Orchestras
The Impact of Music Education on Children is Profound
Music does more than just make sounds, it changes the way we think and act. The skills your child will learn in music will help them be successful on the stage, in the classroom, and for the rest of their lives.
- Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association
- Sashabaw Middle School Orchestras
- Clarkston Junior High School Orchestras
- Clarkston High School Orchestras
Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association
BOOSTED BY PARENT SUPPORT
Clarkston fine and performing arts programs have an excellent reputation for producing outstanding young musicians and we owe much of that success to the support of our students' families.
The Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association (CSIMA) provides both moral and financial support to the 6-12 grade instrumental music programs of Clarkston Schools. CSIMA members serve as a resource to the instructional staff of the Clarkston Schools instrumental music programs by volunteering our individual skills and performing the fundraising necessary to enhance the school district’s funding of instrumental music programs. CSIMA meetings are the second month of every Monday of the month from September through May.
Sashabaw Middle School Orchestras
Sixth and Seventh Grade Orchestras
These courses are designed to teach students the fundamentals of music performance. Beginning in 6th grade and continuing through 7th grade, skills introduced include instrumental technique, music literacy, and an introduction to stylistic interpretation. Students learn the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance in 7th grade. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association.
Essential Skills:
Sashabaw Middle School students will focus on reading musical notation including pitch and rhythm. Skills introduced at this level include:
- instrument assembly and care
- how to hold an instrument or bow correctly
- posture
- pitch
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- basic foreign language
Additionally, students will develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Directors
Natalie Pagel
Ms. Pagel is in her 15th year teaching and her 9th year with Clarkston Schools. She began her teaching career teaching band, choir, and orchestra with Berkley Schools' middle and high school programs. Ms. Pagel has taught a variety of ages and music classes, ranging from Young 5's general music through College wind ensemble. She holds a Master of Arts in Conducting from Oakland University, and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education as well as a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Central Michigan University.
As a flutist, since age 10 Ms. Pagel studied extensively with Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Sharon Sparrow, Jeff Zook, and Joanna White from the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra. She has sat on the substitute musician list for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and continues to perform locally. She has studied all instruments and forms of music making over the years, and enjoys sharing music with every student!
At home, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, gardening baking, hiking and traveling, as well as spending time with her dogs and horses.
Uniform Information
Uniformity is extremely important for performances. When members of an ensemble are dressed alike, the ensemble appears as one unit and those in the audience are more apt to hear the entire group rather than focusing on individual students. If a family is unable to provide any part of the SMS Concert uniform, please contact your director by the end of September.
6th Grade Uniform: Students are to wear black shoes, black dress slacks or a skirt of appropriate length, black socks, black tights or hose, and a white, long-sleeve, button-front shirt.
7th Grade Uniform: Students are to wear all black shoes, black dress slacks or a skirt (knee length or longer), black socks, black tights or hose, a white, long-sleeve, button front shirt, and the SMS band vest (provided by the music department). The vest must be returned at the end of the school year.
Clarkston Junior High School Orchestras
Eighth and Ninth Grade Orchestras
These courses are designed to build upon the fundamentals of music performance. Skills learned at a younger age are improved, including instrumental technique, music literacy, and stylistic interpretation. Students continue to refine the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association.
Essential Skills:
Clarkston Junior High School students will continue to focus on reading progressively more challenging musical notation and will expand the ranges of their instrument. Skills cultivated at this level include
- refined pitch discrimination
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- foreign language
Additionally, students will continue to develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Directors
Joe Richards
Joe Richards is currently the 8th-12th grade orchestra director. He received his undergraduate degree from Adrian College in 2016. In addition to this, he received his Master's in Music Education from the University of Michigan in 2021, focusing on Social Emotional Learning in the orchestra classroom. Joe regularly performs with a number of orchestras in the Metro Detroit area, and teaches at the Flint School of Performing Arts, too. In the summers, Joe enjoys fishing, playing golf, and traveling with his wife.
Clarkston High School Orchestras
High School Orchestras
These courses are designed to build upon the fundamentals of music performance. Skills learned at a younger age are improved, including instrumental technique, music literacy, and stylistic interpretation. Students continue to refine the fundamentals needed to make informed musical decisions. Students will perform in concerts throughout the year including one adjudicated Band/Choir/Orchestra festival performance. Students can also choose to participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival through the Michigan Schools Band and Orchestra Association.
Essential Skills:
Clarkston High School students will continue to focus on reading progressively more challenging musical notation and will expand the ranges of their instrument. Skills cultivated at this level include:
- refined pitch discrimination
- rhythm
- technical fluency
- tone
- breathing and breath control
- vowel shape
- diction
- intonation
- style
- interpretation
- sight-reading technique
- personal and ensemble presentation
- foreign language
Additionally, students will continue to develop leadership abilities and interpersonal skills, working independently and in collaborative ensembles.
Meet the Directors
Joe Richards
Joe Richards is currently the 8th-12th grade orchestra director. He received his undergraduate degree from Adrian College in 2016. In addition to this, he received his Master's in Music Education from the University of Michigan in 2021, focusing on Social Emotional Learning in the orchestra classroom. Joe regularly performs with a number of orchestras in the Metro Detroit area, and teaches at the Flint School of Performing Arts, too. In the summers, Joe enjoys fishing, playing golf, and traveling with his wife