Wellington Middle School’s performing arts programming includes 3 concert bands, 3 orchestras, and a mixed-voices choir. All Bands and Orchestras are year-long electives. Choir is offered as a semester-long elective.
All bands and orchestras are grouped by ability/experience and are taught in sequence. Because of this, a student cannot participate in Concert Band/Orchestra without successfully completing Beginning Band/Orchestra (for instance). Likewise, students cannot participate in Symphonic Band/Orchestra without successfully completing a year in Concert Band/Orchestra. Also, due to the complexities of learning an instrument, students are only permitted to participate in Band OR Orchestra (not both). Students may however take Band AND Choir, or Orchestra AND Choir if they would like.
Band/Orchestra Class Offerings by Grade Level:
- 6th Grade: Beginning Band or Beginning Orchestra
- 7th Grade: Concert Band or Concert Orchestra
- 8th Grade: Symphonic Band or Symphonic Orchestra
Choir is a mixed grade-level class and mixed voices, and can be taken at any time with any amount of prior experience.
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All ensembles typically perform once each quarter in the Poudre High School Auditorium. Each concert is about an hour long, and is a required component of the course. Additionally, 7th and 8th grade students have the option to participate in the Middle School Outreach Ensemble offered at CSU, or Audition for the Poudre School District Middle School Honor Ensemble offered each spring.
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Additionally, all 7th and 8th grade students will get the opportunity to perform in multiple band/orchestra festivals. These events are field trips that take place during the school day, where students get to perform for other middle schools and get feedback/ratings from highly-qualified guest judges. In the past, these judges have included college professors, professional conductors, and prominent music educators from around the state. For the last several years, our 8th grade ensembles have received several “Superior” and “Excellent” ratings at these adjudicated events.
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Lastly, all 7th and 8th grade band students will typically get the opportunity to perform at other local events. In the past, these have included performing the National Anthem twice each year before a Colorado Eagles Hockey Game.
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By the end of 8th grade, each music student will typically perform in 16-20 concerts.
All learning is directed by the Colorado State Standards for Performing Music Ensembles, which include instruction in Music Performance, Music Theory, the Aesthetic Valuation of music, and Creation of music. These standards are met in class through rehearsal and performance, individual study, listening and reflection, improvisation, and through composing original music.
For more information about our performing music ensembles, please feel free to contact us at any time!