The Belzer Middle School Orchestra program exists to create a positive musical environment for all students. To help nurture, motivate, and refine the skills of young musicians. This program also assists students in learning very important life skills, such as: Respect, Responsibility, Teamwork, Fairness, Honesty, Courage, Initiative, and Perseverance. In order for the orchestra to be successful, students must learn how to exhibit and implement these life skills into the classroom while creating a positive and supportive atmosphere to facilitate better learning.
Belzer Middle School offers many opportunities to students who wish to play Violin, Viola, Cello or Bass.
Our string program currently starts in the 6th grade. Next year will bring about many changes within our township. Some of those changes will effect our Performing Arts departments. The 6th grade will now be a part of the elementary school day leaving 7th and 8th grade at the middle school. There will be no more 6th grade performing arts program next year so orchestra will begin in the 7th grade. Although not all decisions have been made it is highly likely that the orchestras will be grouped by playing abilities rather than grade level. Students may be ask to audition later in the year or may be placed based on their current levels of playing. We all know change can be scary but we must look for the positive! It is important that we use our well known performing arts programs to create structure and foundation in this ever changing community.
Dear Orchestra Parents,
Congratulations to our Belzer Orchestras for their outstanding performance last Friday at the ISSMA Organization Contest. All groups received a GOLD rating and received some OUTSTANDING comments from the judges. The 8th grade orchestra went in Group I and not only received a GOLD but also received a Distinction Award. Distinction Awards are given to groups with a total combined score of 30 or less. The best possible score is 27 and our 8th grade orchestra received a 28.5! It is very difficult for orchestras to get a Distinction Award. In fact, only 5 middle school orchestras in the Statereceived Distinction Awards last year! Outstanding!! (you can find the list on issma.net then click on News and then click on 2009 Middle School “With Distinction” recipient list. 2010 lists should be out in April.)
You should be VERY proud of your kids, they worked very hard for ISSMA this year and their hard work and dedication show in the results. The judges mentioned more than once how professional and mature our kids are. I am very proud of the work they have done and will continue to do!!
6TH GRADE/5TH PERIOD
Group IV received a combined score of 30.5 (GOLD
They were very impressed with how musical our 6th Graders were. They used dynamics unlike other 6th grade orchestras and commented on how mature their sound was for their age.
Some of the Judges Comments:
“You have an excellent sound for a young group”
“Loved what you did musically”
“Professional and poised”
7TH GRADE
Group III received a combined score of 32 (GOLD)
Some of the Judges Comments:
“Nice attention to detail”
“Excellent posture”
“You play very musically-much impressed”
“You play musically and with emotion”
8TH GRADE
Group I received a combined score of 28.5 (GOLD)
Some of the Judges Comments:
“Extremely Musical”!
“Excellent Preparation and performance”!
“Very musical…I am very impressed with this group”!
“Sensitive playing”
“You should be very proud”!
CHAMBER
Group I received a combined score of 34.5 (GOLD)
Some of the Judges Comments:
“…beautiful, you had the audience mesmerized”
“I really enjoyed your performance and thank you for doing some difficult things”
“These are difficult selections your teacher has challenged you with and you are fortunate to be in a group able to tackle them"!
“Poised, confident”
“Awesome overall performance”!