Embedded Files
Orchestra Informational Meeting
If you missed the Parent Informational Meeting, a summary is available here:
How to Join
How to Join
Beginning orchestra is offered to any incoming fourth grade students in Ashland City Schools. No prior experience is required: students of any level of musical experience are welcome!
Guardians of students who are interested in joining orchestra in 4th grade must fill out the google form. This allows us to contact you with necessary information. This is not set in stone, so even if your student is on the fence, please still fill out this form. Your student can always change their mind later, but is very difficult to join beyond the deadline due to class scheduling. This google form must be filled out for your child to be registered for orchestra.
The deadline to complete this google form is June 1st, 2025. After that date, the director will send out information on what your student will be playing and what materials you will need to get for class.
Want to join later than 4th grade?
Want to join later than 4th grade?
Given that each year of orchestra builds upon the last year, starting at a later grade as a total beginner is not recommended. You must have been in the previous year of orchestra to continue in orchestra, or have an equivalent amount of experience.
However, your student may be very driven to join beyond fourth grade, or has previous experience in a different orchestra or playing a string instrument. If this is the case, contact the director, Ms. Taylor (jotaylor@goarrows.org), as soon as possible. An audition with the director will be set up prior to the start of the school year to make sure they are sufficiently prepared.
It is highly recommended that your student takes private lessons to catch up with the other students in the class if they are new to the instrument.
How Orchestra Works
How Orchestra Works
At Taft Intermediate, your student will have orchestra during their specials time during the school day. The class is 40 minutes, twice a week.
They will bring their instrument to school (unless they are using a school instrument) on those days. They will then take them home to practice on the days they do not have orchestra to maintain the skills they practice in class. This is functionally the "orchestra homework."
There are periodic performances for students to showcase the work they have done
In 4th, 5th and 6th grade, there are 2 performances
In 7th grade there are 3 performances
In 8th grade there are 4 performances
And in High School there are 4 performances with some additional performances such as in school or at other events
Getting an Instrument
Below are some of the places that offer instruments for rental or purchase. It is highly reccommended that beginners rent an instrument, since students will need larger instruments as they get bigger. All rental programs will exchange your student's instrument for free when they need the next size up, and often offer repair services and needed accessories such as cleaning clothes, rosin, shoulder rests and rock stops, etc., included.
It is not recommended that you purchase instruments online from retailers such as Amazon or Ebay. Often the instruments are very cheap, break easily, are in need of repairs, or do not sound good. Sometimes, they are not even functional. If you have any questions about whether an instrument is a good option for your student, contact the director Jocelyn Taylor at any time.
Camp Overture
Camp Overture
Camp Overture is a summer camp offered for students who are joining band and orchestra for the first time. Camp for 2025 will be July 28th - 31st from 1pm to 4pm. The cost is $15 dollars per student, which will cover a Camp T-shirt, Snacks each day and an extra surprise!
Students get to:
Learn how to play their first notes on the instrument
Have current AHS Orchestra students as counselors
Make friends with the students who will be doing orchestra with them
Participate in fun summer activities
AND Play their first songs in a concert at the end of the week!
Page updated
Report abuse