String Classes

Every Tuesday held in the auditorium.

Teacher:  Miss Richardson

Materials:  A working stringed instrument

Grade 4:  Orchestra Expressions, Bk. One

Grade 5:  Essential Elements 2000, Bk. One

Grade 6:  Orchestra Expressions, Bk. Two

Schedule:

Grade 6:  9:15 - 9:45

Grade 4 (Mrs. Prew):  10:20 - 10:50

Grade 4 (Mrs. Montanaro):  11:00 - 11:30

Grade 5:  11:30 - 12:00

Student responsibilities:

Bring:  All students be sure to bring your instrument and book to school every Tuesday.  Students are NOT allowed to call from the office in the case of forgotten instruments.  Missed assignments are the responsibility of the student.  They should bring their planner to class and write down any pages of homework for the week.

Homework:

The other word for string homework is "practice".  To make the best improvement, students should practice their music at home 4-5 days a week.  The easy way to remember is to simply practice every day you go to school.  Day off from school?  Day off from practice!  Practice sessions should last from 15-30 minutes and last long enough to get your work done.

Gold Medal Charts:

This year, students can make their own Gold Medal Charts.  There should be space for 100 check marks.  Completed charts must be signed by a parent.  Students should turn them in to me the week before vacation.   Gold Medals will be awarded at that time.

Helpful hints:

-Let Miss R tune your instruments.  As the weather gets colder, strings will slip!  Let me fix them to avoid expensive broken strings.

-Never leave your instrument in a freezing cold car or by a heater.  The wood can crack.

-Keep your music stand at home for practice and use it to encourage good posture!

-Get a cool colorful folder to hold extra special music that I give you in class.

-If your bow is slipping and you can't get a sound, break out that rosin!  Rub the bow 50 times to start.  If it still doesn't work, try 50 more!

-Song too hard?  Make small "practice bubbles" with your pencil and play that spot 3 times.

-Stuck on the homework?  Go back and play a song you do know to get your playing fingers going.  Then try a little of the new song that is giving you trouble.

-Excited about a song?  Share it with your friends and family after you have polished it up. They will love seeing you do so well.

Concert procedures:

-Bring instrument, music stand and book.

-Concert dress is white tops, black or dark bottoms.  Dresses are ok.  Boys may wear suits/ties if they wish.

-Student should arrive 1/2 hour before the performance to tune and set up.

Benefits of playing an instrument:

-Development of discipline.

-Hand/eye coordination.

-Literacy development.  Reading music is a lot like reading books!

-Sticking with it!  Playing an instrument well takes years.

-Playing in a good orchestra in middle/high school.

-Belonging to a group with an important mission.

-Individual achievement - no matter how big or small!  A cause to celebrate!

-Making people happy at concerts.

-Having fun learning together with a positive attitude.