Join the Dodgen 6th Grade Orchestra!

Each middle school student has TWO connection class periods each day.  When you sign up for orchestra, orchestra will be ONE of your connections classes for the entire year.  Your other connection class will change each 9-weeks.  Other connection class opportunities include PE, Health, Art, Theater and Project Lead the Way.

No.  Students do not have to buy an instrument to join orchestra.  During the first few days of class, we will give students all the information about how to get instruments and materials for class.  We strongly encourage violin and viola players to RENT their instrument instead of buying one.  Cello and Bass players will be assigned Dodgen instruments to use for class.  Again, we will give all information about how to get instruments for class during the first few days of class.  

No.  Students do not carry their instruments around the building.  All violin and viola players will be assigned a music locker to keep their instrument and materials in.  Cello and bass players will use school instruments for class.  

No.  Students will get what they need during each class period.  We do not encourage practice during the first few weeks of school as we want to make sure all orchestra students are set up correctly before attempting to practice.  Then, students will have the option of taking their instruments home to practice if they want to.    

Many Dodgen Orchestra students are involved in sports and clubs such as football, baseball, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, cheerleading, dance, Science Olympiad, and Math Team just to name a few.  Orchestra students are able to do all of their regular activities and still be in orchestra.  

Students that join orchestra can choose whichever orchestra instrument they want to play.  String instruments are unique in the fact that they come in different sizes, so it does not matter if you are shorter or taller.  If you like the instrument, then you can play that instrument!  

No.  Guitar is not taught in any music class at Dodgen.  We do use guitars in some pieces in our 7th and 8th grade orchestra performances, but those guitar players are students that already play guitar.  We have many guitar players that end of playing the cello due to the similar range and instrument neck size.  

No.  Piano is not taught in any music class at Dodgen.  We do use piano in some pieces in our 7th and 8th grade orchestra performances, but those piano players are students that already play.

There are only four instruments in orchestra because orchestra(string) instruments have a wide range.  It takes 14 band instruments to cover the same range as 4 orchestra instruments. 

The cello have over a 5 octave range.  The only instrument with a wider range than cello is the piano.