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Welcome to the FernLeaf Orchestra home page!

About Instruments

In orchestra, students will have the opportunity to study one of the violin-family string instruments: violin, viola, cello, or bass. Please contact Eric (eric.scheider@fernleafccs.org) if you have any questions about your instrument assignment or class placement.

Students will need their instruments during the first week of school, so please plan ahead to obtain your instrument. This year, we will be using a class set of Essential Elements Books primarily to review and practice our music literacy skills, so students do NOT need to purchase additional Essential Elements Books unless they want an additional copy for home practice.

Violin and Viola:

Students rent or purchase an instrument for use at school and for home practice and transport their instrument back and forth to school with them. Violin and viola players need an "outfit" of supplies in addition to the instrument itself:

Instrument
Bow

Case
Rosin
Practice mute
Shoulder rest (and attached shoulder rest bag if it doesn't fit inside the case)
Method book at your level (see below)

Instruments come in fractional sizes for smaller players, and need to be sized correctly to fit your student. Here is a guide to instrument sizing. Please contact Eric if you have any questions about sizing.

Cello and Bass:

School-owned cellos and basses will be provided for use in class.

A $100 annual equipment fee will be charged for use of a school instrument. This fee will be assigned in MyPaymentsPlus at the start of the year.

For home use, students will need:

Instrument
Bow

Case
Rosin
Endpin strap or "puck"
- Practice mute
- Method book at your level (see below)

Method Books

Every student will be asked to have a personal copy of a method book at their level for their instrument for 2026-27. For beginners, that will be Essential Elements Book 1. For more Advanced Players, that will be Essential Elements Book 2, Suzuki or Vance Methods, and beyond. Specific info about methods will be sent home after start of year evaluations.

Where to get instruments:

It is sometimes best to rent in the initial stages of learning an instrument, especially for students needing smaller instruments. Like used cars, there are lots of “deals” on instruments that aren’t really playable, so beware! But there are also good used instruments on a instrument, please check with Eric to make sure the instrument is well set up.

Local options:

WNC Music Academy Instrument Rental Program (be sure to get an accessory pack too)
Tempo Music, (828) 693-8276, 244 N Main St, Hendersonville
Bernhardt's House of Violins, Greenville

Online:

Online: Shar Music, (866) 742-7261

*If financial need makes it impossible to provide your own instrument or cover equipment fees, please contact Eric (eric.scheider@fernleafccs.org) for assistance as soon as possible. FernLeaf is committed to making sure that all students interested in joining orchestra are able to participate.