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Beginning Strings is the entry level orchestral strings class open to students in any grade level who wish to join the orchestra.
This class offers students the opportunity to play and learn the:
Violin
Viola
Cello
Double Bass
The course covers the basic elements of tone production, instrument care, musicianship, and reading music. Students will learn about and try each of the 4 instruments before deciding in the 2nd week of school. The Beginning Strings performs at the Winter and Spring Music department concerts at the AHS and CHS PAEC's.
Music students usually take orchestra for all three years of middle school and go on to play in one of our award winning high school Orchestras at Agoura High School and Calabasas High School.
We are proud of our music students and all that they learn and accomplish. Most of our students continue their study of music in high school and college, and many receive awards and scholarships. One thing your child has in common with our former students is that at one time they also were beginners. The study of music can do much to enrich their lives and help them grow and improve in all areas of school. There is no better gift you can give your child.
Our first task is to help your child select the instrument he/she will learn. During the first few days of school, your child will see a demonstration of each instruments and choose TWO they might like to learn. Our music staff will then meet with each student individually to determine which of his/her two choices will be the best choice. The criteria for this decision is based on the following:
The physical requirements of the instrument. Each student is evaluated to help ensure that he/she is physically suited to the chosen instrument. This step is very important and will help avoid potential problems. String instruments are made in various sizes,
The balance of instruments. Being a member of orchestra in many ways similar to being a member of a baseball team. A team with only pitchers will not be very successful. Each instrument is responsible for contributing a unique sound or color to the group. Imagine a rainbow without any red, or with only red. Keeping the numbers of each instrument in proper proportion will give your child the most fulfilling and rewarding experience possible. Keep an open mind. Being part of the orchestra is far more important than what instrument your child actually plays. Your young bass player could grow up to win a full scholarship to college!
Very Important!
Very Important!
Please do not get an instrument until I have approved the choice. You will receive a letter about the approved choice and directions for what to do next.
I look forward to working with your student and to meeting you this year. Welcome to the music program!
We have two professional musicians who come in once a week to coach our students on instrument specific skills.
Mrs. Beseke works with our Violin and Violas
Ms. Raliegh works with our Cellos and Basses
They are also available for private lessons if you want to improve quicker. They can also be hired as professional musicians for a gig if you have need!
Class Overview ( Syllabus )
The middle school beginning strings will offer violin, viola, cello, and string bass. Students who want to start on instruments other that those listed must get private lessons. All students in first year beginning band will be considered to be “Beginner” level music students.
First Quarter
1. Put instrument together and name parts.
2. Take instrument apart and put in case.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of basic instrument maintenance routine.
- String instrument care, no hot environments,
- String players will learn how to tune strings, change strings, and take care of the pegs and fine tuners for ease of use.
4. Students will learn proper posture by sitting on the front edge of the chair with their feet flat on the floor in front of them. Backs should be straight and upper body should be balanced. They will also demonstrate proper instrument playing position and carrying position with a focus on proper hand placement.
5. All players will learn how to hold the bow separately from how to hold the instrument.
6. Students will learn the first note in their beginning string book and demonstrate correct pizzicato positioning.
7. Students will be expected to learn and commit to memory the names, fingerings and sounds of the strings on the instruments, and the names of the first four fingered notes on each string.
8. Students will be expected to learn whole notes/rests, half notes/rests and quarter notes/rests and perform them properly as they are written in their method book in various sequences.
9. Students will learn the concepts of time signature and 4/4 time.
Second Quarter
1. Students will learn rhythms that include dotted half notes, eighth note pairs on a single note, eighth note grouped in fours on both repeated and diatonic patterns. They will also learn dotted quarter note rhythms.
2. Students will learn the rest of the notes and fingerings in book 1 and be able to use them fluently in rehearsal and performance. They will memorize at least 4 of the scales listed in the back of book one.
3. Students will learn tempo terms such as tempo, andante, moderato, allegro and vivace.
4. Students will learn about musical dynamic terms including piano, mezzo forte and forte. Students in middle school beginning string students are expected to have completed book 1 of their particular method book and demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and instrument pedagogy contained within by the end of the first year and be able to perform concert music at the grade 1 level.
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