Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions You Might Have About Orchestra

General Information

1. When are forms and fees due for Orchestra? Friday, August 18th, 2023. Please make all checks payable to Desert Ridge Middle School and put forms and payment in an envelope with your child's name on it. 

2. How is this document organized? I am keeping the FAQ organized by the following topics: General Information, Classroom, Instruments, Google Classroom, Additional Questions. Scroll down to see the sections and their questions.

2. What is the best way to contact you, Ms. Pho? The best way to contact me is through my email: erica.photiades@aps.edu. 

3. Where is the best place to get information about our orchestra program?

If you are a student, the best place to get information about assignments, music, grades, attendance and resources is our Google Classroom and Orchestra Website. See the “Google Classroom” section of this document for more questions and answers.  If you are a parent/guardian, the best place to get information about our orchestra is by visiting our website: Desert Ridge Middle School Orchestra Website. The tabs at the top of the site are organized to help you find specific information. 

4. Is there a document with all the information available for orchestra? Yes! We have Orchestra Handbooks for Beginning Orchestra and for Intermediate/Advanced Orchestra. Links to those are available here: Orchestra Student Handbooks

5. What class materials do I need to have for Orchestra?

• A 1” black three ring binder for your music

• Your instrument

• A pencil 

• Your chromebook

• Music and music stands will be provided.

6. Where is our class music? You will receive a paper copy of any music we play in class. Please store it in your black orchestra binder so it stays organized. All of our music will also be posted on our Google Classroom. 

7. When are our concerts? Once our concert schedule is finalized, concert dates will be posted on the Google Classroom, emailed, posted on this website under "Concert Dates" and paper copies will be given to you in class! All of our concerts are in the Desert Ridge Cafeteria and begin at 7:00 PM.

Instruments

1. Do I need to bring my instrument on the first day of school? No, we will not play instruments on the first day. I will tell you when you need to bring an instrument. If you are in Beginning Orchestra, you do not need an instrument yet, because we need to decide what we want to play. Do not rent or buy an instrument yet!

2. How do I use a school instrument? We will be checking out school instruments in class this year. You will need to complete the School Instrument Use Contract to take an instrument home. School Instrument Use Contract ←Please print a copy, fill out and return to class by 8/26/22. The handbook has a copy of the contract on the last page. If you already have a school instrument checked out to you, you will keep that one (unless you need a bigger size!) and fill out a new instrument contract for this school year. 

3. What does it cost to use a school instrument? It is $40/semester or $75 for the year to use a school instrument. It is $30 a year to use a school instrument only in class. We WILL be charging fees for the use of school instruments this year, please contact me if you need your fee to be adjusted or waived. 

4. When do we pay for the school instrument? All fees for orchestra will be due by Friday, August 18th. 

5. Where do we store our instruments? You will be assigned a locker in the choir/orchestra room for your instrument. We will have lockers assigned before you bring your instrument to school. 

6. When can we put our instruments away and pick them up? Band and Orchestra students are allowed to drop off instruments about 5 minutes early before school starts. You will drop your instrument off in the morning, leave it in the room during the school day and pick it up at the end of school to go home with it. 

7. Do we have to bring our instrument every day?  YES, you will need your instrument every day. 

8. My instrument needs help! What can I do? I will take care of your instrument needs when you bring your instrument to school. We can always arrange a time before or after school for me to help you with your instrument.

9. Do students have to share instruments? No. Each student will have their own instrument that only they use. No cellos or bass will need to take their instrument from home to school. 

10. Can violins and violas have a second instrument that stays at school? Yes, but we need to see how many school instruments are available because we will not share instruments. Violins and violas are encouraged to bring their instrument from home to school. 

11. How will I know which instrument is mine? We will label our instrument cases with our name so they are marked. You can do this at home with a luggage tag or masking tape and a sharpie. We will do this in class. 

12. Should we sanitize or clean our instruments? No!!!! Do not use cleaning products, hand sanitizer or bleach wipes on your instrument, it will damage it! No student should need to share an instrument. If I need to touch your instrument, I will sanitize my hands before and after touching it. 

13. Do we need locks for our instrument lockers?  Yes, violins and violas will need a lock for your instrument locker. You will share a locker with another student.

Google Classroom

1. Will we use Google Classroom this year? Yes, we will have a new Google Classroom where you can find all of our class materials-music, lesson plans and assignments. 

2. How do I join our Google Classrooms?

Check out the Google Classroom Page on our Orchestra Website to find your class codes and instructions on how to join. Each orchestra will have its own Google Classroom this year, so make sure you join the correct class!

3. Where will I find assignments for class? You will find assignments on your Google Classroom page. Parents, you can check when assignments are due on the website under the tab Calendar of Assignments for Google Classroom. 

Beginning Orchestra Questions: 

What will I learn in Orchestra? We will learn the basics of being a musician: how to read music and rhythm, music history, composition and technology. We will dive deep into learning about the instrument we want to play! We will learn how to play our instruments and how to work collaboratively towards achieving our musical goals. I will teach you everything you need to know. All you need is a willingness to learn and you WILL succeed!

In orchestra, we choose to learn either violin, viola, cello or bass. Students will choose one instrument they will learn to play for the year. We will spend a lot of time deciding which instrument is the right fit for you! Please DO NOT get an instrument for your child until I direct you to do so!

What class supplies do I need for Orchestra? This question will be answered in more detail on the Orchestra Class Supplies page in our Beginning Orchestra Handbook. In short, you will need an instrument, and our class book: Sound Innovations Book 1 for the instrument you choose.  

APS will provide a school instrument for a student to use if they need one. We will NEVER turn away a student who wants to learn an instrument. Information for instrument rental companies and our school instrument use policies can be found in this packet and on my website. 

Here are some videos that show the sound of each instrument and how it is played. Click on the link to hear the instruments!

Violin: Violin is a member of the upper string family. Violin has the highest pitch to it, and we ALWAYS need lots of violins! It is small and easy to transport.

Viola: Viola is a bit larger, but played exactly like the violin. It has a deeper, mellower sound and is perfect for a student who wants a smaller instrument, but may not like the high sound of a violin. If you are tall or have long fingers, viola is a great choice, because it can grow with you!

Cello: The cello and bass are members of the lower string family. It has a deep, lovely sound. The cello is played sitting down. We can provide you a school instrument to use!

Bass: The bass is played standing up or sitting on a stool. Because these instruments are larger, we will provide school instruments for you to use so you do not need to take your instrument to and from school every day. All bass students will be provided a school bass to use during class and one at home.