4th Grade Orchestra
Welcome 3rd Grade students! Please see the video below, and either use this Pre-Registration Form or the hand-out paper (see below) to pre-register by May 16th, 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year! If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Starovich at starovichlee@pleasval.org
Interested in orchestra? Check out the video above, including instrument specific videos below!
Mr. Swinney Demonstrates the Violin - Video
Mr. Swinney Demonstrates the Viola - Video
Mr. Starovich Demonstrates the Cello - Video
Mr. Starovich Demonstrates the Bass - Video
If you have any questions, please email Mr. Starovich at starovichlee@pleasval.org
Information for current 4th Grade students
Beginning Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule 2023-2024
All rehearsals are from 7:30am-8:15am in the Music Room.
Rehearsals begin the week of October 2nd for Cello and Bass students, and everyone begins the week of October 9th!
Bridgeview and Cody - Combined at Cody on Mondays and Fridays
Forest Grove - Mondays and Fridays
Hopewell - Tuesdays and Thursdays
Pleasant View - Wednesdays and Fridays
Riverdale Heights - Tuesdays and Thursdays
Students will need the following supplies:
Rented (or owned) instrument - *in the correct size (see below)*
An instrument specific Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 (Orange - publish date of 2000 or later) and an instrument specific Suzuki Book 1 (the Suzuki book is not needed until the spring)
Folding music stand for home practice and events
For violins and violas: a sponge or shoulder rest (correctly sized for the instrument)
For cellos and basses: a rock stop or cello strap
String instruments come in various sizes, which is why we recommend renting an instrument - renting allows students to size up to the next instrument when they grow. Please see the following resources to correctly size your student.
Helpful article/video for sizing
If you have any questions about instruments (including buying and renting), please contact us! We want to avoid any V.S.O. - "Violin Shaped Object" problems - instruments that look like a violin, but are not a violin. Which is why we strongly recommend not buying an instrument online or anywhere that does not specialize in string instruments. String instruments sold online are usually "toy" instruments, which are not suitable to be tuned or played.
Hand Position Guides