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)

• 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

• Extra - An instrument specific Suzuki Book 1 (the Suzuki book is not needed until 5th grade)

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

• West Music Sizing Guide

*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.

Beginning Orchestra Rehearsal Schedule 2025-2026

All rehearsals are from 7:30am-8:15am in the Music Room.

Rehearsals begin the week of September 29th for ONLY: Cello and Bass Students.

Everyone joins the week of October 6th!

• 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