Beginning Orchestra

Beginning Orchestra is currently offered to 5th grade students or 6th grade students without any string playing experience. Students in Beginning Orchestra have the opportunity to select one of four instruments to learn: Violin, Viola, Cello, or String Bass. Students will meet once a week for a full ensemble rehearsal as well as once a week for a small group lesson with other students who have selected the same instrument as them. In Beginning Orchestra, students will learn the fundamental skils on a string instrument in order to be successful as a string player. These skills include: proper posture and playing technique, note reading skills, music theory skills, and musical terminology. While learning the instrument they have selected, students will also be given the opportunity to perform in concerts throughout the year.

Beginning Orchestra this year is utilizing Remind to send updates home regarding lessons, rehearsals, performances, etc. Stay up to date by clicking this link and enabling notifications!

Choosing an Instrument

When choosing whether to purchase or rent an instrument, it is incredibly important to consider the overall quality of the intrument. If the price seems too good to be true, it more than likely is not a decent instrument.  It is important for students to be correctly sized on the proper size instrument to ensure that students do not sustain an injury by playing an instrument that is too large. As part of the recruitment process, all students will be measured before signing up for a string instrument. 

Should I purchase or rent an instrument?

It is highly encouraged to rent an instrument for the first few years a student is playing in orchestra for many reasons. 

• Renting allows for students to have a free size adjustment on their instrument as they grow into a larger instrument

• Renting covers any issues with the instrument such as something breaking or accidentally dropping the instrument

• Renting allows students to try the instrument out before purchasing, as the cost of purchasing a quality instrument can be costly

If you would like to purchase an instrument, please seek out the advice of your orchestra director. As mentioned above, if the price seems too good to be true, it more than likely is not going to be a quality instrument. Instruments on the lower end of the price spectrum typically have many issues that come with them such as (but not limited to): issues with tuning, issues with the instrument not being assembled, issues with the sound post not staying up, etc. If you plan to purchase an instrument, please bring the instrument to the "Instrument tryouts" portion of recruitment so your student's orchestra director can determine the overall quality of the instrument. 

Materials

• Students should have access to a folding stand for at-home practicing. These can be ordered through PM Music.

• Rosin

• Cleaning Cloth

• Shoulder Rest (Violin / Viola)

• Rockstop (Cello / Bass)

• Pencil

Method Books

All students in Beginning Orchestra should secure Essential Elements for Strings Book 1 for their selected instruments. This can be purchased through PM Music or other sources.