Middle School Orchestras
The Middle School Orchestras are grouped by grade level, and meet daily during the school day. Each orchestra gives at least four public performances each year, also performing in the community. In December, the 7th grade Orchestra will perform at the Clarence Senior Center and the 8th grade Orchestra performs at Roswell Park with the Chorus.
In the Spring, the Orchestras perform for the elementary grade levels during their morning programs and encourage all students to join the instrumental program starting in 4th grade.
Weekly small group lessons and daily orchestra rehearsals take place during the school day. Small group lessons take place once per week on a rotating basis, so a student will not miss the same class period more than once over the course of several weeks.
Please be sure to read the District-Wide String Instrument Lesson Materials and Suppliers.
Sinfonietta Full Orchestra Ensemble
Sinfonietta Full Orchestra is open by audition to string players in grade 6-8, and members of the Band in grades 6-8. A Sinfonietta Orchestra is a musical group that is larger than a chamber ensemble, but smaller than a full-size Symphony Orchestra. Rehearsals will be Friday mornings before school and there will be several evening performances for families and friends. We will study music of different time periods and various styles. This is a great opportunity to join with your friends from both ensembles and with different grade levels!
Performance Opportunities
ECMEA
At the Middle School level, 6th, 7th and 8th graders are all encouraged to play a solo for the ECMEA (Erie County Music Educators Association) All-County Festival in January. Teachers help the student pick an appropriate level solo and they prepare one octave scales, and sight-reading. Each student is given a 10-minute time slot to perform for a string judge. Students receive valuable feedback and a grade. Students with the highest scores are then selected to participate in the ECMEA Orchestra festival in March.
There are two levels for the Orchestras: grades 4-6 participate in the ECMEA Elementary Orchestra, and grades 7-9 participate in the ECMEA Jr. High North Orchestra. It is an honor to be selected in the Orchestra and an experience that will be not forgotten!
NYSSMA
An additional performance opportunity is the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Solo audition that occurs in May or June. Teachers choose a Level 1-6 solo from the NYSSMA Manual. The scale requirements are more rigorous. For example, Level 5 and 6 must perform all scales in two octaves. The audition also includes a sight-reading component. Unlike the ECMEA festivals, there is a fee to participate in the solo audition ($14-$21), and the corresponding NYSSMA Area All-State Orchestra Festival that happens the first weekend in November.
Students who make it into the ECMEA or NYSSMA honors ensembles will receive district recognition and an automobile magnet from the Music Department Chair.
Please be sure to read the District-Wide String Instrument Lesson Materials and Suppliers.
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Mr. Dan Polino
7th & 8th Grade Orchestras
(716) 407-9200, x2416
Ms. Amanda Witherell
6th Grade Orchestra and 6th & 7th Grade General Music
(716) 407-9200, x2406
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