Are the after school rehearsals and performances required?
Yes. High school orchestra is a "co-curricular" class. This means that there are mandatory rehearsals and concerts outside the school day. We will follow the CCPS Performance Contract in determining what is an excused or unexcused absence from rehearsals and performances. Please consult the Orchestra Google Calendar for the most current rehearsal and performance schedule. Ms. Austin mapped out the year with the hope that COVID will not interfere with our plans; however, we will exercise flexibility as the numbers and guidance can change.
What do we wear for performances?
We wear uniform concert attire (full tuxedo or uniform black dress) for formal performances. We wear purple orchestra t-shirts for casual performances and field trips. Orders are due 10/1 annually. If you cannot afford concert attire, please reach out to the director or your school counselor. We have resources to help students with financial need, but we don't know that you need help if you don't tell us.
What is the gender neutral option for concert attire?
The tuxedo coat, tuxedo shirt, and pants are available in both "men's" and "women's" cut. There is also a long black skirt that can be subbed for the tuxedo pants. If you have additional concerns about concert attire, please chat with Ms. Austin privately. We can look through the concert attire catalog together to find the right option for you.
Do I have to carry my instrument back and forth to school?
Violinists and violists must bring their instruments to school on orchestra days, and they MUST take their instruments home for at-home practice. We also need the storage space cleared for guitarists on the opposite days. Cellists and bassists may use a school instrument during the day if they have returned a signed loan form. Cellists and bassists only need bring their personal instruments to school for rehearsals, performances, and whenever they need help with tuning or adding tapes.
Can I rent an instrument from the school?
A limited supply of rental instruments are available for students with need. The cost to rent all instruments is $50/year, which covers basic use of the instrument. No insurance is provided. If you cannot afford rental, please speak to the director or your school counselor privately about fee reduction. We have resources to help students with financial need, but we don't know that you need help if you don't tell us.
What are some local music shops that sell stringed instruments and repair them?
Jan Hampton Violins (rentals and repairs) – located in the West End – 231-7463
Music and Arts (rentals, repairs, and lessons) – located on Midlothian Turnpike near the Olive Garden – 272-1197
The Music Tree (rentals and lessons) – located in the Stoney Point Shopping Center near Trader Joe's – 571-1973
Four Strings RVA (repairs only) – located on the Southside of Richmond – 804.873.0247
How often should I replace my strings? What brand should I get? Can you help me restring my instrument??
Strings will last most high school students about 1 year (more often if you play a lot). By the time your strings break, they were already worn out for a long time. Some brands of our favorite brands are Ascente, Zyex, Tonica, and Dominants. Others like Helicores and Infeld. (We do NOT recommend steel core strings like Red Labels for high school students. When you first started playing, the budget strings were fine, but now you play well enough to benefit from better strings.)
Ms. Austin is happy to teach you how to restring your instrument on designated restringing days or after school by appointment. You're old enough to learn to change strings, and this is a good teachable moment. Just pick up a set of strings from one of the local shops or order the strings online.
Why won't my bow hold rosin?
If it's a new bow, it needs a LOT of rosin to get started. If it has synthetic horse hair, this type of hair doesn't hold rosin very well, so you will need to keep applying more and more rosin. If you are using bran new rosin on an old bow, the surface of a new cake of rosin isn't flat yet, meaning you don't get good surface area coverage yet. If it's old rosin or an old bow, the bow hair is probably worn out and needs replacement, or the rosin has gotten old and needs replacing.
Bow rehairing is a thing?!?!? Whattttt???
Yes, it's a thing! Just like your strings, bow hair lasts about a year. When it's worn out, it doesn't hold rosin or grip the string anymore. You'll need to take your bow to a music shop to have it rehaired. If you have cheap beginner bow, it may be cheaper to replace it than to rehair it.
How often should I loosen the bow hair? And how much should I loosen the bow hair?
You should loosen the bow at the end of every practice session, every single time. (Righty tighty. Lefty loosey.) The bow hair is loosened when it just barely touches the stick for violins, violas, and cellos. For bass bows, you'll just notice that it's significantly looser. (On a German bass bow, the hair will never touch the stick.)
How much should I tighten the bow?
Tighten violin, viola, and cello bows until the space between the stick and the bow hair is about the same as the diameter of of your pinkie or the diameter of the stick. The bow should still have a "smile" in it. The stick should never be straight across with no bend in it, and it should NEVER look like a bow and arrow. Overtightening your bow will break it.
Do I have to use a shoulder rest?
Yes! The shoulder rest puts your instrument into the correct position, reduces the likelihood of dropping the instrument, reduces the likelihood of injuring your shoulder or wrist, and helps you play in tune. It is REQUIRED.
Why does the shoulder rest hurt?
It's probably on backwards or the height is not adjusted properly. (It should "frown" or the fatter side should be under your chinrest.) Most people like the chinrest side shorter than the opposite side. Ask Ms. Austin for help adjusting it.
How do I clean my instrument?
At the end of every rehearsal or home practice session, take a clean lint-free cloth and wipe the rosin off your strings and off the body of the instrument. Never wipe rosin off the bowhair, but do remember to loosen the bow every single time. (Righty tighty. Lefty loosey.) DO NOT USE ANY HOUSEHOLD/COMMERCIAL CLEANERS ON YOUR INSTRUMENT. If your instrument needs a more thorough cleaning, purchase cleaner/polish specifically made for stringed instruments. Apply the cleaner/polish to a soft clean cloth and rub onto your instrument in a circular motion. A little bit of cleaner goes a long way. You can use rubbing alcohol to clean your chinrest (a really good idea if you are prone to acne), but be careful not to spill any rubbing alcohol on the body of the instrument.
Is All-County / CRO / SRO / All-State / the musical / the spring competition required?
The main required performances are: Veteran's Day, Winter Concert, Winter Assembly, Pre-Assessment Intensive, Assessment, Spring Concert, and Graduation. Honors students are required to participate in additional events like All-County and Regionals.
Other students are encouraged to audition / apply to extra events, but it's not required. Only freshmen may audition for CRO (central regional orchestra). All grades are eligible to audition for SRO (senior regional orchestra). In order to be eligible for All-State audition, you must have been accepted into Senior Regional Orchestra. We will form a volunteer pit orchestra for the spring musical. (Honors students can do this for one of their projects.) The spring competition trip is encouraged but not required.
How do I know if I am in "honors" orchestra? How do I change my schedule?
Check your schedule on StudentVue. If your schedule is incorrect, you need to contact your counselor ASAP.
How much should I practice?
Recommended practice is 20 minutes per day, 6 days a week (120 minutes total). Students must practice to acquire new skills and progress. There is no substitution for time spent practicing your instrument. Playing an instrument is fun, and the homework of practicing can be fun! (Students considering a career in music or college music study should practice at least 60 minutes per day, and they should study with a qualified private music teacher as well.)
Where can I find information about Summer Strings on the James?
Please visit https://sites.google.com/ccpsnet.net/summerstringsonthejames/home.