Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Discover Grade 7 Orchestra and Strings unit plans with standards-aligned lessons that build technique, ensemble skills, and expressive musicianship.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 22 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Evaluate Performances with Evidence

Evaluate Grade 7 orchestra performances using tone, intonation, rhythm, bow unity, expression, and balance criteria, citing evidence to guide growth.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 21 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Compare Interpretations

Compare two recordings of the same Grade 7 string work to identify evidence-based differences in tempo, dynamics, articulation/bowing, phrasing, and ensemble unity, then apply those insights to improve interpretation and ensemble performance decisions.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 20 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Tone Color & Instrument Roles

Grade 7 orchestra unit exploring tone color, bowing, string roles, and texture to shape character, meaning, and expressive performance choices.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 19 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Form, Contrast & Unity in Repertoire

Grade 7 orchestra unit analyzing melody, rhythm, texture, tempo, and form to reveal contrast, unity, and musical meaning for expressive performance.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 18 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Share Your Composition

Grade 7 orchestra students perform a final original composition, demonstrating accurate pitch, rhythm, tone, and ensemble awareness while explaining how tempo, dynamics, bowing, and phrasing communicate expressive intent in a Composition Showcase.

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Grade 7 Orchestra Units

Unit Plan 17 (Grade 7 Orchestra): Rehearsal Strategy Lab

Grade 7 orchestra unit uses metronome work, looping, and section rehearsal strategies to improve accuracy, entrances, and ensemble unity.

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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.