Intermediate School Orchestra
There are two orchestras at the Intermediate School – 4th Grade Orchestra and 5th Grade Orchestra.
4th Grade Orchestra
Mrs. Melanie Loy is the director of 4th Grade Orchestra. This is an orchestra that any 4th grade student can join at the beginning of the school year. The instruments they can choose from are violin, viola, or cello. Students attend two lessons per week, and lessons begin at the end of September. There are two concerts – one concert in February in the 4th Grade Commons and one in May with the 5th graders in the Intermediate School Gym. The students start the school year playing pizzicato (without the bow), and in the spring, they start to add their bow. Mrs. Melanie Loy has been awarded with the MNSOTA string teacher award and was awarded the SMAC Prairie Disciple award in 2022.
5th Grade Orchestra
Mrs. Morgan Vosburgh is the director of 5th Grade Orchestra. Students who were in 4th Grade Orchestra will continue their study of violin, viola, or cello (bass is added at the middle school), but also students who were not in 4th Grade Orchestra may join in 5th grade. The beauty of the Intermediate School schedule is that students can be in both 5th Grade Orchestra and 5th Grade Band – they have the option to participate in both, and doing so develops well-rounded musicianship skills. In addition to 2-3 rehearsals per week, students in 5th Grade Orchestra participate in a weekly small group lesson. There are two concerts (with an optional third): the December Festival of Music Concert in the high school gym and the spring May concert with 4th Grade Orchestra. Students also have the option to prepare a piece for the Solo and Ensemble Festival in March. Mrs. Vosburgh is currently pursuing a master’s degree in music education at Concordia College and studying creativity and improvisation in young string students.