Welcome to the Elementary Strings Program! My name is Mrs. Paula Eichmann and I am the elementary strings teacher at Chadds Ford Elementary, Hillendale Elementary, and Pocopson Elementary. I look forward to working with your child and getting to know many of you better. The following information will better explain what is expected of both you and your child for the upcoming year. It is important that you review the following very carefully so you understand the responsibilities and expectations of being a part of the instrumental program.
WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD NEED FOR EACH LESSON?
Violin/Viola Students: Instrument, method book, practice sheet, folder with given music to every lesson, and shoulder rest*
* The shoulder rest allows the player to grip the instrument firmly and hold the instrument in an upright position using only their chin. This then allows the left wrist and hand to be free and relaxed in order to produce in tune notes, shift into higher positions, and eventually play with vibrato. Students who do not use a shoulder rest most likely play with poor posture, out of tune, and will have limited themselves to playing with only basic skills.
Cello/Bass Students: Method book, practice sheet, and folder with given music to every lesson.
*Cello/Bass students will need to bring their instruments in for the first lesson so I can tune their strings and tape the fingerboard. Other than that, they will only need to bring it in for the concert and any time they would like it tuned.
WHAT IF MY CHILD MISSES THEIR SCHEDULED LESSON?
Lessons are scheduled during 1/2 hour intervals throughout the 6 day cycle. They will always be on the same cycle day but different times each cycle as we are on a rotating schedule. If your child is absent on the day of their lesson, please either email me to see if I can reschedule their lesson for another day. If not, I will send you the pages we completed in lessons to work on at home for the next week. If I am absent from school, lessons will be canceled unless otherwise notified. If I know in enough time I will send a notification.
Lesson Attendance is mandatory. Parents, please remind your child to bring everything on his/her lesson day!!! If not prepared for the lesson (no instrument, no book, etc.), students will be sent back to class at three strikes.
HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TO PRACTICE?
Your child will be EXPECTED to practice their instrument to help develop their playing and music reading skills.
A practice sheet will be filled out by your child with the next weeks assignment. I will give small homework assignments here and there (reviewing flashcards, theory worksheets, etc.) that I expect to be returned during the following week’s lesson.
WHAT IF YOUR CHILD BREAKS A STRING OR NEED A REPAIR?
If you suspect something is wrong with your child’s instrument, bring it to me/notify me as soon as possible. If I cannot fix the problem, it will need to be sent back to Music and Arts (or the store which you rented from) for repairs.
If your child breaks a string (which is very common esp. in the upper strings) you can buy a new one at any music store or I can get you one from the school.
CONCERTS
All students participating in the instrumental program are required to perform in scheduled concerts provided they achieve concert performance levels.
4th Grade students DO NOT perform in the Winter Concert unless otherwise told.
CONCERT DRESS
Students are required to dress appropriately. NICE attire!
NO SNEAKERS, TEE SHIRTS, SWEATS, and JEANS.