Info for Parents
Welcome to the Knights Orchestras!
Prospective Parents
Orchestra students at Apple Valley and North Henderson study one of the following instruments:
- violin
- viola
- cello
- bass.
More about these instruments is available here. Older students also have a chance to explore keyboard, drums, mandolin, and guitar.
About Instruments
Knights Orchestra families should purchase or rent their own instruments if at all possible. If you can't afford to rent or buy an instrument please contact Jessica Walizer at jcwalizer@hcpsnc.org to discuss other options.
Large Instruments: Cello and Bass are available for the students to play at school to reduce transport. There is an annual fee of $50 for use of school instruments to help purchase strings and make repairs, etc. I recommend students also try to have a cello or bass at home to practice.
Where to get instruments
You can choose wherever you would like to get an instrument. Some good options:
- Locally: Tempo Music, 244 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792, (828) 693-8276
- Online: Shar Music and Southwest Strings
If you buy an instrument elsewhere, beware of poor quality instruments. I'm happy to check an instrument for you before you buy it!
What you need:
- Instrument
- Bow
- Case
- Shoulder Rest (violin/viola only) OR Endpin strap (cello/bass only)
- Rosin
- Essential Elements Book for your instrument:
- 6th Grade: Book 1.
- 7th Grade: Book 2.
- 8th Grade: Book 3.
- Non-dyed cloth (dry to gently clean rosin dust off of instrument)
- Pencil, black music folder with pockets
Smaller students may need 1/2 or 3/4 sized instruments, which are much easier to play for small fingers. Please contact me if you need advice on choosing the right instrument size.
- General Rules to sizing:
- Violin: arm length (measuring from the middle of the left palm to the neck) - violin size
20" - 1/2 size violin : 22" - 3/4 size violin : 23"+ - full size violin
- Viola: arm length (measuring from the middle of the left palm to the neck) - viola size
20" - 12" viola (1/2 size violin will work) : 21.5-22" - 13" viola (3/4 violin) : 23" - 14" viola (full size violin) : 24.5+" - full size
- Cello: Student's height - Cello size
4'4" - 5' - 3/4 size cello : 5'+ - full size cello
- Bass: any student under 5' should start out on 1/2 sized bass. 3/4 sized bass is the STANDARD. You do not want a full size bass.
Before school starts, please try to have all of your equipment in place and ready to go.
Current Parents:
Our 2018-19 Concert Calendar will be here! (needs to be updated)
See the home page for current events.
Current orchestra assignments, class work, and other procedures are posted in the WOW in Google Classroom for each class. See the Policies manual for information about logging in to Classroom.