COURSES OFFERED AND ENSEMBLE PROGRESSION

Beginner Orchestra – In beginner orchestra, students will learn the basics of musical notation, rhythm, and performance on one of the following instruments:  violin, viola, cello, and contrabass.  Students without prior experience are automatically placed in Beginner Orchestra.  Beginner Orchestra is considered a 6th grade course; however, 7th graders may take the course as well.  Incoming students with prior experience on a string instrument should consider auditioning for a higher level orchestra.  Audition information may be found on the Audition Information Page.

Intermediate Orchestra – The Intermediate Orchestra is a standard second-year orchestra and continues with concepts from the Beginner Orchestra class.  It is considered a MS Non-Varsity level class.  Students learn more complex and challenging performance techniques and further develop skills in reading music notation.  Sixth grade students may be placed in the Intermediate Orchestra if the director deems through an audition process that the student has successfully mastered all concepts taught in the Beginner Orchestra class.  This orchestra participates in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation in April.

Advanced Orchestra – Advanced Orchestra is the Varsity level orchestra for middle school.  Students having at least two years of prior instruction on a string instrument are admitted based on demonstration of Intermediate Orchestra level prerequisite skills through matriculation from Intermediate or audition.  Students will enhance their comprehension of musical concepts, hone their skills in sight-reading, and focus on repertoire performance.  This orchestra participates in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation in April.

Talkington Sinfonietta – The Talkington Sinfonietta is the varsity high school orchestra.  High school students with at least three years of instruction on their instrument with demonstrate of prerequisite skills (through matriculation or audition) are admitted to the Talkington Sinfonietta.  The Talkington Sinfonietta is currently the top competing performance orchestra at Talkington.  Students in this group focus on developing tone quality, advanced instrumental techniques, and a growing repertoire of advanced performance pieces; this orchestra participates in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation in April.

One of the most important things to consider each year is the importance of continued participation in orchestra.  As students progress from grade to grade, a variety of course options are made available to them.  As you make decisions about your educational priorities, please consider that for optimal musical development, students are encouraged to maintain studies in orchestra as long as possible.  A "pause" in instruction can be detrimental to a student's development.  Students who drop orchestra for one year and plan to return the next year generally struggle greatly to "catch" up with students on their level if they return to orchestra.  Finally, because orchestra is very much a team effort, maintaining strong sections within the orchestra is something to consider as you choose your electives each year.  Your participation benefits the group!  Learning to play an instrument is incredibly rewarding, academically beneficial, and is a means by which many students are awarded college scholarships.  It is also incredibly hard work and requires responsibility and dedication.

CLASSROOM REHEARSAL

Daily rehearsal is the crux of learning in orchestra and the focus during this time is learning new musical concepts, developing new skills, and collaborating within the ensemble to produce a uniform and quality ensemble sound and performance from individual parts.  Rehearsal is not the time for students to learn their part (unless there is a new concept); rehearsal is for putting parts together and making improvements to the overall sound.  It is, therefore, critical that students learn their parts in at-home practice and come to rehearsal knowing the pitches, rhythms, and musical elements of their parts.

Each rehearsal has three components:  tuning, warm-up & technical development, and repertoire.  Students learn to tune their instrument near the end of the first semester as a beginner.  After the beginner year, students should take complete ownership of the tuning of their instrument.

***Students MUST have an instrument every day for rehearsal!  Violin and viola students that fail to have their personal or assigned instrument during rehearsal will be issued lunch detention for each day the instrument is not at school.  Under no circumstances are students permitted to borrow the instruments of other students to avoid the consequences of their unpreparedness.  Cello and bass students MUST bring have their personal or assigned instrument on campus during their assigned week.  Failure to present the instrument to the director for repair check and adjustment will also result in the issuance of lunch detention (See Instrument Resources Page for more information about Instrument Check for Cellos and Basses).***

CLASS/REHEARSAL SUPPLIES

Each student is required to provide and possess the following supplies daily during rehearsal:

• Music Folio (provided to students)

• Music - students will be provided with the music necessary for each concert.  High School students will receive original music (not a copy) and will be expected to take extremely good care of their part.  Students will also be provided a method book for use during technical development and a practice journal.  Music, the method book, and the practice journal should be kept in the provided music folder or folio.

• Pencil – this piece of equipment is vital and must be brought daily!!!

• Violinists and violists must have a good shoulder rest (Kun, Artino, Cadenza, Everest, etc.) that fits their instrument.  School instruments come with one that students will be responsible for bringing daily; these must be replaced by the student if lost.

• Rosin (provided to beginners and available upon request by other students).

• 24-inch Stool - string bass students will need a stool for practice at home.  Students will be taught to set up their performance posture and instrument height/angle using a 24-inch stool in class.  It is advised that one is acquire for at-home practice.  A very affordable, collapsible option may be found at Walmart.  Here is a link to a great option (they are less expensive in the store).

• Extra set of Strings - good quality strings should be replaced on each instrument before the beginning of every year.  Keeping an extra set in the instrument case is a good habit since strings break occasionally and need to be replaced immediately.  Recommended brands of strings are “Dominant,” “Helicore” (especially for advancing players), or any of the Pirastro line of strings.  WARNING!  Under NO circumstances should “Red Label” strings be purchased!!  They are cheap for a reason!  Students renting an instrument from the school do not need to purchase a set of strings; these will be provided as needed by the director.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Due to the obvious limitations of the large classroom setting, it is highly advisable that students take private lessons as they progress in the program.  A student’s potential for individual success in class, and at All-Region and Solo and Ensemble, will be greatly enhanced by studying privately with an instructor.  Furthermore, the continued success of the entire orchestra program is dramatically affected by the number of students who study privately.  Information on private lessons can be obtained through the orchestra office or by going by George Robinson Violins to pick up a current list of private lesson teachers.  On some occasions funding may be provided, please inquire to see if you qualify.