Enrollment

Enroll your child in orchestra by paper form (sent home with student in the second or third week of the semester) or by completing the form below.

General Information

This handbook outlines the exciting events that will occur during your child's first years in orchestra, and the expectations and procedures to help us get there.  

Eligibility 

All 4th grade students in the Davenport Schools are eligible to join orchestra, but must have parental permission.  

In the 5th grade, orchestra students continue instruction in preparation for joining orchestra at the middle and high school levels.  

5th grade students may join orchestra and/or join band.  

Students may participate in both band and orchestra through middle and high school. 

Required Materials 

• Instrument (violin, viola, cello, double bass) of the proper size and in good working order. With bow, case and rosin. 

• Method Book (provided by the school this year)

• Violin and viola: shoulder rest or shoulder pad 

• Cello and bass: endpin stop 

• Cleaning cloth. This can be a piece of a clean cloth to be used to wipe rosin dust off the instrument when putting the instrument away.
   

Instrument care and maintenance 

• With proper care, a string instrument can last a very long time. We have some violins that are over 50 years old!

• Loosen the bow and wipe rosin dust off the instrument and strings each day when you put it away.  

Keep your case clean and free of all books and objects that may damage your instrument.  

• Store the instrument in the case when not in use.  

• Clean the instrument only with a string instrument cleaner. Some solvents such as alcohol can damage the varnish.  

• Avoid leaving the instrument outside or in a vehicle. Extreme heat and extreme cold can easily damage string instruments.  

• Avoid excessive dryness or excessive humidity.  

• Avoid too much exposure to direct sunlight. The UV rays will damage the varnish over time.  

• DO NOT attempt your own repairs. If you think your instrument is in need of repair, bring it to a music teacher first before you take it to a repair shop. It may save you some hassle and money! 

• For school instruments, parents are responsible for the cost of repair for damage beyond reasonable wear. 

• Do not attempt to tune your own instrument until you have the teacher’s permission. This is a skill usually learned after the student enters middle school.  

• Check regularly for cracks, open seams, fallen sound post, bent bridges, and fine tuners that touch the top of the instrument.  

• Strings that are worn and starting to unwind should be replaced immediately.  

Expectations 

Students are expected to keep their instrument safe and protected from damage.  

School owned instruments will remain at school until: 

A signed School Instrument Usage Agreement is turned in, and the student demonstrates proper use of the instrument. This may take a few lessons. 

All orchestra members will have an assigned weekly lesson time. This is when most of their instruction is done. They should bring their instrument and book to every lesson, and should be practicing the beginning songs regularly at home.  

In addition to your child's weekly lesson, we will also meet as a full ensemble for 30 minutes each week. 

Regularly practice at home. 10-15 minutes of practice toward a goal several times a week is good. Parents can encourage this by setting up a time and space for your child to play his or her instrument each day - the same time each day works best! And ask the student to show you what they are working on. Let them perform for you regularly. 

Families are encouraged to make every effort to support their child's participation at performances. We understand sometimes there are unusual circumstances that cause an absence, but sharing what they learn by performing is an important part of the learning process. See the individual school page for the dates of responsibility for your child.