Dr. Michael Kester-Haynes

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 16 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Interpretation Tools—Tone, Phrasing, Style

Grade 7 orchestra unit explores tone color, phrasing, dynamics, and articulation to shape interpretation and communicate musical meaning.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 15 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Revision Studio—Intonation & Playability

Grade 7 orchestra students revise their original music using clear criteria (accuracy, intonation, playability, bow control, expressive clarity), document changes, and explain how each revision improves performance and musical expression.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 14 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Notation with Bowings

Grade 7 orchestra unit teaches students to notate pitch, rhythm, dynamics, phrasing, and bowings so peers can clearly read and perform their music.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 13 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Musical Form—AB, ABA, Variation

Compose a Grade 7 string piece in AB or ABA form, using contrast and variation to clearly organize ideas and express musical intent.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 12 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Motives & Melody Writing

Compose a Grade 7 string melody in a given key and meter using clear motives, contour, repetition/variation, and a strong tonic resolution—then perform, share, and reflect.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 11 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Improvisation in Style

Grade 7 orchestra unit builds improvisation skills using scale pitch sets and rhythm to create expressive phrases that match mood and musical style.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 10 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Finger Patterns & Shifting Readiness

Grade 7 orchestra unit builds left-hand accuracy through finger patterns and shifting readiness, linking key signatures, notation, and intonation.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 9 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Early Performance Check

Grade 7 orchestra unit builds ensemble cohesion through an early performance check, emphasizing steady tempo, unified bowing, improved intonation, tone, and professional etiquette/section leadership.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 8 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Record, Reflect, Improve

Grade 7 orchestra unit uses rehearsal recordings and feedback to set goals, refine intonation, rhythm, tone, and bow unity.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 7 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Bowing Articulation Styles

Grade 7 orchestra unit explores legato, detaché, and spiccato to shape phrasing, tone color, and expressive interpretation skills in performance.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 6 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Bowing Unity & Tone Color

Grade 7 orchestra unit strengthens bowing unity and tone color by aligning shared bowings, articulations, and section roles so the ensemble plays with blended, consistent tone and clear musical character.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 5 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Ensemble Timing & Clean Entrances

Grade 7 orchestra unit builds ensemble timing, internal pulse, and clean entrances using counting, cues, and rehearsal strategies.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 4 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Reading Upgrade—Rhythm & Key Skills

Grade 7 orchestra unit strengthens rhythm reading, key signatures, and finger patterns to build confident, steady sight-reading.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 3 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Intonation & Finger Pattern Accuracy

Grade 7 orchestra unit improves intonation using drones, finger patterns, and rehearsal strategies to boost accuracy and ensemble unity.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 2 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Technique Refinement

Grade 7 orchestra technique unit strengthens posture, instrument setup, bow hold, and left-hand shape through daily drills, self-check tools, and short repertoire applications to build steadier tone, better endurance, and more reliable intonation.

Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 1 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Orchestra Culture & Leadership

Grade 7 orchestra unit builds positive ensemble culture through etiquette, section roles, and goal-setting, linking student identity to leadership and musical growth.

Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 36 (Grade 8 Orchestra): End-of-Year Performance & Reflection

Grade 8 orchestra capstone performance builds musicianship, leadership, and reflection skills while preparing students for high school ensemble success.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 35 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Final Performance Prep

Grade 8 orchestra final-prep unit sharpens concert repertoire using recordings, rubrics, and targeted rehearsal plans to deliver a polished, expressive performance.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 34 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Justifying Musical Choices

Grade 8 orchestra unit explores interpretation choices, linking tone, bowing, and expression to personal voice through performance and justification.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 33 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Evaluate Ensemble Growth

Grade 8 orchestra unit builds evaluation skills using rubrics and recordings to analyze ensemble growth, set goals, and refine tone, rhythm, and expression.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 32 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Expressive Performance

Grade 8 orchestra unit strengthens expressive ensemble performance through refined intonation, unified bowing, balanced blend, and intentional dynamics/phrasing, ending with a polished performance and reflection.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 31 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Section Leadership & Coaching

Grade 8 orchestra unit builds student section leaders through coaching tone, bow unity, entrances, and rehearsal strategy for stronger ensemble culture.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 30 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Technique & Endurance Peak

Grade 8 orchestra unit builds stamina, bow control, and left-hand accuracy using recordings and feedback to refine consistency and endurance.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 29 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Sight-Reading & Adaptability

Grade 8 orchestra unit builds confident sight-reading with steady tempo, accurate rhythm, independent entrances, and advanced rehearsal strategies for new music.

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Grade 8 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 28 (Grade 8 Orchestra): Expressive Improvisation in Style

Grade 8 orchestra unit develops expressive improvisation using scales, phrasing, dynamics, and style-appropriate bowing to shape intentional musical ideas.