively involved in athletics, cheer, dance, martial arts, scouting, church youth group and other co-curricular activities. We find that co-curricular activities do not interfere with band, choir, or orchestra as long as students are able to set aside 15-20 minutes to practice at home on 3-4 days a week.

If your student embodies the characteristics described above, music is likely a great option for their fine arts elective next year and hope you choose to be a part of the music at Charlotte Christian School!

Choosing the Right Ensemble and Instrument

It is a common misconception that any student can sing or play a musical instrument well if they just work hard enough. While a strong work ethic is definitely a requirement for any successful musician, every student has physical characteristics that make them better suited for some instruments or singing and less suited for others. Therefore, it is important to match students with the right ensemble and instrument on which they will have the greatest chance of success. Please read the information below to help guide your student in the selection of a music ensemble and instrument best suited for them.

Be advised that choir is for both boys and girls and there is no such thing as a "boy" or "girl" instrument. Research conducted on the effect that a person's gender has on their success singing or playing one instrument over another has yielded no evidence that boys sing or play better on some instruments and girls perform better on others. What research does show, however, is that boys and girls who make good grades in their academic classes, have the self-discipline to focus their attention in class, and practice their music regularly at home are almost assured a successful and enjoyable band, choir, or orchestra experience.

Renting vs. Buying Instruments

The use of a good quality instrument that is in good playing condition is vital to the success of every beginning band and orchestra student. Be warned that you truly do get what you pay for when it comes to musical instruments. If you come across a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Much like your family automobile, a quality beginning band or orchestra instrument must be durable, dependable, and able to be serviced for routine maintenance and unexpected accidents. You purchase your car and have it serviced by those who specialize in automobiles. Likewise, you should purchase or rent your child’s beginning band or orchestra instrument from a retailer who specializes in musical instruments. Wholesale discount stores do not specialize in the sale of quality instruments nor do they offer service and repair on the instruments they sell. Music & Arts Center and Howren Music are examples of retailers in this area that specialize in musical instruments for band and orchestra students.

Appropriate beginning band instruments are available from many sources:

Buying outright. If you're sure your child will like playing music and will want to stay with THAT INSTRUMENT, you could purchase one outright. However instruments that are appropriate for school band and orchestra use are not inexpensive, and it's difficult to tell which model will be right for the long term until the student has played at least a few months.
Renting. Renting gives the child (and parents) time to see how they like playing music, consider whether their chosen instrument is the best fit, and consider what type of instrument is right for the longer term. The music teacher knows and usually advises beginners' parents where they can rent a quality instrument, considering not just the cost and quality of the instruments rented, but also the condition they are kept in and the support the company provides to keep the instruments playing properly. Rent paid is usually applicable to the later purchase of an instrument. This is the most popular way to get a student started in music.
Buy (or borrow) a used one. When a good used instrument can be gotten at a low enough price, it might make sense to take a chance on the student and buy it outright. But always check first with the music teacher to assure the instrument you're considering is the appropriate quality and will play in tune with the band or orchestra. Then take it to an instrument repair shop to see what it will take to put it in playing condition. Instruments that have been sitting up for a year or more virtually always need some work done in order to play properly, typically at a cost of $100-400.
Internet. Although the Internet is considered a dangerous place to buy a musical instrument, someone who knows what they're doing and is careful can sometimes find a bargain. By some estimates 90-95% of instruments sold on the internet are foreign off-brands and inappropriate for school band or orchestra use; indeed many directors say they are the students' and director's worst nightmare. However appropriate instruments can occasionally be found on eBay and other Internet sites, sometimes at good prices. Once again, confirm that it is a correct brand and model and either check its condition carefully or anticipate repair costs as part of your purchase price.

If you do not already own an instrument, we recommend the rental of an instrument for the first few months until your child’s interest and abilities have been proven and all of our auditions for specialty instruments have taken place. We will keep you informed regarding your child’s progress and indicate when your child is ready to move up to an intermediate level instrument.

Student Testimontials

What's the Right Fit?

Band

Grade 6 beginning band is the entry point for any middle school student interested in learning to play a wind, brass, or percussion instrument. Students may choose to begin on one of four instruments: flute, clarinet, trumpet, or trombone. Instruction will focus on the fundamentals of caring for and playing a band instrument and reading basic music notation. Color instruments such as saxophone, bass clarinet, baritone, tuba, and percussion will be added in the 7th and 8th grade years after students have developed strong fundamental knowledge of both tone production and music literacy skills. Beginning band students perform 2-3 times a year on campus.

Students choosing to start on either flute or clarinet will register for the WOODWIND section.
Students choosing to start on either trumpet or trombone will register for the BRASS section.

Flute

The flute is a metal pipe about two feet in length that is made of nickel or silver, depending on the quality of the instrument. The flute changes pitch by pressing keys located on the body of the instrument. Getting a sound on a flute is a lot like blowing across the top of a glass soda bottle. Students who wish to play flute should have small, thin lips that are fairly straight. A student with a teardrop shaped upper lip will have a very difficult time getting a good sound on a flute. Flutes make up about 15% of the beginning band.

Click here to listen to the flute.

Clarinet

The clarinet is shaped like a recorder and made of hard plastic or wood, depending on the quality of the instrument. The clarinet uses a wooden reed that vibrates to create a sound. Like the flute, the clarinet changes notes by pressing various keys on the instrument. Students who have good fine motor skills will generally do well on a clarinet. Clarinets make up about 30% of the beginning band. Click the links below to hear the sound of the clarinet.

Click here to listen to the clarinet.

Trumpet

The trumpet is a bugle shaped instrument usually made of brass or nickel silver and has a brilliant tone. Students make a sound on the trumpet by “buzzing” air through a mouthpiece and pressing valves to change pitch. Students with severe overbites or very thick lips may experience some difficulty producing a good sound on a trumpet. Trumpets make up about 25% of the beginning band.

Click here to listen to the trumpet.

Trombone

The trombone is a brass instrument that, like the trumpet, makes a sound when a student “buzzes” air into a mouthpiece. Unlike the trumpet, the trombone changes pitch by moving a slide back and forth. The trombone slide creates some of the most unique sounds in the band! The trombone is a great deal of fun to play and is the most important instrument in the beginning band. Trombones make up the foundation and the building block of the entire band. There are virtually no physical characteristics that would prevent someone from producing a good sound on the trombone. Contrary to common belief, short students can play the trombone just as well as tall students. Many trombone players are needed, as they make up about 30% of the beginning band.

Click here to listen to the trombone.

Specialty Instruments

As students progress through the school year, we begin holding auditions for "specialty instruments." These instruments include bass clarinet, alto saxophone, french horn, baritone, tuba, and percussion. Students will be selected to transition to specialty instruments based on how well they adjust to the instrument, the quality of the sound they can produce, their work ethic in class, and their commitment to practicing at home. The number of students selected for these instruments each year is limited in order to protect the integrity of the overall balance of the band sound. Students selected to transition to specialty instruments are expected to continue in the CCS band program at least through the end of their 8th grade year.

Click here to listen to some specialty instruments.

Use the flowchart below to determine which of the BIG FOUR beginning band instruments to choose if your child has his or her heart set on transitioning to a specialty instrument later in middle school:

Choir

Beginning choir is designed to instill a love of singing in an ensemble. Students will learn fundamental singing techniques, music reading skills, and part-singing - skills that are all necessary to the foundation for developing musicianship. Beginning choir students perform on campus 2-3 times each year.

Click here to hear testimonials from our students about choir at Charlotte Christian School.

Orchestra

Grade 6 beginning orchestra is the entry point for any middle school student interested in learning to play a string instrument. Instruction will focus on the fundamentals of caring for and playing a string instrument and reading basic music notation. Please note that concert attendance is required for all students enrolled in this course.

Students that desire to start their band journey on violin or viola will register for the HIGH STRINGS section of the class.
Students choosing to start on either cello or bass will register for the LOW STRINGS section.

Violin

The violin is the smallest and highest pitched member of the string family. The violin strings are tuned to the notes E, A, D and G. The violin reads the notes on the treble clef. It is sometimes referred to as a "fiddle" when played in the folk music style.

Click here to listen to the violin.

Viola

The viola is a little bit larger than the violin. The strings on the viola are tuned to the notes A, D and G like the violin. However, since the viola is bigger than the violin, it has a lower sound. Instead of having a high E string like the violin, it has a low C string. The viola reads the notes on the alto clef.

Click here to listen to the viola.

Cello

The cello is bigger than the violin and the viola and is played sitting down. The cello is positioned between the knees and has an endpin which holds it up from the floor. Since the cello is bigger than the violin and the viola, it has a very low sound. It reads the notes on the bass clef. The strings on the cello are tuned to the A, D, G and C just like the viola, except they sound an octave lower.

Click here to listen to the cello.

Bass

The bass is the biggest of all the string instruments, it is also the lowest instrument. The bass has an endpin that props it on the floor and it is played by either standing up or sitting on a stool. It reads the notes on the bass clef. The strings on the bass are tuned to the notes E, A, D and G just like the violin. However, since the bass is much bigger, the strings are longer and sound much lower.

Click here to listen to the bass.